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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

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


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#7923 of 10007
Transmission ? on a 2002 530/Automatic w/Sport by dzuba
Jul 27, 2006 (3:10 pm)
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Have not visited here lately and can't believe one of the first threads I read is from Shipo - wow. We spoke about three years ago when I bought my 02 CPO - LOL.
  
Anyways, I now have 75K on my 02 and am contemplating getting rid of it before:
  
1. It gets to 100K miles and the value really drops
2. I have to deal with a new transmission at about 100K miles. Never had a problem with the car yet, and I am a novice here with this question - but how long do these transmissions last considering they are well taken care of.
3. Does CPO cover a new tranny should it go before 100K miles?
  
Thanks
#7924 of 10007
Re: Breathtakingly expensive [markcincinnati] by curtisb
Jul 27, 2006 (3:10 pm)
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Jul 26, 2006 11:11 am)

Japanese vehicles are "good cars".
 
European vehicles are "driving machines"!
 
I prefer to enjoy and yes, dare I say LOVE driving my 328ci anyday of the week over my Nissan Maxima, which is still a "good car".
 
I am currently looking at and comparing vehicles in the bracket of BMW's 540i (2003 model year) and thus far have yet to find something even remotely enjoyable or as valued as the BMW. Nothing really even comes close.
#7925 of 10007
Re: Breathtakingly expensive [curtisb] by lexusguy
Jul 27, 2006 (4:46 pm)
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Replying to: curtisb (Jul 27, 2006 3:10 pm)

Japanese vehicles are "good cars".
  
European vehicles are "driving machines"!

 
Again, over generalizing. The Japanese and Europeans can both make driving machines, they just have different ideas as to what a driving machine is. Of course a Nissan Maxima (which used to have a beam axle in back for "extra rear seat room") is no match for a 328ci.
 
Japan's "ultimate driving machines" are more akin to a Porsche GT3 RS than anything BMW makes. They dont waste any weight on wood and leather. Generally, they also have never been sold in the US.
 
Japan's highest performance cars that are currently in production are the Lancer Evo MR FQ400, and the WRX STi Spec. C WR. 0-60 takes place in about 4 seconds, and only the fastest Porsches would be able to catch them on a track. The M3 or M5 wouldn't have a chance.
#7926 of 10007
Re: Breathtakingly expensive [lexusguy] by merc1
Jul 27, 2006 (8:17 pm)
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Replying to: lexusguy (Jul 27, 2006 4:46 pm)

I understand where you're coming from here, but those cars aren't always available here and they aren't luxury cars they're pretty much boy-racers (compared to a Porsche or BMW) which is why most folks don't think of them with they generalize about Japanese cars. A M3 or M5 are far more sophisticated and Japan doesn't have anything in the luxury ranks to tackle a AMG/M/RS type vehicle form MB/BMW/Audi. That and the fact the Europeans make for more driving machines across a much broader market only enhance the perception the above poster has, IMO.
 
M
#7927 of 10007
Re: Breathtakingly expensive [merc1] by lexusguy
Jul 27, 2006 (8:42 pm)
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Replying to: merc1 (Jul 27, 2006 8:17 pm)

I understand where you're coming from here, but those cars aren't always available here and they aren't luxury cars they're pretty much boy-racers (compared to a Porsche or BMW) which is why most folks don't think of them with they generalize about Japanese cars. A M3 or M5 are far more sophisticated and Japan doesn't have anything in the luxury ranks to tackle a AMG/M/RS type vehicle form MB/BMW/Audi.
 
True, just making a point that Japan can make world-beating UHP cars if they want to. At the same time, recent efforts from Mazda and Nissan like the MS6 and Infiniti M show that they can do Euro style, "mature" performance cars as well. I'd very much like to see Infiniti adopt an AMG style performance arm. Surely if Cadillac can do it, they can.
#7928 of 10007
Re: Breathtakingly expensive [lexusguy] by merc1
Jul 27, 2006 (9:01 pm)
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Replying to: lexusguy (Jul 27, 2006 8:42 pm)

Well you know don't have to sell me on Infiniti, they're my favorite of the big 3 Japanese luxury brands by far.
 
I think what you said earlier about where the car originate from and the priorities that shape them on their homeland have a great deal to do with who make what. Brilliant point.
 
Nissan and Mazda while credible, don't really apply here though.
 
Cadillac doing a performance arm is really something, but as of late they seem to be taking one loss after another. They have the power, but not the refinement or polish to make any real waves in the AMG/M/RS world it seems.
 
M
#7929 of 10007
Re: The Audi Driving Experience: A Trip to Joy Pt #2 [markcincinnati] by reality2
Jul 27, 2006 (9:45 pm)
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Jul 27, 2006 7:37 am)

Thanks for the synposis. I agree with you regarding this remarkable experience. I participated in the 2005 Seefeld Audi Driving Experience and it was everything and more as you described. Next: Barcelona or Finland Audi Driving Experiences with the Barcelona with RS4s.
#7930 of 10007
530xi it is (maybe)... by breld
Jul 27, 2006 (9:46 pm)
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So, after all this talk of European vs. Japanese, my own experiences comparing the M35 vs. 530, and in particular, the emotional side of the car decision, I may just have found my car today.
 
I browse Autotrader daily, getting a feel for the market for 530xi's, on a national basis. Figure I'd do something early next year, when there's more of a used market for them. There's been several interesting listings, but always out-of-state, which isn't unthinkable by any means, but it was enough to keep me at bay.
 
Well, today a listing pops up at a local dealership - 2006 530xiT, 6,500 miles, CPO, and here's the kicker - manual trannie.
 
Now, I've been a pretty die-hard stick shift guy, but over the last several months, as I started looking at this LPS class, I found myself accepting, and more recently, even embracing, the idea of getting an automatic. Part of it was indeed liking the idea of perhaps a more "relaxed" driving experience for the daily commute, and part of it was simply out of necessity - other than the BMW, there is no choice in this class. And considering I resolved myself to the used market for a 530 (for price reasons), I figured chances of finding a manual were pretty slim anyhow.
 
Then I saw this listing, and it definitely gets my juices flowing. I'm the responsible father dropping off my two boys at daycare in the family truckster, and then continue on my way to work in my 6-speed manual sports wagon!
 
Well, I'll probably take a look at it tomorrow. I could see myself going ahead with it if the numbers work out, but I could just as easily see myself holding off until next year. I kind of enjoy the process - weighing the pros and cons of the different choices, doing the research, the "hunt" for that gem in the used market. Kinda crazy, huh?
#7931 of 10007
Re: Breathtakingly expensive [merc1] by lexusguy
Jul 28, 2006 (12:55 am)
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Replying to: merc1 (Jul 27, 2006 9:01 pm)

Cadillac doing a performance arm is really something, but as of late they seem to be taking one loss after another. They have the power, but not the refinement or polish to make any real waves in the AMG/M/RS world it seems.
 
Very true. The XLR-V came in dead last in C&D, and this line "A good choice if you must be seen in a domestic vehicle." was the clincher. For $100K, they have to do better than "not bad...for Detroit". Still, at least they're trying.
 
Japan has a very long history of not even bothering to send their hot cars to the states, partly because of things like emissions, but I think mostly due to them being timid about whether or not they'll sell any here. Once in a blue moon Honda will send a "Type R" our way, but 9 times out of 10 they are only for the Europe and Japan markets, and we get some sort of watered down version instead.
 
We only get the basic level of the Evo and WRX, and an even more basic Legacy Spec.B.
 
It will be interesting to see what Nissan, Honda, and Toyota can do with their new supercars. We've got the Ford GT, Germany has the Carrera GT and the SLR, Italy has well, boatloads of supercars, but Japan's currently got nothing.
#7932 of 10007
Re: 530xi it is (maybe)... [breld] by lexusguy
Jul 28, 2006 (1:02 am)
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Replying to: breld (Jul 27, 2006 9:46 pm)

I kind of enjoy the process - weighing the pros and cons of the different choices, doing the research, the "hunt" for that gem in the used market. Kinda crazy, huh?
 
Not a bit. I've been doing the very same thing with used Jag convertibles for years.

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