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Luxury Performance Sedans

10338 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 3:12 PM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus GS 430, Acura RL, BMW 5 Series, Volvo S80, Audi A6, Infiniti M35, Infiniti M45, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac STS, Sedan

Messages Page 679 of 1035

#6776 of 10338 Rich folks. . . by markcincinnati

Mar 10, 2006 (3:26 pm)

. . .rich folks vs really rich folks. One group of rich folks has good income, some wealth and decent cash flow, they are usually under 40. They drive the Audi, BMW and Mercedes high five and low six figure cars, if they are the more gregarious types (not that there is anything wrong with that.)
 
The really rich folks seem to drive nice, but oddly inexpensive or older versions of expensive cars that they got years ago. I don't personally know the most recent (former) owner of the Cincinnati Reds, but he eats at the same medium upscale restaurant as I -- he has a Rolls.
 
Other very well off people based on either reputation or personal knowledge drive, for instance, the most expensive Lexus made but it has over 200,000 miles on it and it has been repainted twice and had lots of TLC to keep it going.
 
Another such individual drives a Honda mini van and has a very nice SRX with all the toys on it. The third such person I know drives an Avalon. The president of a software company that I know drives BMW's -- one at a time, has had a two seater, followed by a coupe followed by a five then a 7 and now back to the Z car. He is all over the board. Once a $75,000+ car then a $39,000 car.
 
Another guy buys Audi A6's w/ the 4.2's probably topping out at $63K.
 
The guy who owns the BMW store is often seen in his 1997 M3 or his 2006 X3. Who knows what's what.
 
The [former] owner of the Audi store has an A6 and a Boxster. The sales manager, however, has an A8L.
 
The guy that sold me mine had an A6, now has an A4 avant.
 
My millionaire next door cousin drives ONLY cars that cost "a couple of thousand dollars." Yet he has a million dollar apartment in Venice, Italy and more commercial real estate than he can remember.
 
Now HE bothers me, for his cars are literally rickety and have bald tires and barely working accessories, such as the wipers.
 
Takes all kind in this LPS world.
 
OK, so I sit here today on casual Friday with my Tissot watch but wearing my Prada Shoes -- shoes bought and paid for by Audi of America in recognition of my long and loyal patronage. What makes them worth nearly $400 -- thanks to Audi for buying them for me with a Nieman Marcus gift card!
 
To repeat: takes all kinds.
 
"Odd" though that there is a paucity of Japanese cars in the list, don't you think?
 
Have a great weekend, spring, here in Cincinnapolis, is in the air.
 
 

#6777 of 10338 Re: Rich folks. . . [markcincinnati] by lexusguy

Mar 10, 2006 (5:02 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Mar 10, 2006 3:26 pm)
There are actually some pretty interesting cars in my neighborhood, including a Z8, a 911 GT2, and a 360 Modena. These are all owned by very well off people obviously, but none of them are super rich. I dont think billionares have time to think about cars.

#6778 of 10338 Re: What cars do the wealthiest people own? [dewey] by brightness04

Mar 10, 2006 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Mar 10, 2006 11:26 am)
Not only is there not a singele Japanese LPS, there isn't a single LPS at all! Lincolns and pickup trucks won the day. We are all driving the wrong type of vehicles; that must be the reason why we are not as rich as they are

#6779 of 10338 Re: What cars do the wealthiest people own? [brightness04] by bdr127

Mar 10, 2006 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: brightness04 (Mar 10, 2006 5:13 pm)
Here's my theory as to why these bajillionaires don't drive the seriously upscale cars.... They know they depreciate heavily. I'm sure they have plenty of valuable property and realize that it will probably appreciate, too. Perhaps they are just more wise with their money and put into something that grows rather than withers away.... Any thoughts?

#6780 of 10338 Buying a LPS by hit

Mar 10, 2006 (7:00 pm)

Well.. I decided I've worked my ass off hard enough and earned the privilage to buy myself a nice car. I started off driving an early ninties 740iL as my 2nd car, and that's what got me hooked on what it is to ENJOY driving, as opposed to what other cars do: get you from point A to point B. I have a 03 Honda Accord v6 coupe now, and I'll be selling that.
 
But my question is this: what is the best car to get for me? I'm 21 yrs old -- looking for a luxurious and enjoyable ride.. but I want a bit of kick in the car as well (so 525 is out of the question, and I'm not a fan of the new BMW styling anyway). My primary focus right now is on a m45 sport, but it seems many people here are fans of Audi and Lexus. I will be leasing, and ~700 a month is my cutoff... so unfortunetly I can't really allow myself an E55 or a 750 just yet.

#6781 of 10338 Re: Buying a LPS [hit] by docnukem

Mar 10, 2006 (7:10 pm)

Replying to: hit (Mar 10, 2006 7:00 pm)
It depends on your needs. If you don't need a large car, you can get a lot of kick out of a 330, or G35 (I love the coupe, it's just not practical for me). If you want more luxury, then you will probably have to move up to the M35/45, 530/550, A6, RL, or GS. Any vehicle discussed on this board will give you luxury and some kick to varying degrees.
 
The next big question is how much a stick is worth to you, because that shakes out most of 'em.

#6782 of 10338 Re: Buying a LPS [hit] by lexusguy

Mar 10, 2006 (7:17 pm)

Replying to: hit (Mar 10, 2006 7:00 pm)
I think you'll like the M, its about as close as you can get to a 550i without actually getting a 550i.
 
Personally, I'm not that big of a fan of the new A6, but if you want a V8 and AWD, the Infiniti is automatically out.
 
If you like the M45 sport, I dont think you're going to like the GS430. The computer brakes and computer steering take away just about all the fun, and while technically VDIM can be shut down (using a fun 13 step service code every time you start the car) its not the right car for the performance minded driver. The GS300 is actually more fun to drive, too bad it has just 245hp.

#6783 of 10338 Wealthy people and their cars by anthonyp

Mar 10, 2006 (7:20 pm)

I`m telling you `They are into planes` Mr Buffet --a good many years ago--finally allowed his company to get a small jet....He was quite agast at it`s cost but relented as it permitted him to get around more conveniently..Eventually he got into the plane leasing business--although I`m not sure it is profitable...That led into pilot training equipment... At the private airport the parking lot is mostly Suburbans ...Go out sometimes and take a look for yourselves -and report back what you see...Tony

#6784 of 10338 Re: Buying a LPS [docnukem] by hit

Mar 10, 2006 (7:31 pm)

Replying to: docnukem (Mar 10, 2006 7:10 pm)
I can defintely live without a stick, the auto w/ manual shift is good enough for when I want to have fun with the car.

#6785 of 10338 Re: What cars do the wealthiest people own? [bdr127] by cmybimmergo

Mar 10, 2006 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: bdr127 (Mar 10, 2006 5:29 pm)
Maybe it's that those who have the serious money don't feel the need to shout it from the rooftops; they're not trying to impress anyone, and anyway, everyone knows what they have. So they drive whatever pleases them/serves their purpose, regardless of the cost. Those who just want everyone else to think they have a lot of money might be more inclined to make ostentatious purchases.
 
Also, when you literally can have anything you want, any time you want it, it kind of takes the fun out of getting it. So why bother?

Messages Page 679 of 1035

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