Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

andres3

stever said:

Still looking:

A reporter is looking to speak with someone who recently got a great deal on a new luxury brand vehicle (BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Jaguar, etc.). If you're willing to share your story, please reach out to pr@edmunds.com by no later than Friday, May 20, 2016.

Oh goodie, Audi got added to the previously only High-end list.

qbrozen

Someone posted this on the Caddy board I frequent. It is a really good interview. He is an impressive individual with all the right answers.
https://youtu.be/OKjEQS2DYrU

nyccarguy

A lot of noise was made on the boards here when Acura replaced everybody's beloved TL with "the beak" with the 2009 redesign.  It was too much and way to aggressive.  The 2012 facelift was subsequently criticized for being too conservative.  I happen to be in the minority.  I like the old TL Type S which is still a great looking car close to 10 years out of production.  I like the 2009 - 2011 SH AWD models because of their aggressive looking rear end with tail pipes sticking out the back & squared off 5 Spoke Wheels.  I also dig the look of the 2012 - 2014 SH AWD models.  Many people also don't like the sea of black, white, silver, & grey ELLPS out there.  Check out what I saw on the way home yesterday.

kyfdx

I saw a previous generation yesterday. (2004-2008?), TL-S model. Was thinking about how nice that body style holds up..

I have no problem with the rear-end of that next model. Wait, is that the rear or the front? lol

graphicguy

That TL is a total respray. That's not a color Acura offers in the TL.

Still two of my all time favorite cars....my TL-S and my TL SH AWD. I am in the minority, too. I loved the aggressive style of the more recent TLs.

TLs don't stand out in any one category (except maybe for incorporating every tech feature you could imagine in their cars). But, they do everything well.

nyccarguy

I know it the car was repainted & that's not a stock Acura color.  I just thought it stands out.

I really like the styling of the TLX V6 SH AWD, but that 9 speed transmission scares me.  If you wants read some good owner reviews, check out edmunds.

stickguy

I am still fond of the TLX, and it is on the list for next year. But would get a 4 cyl DCT

sda

After dad gave me his clean 95 Cutlass Ciera because he could no longer drive, I drove it for about 2 years and sold my 01 Aurora 4.0. When the Ciera needed expensive a/c repair, I cut bait, and it was a great excuse to get another car. I bought a very clean 03 Acura TL with 20k, silver, black interior. This was in 05. For some reason, the TL just hit me as being blah, nothing special, though the V6 felt and sounded great. I guess I should have bought the TL-S instead. Enter black 06 Passat 2.0t---a fun and nice driving car. Like stickguy, I have my eye on a TLX w/tech as a possible future purchase.

flightnurse

I received a phone call from Scottsdale Jaguar, they have the new XE in, will be stopping by today to look at them, they have 5, 4 base and 1 premium. I'll have to look at the F-Pace too.

laurasdada

I received a letter from my Jag dealer. They want to buy back my '13 XF for 20% over "book value*." They're desperate for used cars. And, they'd be glad to get me into a new set of wheels. For 20% over MSRP, of course!

Tempting to review the offer, but I just bought a condo, so no new cars for me. Yet.

breld

stickguy said:

I am still fond of the TLX, and it is on the list for next year. But would get a 4 cyl DCT

I like those too - test drove one a while back and was impressed with the package overall.  In my area, the dealers have some low mileage 4 cyl tech models (loaners probably) for right at $30k or a bit under.  As I like to say, lot of car for the money. 

benjaminh

Perhaps I'm the only one, but I like how Acura has gone back to its tagline from the 1990s: "Precision Crafted Performance."

stickguy

a big discount on a 4 cyl tech would give me all I need.

andres3

breld said:

stickguy said:

I am still fond of the TLX, and it is on the list for next year. But would get a 4 cyl DCT

I like those too - test drove one a while back and was impressed with the package overall.  In my area, the dealers have some low mileage 4 cyl tech models (loaners probably) for right at $30k or a bit under.  As I like to say, lot of car for the money. 

Have you driven a 6-cylinder Accord lately? I wonder if that would be the way to go for what would probably be less than the 4-banger Acura. Always liked Honda/Acura's V6's.

stickguy

I'm tempted to look at an accord hybrid.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

I'm tempted to look at an accord hybrid.

Boo!

stickguy

Better overall than a V6 model.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

Better overall than a V6 model.

Boo!

breld

andres3 said:

breld said:

stickguy said:

I am still fond of the TLX, and it is on the list for next year. But would get a 4 cyl DCT

I like those too - test drove one a while back and was impressed with the package overall.  In my area, the dealers have some low mileage 4 cyl tech models (loaners probably) for right at $30k or a bit under.  As I like to say, lot of car for the money. 

Have you driven a 6-cylinder Accord lately? I wonder if that would be the way to go for what would probably be less than the 4-banger Acura. Always liked Honda/Acura's V6's.

I haven't checked the equipment level on the Honda recently - it certainly may have changed with the recent facelift - but at one point the Acura had a better suite of safety and tech features, such as a true blind spot monitoring system. On the Honda, it seemed you had to get the "Touring" model to get that, which got quite expensive. And, for what it's worth, the TLX may be conservative in its own right, but I think it's still more distinctive than an Accord.

Having said that, the Accord is a great car - but I'd take a used TLX over a new Accord. Best value? perhaps a used Accord.

carnaught

nyccarguy said:

stickguy said:

I'm tempted to look at an accord hybrid.

Boo!


Hey, I resemble that.....Boo on you .

flightnurse

So went to the Jaguar Dealer, I was much more impressed with the F-Pace then I was with the XE. The XE still has a tight rear legroom then my F30 or Ricks F34. But the F-Pace is nice, the one on the showroom did not have real leather, but their fake leather and was impressed with how it felt, very rich feel to it. The 340 hp V6 was nice, pulled strong. The F-Pace is the same size as BMW's X5 and it under cut the X5 by 7K. This was the first time I had a chance to really look at Jaguar up close and the salesman was not pushy at all. The F pace comes in Diesel and Gas, beginning of June they get their first diesel F Pace, I can't wait to drive it. Regarding the XE for a base model, at 34K you get more standard equipment then the 328, A4 and C300, the fit and finish was perfect on the two XE's that I looked it. I hope this is a good sign for Jaguar.

stickguy

the F pace is that big? I thought it was based on the XE, so more along the size of an X3?

nyccarguy

@carnaught - there's nothing wrong with YOU owning an Accord Hybrid.  Your stable balances it out with your RC350 F Sport.  @stickguy & I are in here as well as CCBA to give each other a kick in the pants!

stickguy

I thought they drove nice, and were pretty quick. Or so I have heard.

I'll try one eventually, just, because why not?

flightnurse

stickguy said:

the F pace is that big? I thought it was based on the XE, so more along the size of an X3?

That is what I thought, but the salesperson explained the "F" in Pace. The F-pace is based off the XF there will be a E-Pace within the next year. Also something interesting, Look for Jaguar to set up a bank i.e Jaguar Financial Services soon, like like what BMW and MB has done. He explained that they currently use Chase Bank, so lease rates should come down as well as top tier rates for people who have a credit score above 675, this is the cut off for BMW top tier rate.

graphicguy

Just hears a quote that pertains to everyone here....

"I'm just one car away from true happiness....!"

laurasdada

" I hope this is a good sign for Jaguar."

Actually, car-wise, there have been good signs for Jag since the '04 XJ's all aluminum architecture (and Ford cash flow). Unfortunately, nobody noticed as it continued the XJ style of the '60s. Handsome, but been there, done that. The current lineup are all winners as vehicles that offer performance, style and quality. From my personal (and, of course a sample set of 1) experience build, reliability and materials are all excellent.

The XE and F-Pace early reviews are almost all big thumbs up. I'm torn, want Jag to survive and thrive, yet selfishly I hate to potentially lose the relative exclusivity of driving a Jag.

My 17 y.o. son believes I'm being selfish, that there's no reason for someone of my advanced years to be driving an XF, when it would so much better serve his purposes. The '02 RX300 he currently is lucky enough to drive would be much better suited to me. Gotta like the attitude, if not the logic!

jpp75

nyccarguy said:

I know it the car was repainted & that's not a stock Acura color.  I just thought it stands out.

I really like the styling of the TLX V6 SH AWD, but that 9 speed transmission scares me.  If you wants read some good owner reviews, check out edmunds.

One of my good friends has the TLX V6 Advanced Package, it's not AWD but it does have the 9 speed transmission. He loves the car except for the transmission, I've driven it on several occasions and the shifts from 1-2 and 2-3 are really harsh.

henryn

Sometimes, when you encounter something like that, you get used to it and don't even really notice it after a while.

Other times, it starts to get on your nerves. You start thinking about it, anticipating it, flinching when it happens.

It's really bad when that happens AFTER you have bought the car, and have to live with it. One of the reasons I like, whenever possible, to rent a very similar vehicle for an "extended test drive". Live with the car for a week or so, try it out in everyday life.

flightnurse

henryn said:

It's really bad when that happens AFTER you have bought the car, and have to live with it. One of the reasons I like, whenever possible, to rent a very similar vehicle for an "extended test drive". Live with the car for a week or so, try it out in everyday life.

What manufacture allows extensive test drives these and what do you consider extensive anyhow?

breld

I do extended test drives all the time.

flightnurse

breld said:

I do extended test drives all the time.

How about expanding on this then just say you do it... What manufacture allows and what is an extended test drive to you?

brian125

Ray Catena MB, Bmw, Audi, Maserati in NJ will let you take one of there pre assigned Audi's, MB or BMW, Maserati for a good part of the day. Some of these cars , Suv's are upper management Vehicles. Not many dealers will let you have a vehicle like this that long. I have a long standing with Catena. I call in the morning tell them what I want to drive and its never been a problem. They treat there customers like gold.

flightnurse

brian125 said:

Ray Catena MB, Bmw, Audi, Maserati in NJ will let you take one of there pre assigned Audi's, MB or BMW, Maserati for a good part of the day. Some of these cars , Suv's are upper management Vehicles. Not many dealers will let you have a vehicle like this that long. I have a long standing with Catena. I call in the morning tell them what I want to drive and its never been a problem. They treat there customers like gold.

Is a day really an extended test drive? But its nice to know that there is a dealership willing to give customers a car like this

breld

flightnurse said:

I do extended test drives all the time.

How about expanding on this then just say you do it... What manufacture allows and what is an extended test drive to you?

I was just making a joke regarding my habit of buying and trading cars more often than I should.  

Hence the "extended" test drive.  Probably more of an appropriate comment/joke on the CCBA thread.  

Michaell

breld said:

flightnurse said:

I do extended test drives all the time.

How about expanding on this then just say you do it... What manufacture allows and what is an extended test drive to you?

I was just making a joke regarding my habit of buying and trading cars more often than I should.  

Hence the "extended" test drive.  Probably more of an appropriate comment/joke on the CCBA thread.  

His current test drive is 9 months, now .. the S4. Though he almost traded it this weekend.

stickguy

Even an hour drive can tell you way more than 5 minutes around the block

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Even an hour drive can tell you way more than 5 minutes around the block

Last time we shopped multiple makes/dealers, we had plenty of them offer to give us the car overnight. Actually took one of them up on it, as my wife hates going to car dealers, and the car was for her.

She liked it, and that was that.

henryn

If you’re contemplating a fairly mainstream vehicle, you can often rent one from Hertz or Enterprise. Toyota Camry, Chevy Impala, Chrysler Town and Country, no problem. If you’re looking at a Jaguar or Land Rover, well, a lot harder.

And, surprisingly hard to rent a Honda of any type, they don’t wind up in rental fleets. Last year, I was trying to find a CR-V that I could get my hands on for a week, or at least a long weekend. Didn’t happen.

Now I did have the Hyundai dealer offer me an overnight with a used Genesis that I was thinking about quite hard. I didn’t take him up on the offer, as I was afraid that I would buy it!

Mr_Shiftright

CAR AND DRIVER RANKS 'EM : Entry Level Luxury Cars, from Worst to Best (13 examples)

graphicguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

CAR AND DRIVER RANKS 'EM : Entry Level Luxury Cars, from Worst to Best (13 examples)

Interesting take! At the end of the day, if the enthusiast really wants one of these cars, it's still going to knock on the door of high $40s or low $50s to get one to perform the way we'd expect.

qbrozen

Some dumb entries in there, IMHO. First, how do you have 2 different "entry-level" BMWs. Entry level is 1 level only. If they were close on price, I suppose I could see the argument, but the 4 GC is $8k more for starters. My other problem is the inclusion of a VW. Audi takes their luxo sales slot.

Mr_Shiftright

Well you know the argument...the highest trim level of the lower price brand approximates the stripper model of the next higher level brand.

qbrozen

I'm sure it is a nice car and all, but if you gotta go to the top of the brand's offerings, then you completely leave out the "entry level" part of the equation.

Mr_Shiftright

Well you know car mags are always stretching definitions so that they can concoct yet another story for yet another issue.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

I'm sure it is a nice car and all, but if you gotta go to the top of the brand's offerings, then you completely leave out the "entry level" part of the equation.

Like the edmunds 340i with a multitude of options that make it a $60K 3 series?

stever

A reporter is looking to speak with someone over the age of 50 who recently purchased a new vehicle within the last six months. If you're willing to assist, please reach out to pr@edmunds.com by June 2, 2016.

roadburner

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

I'm sure it is a nice car and all, but if you gotta go to the top of the brand's offerings, then you completely leave out the "entry level" part of the equation.

Like the edmunds 340i with a multitude of options that make it a $60K 3 series?

But as one wag noted, that car has the "Get Off My Lawn!!!" package. It also probably includes a ball cap and an AARP membership...

cdnpinhead

I'm assuming the "Get Off My Lawn" package includes the Helen Keller features, plus others too numerous to mention.

Mr_Shiftright

GOML Package

--directionals delete
--rear view camera eye patch
--random brake light generator
--low beam delete
--on-ramp acceleration inhibiter
--power driver's door bicycle deflector