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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16252 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2013 at 4:39 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1563 of 1626

#15612 of 16252 b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random by bunit23

Feb 06, 2013 (2:48 pm)

I have this going one another forum and thought I would bring this to a more universal sight too.
  
I will be purchasing a car in the near future and I am going for CPO. I really want an AWD, so the S4 is my first choice. I heard the Quattro is sick. The car will mostly be used for Road trips and Weekend driving. I have a older Nissan Maxima that is my daily driver. My main issue with the Audi is that most people state that it will be costly and frequent, in the future, and I plan on keeping the car for a long time. My 96 Maxima currently has 171k on it.
  
I live in San Antonio Tx and it can get pretty hot. Are there any reasons I should avoid the Audi besides costly repairs??? I am not a wrencher, but I am not afraid to dig in.
  
I am open to other cars too
  
Please give me suggestions!!!
  
So far the cars that caught my eyes are:
  
Infiniti G37x (looks cheap in most areas, but still a great ride)
  
Lexus GS350 (Never owned a Toyota and this one seems pretty nice)
  
Audi B8 S4 (so far has all the specs I want and I like to have cars I don't see on the road all the time)
  
***BMW 335xi is not on my radar because I see way too many BMW's out here. I don't want to join the club.***

#15613 of 16252 Re: b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random [bunit23] by nyccarguy

Feb 06, 2013 (3:11 pm)

Replying to: bunit23 (Feb 06, 2013 2:48 pm)
AWD in Texas?

#15614 of 16252 Re: Another ELLPS enters the ring.... [flightnurse] by dino001

Feb 06, 2013 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Feb 06, 2013 1:04 pm)
I don't know. All I saw on the website, if you took least expensive C250 starting at $35350, but not really because there is non-optional $905 manufacturer's "transportation charge", i.e. it REALLY starts at $36,255 MSRP (that is case of deceptive advertising, but it's a different story). Then any time you wanted to add leather, it required also a premium package, which in turn moved the price to 40+ grand. Your quoted car seems C250 Sport Sedan ($36,580) with standard 5-twin spoke wheels (for that line) and $475 worth of options, which ain't much - perhaps it is some snap-on navigation they mention. I do not think it is an internet There can be small discrepancies, as car prices change over the year. Definitely no leather - MB Tex (high quality polymer) is standard seat surface. No, this car does not have $2500 "sports package", it is C250 Sports Sedan. There is a difference, but the dealer probably doesn't know it (or pretends not to know it).
 
Edit: Adding Sports Package to a red C250 Sports Sedan jacks the price to 41 grand (you have to add premium 1 with it, too, total bundle $4800). I doubt dealer would advertise such car for 37 grand. Considering the wheels, it is simple case of misinformation/misdirection.

#15615 of 16252 Re: b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random [bunit23] by dino001

Feb 06, 2013 (3:17 pm)

Replying to: bunit23 (Feb 06, 2013 2:48 pm)
S4 is best choice for fun, but in spite of being CPO, I would keep some good money on the account. If you have the money go for it. If you look for some low payment type of deal, or are not prepared to spend more on the car than just buying price, go for Infiniti.

#15616 of 16252 Re: b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random [dino001] by bunit23

Feb 06, 2013 (4:19 pm)

Replying to: dino001 (Feb 06, 2013 3:17 pm)
I can afford the car, and maintenance. I just don't want the car to be rumplestiltskin and force me to offer up my 1st born.
 
I read alot of the stories out ther and know the car will be expensive. I do want to keep it until 100k if possible.
 
I know AWD isn't necessary in Texas, but I think it will be fun.

#15617 of 16252 Re: b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random [bunit23] by dino001

Feb 06, 2013 (4:45 pm)

Replying to: bunit23 (Feb 06, 2013 4:19 pm)
As long as you are prepared, S4 is the one I's choose.

#15618 of 16252 Re: b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random [bunit23] by tlong

Feb 06, 2013 (4:47 pm)

Replying to: bunit23 (Feb 06, 2013 4:19 pm)
I can afford the car, and maintenance. I just don't want the car to be rumplestiltskin and force me to offer up my 1st born.
 
I LOVED my 1998 Audi A4. I drove it 88K and after the warranty ran out I probably spent about $1800 total on maintenance and repairs. Most of that was a cooling issue that the dealer had trouble finding. I sold it earlier than I normally do as I was worried about more costs/problems. But it was never unreliable or left me stranded.
 
I now have an Acura TL with 130K and pretty near nothing has gone wrong. It's more reliable and cheaper to own than the Audi, and a very nice car.
 
Costs aside, I'd pick the Audi. Just be prepared for some extra $$, which you might not need, but you never know. If you are concerned, you might be able to buy an extended warranty.

#15619 of 16252 Re: b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random [tlong] by sweendogy

Feb 06, 2013 (6:22 pm)

Replying to: tlong (Feb 06, 2013 4:47 pm)
I also agree the b8 is one hell of a machine- as others have mentioned audis in general love the shop, and costs are high if you get a runt. They are real performers but please get one with a manual- the autos are fine but this car should be reserved for the enthusiasts.
 
G35O another nice rig but its more of a cruiser then a hot rig- love the looks and RWD pretty cool.
 
G37- awd nice cars - bummer can't get with stick- halls - best value in this class- not the best in the slick weather (snow) with 18s -
 
In Texas - I would go slightly used s4 (stick), new g 37 sport RWD stick, then awd g37x, then gs.
 
All pretty good choices - good luck.

#15620 of 16252 Re: b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random [tlong] by graphicguy

Feb 07, 2013 (7:59 am)

Replying to: tlong (Feb 06, 2013 4:47 pm)
tlong.....you and I have the same taste in cars.....TLs, Audis, BMWs.
 
Before the GF bought her S4, she did her due diligence. Personally, if I like a car, I'm all over it. But, I don't give much thought to reliability. And, quite frankly, I don't put much stock in Consumer Reports reliability rankings, as I consider them little more than the CR faithful (who they base the reliability rankings on) as confirming foregone conclusions. That's a different topic, though.
 
The GF talked to everyone she knew who currently owned, or at some time owned an Audi in the past, about their ownership experience. While not scientific, and probably only numbered a dozen people, without fail, Audi ownership experiences were positive.
 
pletko....well smack me silly and call me foolish. I like sport seats (that are heated). I like trick DSG transmissions. I like big fat leather steering wheels in my hands while driving. In other words, I'm one of those fools you describe. I'm good with that.
 
Had this discussion with a friend while at a SuperBowl party last Sunday. He owns, among others, a BMW 6 series. Nice car. Not sure what the drivetrain is, but I think it's a V8 with a manumatic. I've ridden in it several times. I even drove it once (to take his inebriated butt home). It definitely is big and heavy, and you feel the mass and weight. It's not a particularly good handling machine, and it's not particularly quick. It's what I consider a poseur. That said, it's pretty and it costs a lot. Both of those traits fit my my friend's personality to a tee.
 
We had the GF's S4 at the party. As we got into discussions about cars, he found the S4 not "blingy" enough for his taste. That alone made the S4's status move a couple of rungs up the status ladder for us.
 
As we were talking, he asked me what I did not like about the TL. In all reality, I couldn't list one thing. There were some niggly things that maybe would bother me more than others (like a hint of torque steer on quick starts from stop). But, nothing that was a show stopper. Granted, the S4 and my 335 are faster and handle better. Plus, the suspension/ride/handling compromise in the Germans and 2nd to none.
 
But, the TL SH AWD will get you to 80% of what the Audi will do. There are some things that the TL does that no other car I've ever owned was able to do. Now, these are minor things, but noticeable nonetheless.
 
For example, I've never owned another car that had more comfortable sport seats than the TL. Nothing is perfect. But, for me, the TL's sport seats were about as close as you can get. They're bolstered perfectly and are comfortable while holding you in your seat.
 
The HVAC system heats up and cools down faster than in any other car I've ever owned, too. And, it holds the perfect temp (that I've set) better than any other car I've owned.
 
Ergonomically, at least for things like window switches, seat belt, steering wheel, etc., I could get in the TL, and with one smooth move reach and click the seat belt without reaching....all the while having my hand fall in the perfect location to the start button.
 
Up until the B&O system in the S4 (which is insanely good), the TL's stereo was the best I had ever heard in a car (that includes some high buck aftermarket installations).
 
Point of all this, even designs that are long in the tooth, like the TL, are still really good ELLPS these days. And, I certainly don't feel foolish for liking the options they come with.

#15621 of 16252 Re: b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random [bunit23] by andys120

Feb 07, 2013 (8:15 am)

Replying to: bunit23 (Feb 06, 2013 4:19 pm)

I know AWD isn't necessary in Texas, but I think it will be fun.
 
I've had AWD, FWD and RWD and IMO most of the fun to be had with AWD is when driving in snow. For dry weather fun nothing beats a good RWD car.

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