You are here: Forums Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans

Luxury Performance Sedans

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

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

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

#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.
#9522 of 10007 Re: A6 4.2 Re: Best LPS to buy and hold on to? [rayainsw] by markcincinnati Oct 23, 2007 (7:06 am)
Replying to: rayainsw (Oct 23, 2007 4:48 am) Much is written about Audi's apparent disinterest in agressively pricing their cars (for lease or purchase) in the US. While BMW's can be leased for a fraction of the cost of many of this class.   Once, maybe twice, per year, there is a "point of inflection" so to speak, where an Audi actually can be acquired without breaking the bank.   With the A6 4.2, my comment was almost literally: the duration of that window of opportunity is 15 minutes.   I shopped for my 2005 A6 for months and it was often $200 more than an Infiniti or a BMW on a 36 month closed end lease. Indeed, the Audi had to be over optioned to make it compare with the M35X, which made the price gap even larger.   Yet, lo and behold, here comes a deal -- a $53,286 MSRP Audi for $640 per month, 15K miles and no money down.   I have seen this type of "get 'em while you can" offer from Audi about ONE TIME annually and I cannot always put my finger on the rhyme or reason for the "deals" such as they are.   They do last, however, about 15 minutes.   Be there or be square. Replies to this message: rayainsw (Oct 23, 2007 7:36 am)
#9523 of 10007 Re: Best LPS to buy and hold on to? [markcincinnati] by bruceomega Oct 23, 2007 (7:07 am)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Oct 22, 2007 5:33 pm) FWIW   Bang for the buck -- ???? Well, again the new CTS 3.6DI AWD with the FE2 suspension and the lux package is "almost a BMW 5 series" -- at least if you evaluate cars largely by their wheelbase and width.   In the Nov 07 issue of Sports Car International, they have a review of the '08 CTS, and an inset write up on the 535i. They prefrerred the engine and transmission of the 535i. Surprisingly, to me, they criticized the ride and handling of the 535i, while complementing the CTS, but I am not familiar with this magazine or it's credibility.   ... it is hard to resist the 535x. But for performance, luxury and fun an A6 4.2 SLine if one can be found, would be a great ride ...   I would suggest adding the M45x to this mix.   Thanks Bruce
#9524 of 10007 15 min. Re: A6 4.2 [markcincinnati] by rayainsw Oct 23, 2007 (7:36 am)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Oct 23, 2007 7:06 am) "I have seen this type of "get 'em while you can" offer from Audi about ONE TIME annually and I cannot always put my finger on the rhyme or reason for the "deals" such as they are.    They do last, however, about 15 minutes."   I see. Thanks for 'splainin' that to me. - Ray Feelin' pretty dumb....

You are here: Forums Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans