Entry-Level Luxury Performance Sedans

If we are talking main stream cars, then the LE is the model to talk about, since the LE outsells any other Camry. Yes, if someone was looking at a top of the line XLE camry then the next jump would be the Avalon and think the base price of the base Avalon is $1K less then a fully loaded XLE. The ES base price is higher then a fully loaded XLE. Lexus err Toyota has done a great marketing job on Lexus, people are willing to pay more for the lexus name. BTW, a fully loaded ES is more than a fully loaded Avalon.

Replies to this message:

sweendogy (Feb 27, 2013 5:38 am)
m6user (Feb 27, 2013 11:09 am)
- dino001 (Feb 27, 2013 12:02 pm)
  - m6user (Feb 27, 2013 12:04 pm)
- cdnpinhead (Feb 27, 2013 1:11 pm)

#15708 of 16087 Re: Acura TL [flightnurse] by sweendogy

Feb 27, 2013 (5:38 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Feb 26, 2013 11:29 pm)

The point of the agreement as I stated before was price - not specific Toyota model sells the best- I think you know this- if a person is looking at 22k car ofcourse they are not going to step up. - it's also not Lexus specific to Toyota - as stated before.

#15709 of 16087 BMW F30 328xi Sport Line by nyccarguy

Feb 27, 2013 (6:55 am)

While gassing up my 328xi last night, a guy pulls up behind me in an F30 328xi Sport Line. He noticed me checking out his car & I asked him how he liked it. He told me the car was "nice," but "way too soft." He liked the way his old 330Ci coupe drove much better.

#15710 of 16087 Re: Acura TL [flightnurse] by m6user

Feb 27, 2013 (11:09 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Feb 26, 2013 11:29 pm)

BTW, a fully loaded ES is more than a fully loaded Avalon.

Wow, what a revelation! A loaded luxury car is more than a loaded non-luxury car. Who would have thought? Gee, I bet a loaded Panamerica is more than a loaded Passat too. Isn't that something.

I would rather admit I'm wrong than clutch at straws to try to make myself look better. Camry LE because it's the biggest seller?

Wasn't even remotely close to what we were talking about. We were talking about cross shopping the loaded mainstream against base luxury because of the closeness in price. A Camry LE is not a loaded Camry.

Bringing in the Avalon actually makes my point even more. A loaded Avalon Limited is almost $4000 more than a base ES. The ES is now based on the Avalon(not the Camry) so it's the same size, drivetrain etc. That is why I said that a lot of people that were looking at loaded mainstream vehicles may crossshop the lower end of the luxury makes. Because they are so close in price and capability.

Replies to this message:

dino001 (Feb 27, 2013 12:02 pm)
- m6user (Feb 27, 2013 12:04 pm)
cdnpinhead (Feb 27, 2013 1:11 pm)

#15711 of 16087 Re: Acura TL [m6user] by dino001

Feb 27, 2013 (12:02 pm)

Replying to: m6user (Feb 27, 2013 11:09 am)

What is Panamerica?

Replies to this message:

m6user (Feb 27, 2013 12:04 pm)

#15712 of 16087 Re: Acura TL [dino001] by m6user

Feb 27, 2013 (12:04 pm)

Replying to: dino001 (Feb 27, 2013 12:02 pm)

Oops. Typing too fast. Panamera.

#15713 of 16087 Re: Acura TL [m6user] by cdnpinhead

Feb 27, 2013 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: m6user (Feb 27, 2013 11:09 am)

. . . than clutch at straws to try to make myself look better.

I agree, but you need to remember that losing face is important in Asia, but even more important on these forums.

#15714 of 16087 Re: Cross Shopping experience [xrunner2] by markcincinnati

Feb 28, 2013 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: xrunner2 (Feb 20, 2013 5:39 pm)

My 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Advance (whew!) is my first non-Audi since my first, a 1978 5000. Immediately prior to the Acura I had a 2009 Audi A4 2.0T Prestige with the sport package option.

I may have (I do have) some issues with the Acura -- but many/most of them are of a cosmetic nature -- but, now that Acura bought new wheels for me (3 of the 19" wheels were bent so badly that they could not be road-force balanced), I have no issues with the steering. The wide and low profile tires that were on the Audi and on this Acura can be the source of some ride stiffness, but I have no issues that I can comment on that have anything to do with the electric power steering.

The TL SH-AWD Advance is very well equipped, smooth driving and riding, yet agile and nimble (due to the wheel/tire combo and the sport suspension).

It does seem to be not an unreasonable imitation of an Audi S4 when one factors in the S4's $11,000 premium when similarly contented -- if you can get past the controversial styling (yes, even the toned down 2012 still has too much "beak" for most folks.)

I will shop Acura (among others) for my next car when the lease is up on this one -- at this point, I would shop the upcoming TLX, the Infiniti Q50, the Audi A4, the BMW 3, the Cadillac ATS and CTS and probably the Volvo S60.

The Acura suffers from NOT providing its owner with an experience that is not crystal-clearly differentiated from the Honda upon which it is based.

Some people think that Acura's best feature is that it comes from the Honda Motors Corporation. Others, like me, wish it wasn't quite so obvious that it came from Honda's loins (so to speak.)

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