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Luxury Performance Sedans

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

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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

Messages Page 813 of 1035

#8114 of 10338 Re: 2006 A6 4.2 S-Line test [markcincinnati] by marleybarr

Aug 18, 2006 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Aug 18, 2006 11:23 am)
Drove the Acura RDX the other night and was enthusisatic about the vehicle. Didn't like the no-budge MSRP of $33,600 plus fees. How would you compare the BMW x-3 to the Acura?
 
I just had the turbos replaced on my 2000 A6 w/95,000 last week and now the "check engine" light is on again, fairly sure it is a mass air sensor or some similar part.Once this is repaired, going to try to move this car down the road towards either the x-3 or RDX.

#8115 of 10338 Re: 2006 A6 4.2 S-Line test [marleybarr] by markcincinnati

Aug 18, 2006 (1:14 pm)

Replying to: marleybarr (Aug 18, 2006 12:49 pm)
There's a discussion forum specifically for this topic.
 
X3 vs RDX -- just go to BMW, X3 and klik klik there it is.
 
The RDX with all options will come in $10,000 less than a comparably equipped X3.
 
It merits some attention for that fact alone.
 
Of course if it drives and rides like it costs $10,000 less, well then it isn't much competition for the X3.
 
Here in LPS land, if you could find a car that appeared "damn close" to a BMW 5 or Infiniti M or Audi A6 or whatever your favorite flavor was and it was a 5 figure to the left of the decimal point less MSRP, wouldn't you at least mull it over.
 
I'd like to see a full on test of a maxed out Chrysler 300C vs a Cadillac STS.
 
I don't know if that is some kind of flawed reasoning, but it seems similar to the situation between the X3 and the RDX, yes/no/maybe?
 
I was, long ago, looking at an Audi 4000S vs the then VW product called a Quantum. I did, at that time, go ahead and buy the 4000S, several years later, though, the Quantum came out with full leather the EXACT same 5 cylinder engine as was in the Audi, the 5 speed stick a nice stereo and on and on and on -- THAT time, I bought the Quantum. Traded it a year later for an Audi 80 quattro sport.
 
The point is, using the LPS cars as a starting point, there are more and more near-LPS cars that seem like they "might" get our attention due in large part to their near-LPS content and way below LPS price.
 
Well, that was the idea behind the Phaeton, too, wasn't it.
 
Hmm -- never mind.

#8116 of 10338 Link by pat

Aug 18, 2006 (1:33 pm)

BMW X3 vs. Acura RDX

#8117 of 10338 Re: 2006 A6 4.2 S-Line test [markcincinnati] by lexusguy

Aug 18, 2006 (1:48 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Aug 18, 2006 1:14 pm)
Of course if it drives and rides like it costs $10,000 less, well then it isn't much competition for the X3.
 
Most of the reviews I've seen seem to think that it does. The underlying theme seems to be, "why does this cost so much" when compared to a Mazda CX-7 or Rav4, rather than "why does this cost so little" when compared to the X3. I think Acura missed the mark. (Again)

#8118 of 10338 I just by dhamilton

Aug 18, 2006 (3:25 pm)

don't think the Toyota, or the Mazda is in the Acura's league. I really think the RDX is a great alternative to the X3. Keep in mind that I don't get people's aversion to the RL.
 
 I test drove the RDX and my comments are on the appropriate thread. FWIW, I don't think the Acura's driving dynamics can match the bimmers, but I don't think BMW can match the Acura in dollar value, gadgets, [nav, stereo are in a different league] or long term cost to own.
 My two cents, worth about a cent.
 
PS I hate Toyotas. I'll admit it. They don't drive for crap, and are uncomfortable for me. They are too much like a blender. [see above comment about dollar value/my opinion]

#8119 of 10338 Re: I just [dhamilton] by laurasdada

Aug 19, 2006 (2:38 pm)

Replying to: dhamilton (Aug 18, 2006 3:25 pm)
"Keep in mind that I don't get people's aversion to the RL.
 "
 
I think the "aversion" can be spelled with two letters: TL. For significantly less $$$, the TL offers better performance, more room and superior styling. Had the RL come out of the gate priced in the low $40s, it might have fared better.
 
The car itself is a fine piece of work from what I've seen/read. But, the wrong car at the wrong price will not sell as the mfg. hopes, imho. (See: VW Phaeton or MB R Class...)

#8120 of 10338 I was by dhamilton

Aug 19, 2006 (7:30 pm)

able to negotiate my brother-in-laws RL for 41k even before taxes. That's about 7 grand more than the best deals on TL's at the time. That 7 grand got, all wheel drive, better handling. [When you say better performance you must mean a slight edge in acceleration. That's it.] Better nav, better stereo, more commands in voice recognition. Steering wheel paddle shifters,GPS actuated sun shade. I think the rear seat room is inconsequential. I have ridden in the back of both extensively, they are both very comfortable, but the RL is far more luxurious.
 The RL could be had at 41 very soon after the gate, and still can be pretty close to that.

#8121 of 10338 Re: I was [dhamilton] by lexusguy

Aug 19, 2006 (7:49 pm)

Replying to: dhamilton (Aug 19, 2006 7:30 pm)
better handling. [When you say better performance you must mean a slight edge in acceleration. That's it.
 
Not true. The TL is 1 second faster to 60 than the RL (more with the 6MT). In Edmunds slalom tests, the TL was 5mph faster, despite not having "Super-Handling" AWD. Most of the effort of the AWD system is used to keep the RL from understeering off of the road, thanks to worst in class weight distribution. A 4,000lb luxury car is not going to out handle a performance sedan that weighs 500lbs less. The TL TypeS will only make the performance gap that much wider.
 
If you ask me, $7K is an awful lot of money for AWD, a questionably better stereo (The TL's is one of the best in class) some Nav upgrades and a sunshade. Even BMW would give you more than that for $7K.

#8122 of 10338 Re: I was [lexusguy] by purplem46

Aug 19, 2006 (9:46 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 19, 2006 7:49 pm)
If you ask me, $7K is an awful lot of money for AWD, a questionably better stereo (The TL's is one of the best in class) some Nav upgrades and a sunshade. Even BMW would give you more than that for $7K.
 
I'm not really a proponent of either the RL or TL, but I have driven both. The TL is a feisty car, but with front wheel drive (much the same as the maxima) torque steer is much more evident than in the AWD RL. That can be a real let down (buzz kill) when trying to drive aggresive in either straight line acceleration or in handling moves. Acura is still not competing with the handling cars of this class, but is more than enough for those that don't care to or have occasion to push. In my neck of the woods, TL's are the new Accords, the are everywhere.

#8123 of 10338 Re: I was [purplem46] by lexusguy

Aug 20, 2006 (12:15 am)

Replying to: purplem46 (Aug 19, 2006 9:46 pm)
I'm not really a proponent of either the RL or TL, but I have driven both. The TL is a feisty car, but with front wheel drive (much the same as the maxima) torque steer is much more evident than in the AWD RL. That can be a real let down (buzz kill) when trying to drive aggresive in either straight line acceleration or in handling moves.
 
I agree that the TL definitely is not the perfect car. The problem with the RL is that a TL with AWD would render it pointless. This is not an issue with the 330xi\530xi, A4\A6 etc. The RL just doesn't bring enough to the table, and people literally aren't buying it.

Messages Page 813 of 1035

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