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A little known fact also was that Toyota was a staunch supporter against the US raising CAFE standards again, claiming this would "cripple" the car market.
If such a company of innovation and thought, why should they care if the US raised it to 100mpg? Ah, yes, it's that all too important bottom line.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Toyota is totally kicking [non-permissible content removed] in CAFE, and will only get better from here on, so why would they really care for a repreive in CAFE? Ask yourself why would Toyota stand with the domestics, when a small fraction of their business is gas guzzlers?
Toyota knows what they're doing. Always thinking ahead.
Moving forward.
DrFill
Unfortunately, the relentlessly declining dollar vs. the euro will force BMW to raise its prices soon on its vehicles manufactured in Germany.
Hedging currencies has enabled BMW to avoid big price increases up until now. Unfortunately, that gig is about up.
The only realistic solution for BMW as I see it to aggressively continue to keep prices within the ballpark is to build more of its vehicles in the USA. This is the trend now as more and more "foreign" vehicles are being built in the USA.
Even if BMW sees this too, it will take time.
Now is the time to buy or lease BMWs Tony.
I see BMW prices rising dramatically in 2008 for the 5 Series and 3 Series too since many of the latter are produced in Munich.
We'll just have to see about that.
If the LS600hL is following the trend that LS460 has been setting for the last year then looks to me 196 units per month won't be hard to keep up.
The LS460 sales has been strong now for a full year despite many people who said it would taper off after a short while.
Again, I seldom use speculations in my post (well, except my enthusiasm toward the IS-F :P ), all I am stating are facts and predictions using current available data.
The thought of 335i will have base MSRP of $40K is enough to give me goose bumps.
A loaded 335i coupe may flirt with $60k by next summer.
If I wasn't tied up with my current lease, I would definitely be shopping NOW!!!
The guys at Infiniti are probably high-fiving in the halls right now. The price of the G37 ain't going anywhere.
One of the biggest flaws on an otherwise good car. Too bad Infiniti did nothing to improve mileage. A big mistake, imo.
I still remember how wonderful the M35 and M45 brakes were. Great stopping power with no jerking at the end as in the 3 and 5 Series.
I may take another look Infiniti's way, if the BMW premium gets out of hand. I will overlook the mileage difference if I am seeing a $15k price differential between an M35 and 535i. The Infiniti would become quite appealing.
I am actually pretty satisfied with my current rides but I still get the fever from time to time.
The car that actually appeals to me right now is the 08 Accord Sedan. I might change my mind if I drive it but I sure like its looks, both inside and out. The only thing I don't think I would like is the variable cylinder thing on the V6.
Anybody driven one?
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
So far the hybrid gets credit for fuel economy, and 0 - 60.
The diesel vehicles get credit for better overall driving dynamics, bigger trunk, better resale, longevity, particularly if one considers an inescapable expensive battery pack replacement if long-term ownership is desired, greater torque, historically proven less maintenance.
Gosh, the more I see the more I'm calling it hybrid 1......diesel 2..!!!!!
TagMan. :shades:
TagMan
Keep hope alive!
DrFill
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Can you not make a deal and the dealer somehow exchange the present lease for a new one? without it costing too much?? I further wonder if buying might not be a better alternate, because when the time comes to sell, the new model may be alot more expensive,with few improvements....Dewey may have the best combination and not even realize it now....Tony
To tell you the truth, Tony, BMW leasing suits me just fine.
I want a 335i sedan next go round. At this time, it goes for around $600 a month. It may be $700 next summer. Who knows? Still better then shelling out a big wad of cash, the way I see it.
I have 10 months to go... a bit early to give my salesman a migraine. His time will come. I anticipate he is already having trouble sleeping. He knows what's coming. :shades:
TagMan
TM
He knows when my lease is up.
I should have a firm offer from another dealership by the time I visit him. :shades:
TagMan
My lease includes all scheduled routine services which will occur twice or three times in the next 39 months, hopefully there will be no unscheduled ones in order to experience the disrespect...
One thing's for sure-the Baby Bimmer will be a hoot to drive!
However, my 6'2" frame says "pass".
Pardon my bad Rodney Dangerfield impersonation regarding respect. It really wasn't a question of lack of respect but their post-warranty attempts to raid my wallet that really bothered me most. :sick:
SOLUTION: An independent BMW services located in Toronto named Autotrend . I had my car serviced their for 5 years post warranty and paid minimal expenses. :shades:
BMW cannot price themselves out of the US market. BMW will have to grind their teeth for now and accept lower margins on their cars until they start building more of their cars outside of costly Germany. Another alternative they have is increase automation in their German factories but that will be very difficult for BMW to accomplish with their small niche customized production runs for various models.
Toyota has the same kind of truck and SUV offerings as the Big 3 and that is why they are behaving like the Big 3. No other foreign automaker except Toyota and Nissan has the same kind of truck offerings as the Big 3.
I've heard all the points of view about the virtue of leasing and I am not disagreeing with anyone.
But the benefit I get from ownership is keeping my car until I find my next dream car without worrying about any conditions, terms and dates. I kept my last BMW for 8 years with minimal expenses and sold it at a pretty good resale value. My BMW ownership experiences were worry-free and that is why I bought two of them last year.
What Me Worry :shades:
One of the biggest flaws on an otherwise good car. Too bad Infiniti did nothing to improve mileage. A big mistake, imo.
Yeah it's been their highest rated luxury car since they first tested it, and owners seem to love them too - more than 5 series owners. CR has gone from shilling for Lexus to shilling for Infiniti
TagMan
How about the UK--diesels were really not that popular over there but guess what happened to BMW diesel sales?
BMW said it increased the diesel share of its cars sold in Britain to 70 per cent from 7 per cent in just three years.
IMO the following forecast is far too timid.
In fact, market researcher J. D. Power and associates forecasts diesel cars and light trucks will take about 12 per cent of the North American market by 2015, versus about 5 per cent for hybrids.
Diesels are expected to sell so well many are concerned that auto makers will not be able to produce enough diesel engines:
There is also the problem of capacity. For now, the auto industry does not have the ability to produce enough diesel engines to meet what the Germans hope is the expected demand.
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I can guarantee you that DrFill is going to have a lot of sleepless nights over this one post of mine. I've heard sleeping tablets are selling as well as diesles in Toyota City and Nagoya(Headquarters of Toyota)
Jose
But those Infiniti M brakes are to die for. :surprise:
If my doomsday scenario unfolds and BMW raises prices dramatically by next summer, I would take another look at the M. The Infiniti M is a fine vehicle and I hope Infiniti turns out to be a very successful company for the long term.
They help keep BMW honest.
I would choose the M35 over the M45 because I have already done the V8 power thing. Those V8s just beg you to go too fast and drive too aggressively. Nobody wants to ride in the 545i with me because of it. :shades:
I'll take a second longer to reach 60 mph; gladly!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
It's less expensive and it's apparent.
First comes love, then comes marriage
Then comes a baby in the baby carriage
London - A randy peacock who went on a sex rampage in Britain caused serious damage to the paintwork of a peacock-blue luxury car he mistook for a mate, it was reported on Thursday.
The luxury Lexus limousine, parked in the grounds of a stately home in Bridgwater, in the south-western county of Somerset, was left covered in scratches after the frisky bird's prolonged attack.
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I grew up close to there. Peacocks never seemed to have much interest in my mum's old Austins and Morris Minors.
The times they are a-changin', aren't they?
Jose
God forbid if those Austins and Morris Minors were in peacock blue.
Disappointing indeed!
Anyways let's focus on something less morbid as transmissions, drivetrains and suspensions instead.
PS: I finally got pulled over at around 6PM today. The guy asked me why I was doing 85mph on a 70 mph highway. I immediately thought of my choice responses:
1. "Because everyone else is, lunatic!"
2. "Because I can, you idiot!"
3. "Why are you harrassing me when the real criminals are out there, jackass?"
4. "Pins and needles. Needles and pins. A happy man is a man who grins! Grrrr....."
Instead I kept quiet and let my wife talk him out of it which she did.
Ol' Smoke ever so observant in his unmarked vehicle, noticed when he was following me that when I saw a marked trooper car in front of me and off to my left, I slowed down and when he exited the highway, I sped up again!
Well, DUH!! :shades:
In my case I usually get caught by a pair of officers. Usually both cops will not want to display any weakness in front of their partners so they will give you a ticket no matter how good an excuse you have. :lemon:
He had me sooo nailed! I thought I would be pickin' peaches on ol' man Johnson's farm for a couple of months. :surprise:
That was too close! Like I posted awhile back, the 545i is really too fast for the USA.