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Sedans Article Comments - Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans
475 messages, Last post on Jul 25, 2008 at 4:41 PM
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Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans - This is exactly why we gathered this group of sport sedans. That is, to find out if the 2008 Cadillac CTS, 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport, 2008 Lexus IS 350 or 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport can topple the Bavarian champ — the 2007 BMW 335i. In the spirit of the segment, each car in the test is outfitted with sport package hardware — usually a stiffer suspension and bigger wheels and tires — and an automatic transmission. (more)
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Replying to: drewsrx (Nov 03, 2007 4:39 pm) Why the HELL are you wasting your time, my time and any semi-serious enthusiasts time comparing SPORTS sedans with SPORTS packages and AUTOMATIC transmissions. Did the Editors forget to take their Prozac or what? Why don't you just forget the road tests and see which car has the best sound system for listening to ESPN radio? That's just as "sporty" as driving a sport sedan with a SLUSHBOX. I'm pretty sure this post will get deleted, but if it doesn't, please have the guts to get one of those Edmunds editors to explain what "spirit of the segment" he/she was referring to with an automatic transmission? If that's what the Edmunds forums demographic has become, I suggest you just shut down Edmunds completely and open up a new site to debate which restaurant has the best chefs, McDonalds or Burger King. Dumb, dumb, dumb. And I really don't want any talkback from some clutch challenged wannabe "sports" sedan driver, thank you. You have about 97% of the forums here where you can debate the brilliant slushbox or think your car is just like Schumacher's Ferrari becasue it has paddle shifters attached to that torque converting mess. But for now, I would have hoped we could agree that sport and slushbox in a 335i or G35 are contradictory terms. |
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Replying to: habitat1 (Nov 05, 2007 3:21 am) However, not all are quite as enthusiastic as you and others. Even I love cars but am "challenged" as you say, with the slush and training wheels. Can I row like you? Not now but was great in the day! I just hate the traffic thing with the three pedals and the wife never war trained with a stick... So I compare on my perspective for a daily driver and I am still mulling up my weekend ride with the sport gear. I don't need another luxo-sedan for sure, just a replacement at lease-end time in 2008. I'm not sticking up for ANY "professional reviews" although some are better than others. I guess most of those reviews depend on the cars that are lined up before press deadlines and we see the other side after editing!! My review is the only what counts for me along with the insight of enthusiasts such as you who have much more knowledge and experience to guide me. I love the unbiased feedback. Relax and enjoy! Regards, OW |
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Replying to: habitat1 (Nov 05, 2007 3:21 am) I believe we will have a discussion for comments on the article created sometime today. We'll provide the link. |
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Replying to: habitat1 (Nov 05, 2007 3:21 am) "Line of the day, line of the day, line of the day," if not the week! Well put. |
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Replying to: habitat1 (Nov 05, 2007 3:21 am) Well, I'm not an edmunds editor, but do you really need one of them to explain that the automatic transmission outsells the manual by something like 10-fold? That may explain why they chose to compare them. Of course, I'm not sure how well the sports packages sell, so maybe its contradictory. Anyone know? Sure, hab, I understand your point about the "sports" equation, and I don't disagree. However, if you want to see comparisons of manual tranny variants, open any car magazine. If they did it here, it would have been yet another article like that. I, for one, understand edmunds trying a different route. I see no problem with it. |
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Replying to: qbrozen (Nov 05, 2007 5:55 am) The decline of manual transmission cars Do you know what to do with a stick and a clutch? Only 15% of new car buyers in the US say they'll consider buying a car with manual transmission, and by 2012, only 6% of cars will be offered with a stick. Is it because it's a difficult skill to learn? Or is it really because it's too hard to shift when you have a cell phone in one hand and a Starbucks coffee in the other? Or is a manual transmission simply an outdated system with new fangled technology like CVT, DSG, SMG, and super-fast, 100 msec shifting automatic transmissions available? Regards, OW |
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Replying to: qbrozen (Nov 05, 2007 5:55 am) It illustrates that an AT changes the character of these cars, and the rankings reflect this change. When a MT equipped Infiniti is compared next to a comparable BMW, the performance, refinement, and driving dynamics of the Infiniti pale in comparison. BMW simply has chassis/driveline refinement nailed, and nobody else comes close. Switch to AT versions of the same cars though, and suddenly the gap narrows considerably because you are taking what I'll call "driver/car synergy" out of the equation - thereby removing the BMW's greatest asset. Like I said before, if I were shopping this segment for an MT equipped sedan, I'd pick the BMW without hesitation. However, if I had to choose an AT sedan in this segment, I'd probably save the $8,000 and choose the G35. If anything, this latest comparison reinforces the fact that the BMW 3-series remains the "driving enthusiasts choice." If you must dumb down your "sport sedan" with an AT, then save $8000 and get the just as satisfying G35 (though personally, if I was forced to go with an AT, I'd save another $10,000 and get an Accord V6).
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Replying to: qbrozen (Nov 05, 2007 5:55 am) |
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Replying to: fedlawman (Nov 05, 2007 7:19 am) If the G comes closer this time around and has actually surpassed the 3'er with an AT, so be it. I'll be my own judge of that. To me, what you are saying is if the G ever surpasses the BMW MT performance = game, set match. Why ever order a BMW again? However, the Accord just doesn't do it for me since they do not offer AWD.  I'll waste my money in '08 again, I'm afraid!  Regards, OW |
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Replying to: fedlawman (Nov 05, 2007 7:19 am) Agree totally. My recent rounds of test drives confirms this. I ended up with an IS350 since comfort/luxury is my bias for cars in this segment, and MT is not even an option as ruled by the boss at home. I wonder if the test drivers tried the Power Mode in the IS in their tests for all their complains about the slow shifts. The G35 is a nice car but not as refined as the IS. The BMW is probably great with MT, but can not match the other in the auto version when all aspects are considered. What I don't get is the 3rd place CTS. In my visit to the Caddy showroom, I found the extra width added by the side skirt/panel below the doors was so offensive, making it uncomfortable to enter/exit the car. It feels like reaching over running boards on SUVs. I disliked this so much that I did not even asked for a test drive. |
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