Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans
10006 messages, Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 6:59 AM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
|
I'm in the market for a new luxury sedan. Currently driving a 2005 Acura RL. Would prefer a sporty coupe, but my lifestyle does not allow for that yet:) Today I spoke with our local Jaguar dealer about the XF. They expect the first ones at their showroom in March or April of 2008. Since we live in the snowy part of this country I prefer a car with AWD. The salesman told me that the XF would not be available with AWD. He said there is just not enough demand for AWD except in certain regions of the country. I find this "demand" remark to be someewhat strange since the BMW 5 series, Audis, Infiniti Ms, Cadillac CTS, Acura RL, Mercedes,Lexus all have models with AWD. Guess if I want an XF will have to buy snow tires!
|
|
|
Replying to: richardga73 (Aug 29, 2007 4:01 pm) Comfort is subjective, but to me the absolutely planted feel of my car on the road at all speeds defines the word. I also prefer the seat design over the standard seat due to the more pronounced bolsters. The new 535i SP has the Comfort Seats as standard in the SP pkg and they are amazing. They even have an adjustable setting on the headrest for the neck. Seat cushioning a bit softer, but still designed with the extendible thigh support and bolsters. |
|
|
Replying to: lynnminny (Aug 29, 2007 4:26 pm) Not enough demand... or Jag can't do one and that's the salesman's excuse. The XF is based on a heavily revised DEW98 platform. No DEW98 car has ever offered AWD. The platform may simply not be capable of it. Or, perhaps Jag simply can't afford to do it. Every other car in the mid-lux segment - 5, E, A6, M, GS, RL, S80, and STS all offer AWD in at least one trim level, so clearly there's demand for AWD. |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: lynnminny (Aug 29, 2007 4:26 pm) Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes, Porsche, Volkswagen, Volvo -- and even Jaguar (honorable mention) offer AWD models. These mfgr's are, generally, adding more AWD models to their lineups. Of course this list doesn't include (but it could) Ford, Mercury, Subaru and, and, and -- and a whole host of other cars from all around the planet. The proliferation of AWD advances, it is hardly retreating. Why the salesperson would remark about the lack of demand is probably because he can't offer it in the car he might stand a chance of selling you. Perhaps to persuade you to change your mind, the salesperson planted the suggestion that (implied?) ". . .AWD had its chance and demand was insufficient to justify it." If you follow the trickle down, the LPS car brands get AWD, then the ELPS will get it, and pretty soon virtually all cars (or so the trend would seem to suggest) will at least offer "available" AWD. It [AWD] sells cars, no matter what their "breeding." Your salesperson probably believes what he/she said -- I would simply say, "he is misinformed." 
|
|
|
Replying to: lynnminny (Aug 29, 2007 4:26 pm) http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=122403 |
|
|
Replying to: markcincinnati (Aug 30, 2007 3:41 am) If you follow the trickle down, the LPS car brands get AWD, then the ELPS will get it... Actually, I believe AWD actually trickled up to LPS, ELLPS, etc. Subaru has had AWD for forever. In the '80s and very early '90s, you could get AWD in a Camry and Corolla. Audi was the first luxury brand to adopt it in the late '70s or early '80s, but no other luxury brand offered it (that I can recall.) In the early days of AWD, it was still considered a truckish type feature, and people were reluctant to accept it because of fears of expensive transfer case failure. People didn't understand or recognize the difference between 4WD and AWD (some people still don't.)
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: tayl0rd (Aug 30, 2007 5:39 am) Yep, Subaru has had it a long time. We had a 1988 BMW 325ix which was a joy. There is evidence that the proliferation of four driven wheels is a consequence of SUV's -- ? -- or is it that SUV's were an alternative to station wagons and since they were truck based. . .well you can come to your own conclusion. Porsche added AWD for what reason? Certainly not cargo carry capacity. "All" cars will offer all wheels driven -- at least that the prediction of Dr. Piech (decades ago.) It just keeps proliferating. Living here in SW Ohio, "everyone" wants AWD since in this part of the planet no one seems to have a clue how to drive on slick surfaces with only two driven wheels. Anyway, LPS or no, AWD keeps getting added because it is a mature technology and it is virtually impossible to tell that the car is AWD just by looking. Didn't used to be that way (as if you didn't know.) 
|
|
|
Replying to: markcincinnati (Aug 30, 2007 2:59 pm) With most of the weight in the rear and RWD, older Porsches had tendency to spin backwards. The AWD is there simply for stability, not cargo capacity or winter traction. However, just as the highest performance airplanes are inherently unbalanced, the highest performance Porsches are RWD. They need that tail-out instability.
|
|
I am in the market for a certified used luxury car (Audi A4 or BMW 5 series) after reading the reviews on the Audi; I am now leaning towards the BMW. My husband preferred the 2008 Cadillac CTS. Any advice or suggestions? Please help.
|
|
|
Replying to: mojo1078 (Sep 01, 2007 11:45 am) Best Regards, Shipo
|
|
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2007 Lexus GS 430
2011 Acura RL
2011 BMW 5 Series
2010 Volvo S80
2010 Audi A6
2010 Infiniti M35
2010 Infiniti M45
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2010 Cadillac STS
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
