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LOL. Perfect bass ackwards description... and spoken like a true Kansas City area resident... (just back from "deer camp", still in camo.)
TM
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Good topic, Tag.
I am planning on to keep my car for at least 2 more years. It could be longer because I want to wait and see what BMW and Lexus have in their sleeves for the next 3-series and IS. I am also interested in the new Acura TL if it comes with SH-AWD and over 330HP.
If my financial situation doesn't change, I am pretty sure my next car will come from BMW, Lexus or Acura.
TM
TM
As for plans to buy a car, I have no plans at this time.
Of course in retrospect I don't believe I ever had any plans, beyond a couple of hours, to buy any of the 50 or so cars I have bought in the past 40 years!!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I can't help it, even though I drive a Lexus but deep inside I am still a Honda fan.
My first 2 cars before my current IS350:
'90 Acura Legend
'97 Honda Accord
Last night I went to the Acura dealership and bought a 2008 MDX Sport to replace our 2003 MDX (it will be picked up tomorrow). This is primarily my wife's car and she uses it to haul our dogs to and from our Florida home each winter/spring. We seriously considered the Q7, X5, Enclave (it was pretty good), and the GL450. I know that we have had spirited debates about Acura on this board but the MDX was perfect for us and really is a great combination of size, performance, features, and value.
I am also in need of replacing my 2006 A8 which has a lease expiration coming in February. I am actually stuck in the middle of this decision and I'm open to suggestions. My A8 has been great and I am considering another but the Audi lease programs are currently dreadful. Others being considered are 750i, S550, LS460, and maybe the XJ.
What do you think?
I am not 100% sure about this one but I think the massage chair only comes with the executive seating option.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
So... You are an impulse buyer? I fall into both categories... Some purchases are spontaneous, while others I know what I'm wanting to buy.
TM
What about the A6 4.2 S-line? I definitely prefer that to the 535xi.
Perhaps they could figure out a way to cut some of the RL's pork out instead. Its a very heavy car, and even the V6 isn't particularly fuel efficient.
When the wife's X3 lease is up, we will be looking at the Q5/3, the GLK, the EX35, and the Volvo XC60. Hopefully the Germans will have some diesels ready by then. I still have no idea what will replace the LS430. XF, maybe?
As to replacing the A8, I'm not all fired up on HELC (sedans) right now, so that's a tough one. In addition to the usual contenders you mentioned, what about the S8? Or even a Quattroporte?
TagMan
I assume the 7 is only a year away from death, I don't think it makes a ton of sense to get one now. The XJ only makes sense as a CPO car. Let somebody else flush the first 30 grand.
I'm also hoping for a nice small diesel SUV, as you know... also hopefully from Germany.
TagMan
All-wheel drive is a consideration for me, especially today as I drove home from my office in this blizzard, the Quattro was great. I don't know how well the 750, LS or Jag would have done.
Your idea of a CPO is a good one, the extended warranty makes all of these cars more attractive as we know that maintaining these things after a few years is not fun. Maybe that is where the LS460 would shine.
R. Donahue Peebles (real estate developer): 2004 Ferrari F360
Robert Stacy (CEO, Asia Media Products): 2007 Porsche Cayman
Craig Hunt (CEO, KeysCarribean Resorts): 1997 Land Rover Defender soft top
Dean Goodermote (CEO, Double-Take Software): 2004 Chevy Avalanche
Steele Platt (CEO & founder, Yard House USA): 2001 Chevy Suburban
Patrick Sweeney (CEO, Odin Technologies): 2004 Toyota Prius
Bill Lyons (CEO, AXS-One): 2001 BMW 740i
Craig Newmark (founder, craigslist): 2002 Toyota Prius
Robert Wilkins (president, Danfoss): 2005 Honda Accord
Peter Pifer (CEO, Enhanced Telecommunications): 2003 Lexus SC430
Jim Daly (Focus on the Family): 1995 Nissan Maxima
Source: What your CEO drives says a lot
There is not too much out there right now that I am interested in to tell you the truth. I could buy virtually anything on the market if I wanted it but I normally tend toward 2 or 3 year old CPO Lexus's. Just my conservative nature.
For some reason I thought you lived in Marin. I worked in S.F back in 1978/79 and we lived up in Sonoma County. About a 50 mile commute, one way. To make matters worse I traveled country wide and SFX was even further south. :sick:
We were just getting ready to move to Marin County when I got promoted to KC. We love it here in Johnson County.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I'm still a big fan of the QP, but it just isn't a very practical car. The trip to get it serviced is just too far. The supercharged XF seems like it would be a lot of fun. Or maybe an Audi S6? I'm just not sure yet.
My wife is from the South, so I know those states fairly well. You have every reason to feel the way you do, and I'm glad. I hope everyone can feel that way, whenever possible.
Things have gotten VERY crowded in some areas since you lived/worked in California... beyond imagination really. The "Bay Bridge" is the busiest in the entire country, and I am thankful I do not have to commute across it, as it is a nightmare on baseball's steroids.*
*just listened to the Mitchell Report, and thought it appropriate to use an asterisk, which will now need to be used extensively in baseball's record books.
TagMan
I not-so-secretly hope you get one.
TagMan
Rankings based on an in-depth analysis by U.S. News editors of leading published auto ratings, reviews and test drives .
The 2008 Winners
As of December 13, 2007, the No. 1 ranked automobiles in the most popular categories were:
Best Economy Car: Honda Fit
Best Midsize Car: Honda Accord
Best Upscale Small Car: Volkswagen GTI
Best Upscale Midsize Car: BMW 3-Series
Best Luxury Cars: BMW 5-Series
Best Compact SUVs: Honda CR-V
Best Midsize SUVs: Honda Pilot
Best Large SUVs: Chevrolet Tahoe
Best Luxury Midsize SUVs: Lexus RX 350
Best Full Size Pickups: Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Best Affordable Sports Cars: Mazda MX-5, Honda S2000, Mazda Speed3 (tied)
link title
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Gosh, very nice to see today that my '08 GTI has received the Ward's #1 World's Best Engine Award, as well as the U.S. News and World Report's Best Upscale Small Car Award.
Two totally unexpected surprises! I have no problem with that.
TagMan
For example, is there some reason why the S Class, the LS, and several others apparently were not included in the competition? Were they over the price limit or what?
Inquiring minds want to know!!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Some rather dubious choices in the luxury category, however. Cadillac DTS is the 3rd best luxury car on the market huh?
They have (had?) nearly identical options lists. The hybrid was standard with little more than the base 460. You have to pay extra for heated rear seats in a $105,000 luxury sedan!
It was also the performance. Since the LS600hL didn't get any better mileage than the 460L, and it was slightly slower, Lexus thought they needed the extra features to justify the hybrid's existence.
Of course, this is all speculation.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
So does my A3, and it's an Audi, so I win.
LOL. :shades:
It is an excellent drivetrain, though. Before setting foot in these cars, nobody would ever expect the GTI, A3 or new Tiguan to be quite so quick.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
• New winter car in late summer/early fall. Will order it in early summer, so that its arrival coincides with my son's license. The A3 will be handed down... and yes, he fully appreciates it! If he didn't I'd buy him a Yaris instead and keep the A3. I'm looking at BMWs and Audis for this... but my conflict is, I want a 997 cabrio to replace my S4 in 2009. So if I got a BMW, I wouldn't have an Audi any more. But I if I got an Audi, the only BMW would be my wife's. So I'm stuck here... I could get an Audi and a BMW (Audi coupe/sedan, BMW convertible), but then I wouldn't have a Porsche!
• New convertible, as I mentioned, in early to mid 2009. The S4 will be four years old, which is pretty new in my own terms. I will be sad to see it go... but I will make sure any new convertible I buy makes me feel equally happy. On my [rough, far away] list are the BMW M3 convertible, BMW 650i convertible, BMW M6 convertible, Audi S5/RS5 Cabriolet, Porsche 997 C2S Cab, and maybe even the Jaguar XKR.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
'95 Acura TL... hated it.
I've only had German cars (Audis) since. I have yet to be disappointed.
I too love Honda, but Acura ticks me off. They represent all the things that Honda can't do. Their sales are dipping at a frightening rate, their lineup is stale with the exception of the MDX, their designs are annoyingly boring, their interiors reek of woodified Honda...
Eurgh, don't get me started.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
To me, the A8's expensive leases are worth every penny. You may not think like me, though.
It is a beautiful sedan that does everything well, one that even I am considering, and I don't even want a huge sedan.
You could also get an über steal on a 7 Series, and although it's my least-favorite luxo barge, it is still a very impressive car overall. Perhaps you could get away with an even better deal on an XJ, which has superior dynamics to the BMW, a classier interior and styling dripping with elegance. You should see about getting a 2007 rather than the uglier 2008, though.
The S550 is stunning, but if you don't want to lease an A8, you won't want to lease an S-Class even more.
The LS, while nice, isn't sporty enough for me. I have a friend who had leased a 2004 A8L, and it was a lemon. This affects a good portion of first-year German land yachts. Anyway, the problems ruined his experience with the car; he was looking to replace it with an S550 but now has an LS460 SWB. Even with the stellar reliability, the guy finds it extremely boring. He absolutely misses his A8. I don't think you should make the same mistake...
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
Actually, the only case in which I'd take an A6 over a 5 is the 528xi vs. A6 3.2. 535xi vs. A6 3.2? BMW, please. 550i and 4.2? It would be close, but I would probably still take the BMW.
The M5 and S6 are a different story entirely, though. I have no idea which one I would take. As much as I dislike the current A6 for its lack of charisma, somehow the quattro GmbH guys worked magic for the S and it has the ability to outdo the M5. It's also quite a looker, and not just because of the LEDs. On the other hand, the BMW has that incredible V10 (so does the S6, to a slightly lesser extent) and a top-notch interior when optioned with full leather. It doesn't look bad, either.
Which would you choose? One thing is for sure: when the RS6 comes... I would choose that.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
But the RS4. Oh, the RS4! It's already out of production, but there's a flaming orange Audi Exclusive specimen sitting in the front of my dealer, calling out for me to try it on. Obviously, I would never buy an orange car, but I just want to drive the baby beast again. At only $6K less than the larger S6, you may think it's overpriced, but I know it's worth much more.
Now that I think about it, the B7 is a front-heavy platform with no RWD bias. The B8 has the new-gen quattro and the MLP platform. Meaning, logically, the new RS4 will be even better, significantly so. I hope it's worth the wait, because I'm here, waiting...
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
I have to make a decision soon, I will dig into this over the Holiday break, thanks for your input, you make good points.
Agree. I just can't get even remotely excited about a single product they have, including the MDX. Acuras have always had annoyingly boring designs, and the interiors have always reeked of a tarted up Honda, but they used to be way cheaper than everybody else. The old MDX topped out at something like $37K. Now it hits $50K! What happened to the value?
Acura's chance to finally prove that they can make a serious BMW challenging sports sedan will be with the next generation TL that's supposed to get SH-AWD. It needs well over 300hp, a six-speed transmission, no bargain basement materials inside, and a proper weight distribution, none of this 60/40 stuff inherited from the Accord. Do I think they'll pull it off? No. The price will go up well into the $40K range, but it will still be cheesy on the inside, it will still look boring, and it will still be a front heavy tarted up Honda. Prove me wrong Acura.
I've never liked the new 5 series, so for me it would be A6, or A6. The new 3.0T should prove a compelling alternative to the 535xi. As for the RS6, according to C&D it's not going to make these shores because the price is supposedly going to be in range of the R8. I'll take the R8 over the RS6.
I didn't particularly like the A6 back in '05, partially because I wasn't really used to the big mouth look yet, and it seemed a little cold on the inside compared to the old one. After driving the car a few times though, I've really come to like it. It's the elegant and refined alternative to the M's rough and rowdy demeanor. The S6 is definitely on the list of cars to replace my LS, along with the XF Supercharged. If Infiniti were to fit the M with the GT-R's 480hp twin turbo V6 and dual clutch SMG though, I think I'd probably take that, though I don't think there's much chance of that happening any time soon.
That is precisely my point. Honda is fully capable of developing a far more fuel efficient V6. Honda would have no problem in using materials that makes the RL lighter. Honda does have the resources to develop a RWD sedan platform. Honda engineers are sharp enough to develop a class-beating V8.
But they dont because they choose not to.
Think of it this way Honda can earn high margins on a luxury marque while investing so little in that marque. So far people continue buying premium priced Accord/Pilot platforms with fake wood from Acura while Honda is laughing all the way to the bank.
Honda is smart to introduce a NSX that has more symbolic value than anything else. An NSX will convince Acura buyers that Acura still has the smarts to produce something special. Unfortunately most those impressed Acura buyers will end up buying overpriced Accords.
Honda's gonna milk Acura for all what it's worth and if Acura sales slowly decline then Honda will still remain a thriving enterprise whose main business is producing profitable fuel efficient vehicles that are in hot demand today.
The next generation Toyota Prius.
Why?
Politics, strictly politics and my decision has nothing to do with global warming. Buying oil from countries that hate us and choosing to buy a car that consumes a lot of that oil does not make much sense IMO. My one decison wont make a difference but at least that will be my little insignificant contribution to energy independance.
Fuel independance will not happen by government mandate or tax grab policies. It will only happen if most people individually choose to consume less fuel and unfortunately that is not happening.
So I guess my days here in the luxury lounge are numbered unless there is a luxury car that consumes less fuel than a Prius ( and no that hydrogen BMW 7 is not within my budget)
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Lexus IS:
Performance 8.0
Exterior 7.9
Interior 7.4
Safety 8.6
Reliability NA
Lexus ES:
Performance 8.3
Exterior 7.9
Interior 8.8
Safety 9.6
Reliability NA
I think even the extremest hater for the IS should agree with me that whoever ranked the ES over IS in performance is an idiot.
The first model year for the Vigor is '92 so how did you get it as the '90 model?
'95 Acura TL... hated it.
The first model year for the TL is '96 so how did you get a '95?
their designs are annoyingly boring
Compares to what? The F-22? IMO every Acura (yes, including the RL) has more exciting design than Audis (okay, maybe not the TT and R8).
Dewey, I just can't see you in a Prius. Oh and don't pull a 2001gs430 on us by trading in the brand new Prius in for another 3-series after 2 weeks.
:P
Everyone that ranks cars ends up criticized. I don't endorse US News & WR any more than any other review... probably less. I think they all have faults, maybe some more than others... I tend to find issues with most of them.
I was just having some fun when I discovered that Ward's #1 best engine is in my GTI and the same day I saw that US News rated the GTI as Best Upscale Small Car. Personally I don't care, as I bought the car for short-term ownership before any of those awards were ever announced. I guess, though, I might have made a reasonably good choice for a car to hold me over until a diesel comes out that I like enough to buy.
TagMan
After some years of reading your posts, I am clear that you dislike Acura quite a bit... for the same old reasons. I give them credit for the MDX, though, and our experience with owning one has proved that the vehicle is one of the most useful and well-featured SUVs for its size ever built. Sure the plastic wood and some other plastics are shameful, but that's the only complaint. the rest MORE than makes up for the shortcoming, IMO.
As much as I love Honda as a company, my beef with Acura on a whole is that they are not elevated enough above the Hondas. When I look at Acura compared to Honda, I see a reason to buy the Honda, instead of the other way around. When I look at Lexus compared to Toyota, I see enough of a difference to see why folks would pick the Lexus. So... it's backwards with Acura, and that is a bad situation for the marque. Better upgrading of the Acuras is sorely needed.
But, it does sound like you bash Acura just a little too harshly when you don't give them the credit for the MDX that is truly justified, and the market and reviewers generally confirm. As I said, sure there are shortcomings like fake wood, but to be fair, the MDX really makes up for those in spades with its terrific versatility, functionality, and genuine ride capabilities that are practically unmatched for the money in any other SUV.
TagMan
On the other hand, by giving the ES a performance score of 8.3 and IS an 8.0, US News are pretty much saying that the ES is a better performer than the IS. I have no problem with the ES ranked higher than the IS because different stroke for different folks but saying that it is a better performer is just plain bogus.
Your reasoning for the Prius is sound, IMO, but there are other alternatives that would achieve some of your goals as well without having to compromise the environment as much as the Prius does. there is an interesting letter to the editor in the Jan. '08 C&D. When you get the issue, and read the letter, it reminds one of the impact on the environment that the Prius actually has that is forgotten because the focus is mainly on fuel consumption.
The upcoming diesels will offer another alternative to consider. I am not re-opening the debate, but by the time the next Prius is out, you will see the alternatives in the marketpolace anyway. Of course, I could be dead wrong, but I'll bet you buy a diesel BMW, and you will love it for its incredible performance and fuel efficiency... allowing you to achieve your same noble goals, but with a whole lot more style and f-u-n at the same time.
TagMan
I hear ya', but I'm not about to rank the critics and reviewers!!!... no way!!
I think we know who generally gets it right and who doesn't, and even then, there are often contraversial reviews and even contraversial hard cold stats. I saw those "stats" when the LS460 first came out. Those numbers, such as 0-60 and braking, were all over the map, and folks believed the ones they liked the most, and criticized the ones they disliked.
TagMan
Right now MDX is doing fairly well and the SH-AWD from Acura is just awesome but let's face it, this SUV is one V8 away from glory, as well as the RL. The next TL needs to have SH-AWD (prefer RWD biased) with at least 330 HP in order to be competitive in the class.