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Luxury Performance Sedans

9978 messages,  Last post on Nov 02, 2009 at 1:30 PM

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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

#9650 of 9978 The LPS life. . . by markcincinnati Nov 10, 2008 (7:22 pm)
. . .must be passe, based on activity level here on this board.   Well, what the heck, I, too am no longer in the LPS life or lane, I am, er, in the NEAR LPS crowd, now that I have my, er, $49,000 "entry level" LPS Audi A4 (and the thing has a 4 cylinder in it to top it off.)   I must say, however, that I have sacrificed little. My outgoing A6 (2005) was about an inch longer in wheel base and perhaps 5 inches longer in overall length. Audi wisely widened the new A4 too, so even tho it isn't quite as wide as the outgoing A6, I don't miss it one bit.   Now, I am in a lighter, better balanced and more powerful car (258 pound feet of torque at sub 1,900 rpm vs 243 at over 3,200.) Of course the new ride is lighter, has RWD biased AWD, 19" wheels full sport everything and Bang & Olufsen 550watt sound system and "four golden rings," couldn't resist considering the upcoming season. The engine sips gas and with all the stuff at this price point, I even get the Audi Drive Select system and Blind Spot warning, backup camerat and an automatic power rear window sunshade.   Sport seats, sport suspension, sport this that and the other thing -- great great great sound system and paddle shifters, bi-xenons, full voice command and a much improved map system for the DVD nav (next guy will get the hard drive and new MMI). The CD player is an in dash changer which is a nice step up from the outgoing A6.   In any case, I dropped from a $53K+ car to a $49K car as equipped. I have made a major step forward in engine, handling, transmission, sound system and overall comfort.   I did not get a heated steering wheel, rear heated seats or a power actuated steering column (all of which I would expect for this much money.) I also had to buy my own tail pipe tips to round out the upscale look of a brilliant white paint job with 5 spoke 19" wheels with 255 wide tires on a 35 series shoulder.   This thing is seriously fast and quick -- and the smoothness defies and belies that it is a four cylinder powerplant. If fours can be made this smooth and this powerful and this frugal, who needs a six? (Well, the new supercharged V6 would probably change my mind in about 4.5 seconds, eh?)   This is the quietest car I have ever had -- and remember I have had an A8.   In full on dynamic mode, this thing is painfully capable of making you think "sports sedan." I keep it dialed down ONE notch from full on dynamic mode. I keep all the other modes, however, at full tilt boogie.   One dollar more per month on the lease than the outgoing A6. I had had the C6 A6 for 60,000 miles and it still felt new to me. I hope the same can and will be said about the new A4 which I leased for 50,000 miles (up 5K from the outgoing A6.)   I was considering the Infiniti G35X (which seemed cramped) and a 3 series BMW (ditto), an outgoing A6 was offered at a super sweet deal, but this 2009 A4 beats even my patriotic CTS choice -- by far.   So, I bid you all, as it were, a fare thee well and will be checking back from time to time to see if there is any activity here in LPS land.   Drive it like you live. Replies to this message: houdini1 (Nov 11, 2008 6:23 am) lexusguy (Nov 11, 2008 8:59 am) markcincinnati (Nov 12, 2008 1:57 pm) james27 (Nov 11, 2008 3:12 pm) kgary (Nov 11, 2008 5:30 pm) tayl0rd (Nov 12, 2008 3:25 pm) carnaught (Nov 13, 2008 4:50 pm)
#9651 of 9978 Re: The LPS life. . . [markcincinnati] by houdini1 Nov 11, 2008 (6:23 am)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Nov 10, 2008 7:22 pm) Congrats, and if that thing is not an LPS I don't know what is.   My LS 430 and LX 470 really don't qualify but I really like reading the posts here so I hope it livens back up. Keep us posted on how the two of you are getting along.
#9652 of 9978 Re: The LPS life. . . [markcincinnati] by lexusguy Nov 11, 2008 (8:59 am)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Nov 10, 2008 7:22 pm) This thing is seriously fast and quick -- and the smoothness defies and belies that it is a four cylinder powerplant. If fours can be made this smooth and this powerful and this frugal, who needs a six? (Well, the new supercharged V6 would probably change my mind in about 4.5 seconds, eh?)   That's what makes me wonder what Audi will do with the A4 3.2. Will they replace it with the 3.0T, and then have the S4 with the same engine and not that much more power? Or will they leave it with the 3.2 V6 and be at a competitive disadvantage with Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, etc. who are all offering 300+hp V6s for the same money as the 3.2? Replies to this message: markcincinnati (Nov 12, 2008 1:57 pm)
#9653 of 9978 Re: The LPS life. . . [markcincinnati] by james27 Nov 11, 2008 (3:12 pm)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Nov 10, 2008 7:22 pm) My last car was an A6 that I special ordered without a sunroof to the extra (2.85") of headroom over the readily available units with one. I fit handily in that car, but since that year, you couldn't get many of the nice bits unless it had a sunroof, so I went elsewhere for a new car. The spec sheet for the 2009 A4 shows more front seat headroom by a couple inches than before. I was wondering if they measured one without a sunroof. Any clue how much there is in reality?
#9654 of 9978 Re: The LPS life. . . [markcincinnati] by kgary Nov 11, 2008 (5:30 pm)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Nov 10, 2008 7:22 pm) Mark,   It is great to hear from you. Enjoy the new ride.   Kevin
#9655 of 9978 Re: The LPS life. . . [lexusguy] by markcincinnati Nov 12, 2008 (1:57 pm)
Replying to: lexusguy (Nov 11, 2008 8:59 am) I read that the S4 (upcoming) will be at the price point of the 335xi sedan. My car, all equipped as it is, is priced content wise a tiny bit less than a 328xi (and the Audi has a lot more content than is offered in the 328xi, so the A4 actually seems quite a bit more car for the $.) The RS4 will be the M3 rival and as for the 3.2, I'll bet they'll be awfully difficult to move if the prospective customer has a chance to test drive the 2.0TFSI back to back with the 3.2FSI variant.   The only thing the 3.2 has on the 2.0 is a bit sweeter sound -- but the A4 is so quiet it is really hard to make that argument worth $3,000 -- especially since the 2.0T gets better mileage and is quicker due to its greater and more instantaneous torque.   There has been an argument put forth that demonstrates a 328xi equipped EXACTLY like an A4 3.2 are even close enough in price to not get the 3.2 to be put up against the 335xi.   I am pleased -- but I really liked the A6; and it was the most reliable car ever as far as I am concerned. 60,000 miles and it felt "like new."
#9656 of 9978 Re: The LPS life. . . [markcincinnati] by tayl0rd Nov 12, 2008 (3:25 pm)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Nov 10, 2008 7:22 pm) Hey, it's markcincinatti! I was just asking if you were still alive a few days ago. I haven't seen one of your dissertations around here in months. Where've you been?
#9657 of 9978 Re: The LPS life. . . [markcincinnati] by carnaught Nov 13, 2008 (4:50 pm)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Nov 10, 2008 7:22 pm) The car sounds awesome. Keep us apprised of your experience with it and the best of luck with it.
#9658 of 9978 Greeting by ExoticRallyist Dec 03, 2008 (2:38 pm)
Hello to everyone, I am new to the forum and looking forward to the future!
#9659 of 9978 I guess I could ask by marsha7 Dec 03, 2008 (8:20 pm)
this here or directly in the Jag section, but the knowledge here may be broader...   One of my potential purchases in the future is a 2007 Jag XJ8...   Are they only repaired at Jag dealers, of which there are few, or can any Ford dealer fix them as they were a division of Ford until bought by Tata...   It may be a choice between a 2007 DTS or 2007 XJ8...both cars have great luxury and good performance and mpg, and they both started out new at $50-60 grand and can be had, I believe, for under $30K at the 2-3 year old point...   So, it comes down to dealer service...and if only Jag dealers can fix Jags, we only have 2 in Atlanta, and, since I drive thru Alabama on my way to Mississippi, where there may be fewer Caddy or Jag dealers, the thought that maybe Ford dealers can fix the Jag would mean it would be easier, since every town has a Ford dealer...   Thanks for any thoughts... Replies to this message: carnaught (Dec 04, 2008 7:11 am) lexusguy (Dec 04, 2008 7:25 am) desert_rat (Dec 04, 2008 11:44 am) houdini1 (Dec 04, 2008 2:00 pm) lexusguy (Dec 04, 2008 3:24 pm) erickpl (Dec 08, 2008 11:36 am) lexusguy (Dec 08, 2008 12:04 pm)

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