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Sedans Luxury Lounge
21286 messages, Last post on Nov 11, 2009 at 11:10 PM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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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Replying to: blkhemi (Jan 13, 2009 5:23 pm) Not exactly. There's been a huge amount of confusion over exactly how much power the A6 3.0T has, I guess from different octanes, or boost pressure programming for different markets or something. The US spec A6 has 300hp and 310ft.lbs. A bit of the same happened with the various previews of the S4, which was supposed to have anywhere from 325-335hp. It sounds like (though I'm not positive) that our version will pack 333hp  5500rpm, and 325ft.lbs 2900rpm. Compared to the outgoing V8, horsepower is down by 7, but torque is up by 23ft.lbs, and comes on full force much sooner thanks to the wonders of forced induction. 0-60 with either the six-speed manual or the seven-speed DSG is supposed to be about the same as the old car. Of course the main benefit from the new engine isn't power, but reduced weight on the nose combined with huge gains in fuel efficiency. When equipped with the QuattroSport rear dif to overdrive the outside rear wheel in corners, ye olde Audi understeer is supposedly banished for good. The problem is that when the last S4 launched, it had as much power as an M3 or AMG C-class and looked like a bit of a bargain, even if it ultimately wasn't as quick as those cars. Now, the top of the standard range from pretty much every player in the segment but Audi means 300hp+. The S4 now has to compete with cars like the 335i xDrive and G37x, which are significantly cheaper, while the A4 3.2 wears a sign that says "what's the point of me?" on it. Audi should replace the A4 3.2 with a 3.0T version, but with 300hp an A4 3.0T S-line would likely cut into S4 sales, especially considering that boosting power to at least 333 would likely involve little more than an ECU flash. It's a tricky situation.
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Replying to: tagman (Jan 13, 2009 9:31 pm) The Prius also at least looks distinctive. The HS250h might as well be called "compact Asian sedan". Stick on the badge of your choice. It's generic taken to the extreme. |
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Replying to: lexusguy (Jan 13, 2009 9:58 pm) I assume you are talking about the Audi engine that we've talked about before at some length, which is the only real challenger to the BMW TT in-line 6. The only disadvantage I see, although that could be argued, is that this Audi engine needs to spin at two times the RPMs of the BMW engine in order to deliver it's peak torque. Peak torque is more readily accomplished by the BMW engine at an amazingly low 1400 RPM... although the Audi engine should deliver somewhere between 5-10% more power. TM
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Replying to: tagman (Jan 13, 2009 10:42 pm) According to Audi though, response is instant. They say they went with a supercharger rather than their usual twin turbo route for more linear response all the way through the rev range. The old 2.7T hit peak torque at 1800rpm, but it definitely wasn't as smooth or linear as the 4.2.
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Replying to: dhamilton (Jan 13, 2009 3:21 pm) I drove most my life without being charged for speeding until I got my BMW 335i.Many times I would get caught with only a warning and no ticktets. But now with my BMW 335i I get treated like I am some kind of road warrior bandit. Despite my speeding tickets I would have skill kept my BMW 335i for many years. But the recurring dealership visit is what makes me want to sell it right away. I already have three problems with my car but I still refuse to go to the dealership again until a much anticipated fourth problem arises which I know will happen very soon. I've been going so many times to the dealership that I would rather accure my problems to the point where I have no choice but to go to the dealerhship. My many repeated dealership visits has been a real time killer for me. |
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