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Sedans Luxury Lounge
21283 messages, Last post on Nov 09, 2009 at 11:40 PM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: blkhemi (Jan 13, 2009 7:14 am) Will do, sir! How has everything been going for you LG? All things considered, quite well. No problems with the S6, or tickets as of late. I've read stories of budget-crunched states handing out $100 tickets for as little as 5 over the limit, but I've been sticking to my strategy of around 8 over with no complaints from the PA boys in blue. If I had to drive under 60 just to not get a ticket, I would probably trade in the Audi and Jag for a Prius as well (or an '03 ES300), and spend the money on new Levinson or EDGE amplifiers. At least those I can actually use to their full potential. Then it came down the Infiniti, which leaps and bounds better in quality than the previous model, but still trails the other Japanese, most Europeans, and one American in particular in overall polish. I know what you mean. I liked the G's interior when it was released, but I've since soured on it. That seem in the lower dash that doesn't line up with the sides bugs me to no end. The new TL's interior though is much worse, the center stack design is an ergonomic nightmare, and it reeks of bargain basement materials. Even the aluminum strips in the old car are gone, as far as I know the new TL is 100% plastic. And with the Audi, I wish they upgraded the engines a bit more than what was delivered. Audi/VW had no decent V6 until the upcoming 3.0 Yep, in every instance where Audi offers the 2.0T and the 3.2, the pretty much universal consensus is "get the 2.0T". I will say though that the final year of the 2.7T, when it offered 265hp and 280ft.lbs of torque while returning 22mpg overall was a very competitive engine, better than the E320 and 530i that were offered that year. So Audi had a decent V6 for a year. Despite being based on the ancient 2.8, I think the A6 would've been better off if they had just kept the old 2.7T and mated it to the six-speed in the '05 car. The new 3.0T seems like an absolutely fantastic engine, and it should elevate the A6 from slug to worthy contender. Now Audi needs to do the same with the A4. The CTS-V is a monster, even James May liked it. Unfortunately I can't get past the styling, or the Cadillac "experience". I've never been to a Cadillac dealer that I found even tolerable, let alone pleasant. Absolutely no difference in attitude from the guys next door selling Pontiacs or GMCs.
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Replying to: dewey (Jan 13, 2009 11:27 am) I wouldn't go that far. The Insight is rated 40/43, but Edmunds was able to break 50mpg in their full test. C&D managed 37/33 with the Fusion, which is hugely impressive considering the Fusion is more than 1,000lbs heavier than the Insight, and a good 3 seconds quicker to 60. Frankly I think the Ford is more of an achievement than both the Insight and the Prius.
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Replying to: cyclone4 (Jan 13, 2009 1:15 pm) Yes. That is exactly my point. The most exciting technologies are availabe in both the Prius and HS. As far as I know the HS does not have the solar powered sun roof like the Prius. Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system, using advanced millimeter wave radar, is an available option. The system also enables Lane Keep Assist, which helps the driver stay safely within the lane, and the Pre-Collision System, which retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when a crash is unavoidable. http://www.netcarshow.com/toyota/2010-prius/ Choosing a Lexus over a Toyota because of better comfort, service, quality, ride and the many other reasons makes sense. I am not trying to say one choice is more sensible than the other. The RX hybrid is IMO the most comfortable hybrid available. |
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Replying to: circlew (Jan 13, 2009 1:31 pm) Yes. 17 ' Bridgestones. |
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Replying to: lexusguy (Jan 13, 2009 2:04 pm) 51.5 MPG! That's fantastic. In that case I agree with Tagman and I will be far more open minded about a Honda Insight than I was just a few hours ago.
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I'm sorry your gaving 335 issues. Mine has been great so far, other than 3 speeding tickets in 6 months  I work to much to enjoy it.
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Replying to: dewey (Jan 13, 2009 3:18 pm) Here's the exact reference for that 51.5 MPG... "We couldn't measure fuel economy on our customary test loops at home, but we devised a 197-mile substitute in Arizona. This suburban loop had more rural two-lanes in it than our usual Orange County course, but we're still impressed by the 51.5-mpg result our 2010 Honda Insight EX achieved." The only way to do a fair and accurate comparison is for Edmunds to drive the Prius (both old an new) on that same route with the same driver. My IS350 once gave me over 30 mpg on all highway driving and that trumps the EPA figures by quiet a lot so before they've done that I am sticking with the EPA figures for comparison purpose. |
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Replying to: dewey (Jan 13, 2009 3:18 pm) I do think it is good to be open-minded, because until you see them both, it is a guessing game. That said, however, with both the new Prius and the Insight unseen, I would probably choose the Prius... based only on the information that is currently available on both cars. This could change, and driving the cars could make a big difference, of course... but I have the impression at this point that the Prius will be the nicer vehicle of the two. Personally, I think I would be willing to wait for the updated version of the Prius that is supposed to emerge later in the year. TM
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Replying to: lexusguy (Jan 13, 2009 1:49 pm) I did also. But when seen form, the graining and choice of plastics and the workmanship is definitely behind BMW, Audi, MB, Jag, and Lexus. But it makes up for it with its powertrain, although BMW still has it beat there. Our boys in blue in NY state have decided to TRIPLE the amount of fines in work zones, and yes and some parts of the state charge upwards of 18 per mile over, plus constituents fines, plus court fees(if 20 and over), plus restitution. Thank God that most of them know my cars by plate that patrol my area! The 2.7t was a fantastic engine. It was very tractable and flexible. The allroad gave Volvo plenty of headaches when compared to their Cross Country because of this engine. The allroad's problem was price of course. People just weren't comfortable paying over 40K in those days if it wasn't a truck based SUV. My experience was similar with Caddy. But then again, this was with my 93 STS. I understand they've improved things tremendously since then. The CTS-v has been glamoured on both sides of the pond- no small feat for a 100% bred Yank! Im just curious of maintaining 550hp with everyday viability. But all things told and read, Caddy delivered and is firing on all 8 cylinders. Finally, nice things to say about Cadillac other than the Escalade. Unfortunately, Acura really went overbored with the TL. I wonder if they'd reduced the huge frontal area would that have reduced frontal mass, thus improving its otherwise average to below average numbers. The interior went from ok to flat out bore. The maze of buttons have taken the place of the 08 models futuristic look. The Nissan Maxima looks better, performs slightly better, and costs 3-5k less? Its a no brainer! BTW: The 3.0 V6 that is in th updated A6 will serve duty in the upcoming S4. 340Hp superchrged unit will supplant the previous 340Hp V8 that reaked havoc on the previous models weight distribution. Same power from a V6- now that's progress..
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Replying to: tagman (Jan 13, 2009 4:47 pm) I just learned that the later version of the Prius with lithium-ion batteries will only be released as an experiment. We're talking a tiny release of only 500 vehicles globally, and out of that, only 150 to the USA. I don't know the figure for Canada, but obviously not very many... and they will only be leased. Stay with your original plan, and you will have a terrific Prius. It's batteries have already proven themselves beyond any doubt anyway. Let someone else do the experiment. Only other consideration I can see for you at this point is the Honda Insight or the Lexus HS250h, pictured here...  The Insight is all over the internet today, so there are plenty of videos and pics to check it out. I will bet that you will want the Prius, but it is good that you will have an opportunity to see the Insight just to make sure. And, you have already explained that the Lexus has too much unecessary fluff that you don't need or want. I'm already leaning towards the Prius myself. It's a LOT of cool technology for the money, and I think the hatchback body style is more useful than the 4-door Lexus... unless the Lexus rear seats folded, but perhaps it's batteries would prevent that. Do you know if those rear seats fold down in the Lexus HS250h? Also, I get the impression that the Prius is better made than the Insight, although I like the Insight's exterior styling better. But, the Prius somehow just looks better on the inside, IMO. I've always hated the Prius, but this new one gets my nod. The sunroof would be a MUST for me. TM |
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