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Luxury Performance Sedans

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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

#8554 of 10006 Pricing: 2007 Volvo S80 Starts Under $40K by rockylee Oct 11, 2006 (2:45 am)
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=117081   Now here's one of my dream cars.   Rocky
#8555 of 10006 Re: 2007 525xi vs 530xi gas mileage [hedrick998] by markcincinnati Oct 11, 2006 (4:38 am)
Replying to: hedrick998 (Oct 10, 2006 4:43 pm) The 525xi with a manual transmission MIGHT give you "almost" the performance of the 530xi auto.   The two cars, here, use the same size engine.   The 530xi, according to sources OTHER than the EPA, apparently, is more efficient.   If you are going with the auto trans (and you KNOW I am torn on that from a "fun" vs "control" perspective) the 530xi certainly seems to be the better choice (assuming you are looking at this from an MPG perspective -- which, if I may, seems a bit odd considering the MSRP differences you would have to overcome if buying the lowest TCO was one of your top considerations.)   Go with the 530xi. OR, wait for the almost certain to be sold: 528xi (230HP)or 535xi (turbo 300HP with improved MPG's.)
#8556 of 10006 Re: S6 - the temporary king of the LPS class? [cdnpinhead] by markcincinnati Oct 11, 2006 (4:47 am)
Replying to: cdnpinhead (Oct 10, 2006 12:36 pm) The latest and greatest are, for me, often draws. With a virtually all optioned 2005 A6, there is nothing in a 2007 clone of my A6 that would make it worth extra money -- no, not even the back up camera and the color trip computer (mine is only red and black.)   My question, now that I have configured both an S6 and S8 and actually sat in an S6 is "where is the extra $25 to $35 thousand dollars" the S8 will seem to command?   Is it size? Is it features (other than the B&O sound system?)   Were I to acquire one of these cars, it would seem that you are correct -- and, as always, I appreciate the somewhat contrarian view (since, as you pointed out, most of the LPS cars are leased -- but often they are less expensive to do so due to generous sub-venting programs.)   The depreciation hit on an S8 will be "breathtaking" I am sure.   I just put new shoes on my 25,000 mile young A6. Nothing is not doing what I want, nothing has broken (other than the initial bout of bad pushbutton starters) -- and other than my none too secret desire for a diesel, I can see an argument for KEEPING this car.   Another sub vented lease on another German (and possibly non - German) car may change my mind. But, now at 55, I am much less likely to feel the need for the new wheels in 18 months.   But a new product COULD certainly change that attitude.   The question still stands, what makes up the 5 figure difference in the two siblings? Replies to this message: lexusguy (Oct 11, 2006 10:28 am) markcincinnati (Oct 11, 2006 1:19 pm) domenickamarc (Oct 11, 2006 3:36 pm)
#8557 of 10006 Re: S6 - the temporary king of the LPS class? [lexusguy] by dewey Oct 11, 2006 (9:05 am)
Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 10, 2006 3:10 pm) Without the current car's torque steer issues, Acura could easily turbocharge the Type S' 3.5L, and make a 350hp+ TL Type R.   Torque steer seems to be a key complaint about the FWD TL. All powerful FWD cars need to be equipped with a good torque steer management system. Honda engineers have not yet figured out how to make a great torque steer management system that can channel all the power to the road through a limited slip differential.   Before the new MazdaSpeed3 was introduced I thought it would be AWD. But I was quite surprised to hear that the 263Hp/280lb-ft torque MazdaSpeed3 would be avaiallble only in FWD. What amazed me even more were the positive Mazda3Speed reviews that did not even mention torque steer as an issue.   Obviously Mazda engineers have designed a superior torque steer management system that Honda/Acura lacks.
#8558 of 10006 Re: Do any of the Japanese brands offer the jump to ludicrous speed (Dark H by purplem46 Oct 11, 2006 (9:41 am)
Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 10, 2006 3:10 pm) They don't have "uber-power" now, but they will. The 2008 Nissan GT-R "Skyline" will be the first true Japanese super performance/Luxo car to date (available in the US). Lexus will follow in the not to distant future (LFA 10 cylinder).   I love the horsepower wars. I just wish there was somewhere to drive them as they were intended to be driven, safely/legally. I say we lobby for a new, U.S. Autobahn. Replies to this message: lexusguy (Oct 11, 2006 10:32 am) purplem46 (Oct 11, 2006 11:00 am)
#8559 of 10006 Re: 2007 525xi vs 530xi gas mileage [hedrick998] by lexusguy Oct 11, 2006 (10:25 am)
Replying to: hedrick998 (Oct 10, 2006 4:43 pm) I'm trying to decide between a 525xi and 530xi (automatic transmission). I like the extra kick of the 530 but I don't like it enough to tolerate a gas mileage plummet associated with the additional horsepower. Does anyone know if/how much gas mileage would decrease with the larger engine. I know the EPA says it's the same but I've heard you can't always trust their estimates. Thanks.   Get the 530xi. They will be close enough for it not to matter. You should also consider that you'll have to keep the 525xi "on the boil" for things like passing, merging, etc. Full throttle is not great for mpg. With the 530xi you could take a more relaxed approach, and ultimately save gas. Besides, spending an extra few dollars on gas is an easy thing to get over. One less trip to Starbucks a week. Suffering from "I should've gotten the bigger engine" syndrome, however, is not.
#8560 of 10006 Re: S6 - the temporary king of the LPS class? [markcincinnati] by lexusguy Oct 11, 2006 (10:28 am)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Oct 11, 2006 4:47 am) I just put new shoes on my 25,000 mile young A6. Nothing is not doing what I want, nothing has broken (other than the initial bout of bad pushbutton starters) -- and other than my none too secret desire for a diesel, I can see an argument for KEEPING this car.   What about refresh time, '08? I assume you're going to want some of that. Replies to this message: markcincinnati (Oct 11, 2006 1:19 pm) domenickamarc (Oct 11, 2006 3:36 pm)
#8561 of 10006 Re: Do any of the Japanese brands offer the jump to ludicrous speed (Dark H by lexusguy Oct 11, 2006 (10:32 am)
Replying to: purplem46 (Oct 11, 2006 9:41 am) They don't have "uber-power" now, but they will. The 2008 Nissan GT-R "Skyline" will be the first true Japanese super performance/Luxo car to date (available in the US). Lexus will follow in the not to distant future (LFA 10 cylinder).   I'm not sure how much "luxo" the GT-R will have. Previous GT-R's have been all business on the inside. Then again, the same could be said about 911s previous to the 996 generation or so. Replies to this message: purplem46 (Oct 11, 2006 11:00 am)
#8562 of 10006 Re: Do any of the Japanese brands offer the jump to ludicrous speed (Dark H [lexusguy] by purplem46 Oct 11, 2006 (11:00 am)
Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 11, 2006 10:32 am) re the GTR: I'm assuming about as "luxo" as a BMW M car. Which like you say, is on the sparse side, with the exception of gadgetry.
#8563 of 10006 Re: S6 - the temporary king of the LPS class? [lexusguy] by markcincinnati Oct 11, 2006 (1:19 pm)
Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 11, 2006 10:28 am) That has been a recurring theme for me -- the '05 - '07 A6's (for instance) are very similar. My all optioned '05 does not have a backup camera.   Most of the '07's don't either, but it can be had.   A new '07 A6 configured as mine is would be almost impossible to pick out from a lot full of 05's - 07's.   New functions, features, safety, or whatever haven't come as quickly this cycle.   My previous Audis, on the other hand, did seem to come with more and more and more even when I would get them every other MY.   I was pumping gas the other day and a person came up to me and said how do you like your A6 -- he thought mine was either an '06 or '07, and he had just ordered an '07.   When I told him mine was an '05 he said, "it looks brand new."   It drives that way too.   Sure an '08 B8 A4 or Whatever A6 or BMW or Infiniti M35X or whatever it is called then, may be tempting -- if it brings something new to the table other than a new style.   I've come to the conclusion that only the very well informed even KNOW what MY they are looking at.   I try to keep up and it is difficult.   Can you really tell a 2005.5 A4 from an '07 A4, etc?   I look at the BMW's and have sometimes the same issues -- without a guidebook, I can't tell if it is a 2006 5 or a 2007 -- heck, I am not even sure if it might not be a 2005.   Only when the major body style comes along do I know for sure.   As I find myself aging, I find (somewhat in contradiction to my past behavior) some genuine fondness for my car even with 25K miles on it.   I have previously written about "the itch."   I am not saying I will not "itch again" -- I am noting a satisfaction with this vehicle that is a pleasant surprise.   Now that I have my new tires, I can't wait to drive it next.   Just like it was when it was at 0 miles.   This may pass.   This may pass.     Replies to this message: domenickamarc (Oct 11, 2006 3:36 pm)

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