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Luxury Performance Sedans

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

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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 728 of 1035

#7266 of 10338 Re: April 2006 Sales – Midsize Luxury Sedans [lexusguy] by merc1

May 03, 2006 (11:11 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (May 03, 2006 7:39 am)
Will it? The V8 is now stronger, but the E500 wasn't exactly slow. As for the facelift, to me it looks nearly identical to last year, both inside and out. I dont think changes only the most diehard Benz fanatic will notice are enough for it to suddenly kill the 5 in sales.
 
Yeah I think it will because along with those barely noticeable exterior changes they've repackaged the options and made more things standard (finally). They're getting a clue in that area now. It isn't all about the new engines and cosmetic changes, though the engines will add something for some folks for sure. True you'd have to be a Benz fan to notice the changes, but that is usually the case with most "facelifts" on any of the brands in this class.
 
Oh, and not that I think it will "kill" the 5-Series in sales that won't happen. That is kinda overstating what I said. Me and Dewey just are having a little fun here trying to see who will outsell who this year. The killing is the the 5 and E do to most of the other cars in the segments as far as sales go.
 
M

#7267 of 10338 Re: Lexus bashing [mariner7] by merc1

May 03, 2006 (11:19 pm)

Replying to: mariner7 (May 03, 2006 12:27 pm)
You bet. You've to understand, before any new Lexus comes out, its fans come out in force to say how it's the new standard and going to eat the competition alive.
 
Oh Mariner7 why, why oh why did you state the obvious?
 
M

#7268 of 10338 Re: sales comparison with 5 and E [stevekilburn] by lexusguy

May 04, 2006 (4:22 am)

Replying to: stevekilburn (May 03, 2006 5:20 pm)
You're not making any sense. The M is a disaster? Since when? Are you saying that M cant match the sales of 5 and E combined? What is the point of that?
 
We're not talking about 2001 GS sales, or sales of the last generation M45, which WAS a disaster.
 
Considering how long the 5 and E have been dominating the LPS segment, I think the M is doing amazingly well. Infiniti has been seriously competing in this segment for less than a year. To expect a company like Infiniti which doesnt have the badge prestige, doesnt have the dealer network, and only totals maybe 100K sales a year to topple the segment's two 800lb. gorillas in less than a year on the market is rediculous.

#7269 of 10338 Japan's car vs. brand sales for April by lexusguy

May 04, 2006 (4:52 am)

Infiniti: 2417 M sales represents 25.1% of total Infiniti sales for April
 
Lexus: 2336 GS sales represents 9.4% of total Lexus sales for April
 
Acura: 1031 RL sales represents 5.3% of total Acura sales for April
 
Despite the brand selling less than half the number of cars in April compared to Acura and Lexus, the M beat the GS and crushed the RL. Please explain to me how the M is a "failure".

#7270 of 10338 Re: Japan's car vs. brand sales for April [lexusguy] by merc1

May 04, 2006 (5:14 am)

Replying to: lexusguy (May 04, 2006 4:52 am)
Poor Acura what are they to do? I keep reading about a lower-priced RL to arrive this summer/fall with less equipment and a price closer to 40K instead of 50K. I guess that might help.
 
This time last year the RL, STS, GS, M and MB's own CLS made me cringe to think what all these newer models would do to the E-Class in terms of sales, but the one that took the spot would turn out to be an old friend (sort of) in the class, the 5-Series. Go figure.
 
Steve has it wrong about the M, LG. For a car with literally no past or reputation to sell as good as it has so far is a great success IMO.
 
M

#7271 of 10338 Re: April 2006 Sales – Midsize Luxury Sedans [merc1] by spiritinthesky

May 04, 2006 (5:22 am)

Replying to: merc1 (May 03, 2006 11:05 pm)
...have to realize that Mercedes and BMW are different and thats pretty much the way it will always be.
 
I agree completely. But as an aside, Mercedes/AMG has expended a lot of effort trying to win me (2003 M5) over. We have been invited to several Mercedes "VIP" events and had both an E55 and S55 offered to us for full weekend test drives. This is all coming from MBNA, not the local dealer who I know personally.
 
When I mentioned at the last such event that I was considering a Porsche 911 S or Turbo for later this year or next, I was called 2 days later with the offer of an SLK55 for the weekend and a "top priority" spot for the future CLK63 or SLK63. Beuatiful cars, I'm sure, but of absolutely no interest to me.
 
You or I might agree that Mercedes/AMG does not compete directly with BMW/M or Porsche, but don't tell the MBNA marketing guys that - I rather enjoy their wining and dining me.
 
P.S. Remember the original 300E? It was available with a 5 speed manual and my neighbor bought one of the very few such equiped ones that was imported into the US. He taught all of his kids how to drive a stick with it.

#7272 of 10338 Re: April 2006 Sales – Midsize Luxury Sedans [spiritinthesky] by merc1

May 04, 2006 (5:24 am)

Replying to: spiritinthesky (May 04, 2006 5:22 am)
Interesting take on it. Well I do think they compete with BMW/M and Porsche, but not directly if that makes sense. They can't be competing directly without manuals and even sportier setups, but these AMG cars aren't slouches either, just a more relaxed take on performance, a super GT if you will. I've always thought of a Mercedes as a heavy grand touring car relative to BMWs and especially Porsches. I don't know why they would give you a S55 if you're an M5 driver, that car is way to big and slanted towards luxury to compare to the M5. There is news that Mercedes may be offering sportier setups on certain AMG models, tenatively called "Track Sport" editions, but still no manuals for guys like you and habitat.
 
I don't blame you for taking them up on their offers I know I would!!
 
Yes I remember the 300E (W124), first Benz I ever drove. It was also the car that got me to liking Mercedes-Benz, especially the 500E version. That car is probably still my favorite Benz of all time. I remember a commercial for the 300E from back then in which the manual version topped out at 140 mph and the auto 137 mph. There was even a manual tranny SL320 in the early nineties they imported a whole 100 of them...lol!
 
M

#7273 of 10338 Re: April 2006 Sales – Midsize Luxury Sedans [merc1] by hpowders

May 04, 2006 (6:11 am)

Replying to: merc1 (May 03, 2006 11:13 pm)
It's what I do!

#7274 of 10338 Re: April 2006 Sales – Midsize Luxury Sedans [jrock65] by 2001gs430

May 04, 2006 (7:10 am)

Replying to: jrock65 (May 02, 2006 10:26 am)
April 2006 Sales – Midsize Luxury Sedans:
  
E = 3,778
5 = 3,699
M = 2,417
GS = 2,336
STS =
A6 = 1,555
RL = 1,031
 
I think the GS sales will regain third place if Lexus can make and deliver all 2000 GS450h by December.
 

#7275 of 10338 Re: Lexus GS, hideous styling and sloppy performance [stevekilburn] by 2001gs430

May 04, 2006 (7:15 am)

Replying to: stevekilburn (May 03, 2006 3:19 pm)

1. The headlights on GS are like somebody plucked out their eyeballs and running for help here and there. The serial killer headlights on 5 are at least intimidating.
 
I agree the head and tail lights can use some improvement. Some thing along the line of the LS460 would be nice.

Messages Page 728 of 1035

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