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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


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#9898 of 10007
Re: A4 it is [draz2] by james27
May 02, 2009 (3:49 pm)
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Replying to: draz2 (May 01, 2009 7:39 pm)

If you really need your ego stroked, then I guess you'd never consider a good car from a 'lesser' car company...just no status in that. Personally, if I liked the car, I wouldn't care about the others waiting in the room.
#9899 of 10007
Re: A4 it is [draz2] by cdnpinhead
May 03, 2009 (4:29 pm)
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Replying to: draz2 (May 01, 2009 7:32 pm)

Wow, you're a real car guy. I can tell.
 
Well, yeah, Mr. 36 posts, he is a real car guy. I often disagree with him, but his opinions are usually well founded and politely put.
 
Acuras are cheap and good. I own one. I don't ever pretend that it's a real enthusiast's vehicle. It's an appliance, and a good one, but it's no BMW or Audi.
 
Long story, but the old timers have heard it before and the newbies probably don't care.
 
It's the never-ending "my cheap car is as good as (or better than) your expensive car" discussion.
 
Keeps the boards going, I guess.
#9900 of 10007
Re: Lot of Emotion Here [art234] by barryend
May 04, 2009 (4:44 am)
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Replying to: art234 (May 02, 2009 4:34 am)

Art:
 
I have my 2009 Audi A4 Premium Plus, sport package, Nav for a week. I was thrilled with the experience. The comfort, ride and quality are fabulous. The front seat room is comparable to the M35X Infiniti's. Ride, sound control, steering and handling were superior.
 
I read you can buy software to reprogram the A4 engine chips and gain 60 hp. $500.00 gains 60 hp. Not for me but some readers may want to know. Audiworld forums had an ad.
 
We drove to Manhattan in pouring rain yesterday. Winding narrow parkways, bumpy streets, I-87, Sprain Brook speedway and I-287 which is in reconstruction for 5 years. The security and handling were outstanding. The ride even with sports suspension was excellent. No wifely complaints. The ride softened up after a few days driving. Now I am sold on the sports package. I am concerned about flats from potholes with the P7's but that is the cost of doing business.
 
 I am not opting for $750.00 wheel/tire insurance since it does not cover curb rash. If I ruin a tire I will pay. I only ruined one wheel in my recent life and found a new one on Ebay cheap.
 
I am jealous you are getting the 2010 Nav. my 2009 was a waste of money. Costco sells better Navs for $300.00. Backup camera is excellent.
 
When do you expect delivery of the 2010?
 
Barry
#9901 of 10007
Re: A4 it is [cdnpinhead] by draz2
May 04, 2009 (6:17 am)
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Replying to: cdnpinhead (May 03, 2009 4:29 pm)

Interesting post. But tell me then, exactly what differentiates the 'pedestrian' Acura from it's more iconic competitors?
 
Lets go down the list:
 
Power- it has it in spades. Not quite as quick as the BMW 335/535 but faster than the 328/528 and way faster than the 2.0T Audi.
 
Handling - With SH-AWD it'll outhandle virtually anything out there.
 
Interior comfort/refinement - As long as your wish-list doesn't include wood trim, the interior of the new TL is as upscale and modern a place as you'd ever want to find yourself.
 
Standard equipment/technology - I think we all know Acura leads the pack here. You're gettiing a backup camera, SOTA nav system/screen, ipod interface, xenon headlights, built-in hard drive, bluetooth, seat memories, heated seats, etc. all for well under $38k.
 
Quietness. lack of NVH - Again, I invite you to take a 2009 TL out for a test drive. It's as quiet as my former ES 350 with much, much more power. The drivetrain is silky smooth and there's no vibration to be felt anywhere.
 
Quality/reliability - Have you seen Consumer Reports or J.D. Powers lately? Acura consistently tops those lists.
 
Safety - The TL is the only car that has earned top ratings from each crash test it has been in, bettering BMW (by a wide margin here), M-B and Audi.
 
So remind me again just what is it that relegates the TL to a pedestrian class of cars?
#9903 of 10007
Europe vs. Others by shmang
May 04, 2009 (8:29 am)
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"Whenever a car form Asia looks better, drives better, and handles better, the fall back position for disqualification is that it is not from Europe."
 
That is exactly the mentality there and it is most for old timers (not always true though). When you look at the dashboard of Audi, BMWs, they are not as nice (compared to Lexus, even Infiniti and Acura). Sure, they looks solid and retro. with a touch of heritage, but, that does not equal to nice / fancy.
 
Unfortunately, most of the chief editors for C&D and such are old timers - it takes time to achieve that position. So, until that change, the public view will be skewed - especially for those who knows very little and just follow the trends. How many times you see persons in BMW that does not know how to drive? But, it is their money, they want to spend it that way, it is perfect fine - in this economy, we need the boost from them. For the rest of us, we know what we want and what fit our needs the best.
#9904 of 10007
A Friendly Reminder... by jimbres
May 04, 2009 (9:00 am)
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...that this discussion is reserved for higher priced cars. See "What is this discussion about?" at the top of this page for examples.
 
If you want to talk about the Acura TL, the Audi A4 or the BMW 3-series, you should go here.
#9905 of 10007
Re: A Friendly Reminder... [jimbres] by draz2
May 04, 2009 (9:14 am)
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Replying to: jimbres (May 04, 2009 9:00 am)

We are talking about 'higher priced cars.' We're simply calling into question some of the entirely-too-arbitrary distinctions which exist between those 'higher priced cars' and other equally competent vehicles. You don't think that'a a legitimate topic for this forum?
#9906 of 10007
Re: A Friendly Reminder... [draz2] by jimbres
May 04, 2009 (10:43 am)
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Replying to: draz2 (May 04, 2009 9:14 am)

You're talking about entry-level luxury cars, & a separate discussion, called, logically enough, "Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans" was created just for them. But this discussion was created specifically for the cars that are the next step up, with base MSRPs well north of $40K. Again, look at "What is this discussion about?" at the top of the page for examples of makes/models that are in scope.
 
If you're an Acura fan & you want to talk about the RL, stay here. But if you're interested only in the TL, then the entry-level sports lux discussion is more appropriate.
 
Capisce?
 
Back to our regularly scheduled programming: can a BMW guy find happiness with the Infiniti M35 or M35x? Until recently, I wouldn't have considered a Japanese entry in this market segment because none of them - the RL, the Lexus GS or the Infiniti M - offers a stick, & I don't do automatics. But now I'm an older guy with creaky knees, & I'm beginning to think that my next car just might have a slushbox.
 
If I decide to stick with the stick, so to speak, then my next car can only be a 5-series BMW. But the field opens up considerably if I listen to my knees & go with 2 pedals. Infiniti gets high marks for its near-BMW handling prowess, so it's the Japanese brand that I'm most likely to consider. (I don't like the RL's styling or the GS's road manners.)
 
Has anyone driven a BMW 5 & an Infiniti M recently? What are your thoughts?
#9907 of 10007
Re: Europe vs. Others [shmang] by lexusguy
May 04, 2009 (6:43 pm)
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Replying to: shmang (May 04, 2009 8:29 am)

When you look at the dashboard of Audi, BMWs, they are not as nice (compared to Lexus, even Infiniti and Acura).
 
Ok, you've lost me here. BMW, when they make an effort, are capable of some very nice interiors. The new 7, the X5, and even the new Z4 are world class inside, better than any Acura or Infiniti by miles. I haven't been impressed by any Lexus interior lately. The LS460 isn't necessarily bad, but it looks rather drab when compared to the likes of the S, 7, A8, or Maserati QP.
 
The new ES is IMO a big step back from the old one, which had acres of rich wood trim. The new ES has acres of cheap gray vinyl, with a few bits of wood on the doors and console. The ES from the passenger seat is as luxurious looking as a Corolla.
 
Solid and "retro" (whatever that means) isn't nice or luxurious, but cheap vinyls and plastics, fake chrome and aluminum bits, and cheesy switches and gauges with cheesy lighting is? I guess I just don't understand the young people. I'll stick with Audi over Acura.

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