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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

#9512 of 10007 Re: Best LPS to buy and hold on to? [markcincinnati] by anthonyp Oct 22, 2007 (6:27 pm)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Oct 22, 2007 5:33 pm) Hi Markcincinnatti   I look forward to the decision you make for yourself....It`s been a long time...Although I enjoy my Audi, the wife`s bmw 535xi would be my choice for a really long term ownership experience....The interior is not so great, but also not terrable...There is a longevity with them that I think Mr. og would benefit from....I would also doubt that the car would break after a lot of miles, unless abused and neglected.....If you or I had to choose a car for (say ten years) and live where it snows alot, there is no doubt in my mind that the bmw would still be a fun car to get into every day....The only real downside would possibly be the taxes he would pay( I have no idea)....Sounded to me like he wanted to buy a new car.... I have always respected your opinion, so I am sure Mr.og will benefit from your thoughts Tony
#9513 of 10007 Re: Best LPS to buy and hold on to? [vavavavolvo] by lexusguy Oct 22, 2007 (10:11 pm)
Replying to: vavavavolvo (Oct 22, 2007 6:46 am) I wouldn't bet against Acura reliability, for electronics or anything else. I have a 16 year old Legend which in its entire lifetime the check engine light came on once...only once....(and promptly reset itself after I restarted the car). The car is still a joy to drive.   The problem is a 16 year old Legend and a new RL are very different cars. Old Legends, properly maintained, were easily as reliable as an LS400. Even the first generation RL was basically bulletproof. A real snoozebox bore-machine, but certainly reliable. The new one however, is not. Ratings for the '05s and '06s were mediocre at best, no better than BMW or Audi. To Acura's credit, they have improved to above average this year, but the Acura way used to be perfection from day one, not "we'll try to have all of the problems fixed by model year number 3."   One of the mags, I believe it may have been C&D, had a long term tester RL that had eight unscheduled dealer visits for electrical problems in a period of a few months. In early Acura history, that kind of thing would be unheard of. Not anymore. Ever since that transmission disaster with the TL and CL, Acura quality has gone way down hill. I would bet that after year 10, let alone 17, the RL's electrical systems would require repairs costing $3K+
#9514 of 10007 Re: Best LPS to buy and hold on to? [og_oggilby] by lexusguy Oct 22, 2007 (10:15 pm)
Replying to: og_oggilby (Oct 22, 2007 8:23 am) It is a shame that my 2002 GS got rear ended a few years ago (17k damage and it was never the same) or I would still be driving it and not going through this right now.   Why not buy another? Last gen GS430s are very affordable, and unlike the new car, their record is spotless. Just buy a new NAV DVD from the dealer, and you're good to go. Replies to this message: og_oggilby (Oct 23, 2007 6:37 am)
#9515 of 10007 Re: Best LPS to buy and hold on to? [og_oggilby] by lexusguy Oct 22, 2007 (10:36 pm)
Replying to: og_oggilby (Oct 22, 2007 6:28 am) Is the RL fun to drive?   In my opinion, no. I haven't spent a ton of time behind the wheel of the car, mostly because of how bland the driving experience was. Unlike the M, the RL cannot disguise its weight. It rolls badly in corners, and though SH-AWD tries its best, all that weight over the front axle just leads to understeer, understeer, understeer. Even Audi would call it overly nose heavy.   The engine isn't necessarily a bad one, but it's just not a match for the Lexus or Infiniti 3.5 V6s. There's not enough torque, and its too far up in the rev band, so the car generally feels sluggish and out of breath when compared to the gutsy and aggressive Infiniti V6 or the smooth and turbine like Lexus V6.   When you consider the '08 Accord V6, things just get ugly. The Accord is just as fast, is lighter, fuel economy is much better, it looks better, the interior is, let's face it, basically the same with a bit more restraint, and its larger inside and more comfortable.   In the fun to drive factor, I'd rank the current crop thusly: 1. BMW 5, 2. Infiniti M, 3. Audi S-line 4. Mercedes E Sport 5. Cadillac STS 6. Lexus GS350 7. Volvo S80 V8 8. Acura RL 9. The rest of the GS line.   The Jag XF is of course a question mark, but if it handles anything like the XKR, it should be fun. Replies to this message: og_oggilby (Oct 23, 2007 7:04 am)
#9516 of 10007 A6 4.2 Re: Best LPS to buy and hold on to? [markcincinnati] by rayainsw Oct 23, 2007 (4:48 am)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Oct 22, 2007 5:33 pm) "But for performance, luxury and fun an A6 4.2 SLine if one can be found, would be a great ride -- and about 15 minutes per year can also be a great value. "   OK, I'll bite... What do you mean here? 15 minutes per year? Thanks, - Ray Somewhat confused ..... Replies to this message: markcincinnati (Oct 23, 2007 7:06 am) rayainsw (Oct 23, 2007 7:36 am)
#9517 of 10007 Re: Best LPS to buy and hold on to? [markcincinnati] by og_oggilby Oct 23, 2007 (5:50 am)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Oct 22, 2007 5:33 pm) markcincinnati, thanks for the info.   Sounds like you are a Cadillac fan, do you have one? My understanding is the Cadillac 100,000 powertrain warranty is for 5 years and I plan (hope) to keep my next car for at least twice that. Supposedly powertrain reliability in Cadillac's is not so great.   I took a look at CR's Lexus GS reliability history. Pretty strange findings. The bad marks are with "Squeaks & Rattles", "Power equipment and accessories" including cruise control, heated or cooled seats, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, alarm or security system, backup camera/sensors and "Audio System" meaning Nav systems, radio speakers, CD or DVD player and changer, cassette player, antenna, satellite radio, video screen, communication system.   There apparently is a problem with squeaks & rattles in all of the GS models. The strange thing is that the ratings for "Power equipment and accessories" and "Audio System" in the rear wheel drive GS are rated better than average. I would think that they would be the same since I doubt that Lexus would put a different Audio system in the awd version than they put in the rwd GS. I think your "CR is great at picking dishwashers however" might be dead on. Replies to this message: tayl0rd (Oct 23, 2007 10:46 am) og_oggilby (Oct 24, 2007 7:14 am) 150mphclub (Oct 24, 2007 1:08 pm)
#9518 of 10007 Re: Best LPS to buy and hold on to? [lexusguy] by og_oggilby Oct 23, 2007 (6:37 am)
Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 22, 2007 10:15 pm) Why not buy another? Last gen GS430s are very affordable, and unlike the new car, their record is spotless. Just buy a new NAV DVD from the dealer, and you're good to go.   One reason - it was the worst car I have driven in the snow. That is why I am looking for an awd car. I don't want to hassle with snow tires.
#9519 of 10007 Re: Best LPS to buy and hold on to? [houdini1] by og_oggilby Oct 23, 2007 (6:40 am)
Replying to: houdini1 (Oct 22, 2007 5:39 pm) Well, looks like that about covers it og_oggilby. Now that we have clarified things for you, you should be able to make a reasonable decision.   Yes, it is all so clear now
#9520 of 10007 Re: Best LPS to buy and hold on to? [james27] by og_oggilby Oct 23, 2007 (6:44 am)
Replying to: james27 (Oct 22, 2007 2:49 pm) Rumor has it that 50-state legal diesels may be available in a year or so.   That would be a good thing, and might be worth waiting for...
#9521 of 10007 Re: Best LPS to buy and hold on to? [lexusguy] by og_oggilby Oct 23, 2007 (7:04 am)
Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 22, 2007 10:36 pm) Is the RL fun to drive?    In my opinion, no. I haven't spent a ton of time behind the wheel of the car, mostly because of how bland the driving experience was. Unlike the M, the RL cannot disguise its weight. It rolls badly in corners, and though SH-AWD tries its best, all that weight over the front axle just leads to understeer, understeer, understeer. Even Audi would call it overly nose heavy.   Good to know since I hate body roll.   In the fun to drive factor, I'd rank the current crop thusly: 1. BMW 5, 2. Infiniti M, 3. Audi S-line 4. Mercedes E Sport 5. Cadillac STS 6. Lexus GS350 7. Volvo S80 V8 8. Acura RL 9. The rest of the GS line.   Wow the Acura is less fun than a Volvo...   I'm glad that I am forced to wait a few more months before making a decision (since I don't want to have two car payments any more!). I know that I am going to be tempted to get the BMW 535xi even though it is more than I want to spend. My fault for test driving it.   Also, I really wish Infiniti had done something to improve gas milage in the 2008's.

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