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Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans
9978 messages, Last post on Nov 02, 2009 at 1:30 PM
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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." 
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Replying to: lynnminny (Aug 29, 2007 4:26 pm) http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=122403 |
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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.)
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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.) 
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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.
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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.
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Replying to: mojo1078 (Sep 01, 2007 11:45 am) Best Regards, Shipo
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I am on my second LS-430, the current one is a 2004. I like gadgets that work, I can find no one out there that does things better than Lexus. Touch screen NAV, bluetooth, heated front AND rear seats (my daughter insists) keyless entry to every part of the car, keyless start, parking assist, and things placed in what I consider convenient places (sun glass holders, cup holders, cell/change drawers). Also I am 6'3" tall and like a little room. My Lease is about to expire and I am searching for a new car, I also have a smaller family now with one off to college and our other vehicle is a SUV type, plus I never sit in the back... I was trying to find a more reasonable priced mid size luxury sedan that has some zip (I will not buy a es-350) that has all of the gadgets I am used to. I have just started reading and looking (lots of time saved by reading, thanks) I have looked at the 535's gs-350's and find both fairly close to something I feel I can get by with without feeling like I went backwards. I will take the quicker more sporty approach and feel like that was the real reason for not just going out and buying the ls-460, when really it is just too expensive, much more than I paid for my 430. are there any other vehicles I should consider, Audi, Infinity, MB? I have read forums on about all of these I they all seem to be realy bad in an area or two, I truly am spoiled by Lexus, there stuff works and used to be worth the price... hope my rambling make sense to someone - go ahead and fire away. so far I have found the GS-350 might be to small, The 535i while not touch screen nav I can live with that since you can enter info while driving - the 535 seems to be the best I am not to sure about the lame placement of the cup holders though... If anyone can save me a little time by suggesting I look at something I would appreciate it. I may just be wasting my time and have to go get the LS-460, or at least that class of car. thanks!! |
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Replying to: mojo1078 (Sep 01, 2007 11:45 am) The A4 is a very small car, much smaller than both the 5 series and the CTS. If adults are going to be sitting in the back, I would suggest looking at an A6, rather than an A4. The '05s should be coming off two year leases now, and there might be some good CPO deals. I prefer the G35 to the CTS.
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Replying to: ls430 (Sep 02, 2007 8:24 am) If anyone can save me a little time by suggesting I look at something I would appreciate it. I may just be wasting my time and have to go get the LS-460, or at least that class of car. Most of the current mid-lux cars offer the same high tech features as the full-size cars, in a sleeker, faster, sportier and more affordable package. My favorite car in the segment is the Infiniti M. It has 90% of the performance of the BMW 5, and is much roomier than the GS, while also being more reliable. Considering reliability is really the only thing the GS has going for it (it isn't particularly comfortable, or fun to drive, or nice to look at), its pretty surprising that Lexus botched the quality control so badly. The Infiniti's NAV, HVAC and other controls are just as easy to deal with as the Lexus system, no iDrive. The '08s also have a built-in hard drive for music storage like the LS460. Infiniti also offers the V8 with AWD, something you can't get from either BMW or Lexus. My second choice would be the A6 4.2 S-line. MMI is much more intuitive than iDrive, and the interior is a lot less drab than the 5's. There are no weirdo Bangle angles either.
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