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What makes a vehicle truly high end?

20 messages,  Last post on Jan 07, 2012 at 8:02 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ-Series, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, Coupe, Convertible, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 2

#11 of 20 Re: Truly High End [tagman] by ricketts22

Nov 16, 2006 (1:10 pm)

Replying to: tagman (Nov 06, 2006 11:45 pm)
I think to consider a car "truly high end" you can take away the justification. For instance, you could say that a CTS-V is a high end American sports sedan. You have to say "American sports sedan" for it to stick, so its not a truly high end vehicle. The Sonata Limited Platinum Edition is a high end Sonata, not a high end vehicle.
 
These may not be high end vehicles, but they show us how to find them. These are the best vehicles in their categories (American sports sedan, Sonata), so a truly high end vehicle has to be the best vehicle with no justification of price or category.

#12 of 20 Luxury is... by esf

Nov 18, 2006 (8:56 pm)

Luxury is so many things. Luxury is style. Luxury is exclusivity. Luxury is knowing that you'll be safe in all conditions. Luxury is high craftsmanship. Luxury is having a car that not everyone might notice, but a car that will always be one of the best you'd ever own.
 
I feel that so many cars fit this bill. We're driving a few of them on Tuesday (Jaguar XJ and Audi A8, for instance), and because I am an Audi guy, I have a feeling the wife will end up with an A8, and I couldn't be happier. The interior is breathtaking, the exterior stunning, but in an understated way, and the performance is the best in this class (in handling, not outright speed). It's just so hard to choose here. We're not getting an S-Class (too big, too expensive, too thirsty), and the 7 Series seems to business-ish for her. She has a Lexus now, and she is completely against getting another one, mostly because of their popularity (exclusivity is a key factor here)- hence, we're left with the Jaguar XJ8 and the Audi A8 4.2 quattro, both non-L versions.
 
Luxury is knowing you'll be happy with your car as long as you own it. Luxury is peace of mind.
 
-esf-
 
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330

#13 of 20 Luxury is... by irismg

Aug 16, 2007 (2:37 pm)

Being able to buy a reliable car you look good in that looks good to you, has the sound system you want, the interior environment you want, and the number of seats you want without regard to the price of gas or insurance...priceless!

#14 of 20 Re: Luxury is... [esf] by topspin628

Aug 26, 2007 (8:34 pm)

Replying to: esf (Nov 18, 2006 8:56 pm)
Keep us posted on your process. I too am exiting a Lexus LS430 and don't want another. I am passing on the S Class even though I really liked the last generation which I thought was the best riding car I've ever driven. The new one is too soft and Lexus like. I tested the A8 and didn't love it, hey but that's me. I also tested the XJ8 and I can't quite make up my mind about it. I loved the styling and it was very luxurious but the ride wasn't great and somehow it felt a bit like a Town Car to me. Maybe its the overboosted steering and some cheap plastic parts on the inside that must be out of the Ford bin. But there's also a lot to like. Great gas mileage, light weight body, exclusive and not one million on the road.I may look at it again since it's the "Big Cat" and it is special to me.
  You should try the BMW 7.
It's the best drivers car of the bunch and yet it's still very smooth and quiet and it has THE most comfortable seats and THE best steering. You have to like techno stuff, though, and be willing to put in a bit of time to learn I-drive. With the new lease deals, I'm going to check one out soon. If the price is right it's a real bargain compared to the others. (by the way, I always ask chauffeurs and luxury hotel courtesy car drives, what is their favorite car to drive (most 4 Seasons etc have S Class, 7 Series, A8's in their fleet) and in my "unofficial poll", the 7 wins by a big margin. Guys who drive for a living like it best. If you didn't love the Lexus (I didn't) and you love to drive (I do), check out the Bimmer. Keep me posted, have fun and good luck.

#15 of 20 Re: Luxury is... [topspin628] by knowspinzone

Aug 26, 2007 (9:57 pm)

Replying to: topspin628 (Aug 26, 2007 8:34 pm)
Great post Topspin!
 
I don't dispute your assessment of the 7, but keep in mind the chauffeurs don't have to pay maintenance on them, LOL!

#16 of 20 Re: Luxury is... [knowspinzone] by topspin628

Aug 27, 2007 (4:55 am)

Replying to: knowspinzone (Aug 26, 2007 9:57 pm)
And the good thing is that consumers don't pay ANY maintainance on BMWs for 4 years. It's the best deal in the business. Even breaks are covered. I had an X5 and it cost me $0 in upkeep for 3 year lease.

#17 of 20 high end by joshark

Jan 26, 2008 (8:31 pm)

high end can be expensive and boring like a bentley gt a rather boring vehicle. it drives like a sedan deville. my cl 63 really rips it up but its not as quick as my wife's ml 63 which is a really rocket when not loaded with gasoline. you hit the gas and it feels like the front end is going to lift and you can feel the frame twist. the cl 63 is not as loose as the ml. i did have a cls 55 with a blower but it had bad turbo lag. the cl drives like a big car it is quiet inside and luxourios the back up camera is excellent and all the control are through the screen and mouse. i really like my cl 63. i had a 2002 cl 600 which was not as fast but it was loose. i live in downtown chicago and i hit a pot hole and had an impact break. the tire lost all but 3lbs of air and i was able to limp home to my gararge. mercedes sent a truck to put the donut on. benz charge 400 dollars for one front tire. the tire costs 299 at tire rack but i had no choice. i like the cl 63 tire pressure monitor because it displays the pressure in each tire. i have had the car since september. i ordered it october 2007 so it was almost a year wait but it was worth it. the car gave me sticker shock it was 140k but it is worth every penny. the rear end does not look as good as the front end. one feature i like is the new navigaiton system which has real time traffic it show cars in red and yellow and were the pockets of congestion are located it is reallly awesome and the satelite radio lets me get my dose of jason ellis on faction or octane.

#18 of 20 Re: high end [joshark] by bmlexus

Jan 27, 2008 (1:43 pm)

Replying to: joshark (Jan 26, 2008 8:31 pm)
Really enjoyed reading your message. Ur ml63 amg is faster than cl63amg thats a big shock to hear you really have some nice cars.Whats the 0 to 60 for the ml and cl.
 
I saw a black cl63amg yesterday it is 1 great car very nice, I heard this is the best cl even better than cl65amg I am sure you checked all the other cl before picking the cl63amg.
 
Is the cl63amg more smoother than the ml i am sure it is.
 
I have notice whenever i see a ml 63 going fast it has a truck kind of sound like brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
 
Didn't consider the cayenne turbo or the new x5 rather than the ml63amg.
 
Do you have any other high end cars,I guess you really like the mercedes cars.
 
These 2 cars are really great ml63amg and cl63amg . keep posted.
 
thanks.

#20 of 20 Re: What makes a vehicle truly high end? [pat] by kageorge

Jan 07, 2012 (8:02 am)

Replying to: pat (Nov 06, 2006 2:46 pm)
Having owned way to many cars over the past 20 years of driving, and most of them being American or Japanese cars I can tell you what makes a high end car. Its when you sit in a car and without even turning the car on you feel right away that the factory who built this car took their time, they paid attention, they cared about the product they were putting out! I recently test drove a 1999 S-500 which in my opinion was the last of the great S classes. At 13 years old this car was still turning heads going down the road. At 13 years old this car felt and drove nicer than a lot of one and two year old cars i had checked out. Or how about this, Most American or Mexi/Canada cars start to squeak and rattle at about 50K miles. I have been in German and Swedish cars with over 250K miles on them and the car was as tight as a drum! To me its not all about the gadgets but more about the attention to detail! S-Class, 7 Series, A8, and the Italians all know this. Does it cost more? Hell Yes, but at the end of the day a 13 year old Mercedes is still a Mercedes and a 13 year old Chevy, Ford, Honda, Toyota is just Old!

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