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Comments
So far it doesn't look very promising, a 911 front end, a hatchback rear, and four doors in the middle.
Sounds like a [non-permissible content removed] child when 911 and Cayenne ended up on a same bed...
Call it the Texas factor, but it is hard to get past the social stigma that drivers down here seem to have for anything non-truck based.
Call it the Toronto factor, but for people who live here in midtown/downtown Toronto trucks and SUVs are not very popular for good reason. They are pointless unless ofcourse you are in the trades or have a cottage in some rustic part of the woods.
Suburbia Toronto is a different story. Denalis and Pick Ups are are a common sight.
I've heard about urban flight in US cities. Here in Toronto there is Suburban flight and as a result the demgraphics of suburbia is much more grayer than in urban areas.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
Currently I am as content as I never was before regarding cars.
I love my BMW 335i. I like my wife's BMW530xi touring as a snow mobile. I have no desire for a M3, a Lambo, a Audi R8 or any other car because I am content with the cars I have right now. My most intense excitement wrt cars today is the upcoming Toyota Prius. (I guess this proves that my days as an auto enthusiast are numbered if not already expired).
My VW fan days were short but very sweet (it lasted about 33 hours and then it abruptly fizzled ).Currently I have enough German cars on my driveway and now I just want some novelty with a new Japanese appliance( Toyota Prius).
It will be interesting to see what Lexus actually brings to market in the way of a small hybrid. If it turns out to be nice, I'd love to have one for my wife to drive when she doesn't need to be driving an SUV. She puts on a lot of miles and the MDX gas mileage sucks, of course. Also, fuel costs in California are getting darned pricey. A nice hybrid or diesel would be smart.
Have you ever thought about getting a 3-Series with X-drive to replace the one you have? That would solve your Winter concerns and you'd still have yourself a 3-Series.
TagMan
Do you notice a big difference in power between your 335 and your 530? Does the turbo engine still feel as smooth? I know how smooth the 530 is in power delivery but I have always wanted a bit more grunt with it. I just ordered a 335 after debating about waiting for a M3 but in the end I didn't want the extra harshness that the M gives you. I guess I'm assuming you feel the same way since you stated no desire for a M3 as well.
The other one is a used '07 " Fourmatic Launch Edition" Desingo. The story is that when MB launched the Fourmatic variation of the S550 late in the '07 MY, they built some S550 Fourmatics with a Desingo-lite package (just the exterior paint and some nicer interior leather) as a "Launch Edition". This gem is MB certified, is Mocha black, has 15K miles and they are asking 82K. The previous local owner traded it in on a white coupe.
Would anyone want to hazard a guess what a used MB certified '07 S550 with Fourmatic is worth? How much extra is this erzatz Desingo paint job worth?
Recently I spoke to a friend of mine who works at the local Mercedes Dealership about this exact topic, so I think I am recalling what he said accurately, and passing it on to you. So, technically the used Designo value is only up to $1500 if you want it.
That '07 S550 car exactly as you described it, with 4matic and the Designo upgrade, assuming you like it, is worth in the low $80's, maximum, in perfect condition, and fully loaded with all the important options that you didn't mention.
Hope that is helpful.
Good luck.
TagMan
Yes.
But two Xi AWD BMWs is just too much for me. And personally I like my BMWs with RWD. In terms of AWD I would prefer an Audi Quattro instead.
Love the 530xi but I love the twin turbo even more. Personally I prefer the higher revving M3 but price-wise it's just not worth the extra money. The prior M3 models were far more potent when compared to the 330i, 328i or 325is of the past. But with the current twin turbo the performance gap between the M3 and the 335i is not as wide.
So I am quite content with my 335i with a sport package and a stick.
Color, equipment?
TM
1. It can build a legit 5-series fighter - Leave the 550i out of the picture for a moment, I would like to see a RL that can hang with the 535i in terms of acceleration, build-quality and handling.
2. It can build a legit 3-series fighter - Give the new TSX a 300hp V6 or at least the turbo-4, SH-AWD, 6-speed auto and manual trannies.
3. It can find some real wood trims to put in their damn cars!!!
Seriously, I don't think those are tall orders for Acura so if they can't even do that they should just forget about being a tier-1 luxury brand all together, much less of competing with the M/AMG/RS/F.
The people over at Best Car magazine have dreamed up a Nissan GT-R SUV and have started speculations that Nissan may be working on a possible Godzilla based crossover. The report says the SUV will be powered by the same 473hp engine and will be a 5-door hatchback targeted at the popular crossover market, mostly Porsche Cayenne buyers.
We doubt any of this is true but it’s fun to dream nonetheless. All we’re saying is that if Nissan could consider a four-door GT-R based Infiniti, why not a high-end Infiniti crossover.
http://www.egmcartech.com/2008/02/26/oh-lord-best-car-dreams-up-a-nissan-gt-r-su- v/
While the 2009 Acura RL just showed up on the map at the Chicago Auto Show, Best Car is already speculating on the next-generation RL.
The magazine says that Acura may be looking to offer a 4.5 liter V8 engine that produces in the excess of 400 horsepower. The next-generation RL is also rumored to have a new rear-wheel-drive architecture. Best Car speculates that the car will arrive in Japan in 2010 and believes it is what Acura needs to go head-to-head with Lexus.
Recently reported, Acura is working on a “huge shift” next year that will move the brand closer to tier 1 luxury brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. Next thing you know Acura will do its own M, AMG and F thing. Wonder what they’ll call it.
You have to walk before you can run. Acura needs to show that they can actually take on the 550i and the E550 before they start chasing the M5 and the E63.
No, they are not tall orders for Acura. If it adds any hope at all for Acura, let's not forget that it was Acura that built the NSX, and what it represented considering the year it was built. A near legendary car, IMO.
The problems at Honda/Acura have not been any lack of engineering. They excel in their engineering. Their problems, however, demonstrate a lack of top-notch design and a lack of smart management.
TagMan
True. But unfortunately that is history and nothing else.
The problems at Honda/Acura have not been any lack of engineering
It has everything to do with their engineering. IMO the greatness of Honda engineering is like the greatness of an Egytian Pharaohnic temple.In otherwords its all historic and nothing to do with current news.
Today Acura engineering doesn't hold a candle against other luxury marques . Great future changes at Acura is more talk than walk. What luxury marque does not boast about how great their future will be? Even Lincoln is boasting of great changes for their future.
And the same thing goes for Honda in general. The new Accord is less fuel efficient and slower than the older Accord. Talk about great engineering. :confuse:
Thank God there are Toyota and BMW engineers who know how to make new models that improves performance and fuel efficiency simulataneously.
The Civic is not more sporty than a Mazda3 nor is it more fuel efficient than a Corolla. In fact even the Honda Fit is not as fuel efficient as a Corolla. Their hybrids are a joke when compared to Toyota's hybrids. Honda boasts about how they are the most fuel efficient car company on earth. C'mon what a load of bunk! I read a European test drive of a Civic 2.2 diesel and it was more fuel inefficient than a Civic 1.8l gasser. A i4 turbo RDX is almost as ineffient as a V8.
Despite the above Honda will remain reputable for its engineering as Volvo remains reputable for its safety. Reputations tend to die a very slow death.
I am looking forward to the car, I know that you are as well with your car on its way. I hope that both of our cars deliver on expectations and offer us many years of driving delight. :shades:
Easy tiger!
Just 1.75 short years ago I got a smooth shifting, 6-sp, 243 (I think) horse v6 that gets an average of 28mpg and seats 4 adults comfortably on heated leather seats. For less than $25k. With great reliability stats. With great resale.
The current Accord does seem to be a porker, but if the Honda's diesel is all it's cracked up to be, you could be seeing mileage numbers that look better than any of the competition.
Pharaohnic would be more Oldsmobile. Honda right now is more like IBM in the early nineties, not putting it's best foot forward but still in the game with enough strength to get back to the top.
I maintain it's Honda/Acura management that is putting the wrong priorities in place and making the stupid decisions and compromises. Honda/Acura has great engineers with great ideas, but when managers don't implement them, you end up like Acura is today.
Hopefully they have seen the light. They recently had a press announcement that gave some hope that they actually realize their deficiencies and that they need to improve to be competitive. We'll see. But I'm not going to blame their engineering. I'm holding their executives accountable.
TagMan
TM
Also, if hooked up can I use my Treo?/PDA or do I have to use some special MB phone/adapter?
Finally, how is the sound quality? Thanks.
T
The CTS is a legitimate 3 series competitor, but that's about as far as Cadillac can manage to go. The rest of the Cadillac lineup is just kind of sad at this point. They do have the market on luxury pickup trucks locked up, though. I do agree with C&D that it's a better car with a better interior than the Merc C-class, though I don't think the Germans are "shaking in their boots" about either the CTS-V or the CTS coupe as C&D was crowing. How about you actually drive one before you pronounce it "M-killer" eh guys? Also hows that whole Cadillac thing working out in Europe again? I'm sure the Germans are cowering in fear about that. "Oh zee Americans have made a luxury coupe again after failing out of the entire market ten years ago. What ever will we do now, Hans?"
That definitely had a lot to do with it, but I think it was the '04 A8 that really put Audi on the map. I know some people really liked the old A8, but I always thought it was incredibly bland, both to look at and to drive. The new one though made the S-class look instantly obsolete, and crushed the 7 in terms of looks, interior design and materials, and technology with the MMI system that the critics didn't rip apart like the original 7 series iDrive system.
Acura can't shakeup the establishment with anything. The best Acura can seem to do is make reasonably competitive though somewhat flawed cars. That's not how you get a seat at the adult's table.
I think the Genesis makes the RL and the entire Acura brand look like a joke. It says, hey Acura, while you've been spending the last 22 years dawdling around, we beat you in one try. Here's the RL you wish you could make.
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/-fifth-gear-test-the-nissan-gt-r-ar53076.h- tml
I say no. What say you?
Regards,
OW
Did you ever consider the CTS??
Regards,
OW
I agree there is nothing to say that Honda cannot reclaim their reputation for good engineering and I wrote previously on how much I like older generations of Accords including your model.
My idea of great auto engineering is maximizing output (HP,performance) and minimizing inputs(fuel) simultaniously. Based on my notion of engineering Honda is not a great engineering company when their newest models are neither top performers nor tops in terms of fuel efficiency when compared to the competition.
My very first new car was a 88 Acura Integra. And after that I did consider buying various Accords, the CRX, the S2000 and the Insight. Without a doubt all these cars were great and were a reflection of how good Honda engineering was.
.
Also RWD does not hurt. Infiniti's G was taken more seriously when it had a RWD platform. Who the heck would take the Lexus LS seriously if it is based on a Camry platform like the RL is based on an Accord platform? Hyundai is wise enough to introduce the Genesis with a Rwd platform. Apparently Honda begs to differ on RWD platforms.
My very second new car was an '88 Acura Integra. Bright white. Great car, beautifully screwed together, handled great, powerful enough and dead reliable and practical. With neato pop up headlamps! Then I began a brief sales career and a series of bland, domestic salesperson-mobiles. Which were fine, no issues (except for the first, an Olds that started leaking gas profusely from the top of the tank!). Boring but functional Sable, then cooler but very noisy Dodge Intrepid...
My '05 TL is a fab car too. Handsome styling inside and out, fun, fast, good mpg and now with snow tires, no longer a scary snow driver! I may even take it up to Wildcat skiing in a couple of weeks (instead of the Evil Wife's AWD RX300)...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Now that Caddy has mastered the German's back yard, BMW and Merc better watch out. Escalade-V is coming to a town near you.
This is typical of GM..."Why I'm shocked everyone is looking for better mileage. Hold off on the new V-8's!!"
Here's a blip about GM killing future V-8 development and extension of V-8 Northstar news:
He (Tom Stephens, GM's group vice president for global powertrain and quality) also says that while it has been assumed the long-in-the-tooth Northstar V8 would be discontinued by around 2010-'11, "you'll have to wait and see," regarding the ultimate fate of the V8 that has been in production since being introduced in the '93 Allante roadster. The insinuation is clear: Keeping the old Northstar around longer than planned now may be an option for premium-car customers who still insist on seeing a V8 when they lift the hood.
But Stephens says GM already has observed a change in consumers' engine preferences: At the Cadillac division, 85 percent of buyers for the SRX crossover and STS luxury sedan are opting for the 3.6-liter DOHC V6 instead of the Northstar 4.6-liter V8. GM Chief Executive Rick Wagoner recently said buyers of Chevrolet's hot new Malibu midsize sedan also are opting more for the car's base four-cylinder engine than GM planners anticipated.
Regards,
OW
Hope the Evil W- - - - doesn't search your posts!!! You'll be banned from the internet!!
Regards,
OW
Premium (ZPP) - $1,750
Sport w/19″ tire package (ZSP) - $3,100
Cold Weather Package (ZCW) - $900
Rear Climate Package (ZRC) - $900
Premium Sound Package (ZPS) - $2,000
Active Ventilated Seat Package (ZAV) - $1,100
BMW X6 xDrive 35i - $52,500
Premium (ZPP) - $1,750
Sport w/19″ tire package (ZSP) - $3,600
Cold Weather Package (ZCW) - $900
Rear Climate Package (ZRC) - $900
Premium Sound Package (ZPS) - $2,000
Active Ventilated Seat Package (ZAV) - $2,100
Technology Package (ZTP) - $2,000
Options
Alcantara/Leather Combination - No cost
Nappa Leather - $1,000
Metallic Paint - No cost
Running Boards - $300
HD Radio - $350
Heated Rear Seats - $350
Rear-View Camera - $400
Heated Front Seats - $500
Automatic Tailgate - $500
Satellite Radio - $595
Soft Close Doors - $600
BMW Assist w/Bluetooth - $750
Sport package wheel upgrade (20″) - $950
Comfort Access - $1,000
Multi-contour Seats - $1,200
Heads-Up Display - $1,200
Active Steering - $1,400
Rear Seat Entertainment - $1,700
Navigation with RTTI - $1,900
Source: Autoblog
Looks like a loaded 35i will run me about $65k and 50i at over $70k. At that kind of prices I think I'll go which the Cayenne, yeah...
Regards,
OW
If you get the convertible I think you are making the right call on the color. I was considering black for mine but it just doesn't really fit a sporty cab in my mind. the 135 will look great in Red :shades:
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
I don't think there is a special "tweener" class for the CTS. It's a bit bigger than the Germans (though apparently the new A4 has grown quite a bit) and the IS, but it still competes with them just like the TL and the G35 do.
Why? Even my X5 is significantly--significantly--better than the Cayenne. Apparently, the X6 has brilliant dynamics, so regardless of what people think of its usefulness, at least it drives like a BMW.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
I hear you loud and clear! In fact, you won't believe this, but I just read that BMW isn't going to hold back the 135i convertible until late in the year as originally planned. Originally, it was only the 128i convertible that would be out this Spring, but that's apparently changed now. So... with the 135i convertible out in May, I'm considering changing my order to the 'vert. I already called the dealer, and they are checking on order dates. If I do this, I'll probably go with Crimson Red and beige interior, as that is a better color for a convertible than the black, which makes for a better coupe. Wow, what a pleasant surprise... should be a good car for the California weather. I'll keep you posted.
TagMan
My 88 Acura Integra was my first new car which I bought during my first job in a Dilbert-style office setting.
I have wonderful memories of my first car but certainly not of my first days in a office cubicle :sick:
TagMan