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Luxury Performance Sedans

10007 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 7:40 AM

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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


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#9356 of 10007
Re: 535Xi [markcincinnati] by lexusguy
Aug 17, 2007 (8:37 am)
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Aug 16, 2007 7:19 pm)

Somehow a 2008 CTS that is about at the content level of the 2004 A6 2.7T S-Line, seems "not right."
 
Other than the lack of a bluetooth phone system (which I don't think an '04 A6 had either), what is the new CTS lacking v. the rest of the class? The old A6's NAV was basically a joke, while the CTS' flip up touch screen is at least competitive, if maybe not class leading.
 
The G35 and 335i are still my favorite entry-lux level cars, but the CTS doesn't seem like a last gen product to me.
#9357 of 10007
Re: 535Xi [150mphclub] by markcincinnati
Aug 17, 2007 (3:51 pm)
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Replying to: 150mphclub (Aug 17, 2007 5:31 am)

I am NOT speaking of HP or number of cogs in the transmission when I speak of content.
 
I have grown to expect Bluetooth, pushbutton start, smart key, voice response for audio, nav and phone and a host of other "content" items. It is true that a 2004 Audi would have had only a 5 speed auto, but it would have been an SLine with 265 HP and 280 ft pounds of torque at under 2K rpm and I assume it would have equalled or been quicker than the new 2008.
 
The issue is that the 2008 CTS seems to be just about where the cars Audi was manufacturing in June 2004 were.
 
The 2005 A6 3.2 that I have commenced mfgring in July 2004; it is, I think, ahead of the CTS by some distance by my definition of "content."
 
The fact that the CTS seems to be about $10K less is not a bad thing, but if the lease prices are close, well why bother with the CTS?
 
The 2009 A6, if I can time it, might be a more satisfying , higher content (by my definition) and higher performing choice.
 
The new CTS is a great effort and only about 3 years behind Audi, BMW and Infiniti -- If it is priced right, however, I'll overlook this (probably.)
#9358 of 10007
Re: 535Xi [markcincinnati] by 150mphclub
Aug 17, 2007 (7:00 pm)
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Aug 17, 2007 3:51 pm)

Ah, you mean gadgets. You probably own an I-phone. I don't even own a cell phone. I don't talk to my car, and I don't want it talking to me. I can parallel park with two turns of the wheel, and I can judge the distance to the car in front of me without a laser beeping at me. I have never backed over anything, despite my not having a camera in my rear bumper. My personal nav system (map + memory) has never gotten me lost, although the nav system in my brother's Audi couldn't find my house. And push button start, wow. I would pay at least an extra $500 to be able to leave my key in my pocket. LOL
 
If you like gadgets, great. I don't.
#9359 of 10007
Re: 535Xi [150mphclub] by 150mphclub
Aug 17, 2007 (7:26 pm)
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Replying to: 150mphclub (Aug 17, 2007 7:00 pm)

Golly, how could I forget that most important of all gadgets, rain sensing wipers. A special luxury items for blind drivers.
#9360 of 10007
Re: 535Xi [150mphclub] by cdnpinhead
Aug 18, 2007 (4:39 am)
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Replying to: 150mphclub (Aug 17, 2007 7:00 pm)

A kindred spirit. Hang in there -- there aren't many of us looking for this class of car. The gadget I can do best without is the automatic transmission, but certainly agree with you on your list.
 
Oh, and don't forget the multiple-motor exercising "feature" that moves the seat/mirrors/radio presets/temperature setting/mood lighting every time a different driver gets in the car. For my car, that would be about twice a year.
#9361 of 10007
Re: 535Xi [cdnpinhead] by 150mphclub
Aug 18, 2007 (6:01 am)
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Replying to: cdnpinhead (Aug 18, 2007 4:39 am)

Actually I like that feature. I am 6'2" and my wife is 5'. She only drives my car about twice a year, BUT it takes me about 10 minutes to get everything back to my settings, AND this always occurs when I am in a hurry.
 
While I am griping, how about, "if you want heated seats on that car (a real nice gadget where I live), you must also buy the $1700 sun roof that eliminates two inches of much needed head room."
#9362 of 10007
Content, features and/or gadgets. . . by markcincinnati
Aug 18, 2007 (6:28 am)
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Replying to: 150mphclub (Aug 18, 2007 6:01 am)

I understand, really, the desires of folks who want "less" and who do believe "less is more."
 
My wife can't drive an automatic, but fears she'll have to learn; she has pushbuttons on her BMW sport steering wheel, but doesn't know which one raises and lowers the volume on her stereo; cruise control -- "fuggetabouddit."
 
I do think, however, she has come to envy (slightly) the ability to walk up to the car with a "full load" and have the car unlock; and, I know she wants a phone that responds to the command "dial number 123-4567."
 
The former is mainly for convenience (I don't use the pushbutton start that often for the simple fact that the FAT key is not comfortable to leave in my pocket -- but I do like the auto recognition feature) but the latter is for safety and I do believe that "big brother" will start escalating the fines and other punishments if we do not "succumb" to Bluetooth with totally hands free and eyes free in-car telephoning.
 
I have the built-in cradle for my wireless and, frankly, I am such a luddite, I still call it a car phone, choosing NEVER to remove it from my car even though it is about the size of a pack of gum (no I do not own an "i"-anything, it is a super small Sony phone that fits into the Audi cradle and uses the roof antenna and car's battery for power.)
 
The cars that I like to DRIVE, have an array of "gadgets" typically that makes voice command, Bluetooth, etc, more and more "safety features" by virtue of the distraction reduction such technology permits.
 
Parktronic -- well, even my "I'll row my own" wife, loves front and rear parktronic (on her X3.) We both enjoy the Xenon lights, LED usage and the fact that the lights turn with the steering wheel. AWD with a neutral or rear bias too is a technology we love -- maybe "gadget" suits, often the phrase used is "content." Memory power seats, I can take them or leave them since 99% of the time, I'm the only person who drives my car. However, I'll admit to having one button on the auto adjusting seats and mirrors programmed just to reduce what little inconvenience that 1% of the time may cause.
 
I've got surround sound, sat radio and a 6 disk CD changer, don't own an ipod and wouldn't bother to populate a hard drive -- but Radio Tivo using the hard drive, well, "instant tang!"
 
I grew up in an era where only the wealthy had a/c and power steering and brakes -- and only the really wealthy had power windows. Hard to find cars today without this "content."
 
A 2008 anything that lacks these "choices" in a climate where the Japanese and the Europeans and even some of the Koreans have this stuff, seems to be a step backwards, no matter how much horsepower and gears you offer.
 
I don't mind anyone's decision to deselect content (or gadgets) -- what I mind is bringing out a near LPS car as a 2008 model where so many cars (some at even lesser prices) have had this level of content available since 2004 (and earlier.)
 
I mind not having the manual transmission offered if you want AWD -- but, I'll accept the auto shifter, since it has the 6th gear and the adaptive mode.
 
You say potato and I'll say potaato. . . .
#9363 of 10007
Hey Mark by lexusguy
Aug 18, 2007 (10:34 am)
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Just curious, what do you think of the new M45x?
 



#9364 of 10007
Re: Hey Mark [lexusguy] by richardga73
Aug 18, 2007 (6:19 pm)
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Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 18, 2007 10:34 am)

Hey lexusguy, it looks good from the front in a kinda Japanesie sort of way. It looks like an Altima from the side. Did they freshen the rear? It looks a little less chunky and more rounded, better than the previous model. But looks are not the point here with this car.Even though when I drove it I wasnt particularly impressed(thought it felt too heavy and leaned a little in the curves)I thought for what you got for the price it was a pretty good car. They are blowing it, I feel at Infinity. They almost have it right in the G, but everything else is ugly. They have their cars engineered very well and are reliable. Wish they would lure away some of the designers at Mercedes. Mercedes hasnt made an ugly car in my humble opinion and they are getting even more so with the passing years. Every class that Mercedes competes in, it is a least the best looking one in every one.
#9365 of 10007
Re: Hey Mark [richardga73] by lexusguy
Aug 18, 2007 (10:40 pm)
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Replying to: richardga73 (Aug 18, 2007 6:19 pm)

Mercedes hasnt made an ugly car in my humble opinion and they are getting even more so with the passing years. Every class that Mercedes competes in, it is a least the best looking one in every one.
 
I must respectfully disagree. The first generation ML looked like a minivan. The R-class really doesn't have a good angle. The SL borrows way too many cues from the half as expensive CLK, and compared to gorgeous coupes like the Jaguar XK or Maserati GranTurismo, it looks rather dull and pedestrian.
 
I like the E and CLS shapes, and the S and CL look good - provided they have the AMG body treatment. Other than that...

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