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Luxury Lounge

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  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Keep us posted, Jose.
  • blckislandguyblckislandguy Member Posts: 1,150
    Jose,

    Thanks. What I was trying to communicate is that I would feel a lot safer if the next time I see a State Police car driven by a buffed-out, testostorone pumped 25 year old guy, it wasn't a down market sedan with a 25 year old design with Walmart-level tires and suspension. These guys run hard and think they are invincible.

    As I mentioned, the Mass State Police used to drive Chrysler 300 sedans back in the 1960's on the then new Mass Turnpike. I'd feel a lot better if the current state police in the Northeast were in new Chrysler 300 sedans with AWD , winter tires, and electronic stability control.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    If there is anyone here that still thinks the Genesis won't be successful under the Hyundai marque, I offer this little tidbit...

    Hyundai Super Bowl Advertising Yields Highest Positive Impact on the Brand


    FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai's Super Bowl advertisements did the best job of boosting brand opinion according to two leading marketing research firms. The Nielsen Online MegaPanel Survey, post- game study showed that 43 percent of respondents had improved their opinion of the Hyundai brand -- the highest of any automotive advertiser. In addition, in comScore's 2008 Super Bowl post-game survey, Hyundai garnered a 45 percent increase in net brand improvement, the highest figure of any Super Bowl advertiser.

    "Our goal was not necessarily to entertain, but to inform, build awareness and position the car. We wanted to be thoughtful," said Joel Ewanick, vice president of Marketing for Hyundai Motor America. "The ads needed to breakthrough the clutter, give the viewer a quiet moment and differentiate Hyundai from what the other companies were doing and it clearly worked."

    Nielsen's Online MegaPanel Survey Post-Game reported that 43 percent of the respondents said that Hyundai's Super Bowl ads had improved their opinion of the brand, 57 percent said that the ads told them something new and 45 percent indicated that the ads were believable. Hyundai's advertisements demonstrated the most positive brand impact of consumer opinion of all auto companies advertising during the Super Bowl according to the Nielsen survey.

    comScore, a leader in measuring the digital world, released the results of its annual post-game survey of U.S. Internet users who watched the Super Bowl. Hyundai's advertisements for the Genesis had the most positive impact on the brand of any Super Bowl advertiser.

    Goodby, Silverstein & Partners led the creative development. The two all-new spots are consistent in theme and tone with the "Think About It" campaign launched in September 2007. Focused on the all-new Hyundai Genesis rear-wheel drive luxury sedan, the ads challenged traditional assumptions about the luxury category, and positioned Genesis as a new standard in the upscale sedan category.


    In addition to the original article, I have provided links to the videos of the original Super Bowl ads, in case anyone missed them, or wants to see them again...

    article link

    click here to see the first Genesis Super Bowl ad

    click here to see the second Genesis Super Bowl ad

    As from the start, I still expect the Genesis to be a success. and I'll continue to post updates as I find them.

    Are there any doubters still out there? ;)

    TagMan
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Volvo deserves some of that pioneering credit, as you know better than most... you wouldn't be alive if it weren't for a Volvo

    Oh definitely Volvo deserves credit for their history of safety. And yes I owe my life to a 82 Volvo GLT sedan over a quarter century ago but certainly not to Ford's Volvo as it is today.

    If someone wants among the safest and most sensible cars out there then they should get a Honda Accord. Compared to a Volvo S6 a Honda Accord has better engineering,it is just as safe if not more safe, sells at a far lower price, is more reliable, has more performance and is more fuel effient. What's the point of a Volvo S6 :confuse:

    Volvo is like a aged starlet at Sunset Boulevard whose current life revolves around her glorious past and whose greatest fans have memories of her past and nothing else. Despite this wonderful past Volvo Safety today is no better than Audi Safety or Honda Safety or.............
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    LG- This should interest you. It was only about a week ago, when you and I were posting about Infiniti offering their own rendition of the Nissan GT-R... well, either in addition to that, or instead of that, Infiniti may offer a four-door high-performance sedan based upon the GT-R.

    The information was disclosed to Motor Trend from a senior source at Nissan, so here's the link to the article:

    link title

    The Porsche Panamera is going to have a lot more competition than I envisioned. I think this is another good indication that we are going to see a boost in high performance capabilities in 4-door sedans across the board (from numerous manufacturers).

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    It looks like Acura now knows they've got to deliver the goods, or die.

    All I can say is that it's about time.

    Here's a blurb on this...

    Acura to make ‘huge-shift’ to tier 1 luxury, will offer Acura-only vehicles

    I hope they actually do it!

    TagMan
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Interestinly not a single BMW sedan is on that IIHS list.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    LG - You will also appreciate this, since you mentioned that you are considering one of these vehicles. Yes, there are 10,000 confirmed deposits taken by Jaguar dealers globally for the first XF vehicles... 3,000 of them in the USA!

    You may need to put down that deposit NOW, just in case you really want one, otherwise it may be too late.

    Shocking. Life after death?

    I'm happy for Jaguar. I guess Tata Motors could be drooling a little more now. :)

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Here's a must read for anyone interested in the Jaguar XF.

    That includes you again, LG. :)

    Jeremy Clarkson on the XF

    TagMan
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    I'm happy for Jaguar. I guess Tata Motors could be drooling a little more now.

    Jaguar is going to be a SCREAMING SUCCESS under the astute management of Tata which is known to do bold and daring things very successfully. Many large auto makers are trying to make deals with Tata to gain their knowhow in terms of manufacturing a $2K car. Now Tata will use its expertise to manufacture a Jaguar at the high end. It will be interesting to see what happens.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Jaguar is going to be a SCREAMING SUCCESS under the astute management of Tata which is known to do bold and daring things very successfully.

    Yes, Dewey, I now see the possibility. OH!... You'll like the way Jeremy Clarkson sums up his review of the XF...

    "I have a sneaking suspicion that Jag, after 40 years of misery, is about to have the most delightful Indian summer."

    :)

    TagMan
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    I have a sneaking suspicion that Jag, after 40 years of misery, is about to have the most delightful Indian summer."

    Anything is better than the many Ford summers that Jaguar had experienced these past many years. Volvo is likely to be next? A good opportunity for BMW who wants to produce FWD fuel efficient cars? So far that does not look likely since BMW critics would point out their failures with FWD Rovers.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    By including Volvo, Ford was able to hold the top spot in the safety data I posted earlier, with a total of eight cars. One of our favorites, Honda Motors, came in second with seven Honda/Acura vehicles.

    So... unlike Jaguar, does Volvo have any redeeming value to Ford? Or, should they cut Volvo loose?

    BTW, I think BMW would be idiots to buy Volvo... I just can't see it, but maybe there is something I'm missing.

    TagMan
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    You're probably correct... that never really occurred to me.

    Actually, I was among those 30-35%, because I bought the RX (both of them) for my wife! She doesn't work!

    Oh, jeez... :sick:

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    I say, go for the 5er if the "Department" can work... it's practical enough for anyone (massive trunk!), looks great, comes with all sorts of goodies and obviously, has far better performance than an MDX or RX350 could ever dream of having.

    I'm thinking about chipping a 335xi/535xi myself. It's silly to think about that, though, because I certainly have awhile to wait...

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    But to be honest, what do you expect from them?

    It's all relative. Everyone--everyone--has to build heavier cars as time goes on, because if BMW used some sort of magical weight-saving material, the prices would skyrocket from their already questionably high perches.

    Everything is getting more refined, more advanced, etc... and losing that "magic feel." The only exceptions to this rule are brands whose cars weren't so much fun in the first place and have a lot of room to grow (Audi, Lexus, Merc, Acura, Infiniti [pre-2003]). BMW has always made the most fun sedans in the world. It still does. That's it.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Ah, you didn't make a mistake in choosing the 335 (who cross-shops a 335i and an A3???), but the A3 2.0T doesn't need quattro to be fun or capable. It is a hoot to drive all year round. The 3.2 is a waste of money, I tell ya.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    I got a Pontiac Grand Prix the one time my S4 had to go in.

    The difference: my dealer felt so bad about it that they offered me a set of winter rims at employee pricing...

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    How many people have bought Lexus RXs for their wives on this board?

    I'll start.

    Me.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '06 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    It looks like Acura now knows they've got to deliver the goods, or die.

    Yeah, I posted the text of the AN article back in post #10560. As I said, I'll believe it when I see it. Acura interior materials have never been great, but they used to at least have fairly well designed and easy to use controls. Honda did as well. Now both Honda and Acura seem to have completely forgotten how to do that. The audio and HVAC controls in the new Accord are horrible, same with the MDX. They remind me a lot of what Nissan/Infiniti were doing back in '03 and '04 in the Maxima and FX35, endless rows of identically sized, teeny tiny buttons.

    Acura, let's see a V8, RWD based platforms, no more plood, and some decent styling, both inside and out. Then you might have a shot at the big time.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Very true, and I am not one of them. I don't think they are the safest, and I will never buy one. Their safety record is one of being pioneers, IMO, and there is little doubt that today there are many other marques that excel in safety. However, in their earlier days, Volvo deserves some of that pioneering credit

    Within the past few years, most automakers have caught up to Volvo in terms of front and side impact protection. That's why Volvo has had to resort to rather pointless "bullet point" type items in their new cars like heartbeat monitors for Moms who might be nervous about getting in to their own cars late at night, and a red light that blinks at you if you aren't paying attention to the road, to say "hey, Volvo is still doing stuff!".

    The one area where Volvo and Saab were still leading until very recently was headrest design. 7 or 8 years ago, Volvos and Saabs would have perfect scores for the lesser known rear impact tests done by the IIHS, and most everyone else would either be failing or "acceptable". Now though most brands have started to figure out how to make proper headrests as well.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Here are the IIHS's Top Safety Picks for 2008:

    Kudos to Audi, Honda, and Subaru for really being the new leaders in safety. Subaru has a record for being really stingy with stability control, but both they and Honda should be commended for taking safety out of just the luxury realm.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    As from the start, I still expect the Genesis to be a success. and I'll continue to post updates as I find them.

    Are there any doubters still out there?


    At the very least, it thoroughly humiliates the Acura RL.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Here's a must read for anyone interested in the Jaguar XF.

    James May quite liked the XF as well. I'm still not in a rush to make a move yet as there's technically nothing wrong with the LS. I also still quite like the S6, so we'll see.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Interestinly not a single BMW sedan is on that IIHS list.

    Didn't a BMW 5 do rather poorly in one of those tests lately? I remember reading something to the effect of "In the real world our sedans do quite well, thanks" from BMW PR. Not a great excuse. I don't think BMWs are necessarily unsafe, but those are the kinds of excuses you get from Kia.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    So... unlike Jaguar, does Volvo have any redeeming value to Ford? Or, should they cut Volvo loose?

    Volvo does supply platforms and engines for quite a few Ford products. Basically all of the Fords that aren't supplied by Mazda.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    How many people have bought Lexus RXs for their wives on this board?

    I'll start.

    Me.


    I did as well, a blue RX300 back in '02.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    So far, you and esf bought the wives an RX.

    I bought the wife an MDX.

    When it gets down to it, it's all the same situation and vehicle type. (But an MDX is better than an RX, of course! ;) )

    TM
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    When it gets down to it, it's all the same situation and vehicle type. (But an MDX is better than an RX, of course! )

    Perhaps, but the wood in the RX is (and has always been) real. :)
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    It was only about a week ago, when you and I were posting about Infiniti offering their own rendition of the Nissan GT-R... well, either in addition to that, or instead of that, Infiniti may offer a four-door high-performance sedan based upon the GT-R.

    I hope it is designed with AWD like the GT-R!

    Regards,
    OW
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    I found an independent shop nearby that specializes in BMWs and the like. ASE certified for what its worth. I just placed an order for new Contis with them and I'll see how they handle that.

    When buying a BMW, a good independent shop is important.

    Haven't made up my mind though on whether I will buy the 545i.

    Glad I don't have to visit the dealer anymore with his Impala loaners. ;)
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    I don't think BMWs are necessarily unsafe

    …specially if had to assess them based upon my recent crash positive results for me and my family.

    Not a great excuse. I don't think BMWs are necessarily unsafe, but those are the kinds of excuses you get from Kia.

    Fully agreed. Adding that if BMW can improve their safety, it is time for them to do for the benefit of many.

    Regards,
    Jose
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    I had a 1993 325i and it is shocking how much heavier and less agile the 2008 328i is.

    I have seen the future and it ain't me! :sick:
  • clemboclembo Member Posts: 253
    I'm with Tag, I just bought the wife her second MDX, the first was a 2003 and was flawless. The new one is a 2008 Sport, huge improvement in driving feel. It is the best in class, even with fake wood.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    LG- This should interest you. It was only about a week ago, when you and I were posting about Infiniti offering their own rendition of the Nissan GT-R... well, either in addition to that, or instead of that, Infiniti may offer a four-door high-performance sedan based upon the GT-R.

    Makes sense to me. A four door GT-R would be an excellent weapon to take on the M5 and the RS6, and would probably humiliate a GS-F.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    The new car would be based on the GT-R's Front Midship (FM) platform, but Motor Trend says that the car's architecture would have to be changed so much to accommodate two more doors and a usable backseat that Nissan refers to the Infiniti-badged GT-R's platform internally as Premium Midship (PM).

    However, the extended model would still utilize the GT-R's suspension and powertrain mountings, as well as the car's 480 horsepower twin-turbo V6, all-wheel drive and rear-mounted dual-clutch transmission.

    But because of the extra two doors, the new car would require new sheetmetal, raising the price of production. If the four-door Infiniti version of the GT-R gets the green light, look for it to command a $3,000 to $5,000 premium over the Nissan version.

    The Infiniti version of the GT-R would also give the luxury marque a halo car, and allow it to compete with BMW's M-division and Mercedes-Benz's AMG.


    Sounds impressive!

    Regards,
    OW
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    OK, add me to the RX list back in 2000. Wife loved it.

    It may have changed in the newest models, but a couple of years ago if you parked an RX beside an MDX, the MDX looked twice as big. No big family, RX. Big family MDX.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Uh oh... looks like Tata may have a different idea:

    NEW DELHI, India — Ratan Tata has long lusted after Land Rover, a marque he considers the "ride of the Rajas." But when the deal is finally inked between Ford and Tata Motors to exchange the luxury Jaguar and Land Rover car brands, look for Jaguar to be quickly spun off, Indian sources tell Inside Line.

    Earlier this month, India's top vehicle maker, Tata Motors, said it hoped to clinch the deal to buy the premium brands from ailing Ford "in the forthcoming weeks." Ford named Tata Motors as the preferred buyer for the Jaguar and Land Rover marques early in January.

    One source, who wished to remain unnamed because of his role in the negotiations, told Inside Line that Ratan Tata recently purchased a 450-acre parcel of land in Gurgaon, outside New Delhi, with the intention of building a factory to produce Land Rovers. "But Jaguar will be spun off almost immediately," said the source, who is familiar with Tata's plans.

    That may come as news to Britain's labor unions, which last fall announced their support for Tata's bid — presumably in an effort to preserve as many jobs as possible in the U.K. after the deal is done.

    What this means to you: It appears that Ratan Tata only has eyes for Land Rover. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent


    Source: IL Insider: Jaguar Appears To Be Ugly Stepsister in Impending Tata Deal
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    looks like Tata may have a different idea:

    Maybe... but speculation of this sort can be rampant during a complicated deal like this. One key is the "source" of the information, and then just how reliable the information actually is. Also, Ratan Tata may simply (and likely) be considering numerous options at this time, one of which includes spinning Jaguar.

    Very interesting! Thanks.

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    This is fun to watch.

    link title

    I was puzzled at first as to why the Cayman S wasn't used in this competition, but then I realized that the standard Cayman is already a big chunk more change, and I believe that the price difference would have been too large, and thus would make for a less-realistic comparison, at least as far as remotely similar price tags are concerned.

    Anyway, the video is in two parts.

    TagMan
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    X5!!!

    And it has real wood!

    The MDX is undoubtedly the best mommy mobile, but the X5 is the better indulgence device.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    Saw the MDX in a parking lot today. Stunning in black. Saw it the other day in beige and it looked horrible. One must choose wisely.

    Mommy-mobile? Women don't drive the MDX. It's as macho as can be. Many of 'em can't even turn the steering wheel which thankfully is set to BMW-like effort.

    I drove it and was pleased. It's on my short list. Not perfect, but more than adequate for what it is-an overgrown wagon.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Women don't drive the MDX.

    90% of the MDX drivers I saw here in So Cal are female.

    That's as macho as these crossovers come now a day...
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    How could you see who's driving? Aren't most of those CUV's heavily tinted?

    Can't see a lot of females happy with the steering effort required to turn the MDX.

    Not too many females attracted to the star-wars grill either, I reckon.

    Of course, I could be wrong...and it just could snow in Tampa this February....

    The Silver Streak :shades:
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    I don't think it's exclusively a woman's vehicle.

    However before we all start a pointless debate, let's first realize that the nature of American life practically requires many of the moms to still drive that "station wagon"... and today's expression of that less-than-fashionable, yet highly practical and versatile station wagon is none other than the beloved SUV or COV/CUV. So we all know that moms drive those SUVs (and the declining-in-populariilty minivans) and that the dads drive them, too... but typically not as often.

    For years I've coached kids sports, mostly baseball, and I can tell you that there are tons of dads that show up at the games or practices with their son's and/or families in the same SUVs that their wives usually drive.

    So... this illustrates how the SUV is more of a family vehicle, but is driven more frequently by the mom. Perhaps this suggests to some that SUVs are mommy-mobiles... but that's just not the complete picture.

    As with all vehicles, women and men drive various SUVs in disproportionate numbers, IOW, certain models will appeal to women more than others. There are stats on this if someone really cares enough.

    Bottom line is that women often are seen driving the "family SUV" more often than men. And beyond that, you should get what works best for YOUR situation, and not pay any attention to labels placed upon a car by others.

    Clembo and I have both posted favorable impressions and experiences with the MDX. My wife loves it. She wishes it was more luxurious and that's her only criticism. Clembo's wife drives one, too, so you need to know that there is nothing to restrict women from driving the MDX. It's an incredible, practical, and versitile family SUV Fake wood and other faults perhaps, but it's hard to beat the MDX for all else that it does so very, very well.

    TagMan
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    Women will not choose a CUV with heavy steering effort and a polarizing, macho grill without a lotta input from their significant other.

    I'm not putting down the MDX. I drove it. It was acceptable for what it is.

    I do not believe that most women out there would come up with the MDX as their first choice for a family hauler.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    The steering isn't too heavy, and I am not aware that women don' t like that front grill.

    I have little doubt that the husbands are involved in the purchase decision because, as I've indicated, the SUV is actually a family vehicle frequently driven by moms. There is nothing wrong or strange about this. It is about lifestyle and it shouldn't make any guy feel like he's driving a girl's vehicle. That's just too insecure and not necessary.

    A guy can comfortably drive an MDX, and not worry that he is driving a "girly car".

    On the other hand, I don't think it is necessary or even realistic to portray the MDX as more of a "guy's vehicle", in order to be comfortable to drive or own one. :)

    TagMan
  • clemboclembo Member Posts: 253
    I just got home from a long weekend at my second home where I drove our MDX to the airport, it was enjoyable. Now when I landed at Boston I stepped into my A8 which is what I consider one of my indulgences. You and I both have cars that are better indulgences than an X5. I actually liked the new X5 when we test drove it, but the split taligate was not practical for us as we haul around two big dogs and the tailgate in the X5 prohibits easy jumping in and out for them.

    PS - one of my neighbors in Florida drives an S4 cab and has an RS4 cab coming, I will try to take it for a spin.
  • clemboclembo Member Posts: 253
    It is funny that I was reading all of the RX - girl car posts over the past few days. Today when I took our MDX for a ride to the airport I passed at least 10 RX's and I felt compelled to look at who was driving each one. I must say that all but one were driven by women. In fairness I also was watching for MDX's and the ratio was a little better but it seemed that most were driven by women as well, as mine is by the (evil?) wife most of the time.

    The real story in my mind is how many really good choices exist in this vehicle class. MDX, X5, RX, Q7, GL450, the Mazda, and even the Enclave are all great cars. At least we have choices to best suit our needs. Imagine if we had this many good choices each time we were voting for a President.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    I just watched a 1 hour program on one of the cable channels called future cars. They said it is easier to become a star in the NBA than to become a successful mainline automobile designer!

    Some of the things we might see in our lifetime:

    1. Cars that can routinely go from 0 to 100 to 0 in about 8 seconds.

    2. Cars that lean into curves just like motorcycles.

    3. Nano technology that can make a 1,000 pound car stronger than a 5,000 pound car today.

    I think this was on the HD Disney channel. Very interesting stuff.

    Hey Tag, once we develop artificial intelligence and incorporate it into our cars, then you can really commune with your car and become one with it!!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

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