Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans
10007 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 7:40 AM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
|
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.
|
|
|
Replying to: stickguy (Jun 29, 2006 6:08 am) 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.
|
|
|
Replying to: lexusguy (Jun 29, 2006 7:07 am) Yes, it is supposed to be. |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: lexusguy (Jun 29, 2006 7:07 am) 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. |
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: stickguy (Jun 30, 2006 5:33 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? | |
|
personal reason, not anything related to the cars, but no German cars allowed (or DC now). The rest of Europe is fine, it's just the cars aren't! Actually, from what I have read, the upcoming Volvo S80 could be a strong player, especially for people that are tired of the German-lead fascination with overly complex gizmos and controls. Swedish modern might just appeal to a few people!
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: stickguy (Jun 30, 2006 7:29 am) |
|
|
Replying to: lansdownemike (Jun 30, 2006 11:45 am) Volvo's CR scores are no better than Mercedes, BMW, or Audi, so I wouldn't pick them if you're seriously concerned about reliability. In fact, the S40 has much worse scores for '05 than the 3 series, A4, and even the C class. I'm sure the S80's seats are going to be fantastic, but I dont think the M or A6 have any reason to worry in terms of performance. |
|
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2007 Lexus GS 430
2011 Acura RL
2011 BMW 5 Series
2010 Volvo S80
2010 Audi A6
2010 Infiniti M35
2010 Infiniti M45
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2010 Cadillac STS
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
