Sign In Join 



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


Messages Page 976 of 1002
1
...
973
974
975
976
977
978
979
...
1002
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#9742 of 10007
Re: Why No Mention Of The 2009 Acura TL On These Boards? [qbrozen] by lexusguy
Feb 24, 2009 (5:12 pm)
Reply

Replying to: qbrozen (Feb 24, 2009 2:55 pm)

Hmmm... then what is the IS? And what about the TSX?
 
I'm sorry, but the ES isn't here because it just isn't a mid-lux car. Whether a car is performance oriented, or what wheels are driven doesn't matter. Let's not forget that the A6 is technically available with FWD, but it is still firmly a mid-lux sedan.
 
Entry-lux means $35-50K. They can overlap somewhat in size with the mid-lux class, usually depending on whether they are built specifically for the North American market. The NA specific cars such as the CTS, TL, and ES tend to be larger than the world market cars. Both the ES and IS are entry level. The TSX is also entry level.
 
Acura competes in the entry class with two cars, just as Lexus does, but in a different way. The IS is Lexus' entry performance sedan, while the ES is the entry luxury car. Instead of offering engine choices, Acura offers the TSX to compete with cars like the IS250, A4 2.0T, etc. and the TL to compete with the IS350, A4 3.2, etc.
 
Mid-lux cars range from $45-70K. Every single one except for the RL offers a V8, which is one of the many reasons why the RL has never been more than an also ran. While its true that a vast majority of buyers opt for the V6, you still have to at least offer a V8 if you want to be taken seriously.
#9743 of 10007
Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [lexusguy] by houdini1
Feb 25, 2009 (6:18 am)
Reply

Replying to: lexusguy (Feb 24, 2009 2:31 pm)

Sounds prudent to me. I personally have never used snow tires and I also leave the LS in the garage during bad weather. That is what the LX is for.
 
That said, I have seen some argue here that the very best set up for snow/ice is rear wheel drive with 4 snow tires. This argument never made much sense to me but it is out there.
#9744 of 10007
Don't forget about by pat HOST
Feb 25, 2009 (6:41 am)
Reply
the Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans discussion, which hasn't had a lot of traffic lately. That's where we are covering some of these cars that aren't really in this class.
 
#9745 of 10007
Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [houdini1] by clarence10
Feb 25, 2009 (7:32 am)
Reply

Replying to: houdini1 (Feb 25, 2009 6:18 am)

Has anyone attempted to go to a wholesale auction to purchase a car? I have access through a friend and figure that if I find what I want, I could pick something up.
 
any comments?
#9746 of 10007
Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [clarence10] by kyfdx HOST
Feb 25, 2009 (8:05 am)
Reply

Replying to: clarence10 (Feb 25, 2009 7:32 am)

Do you trust your friend to pick out a car for you?
 
Most auctions have gotten very sticky about who they let in... Your buddy just saying you are an employee usually won't work any more. Most dealers have to submit a list ahead of time, of authorized employees who can attend the auction.
 
In my experience, it takes a lot of homework, an unlimited CarFax account and access to the Manheim website to get the pre-sale information. Then, you'll need your friend to be willing to go on the day you find the cars you are interested in. Plus, the faith that he'll remember the options that are important to you, and what options/colors are deal killers.
 
I have a co-worker who has a dealer's license... I've known him for over 20 years, and I still won't take the chance.
 
regards,
kyfdx
visiting host
#9747 of 10007
Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [houdini1] by lexusguy
Feb 25, 2009 (8:36 pm)
Reply

Replying to: houdini1 (Feb 25, 2009 6:18 am)

That said, I have seen some argue here that the very best set up for snow/ice is rear wheel drive with 4 snow tires. This argument never made much sense to me but it is out there.
 
That makes absolutely no sense. There simply is no substitute for AWD in bad weather. Tires also help, and not all AWD systems are created equal. From what I've seen and read, Quattro is the best there is on snow and ice.
#9748 of 10007
Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [houdini1] by james27
Feb 26, 2009 (4:29 pm)
Reply

Replying to: houdini1 (Feb 25, 2009 6:18 am)

An all-season tire as a compromise all seasons. A good set of snow tires helps you stop signficantly shorter than you could ever think of with all-seasons in bad weather, plus turn and start with less slipping. A good set can handle nearly as well as a mid-level performance car and can be quieter.
 
Rubber gets harder when it gets cold (and as it ages), and snow tires shouldn't be used when it regularly gets above 50-degrees becasue they would get too soft and wear fast. Because of the softer rubber, they grip much better in the snow and ice.
 
An all-wheel drive vehicle may give you false confidence starting, but can't stop any faster than a front or rear-wheel drive car. Have you ever tried to go up a steep, slippery hill with a front-wheel drive car? Could be tough. A rear-wheel may not be much better, but will be some since the weight transfer is rearward, but no comparison to an all-wheel drive car.
#9749 of 10007
Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [james27] by nebraskaguy
Feb 27, 2009 (7:00 am)
Reply

Replying to: james27 (Feb 26, 2009 4:29 pm)

Have you ever tried to go up a steep, slippery hill with a front-wheel drive car? Could be tough.
 
I always have to chuckle when I read comments like this. Years ago before front-wheel drive cars were commonplace, I owned one of the first in my neighborhood. One night while I was out there was an ice storm. The last block of my drive home was a long hill. I was the only one of my neighbors who was able to make it up the hill. Everyone else abandoned their rear-wheel drive cars and walked home.
#9750 of 10007
Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [nebraskaguy] by houdini1
Feb 27, 2009 (11:31 am)
Reply

Replying to: nebraskaguy (Feb 27, 2009 7:00 am)

That's pretty much been my experience also. Front wheel drive works better than rwd on snow and ice be it up hill, down hill, or level. Pulling just works better than pushing.
#9751 of 10007
Re: Looking for used Luxury Sedan [nebraskaguy] by james27
Feb 27, 2009 (2:50 pm)
Reply

Replying to: nebraskaguy (Feb 27, 2009 7:00 am)

I've owned lots of front-wheel drive cars, and under most circumstances, yes, you can get going where you can't with rear-wheel drive cars, but I've had this happen - weight transfer is real. Skill, helps, too.
 
A good set of snow-tires trumps all, though, especially if the snow is icy or deep.

Messages Page 976 of 1002
1
...
973
974
975
976
977
978
979
...
1002
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement