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Luxury Performance Sedans

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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

#7648 of 10007 Audi Commercial by aflc Jun 28, 2006 (10:19 pm)
I've been seeing a lot of Q7 commercials lately. The most I have ever seen for an Audi in the past few years. It's on almost every channel and I see a few every night. Before you would be lucky to see one on anything besides the history channel, and those were pretty limited too. I wonder if they need the extra boost with gas prices out of control.   I wish the people in the marketing group would have thought about spending a little money and had given the A6 a little more air time when it first came out. I don't think anyone knew that a new A6 model was even out there. Replies to this message: markcincinnati (Jun 29, 2006 4:02 am)
#7649 of 10007 Re: Audi Commercial [aflc] by markcincinnati Jun 29, 2006 (4:02 am)
Replying to: aflc (Jun 28, 2006 10:19 pm) Amen to that.
#7650 of 10007 Re: Perhaps I'm an anomaly. . .(rant) [reality2] by hnlaj Jun 29, 2006 (4:58 am)
Replying to: reality2 (Jun 23, 2006 5:45 pm) Audi has improve their quality alot since the 80s, my 2k A6 is like day and night compare to 5000CS (1987) and 90CS (1991). Its been trouble free. On the other hand, our 1998 Lexus GS400 has as trouble free as our 1990 LS400. Maybe its the first year in that second gen, but Toyota/Lexus dont make cars the way they used to with the Cressidas (1986 and 1989). Still, looking in to GS430/460 or the IS350, hoping they improve since the GS.
#7651 of 10007 test sits by stickguy Jun 29, 2006 (6:08 am)
Did some test sitting yesterday. Looked at the RL, M35, GS300 and Caddy STS.   Without driving them (but having read numerous reviews and road tests), I would pick the M35 hands down. Nicely loaded, great seats, roomy, looks sharp, and supposed to be the "sportiest" to drive.   The Caddy was quite large, but the seats were too confining, and the interior just didn't work for me. Should be a bit cheaper though.   The RL seemed overpriced. Maybe because the interior looked and felt too much like my Accord. Just didn't seem like a 50K car, but there certainly were a lot of gadgets.   THe GS looks nice, and has a stylish interior, but I was way short of headroom. THe back seat I expected (it was marginal at best), but my head was up against the roof in the front too. I had to recline the seat way more than I wanted to just to fit, and even then it wasn't comfortable. Just seemed like it was designed for buyers no more than 5' 8"!   One problem with all these seems to be the trunk. I couldn't figure out how to open the trunk on the STS, but the other three (particularly the GS) didn't seem that big, and since the rear seats don't fold down, you are a bit limited if yo ucarry a lot of junk, such as on a vacation to the beach. The M's trunk did seem to be the boxiest. Replies to this message: lexusguy (Jun 29, 2006 7:07 am) sfcharlie (Jun 29, 2006 6:30 pm) markcincinnati (Jun 30, 2006 4:53 am)
#7652 of 10007 Re: test sits [stickguy] by lexusguy Jun 29, 2006 (7:07 am)
Replying to: stickguy (Jun 29, 2006 6:08 am) Without driving them (but having read numerous reviews and road tests), I would pick the M35 hands down. Nicely loaded, great seats, roomy, looks sharp, and supposed to be the "sportiest" to drive.   The M is definitely my favorite of the bunch. That said, you definitely won't have to pay $50K for the RL. The dealers are giving them away at maybe $44K, just to get them off of the lot. Even still, the M is so much better, it's worth the extra money. Replies to this message: sfcharlie (Jun 29, 2006 6:30 pm) markcincinnati (Jun 30, 2006 4:53 am)
#7653 of 10007 Re: test sits [lexusguy] by sfcharlie Jun 29, 2006 (6:30 pm)
Replying to: lexusguy (Jun 29, 2006 7:07 am) M35 is supposed to be the "sportiest" to drive.   Yes, it is supposed to be.
#7654 of 10007 Re: test sits [lexusguy] by markcincinnati Jun 30, 2006 (4:53 am)
Replying to: lexusguy (Jun 29, 2006 7:07 am) I have driven the Audi, BMW Mercedes, Infinity and Cadillac models that are considered to be in the LPS class.   These cars have many similarities, indeed depending upon their equipment levels even the Cadillac STS can be made to "feel" more competent than the BMW. The pecking order can be altered that is.   Price is an important factor when the cars are as close as these cars are to each other, especially at 9/10ths and under. The RL at $10,000 "lower" than the BMW or Audi, for instance, might be a better choice.   The M35X with its excellent suspension and 18" wheels and sticky tires (but all seasons, typically) is near the top of this class.   But a test drive will refine the word supposed to be the sportiest to drive.   Again depending upon equipment levels, the STS may totally take you by surprise, especially if it is equipped with the sport bits and magna ride.   Likewise the BMW at its base level and skinny 17" all seasons with an automatic is underwhelming.   The BMW with a 6speed manual and a couple of option boxes checked remains, IMHO, undefeated. Follow that selection with the 6spd auto-only equipped A6 SLine, then the M nipping at both of their wheels, so to speak, brings up third.   Argue, contradict and gimmie an "OH YEA?!?" -- after you have driven the Bimmer 530xi with a stick shift and 18" wheels and tires, the Sline A6 with the 19" wheels and tires (or even the 18's if that is all you can find to test) and the M35X with journey and technology packages.   Take them on the exact same test loop, take them each at least two times in a row on this loop, take them back to back if logistics permit a same day test.   If you then find the M is your "hands down" pick -- welcome to the club.   My guess is you'll pick the one that you like the looks of the most that has a price that is within your threshold of pain.   That is, you will be in a very rare club if you actually do buy the car that performs the best -- by what are often considered "performance" criteria by the folks who do this for a living at Automobile, Car and Driver and Road and Track, etc etc etc.   Listen, I have the Audi, "I shoulda got a BMW!" My only excuse was there was no stick shift AWD BMW in June 2005, so I went with the less expensive M35X until Audi made me a "deal I couldn't refuse" on the number 2 performer.   Of course most all of this is really subjective, no kidding.
#7655 of 10007 subjective? by stickguy Jun 30, 2006 (5:33 am)
really? Just kidding!   I tend to agree with your take on things. The ca is actually for my SIL, and one of the criteria is no German cars. She also isn't into 10/10th handling at the expense of ride, but does like something with tight steering and good road holding (she has an FX 35 now, so should feel comfy with the M35).   I personally have a soft spot for BMWs, but also hate overly complicated controls (must be a closet Ludite), so that idrive might drive me nuts. The Audi does sound like a nice package too. The Caddy I couldn't get into.   Actually, for me, I would prefer the next size down. I consider a G35 or 3 series to be plenty big for my needs.   Oh, and the M would be ruled out: no stick shift! Replies to this message: markcincinnati (Jun 30, 2006 6:31 am)
#7656 of 10007 Re: subjective? [stickguy] by markcincinnati Jun 30, 2006 (6:31 am)
Replying to: stickguy (Jun 30, 2006 5:33 am) Why no American or German cars?
#7657 of 10007 CHRYSLER EMPLOYEE DISC PLAN by jerrymcshane1 Jun 30, 2006 (6:57 am)
The employee discount for EVERYONE goes in effect Saturday. F/GM said they would NOT match this offer. My local Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick dealer has so many vehicles on its lot that he's looking to rent some space next door. And you think he's not going to complain to GM about not matching Chrysler?

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