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Mainstream Large Sedans Comparison

6844 messages,  Last post on Mar 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Buick Lucerne, Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G8, Car Comparisons, Sedan


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#6564 of 6844
Re: Taurus Maintenance [captain2] by thegraduate
Jul 01, 2008 (6:58 pm)
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Replying to: captain2 (Jul 01, 2008 1:34 pm)

After driving it yesterday on the hilly Birmingham-metro interstates, there was no problem whatsoever. It never needed to downshift. In the NC mountiains it might at least unlock the torque converter, or downshift, but there was plenty of torque at the prod of my foot to accelerate from 60 to 70 without needing to downshift. My Honda downshifts at the drop of a hat, but the Ford uses its torque rather than dropping a gear. When it does drop, the extra power is noticeable, however, the shift itself is not.
#6565 of 6844
Re: Taurus Maintenance [thegraduate] by cdmuile
Jul 01, 2008 (8:57 pm)
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Replying to: thegraduate (Jul 01, 2008 11:07 am)

Anything currently made by Ford in the 3door hatchback sports like with manual tranny with the Taurus running gear?
#6566 of 6844
Re: Taurus Maintenance [thegraduate] by tjc78
Jul 02, 2008 (3:51 am)
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Replying to: thegraduate (Jul 01, 2008 6:58 pm)

When it does drop, the extra power is noticeable, however, the shift itself is not
 
I would think that the 6 - 5 shift should be very soft. How much does the RPM increase? I'm thinking maybe 700. Even if its fairly often it wouldn't be as noticable as say the 4 - 3 shift in a Lucerne or Impala.
#6567 of 6844
Re: Taurus Maintenance [tjc78] by thegraduate
Jul 02, 2008 (6:42 am)
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Replying to: tjc78 (Jul 02, 2008 3:51 am)

Honestly, I don't remember. I do know that when I punched it at 70, the RPMs went to a little over 4k RPM (I didn't floor it) and the car shot off like a rocket. I'm guessing there was a drop from 6-4th, or would it be 3rd?
 
Whatever it was, it did just fine.
#6568 of 6844
An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 by tonycd
Jul 02, 2008 (9:32 am)
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...which I've never driven:
 
Completely disregarding
•gas mileage
•reliability
•and price,
 
where does the loaded Lucerne with Northstar rate subjectively as a daily driving experience against the Avalon, Azera or Lexus ES? (Note: if you haven't driven a V8 Lucerne AND one of the others, disqualify yourself from replying.)
#6569 of 6844
Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [tonycd] by tjc78
Jul 02, 2008 (11:27 am)
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Replying to: tonycd (Jul 02, 2008 9:32 am)

They are all fairly similar. Soft riding comfortable cruisers. The Buick is a fine car, just a little older technology than you'll find in the Av/ES/Azera. When I drove the V8 it wasn't quite as quick and refined as the V6 in the Avalon. The interior is also a bit old school for me. It wasn't bad, just not as nice as the others. I don't believe you could go wrong with the car if you are willing to deal with the FE penalty. That was the deal breaker to me (Av and Azera make roughly the same power with V6s and significantly better FE)....If you read back through the forum we have discussed at length that basically if the Lucerne had GMs 3.6 6 speed it would be a serious contender in this segment.
#6570 of 6844
Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [tjc78] by tonycd
Jul 02, 2008 (11:55 am)
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Replying to: tjc78 (Jul 02, 2008 11:27 am)

Thanks, tjc. I do recall the discussion about the 3.6.
 
The reason I ask is that the Lucerne is big and stylish, but it does labor under disadvantages in size, turning circle, reliability history and fuel economy. So, for those of us who aren't simply American-only loyalists, it has to win decisively in some area to rate serious consideration, even if its price is discounted down to parity.
 
I'd think if there's any such area, it would be highway cruising comfort. Of course its V6 rivals aren't exactly slackers in that regard, either.
#6571 of 6844
Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [tonycd] by captain2
Jul 02, 2008 (11:57 am)
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Replying to: tonycd (Jul 02, 2008 9:32 am)

how can you disregard the Lucerne V8's FE, reliability (which ain't bad supposedly), AND those inflated Buick price tags. Would suggest to you that even the Avalon's general superiority (power, FE, 3rd party ratings etc.) in this class is still tempered by its price tag. Many buyers quite naturally disqualify it simply because they don't believe it to be worth several thousands more. How can we not do the same for a Buick that can actually cost more?
#6572 of 6844
Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [tonycd] by plekto
Jul 02, 2008 (12:00 pm)
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Replying to: tonycd (Jul 02, 2008 9:32 am)

The Lucerne CXS is nearly identical to a late 90s Mercedes S420. Same power, same decent suspension on a very heavy car feel(a first for Buick, IMO), and the same solid feel.
 
The non CXS versions are nasty. In this case, it's all about the suspension. The Magnetic Ride suspension turns the car from just another Buick into a proper luxury sedan in how it rides. It's not as fast in a straight line, but honestly, do you see middle-aged and elderly people really needing to smoke the tires on any of these large barges? Go drive a CXS. It's not an old man's car any more.
 
The Azera feels a notch down. A lot like the old Park Avenue, in fact. Good, but not the real deal(like a E class, DTS, or similar)
 
The Avalon is nice, but lacking the suspension... yeah, it's just another bland Toyota. The ES is a nice notch above(there is no "Lexus" in Japan - all models are "Toyota" there), but the price is a bit silly. Doubly so if you are looking for used values. Buick and Cadillac are probably the top two makes to look at for a used full size luxury/semi-luxury sedan.
#6573 of 6844
Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [plekto] by louiswei
Jul 02, 2008 (12:12 pm)
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Replying to: plekto (Jul 02, 2008 12:00 pm)

there is no "Lexus" in Japan - all models are "Toyota" there
 
Two years ago you'd be right but now you couldn't be anymore wrong...
 
http://lexus.jp/
 
Lexus has been selling cars in Japan for more than 2 years now.
 
There is also Lexus in Europe, Russia, Korea, China and Taiwan. As matter of fact Lexus is also the number 1 selling luxury brand in Taiwan.

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