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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: sfcharlie (Oct 09, 2006 7:06 pm) Its not just Germany, but most of western Europe. I think some of it has to do with protectionist import tariffs, (a 350Z in the UK is the equivalent of $50K+) but I also think that Europeans generally like to drive European cars. Germany invented the car, its hard to compete with that.
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Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 09, 2006 10:39 pm) In Europe, in Germany, 70% of the LPS cars are diesel. Audi sells 50% diesel there, in fact. Overall the numbers for diesel in Europe are ~ 1 in 3. Where are they gonna import from that can give them what they want, at this time?
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Oct 10, 2006 4:37 am)  It only gets 35 mpg hwy and has enough torque to fimly implant your backside in your seat.  Rocky
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Replying to: rockylee (Oct 10, 2006 4:43 am)  Charlie
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Replying to: sfcharlie (Oct 10, 2006 5:51 am) Rocky |
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I got behind the wheel (and did not drive it) of a S6. It was, as I recall, $77K. It had the technology package and some other single options, but it was well equipped. While talking with my long time sales rep he got a call that says his first sold S8 will be in Oct 16. MSRP $122K. The S8 is the SWB version of the A8 chassis, yes? The engine is the same as is in the S6 (a few HP different.) The S8 had the $7000 B&O sound system and that counts for something, I guess. My "were I to be granted one wish" for a free Audi car WAS an S8. Perhaps if it were free, that wish would stand. But, from the behind the wheel perch of an S6, I just wonder what extras would be gained in the S8 -- performance? Do Dads? The S6 may be, at this moment, the ultimate LPS car. The M5, I can only assume, will be above that and remain at the top of the heap until or unless an RS6 comes out and then, who knows. Mercedes AMG must have something that would be competitive, what, pray tell is it? Do any of the Japanese brands offer the jump to ludicrous speed (Dark Helmet?) 
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Oct 10, 2006 7:33 am) 
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Replying to: laurasdada (Oct 10, 2006 8:28 am)
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Well, I'm just catching up on all the recent posts, including the ramblings on the woes of the stick shift. My 2007 530xi 6 speed manual is due to arrive in about two weeks. Sounds like I better hold onto it for my 3 year old to drive when he turns 16, if there are any hopes of him learning what will be an "ancient art." It does seem that most of the traditional "arguments" for a stick, such as increased control, are losing ground. But, I think one poster summed it up best, when he/she essentially stated that it's simply "more fun." I simply enjoy driving my TSX around town, including in heavy traffic. It's certainly not a particularly fast car, regardless of transmission, but the actual exercise of manually shifting the gears makes the experience so much more engaging. |
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Amazingly different ways of thinking about what makes a car terrific or recommendable... [German] Global Insight analysts Phillip Rosengarten and Christopher Stuermer have written a new book titled "Premium Power, The Secret Of Success Of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche And Audi." In it, they describe how "premium" brands of BMW, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Range Rover, and Volvo are superior to "mere luxury cars" from Lexus, Infiniti, Cadillac, Jaguar, and Rolls Royce, because they continuously set new high standards. Rosengarten calls Lexus' European sales of about 20,000 cars a year "pitiful." He also says a brand's history is important to prestige. "Without heritage, which means a glorious history and brand tradition, it will not be easy to establish a successful luxury brand in Europe, not to mention establish a premium brand. All the more so as Lexus has many American luxury-style elements with its design orientation geared towards other premium brands instead of creating its own unique elements, and it cannot showcase any important innovations," he said." Now an excerpt from Consumer Reports' comparative assessment of Lexus IS 250, BMW 325i, Audi A4, Cadillac CTS, MB C230, and Saab 9-3: Having noted good things about the Lexus IS 250 --refinement, interior craftsmanship, easy-to-use controls, and something called "competent performance" -- CR adds that "the IS has "a fidgety ride and the steering lacks feel, making it less fun to drive than some peers. The ride is stiff and jittery [yet, somehow, "competent"]. The IS 250 is one of three of these cars CR recommends to consumers (along with the Audi A4 and the Cadillac CTS). It does not recommend the BMW 325i which it describes as "more fun to drive than the IS 250. It's taut and agile (CR says the IS 250 is not agile), with a smooth engine and a responsive transmission." But they don't recommend it.
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