Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
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
|
Replying to: jimbres (May 04, 2009 9:00 am) |
|
|
Replying to: draz2 (May 04, 2009 9:14 am) 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? |
|
|
Replying to: shmang (May 04, 2009 8:29 am) 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.
|
|
|
Replying to: jimbres (May 04, 2009 10:43 am) Has anyone driven a BMW 5 & an Infiniti M recently? What are your thoughts? I drove a 545i back when it was first released, haven't driven one since. I've just never really liked anything about the car. I was a fan of the old 540i Sport, but the current one just doesn't do it for me. The next one due soon will have an improved, X5 style interior and the new iDrive system, but based on what I've seen of the 5 GT concept, it will be dull as dishwater to look at. I'm not sure that going from ugly to boring is really an improvement. The M I've driven a few times. The styling updates for '08 and the change to white gauges are definite improvements. The 7-speed auto also solves one of its major faults - high revs at highway cruising speeds. That said, the styling still isn't my favorite, and the car is still a little lacking in refinement. If your really interested in the M, I would suggest waiting for the new version due in a year or so. As of now, I would take the A6 3.0T Sport or Jag XF over the M.
|
|
|
Replying to: lexusguy (May 04, 2009 11:42 pm) Strongly agree. No matter what I do, I won't do it before the end of next year. By then, we should know all about the next-generation M. Nissan has succeeded in keeping it under wraps. I can't find any pictures - just speculation that there may be a hybrid version & that the M37x will get the 7-speed. |
|
|
Replying to: lexusguy (May 04, 2009 6:43 pm) Well, this definitely shows your old age there! Also, using words like "fake", "cheesy" does not really proof anything. As an example I can say: "Audi has cheap orange color display, cheesy dark dash with no aluminum/titan, with cheesy switches and gauges - the worst in any car I have seen ever, along with dirt cheap and cheesy interior and exterior lighting is nice? Give me a break!" - Other than the word "Cheap", "Cheesy", what else this sentence tell people - absolutely nothing than the attitude. So is your post - No, this not personal attack, I am just stating the fact, so do not take it personal. That being said, again, people vote with their wallet and the result does not lie - Acura TL over Audi A4 2.0T any day. |
|
|
Replying to: jimbres (May 04, 2009 10:43 am) BUT I remind you that while I am very jaded and prejudiced against Infiniti based on my experience, my statement above is relatively objective and trying to be fair.
|
|
|
Replying to: draz2 (May 04, 2009 6:17 am) Handling - With SH-AWD it'll outhandle virtually anything out there. ... Funny how SH-AWD always receives so much praise, even from the rags. Yet when independent performance/handling numbers are published, the TL/RL are always at the back of the pack.  ... So remind me again just what is it that relegates the TL to a pedestrian class of cars? ... Because, all in, it's not significantly better equipped or a better value than an Accord V6 EX-L Nav.
|
|
|
Replying to: art234 (May 05, 2009 6:54 am) While I have no reason to be prejudiced against Infiniti, I am biased in favor of BMW. For one thing, I own a 330i, which has been a terrific car. For another, a friend of mine who is leasing an '08 535xi wagon - probably the only one on Long Island with a stick - has been kind enough to let me spend several hours behind the wheel. I like pretty much everything about the car (except for the over engineered turn signals, which I still haven't figured out). Although it isn't as tossable as my 3 - no surprise there - it's a more comfortable car overall. I'm an older guy now & I appreciate that. It's certainly the best balanced mid-sized car I've driven to date. I might even buy the car as a CPO after he turns it in late next year. |
|
|
Replying to: barryend (May 04, 2009 4:44 am) Thanks for sharing the experience--I can't wait to get the A4. It will be in hopefully toward the middle of July. I am actually letting my wife drive the M35x until the Audi comes in--the vibration in the drive train doesn't bother her. Then again she does what the dealer recommended -- turns the radio up.... 
|
|
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2007 Lexus GS 430
2011 Acura RL
2011 BMW 5 Series
2010 Volvo S80
2010 Audi A6
2010 Infiniti M35
2010 Infiniti M45
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2010 Cadillac STS
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
