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Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans
10007 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 7:40 AM
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Jul 27, 2006 7:37 am) |
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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?
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Replying to: merc1 (Jul 27, 2006 9:01 pm) 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.
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Replying to: breld (Jul 27, 2006 9:46 pm) Not a bit. I've been doing the very same thing with used Jag convertibles for years. |
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Replying to: lexusguy (Jul 28, 2006 12:55 am) Yep, but oh wait it gets worse. The SL550 just beat the XLR-V in a head to head in the Sept issue of Motor Trend. What I find interesting is that the XLR-V's performance is only a few tenths of a second better here and there compared to the SL550. It doesn't stand a chance against the SL55 AMG. However I also give them credit for trying, there is nothing like the XLR from an American brand so I guess that has to count for something. Honda really should send us that really hot version of the Civic hatchback, I think it would sell on looks alone. What I'd most like to see is a 350Z killer from Toyota priced at the same level. M
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Replying to: merc1 (Jul 28, 2006 1:37 am) A Z killer from Toyota would be nice, but supposedly the Supra is going to price like the GT-R, rather than the Z. A Mazdaspeed RX-8 would be a good alternative to the Z however, as would a new S2000, if Honda ever gets around to it. 
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It seems to me that in press releases, in ads, and (to a lesser degree) in what emphasis auto mags put on each brand, you get a sense of what niche (in the collective consciousness of consumers) the company is most interested in capturing. Infiniti's ads are heavily weighted toward "design" and one press release says unambiguously: we want to be the design leader. I think you have to like "a lot of design" to love look and feel of M35/M45. BMW appears targeted at "best engines in the world" and car mags pick that up -- the only full length articles on a brand's new engines, that I can recall, were on the engines in the new 3-series, when that line hit the market. I googled "Audi A6 V6 S-Line" and the first hit, from the UK press, read: "Audi's A6 is a highly evolved motorcar and their 3.2-Litre V6 FSI is a highly advanced engine. They make a good pair. Audi make great play of the advanced technology that they manage to pack into their products and well they might. Take the A6 3.2-litre FSI we feature here with its Fuel Stratified Injection engine, adaptive air suspension, the option of front-wheel or quattro four-wheel drive and the choice of three different gearboxes. That's before we even get into the options list where wonders like in-car televisions, voice command systems and distance-sensing cruise control reside."
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Replying to: merc1 (Jul 27, 2006 8:17 pm) True enough, but in 2008 I think the Japanese are ready to play their trump card. Everything I've heard about the anticipated Skyline GTR (Nissan Badge), would seem to put them square in the M division/ AMG ranks.
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Replying to: sfcharlie (Jul 28, 2006 5:42 am) I do remember full length articles on Audi's DSG, though. BMW may have the best engines, but their SMG is no match for Audi's.
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Replying to: lexusguy (Jul 28, 2006 3:16 pm) Exactly...German car reviews typically include discussions of the drivetrain and chassis, etc. Japanese car reviews more typically describe the pleasant (and sometimes exciting) experience, but, taking the M35 as example, looking over the reviews that got me excited about it, none go into any detail about new advances developed by Nissan in engine or transmission for this car. Nissan had a good engine/drivetrain (the V6 has been on Wards ten-best-engine list for years and the "rev-matching manu-matic" is good, for a 5-speed), but--my view now--a media-seducing vehicle was assembled by dropping an existing well-regarded (12-year-old engine) and an available transmission (geared to run like a 1960s muscle car and with about the same mpg) onto a modified 350Z->G35 chassis wrapped with a modified Maxima body, while all the left-over design and development money went into creating a swell living-room/command-post interior. A marketing marvel that seduced successfully; but it isn't BMW/Audi/MB 21st-century engineering.
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