Luxury Lounge

1…249250252254255…428

Comments

  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Anyone else looking forward to a Lexus version of the Prius?

    Since primary focus of a Lexus hybrid would be comfortable fuel efficiency, and NOT on ANY type of performance or handling characteristics, my answer is YES, MAYBE... But quite frankly, I have a more serious interest in a commuter hybrid car from Honda coming in a little over a year called the CR-Z. It WILL go into production and should be avail. within 1 - 2 years. I have reserved the first one!!... just in case it's actually worth buying.

    The advantage the Lexus/Prius would likely have would be rear passenger room and cargo space. The sportiness trophy would probably go to the CR-Z.

    Additionally, there is a larger hybrid sport coupe from Toyoa called the FT-HS, that might make an appearance, but it is too early to know for sure. I don't know if it would interest me or not at this point.

    This is the Toyota FT-HS concept:

    image

    THESE CONCEPT PICS ARE THE UPCOMING HONDA CR-Z:

    image

    image

    image

    TM :)
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Anyone else looking forward to a Lexus version of the Prius?

    Expect to see ~60 mpg with LI batteries.

    I personally wouldn't get one but will recommend it to anyone who is looking for a highly fuel efficient car with lots of luxury touches.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    This is what I would reserve if I had the nerve:

    image

    Regards,
    OW
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Photochopped.

    That picture was posted before here and I remember I provided a link to the original picture of that hangar.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Anyone else looking forward to a Lexus version of the Prius?

    It will be interesting to see what happens with that. I am concerned that just as the Germans are finally able to say "we've got diesels, come and get em!", diesel will be $5.00 a gallon and it wont even matter anymore.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    diesel will be $5.00 a gallon and it wont even matter anymore

    Diesel is already over $5 per gallon here in So Cal:

    http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/.eea7b03
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Diesel is already over $5 per gallon here in So Cal:

    Yikes! I wonder how the difference will work out with the bigger diesels that we're slated to get. The A6 3.2 and A6 3.0TDI cost the same and have identical performance. Converted to US gallons, the gas engine is rated at 21 city vs. 27 city for the diesel. That's 20 cents a mile for gas, vs. 19 cents a mile for diesel. That's not good, especially considering that a US emissions certified A6 3.0TDI is likely to cost more than the 3.2.
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    I am looking forward to exactly that, or the Honda that Tagman recently mentioned , or anything else that resembles the above....Scott I think I remember you from way back? Maybe the San Francisco area? long time back Tony
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    It looks like BMW is going to build an M1 afterall.

    link title

    image
    image
    image
    image

    Should be very interesting to see what they REALLY do!

    TM
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    That is one slick ride. I know the white one was a fix but it looked great. This is one car that would be be hard to ignore if one were in the market for nirvana.

    Although the CS concept struck me the same as well.

    Hope it comes close to this.

    Regards,
    OW
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Funny you mention the Accord. It has gotten so massive and bloated that it is now slightly larger than the Jaguar XF, which is the largest sedan in the midsize luxe class. It has essentially jumped to the Avalon class in one generation. I want the trim Hondas back; the Mazda6 and Nissan Altima are both looking far, far better.

    I agree about Nissan, although more about Mazda. I would definitely buy one over any other entry-level car at this point. Great crossovers, great sedans, great sports cars, great interiors, great styling, great prices; what more could you want?

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    That is one slick ride. I know the white one was a fix but it looked great. This is one car that would be be hard to ignore if one were in the market for nirvana.

    Although the CS concept struck me the same as well.

    Hope it comes close to this.

    Yeah, I know that you knew that white one was a digital creation because we all had that conversation in the past. And... yeah it looked great, you are right.

    But man, the M1 concept is indeed nirvana. And, I must admit I was also struck by the CS concept as well. IIRC, Dewey was also quite taken by it at the time it was first unveiled.

    Here'a pic of the CS to remind ourselves...
    image

    TM
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Well, last night I tried to find out by going to the BMW dealer to test drive whatever I was in the mood for. The two Bimmers I'm seriously considering are the 535xiT and the 335xi sedan. No dice--it closes early on Fridays. Instead, I just walked around the lot. There were some beauties--black M3 sedan, an X6, a bunch of 1 Series, dark blue M3 coupe, etc.

    If you're interested in the E90 (as I am) wait until the 2009 model is introduced. It will get a minor refresh, including a new bumper, better taillamps, probably a slightly nicer interior, maybe a new iDrive and even a possible 335d.

    Today I thought of yet another reason to jump ship from Audi to BMW: free maintenance. My S4's top miraculously wouldn't go up (it was sunny, but at one point it was overcast and I thought it would rain) and the A3's air conditioning is disfunctional. Thankfully I have free maintenance on both, but from '07 on they stopped offering it.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    The only thing keeping Audi from being looked at with the same ill regard as Acura is the Quattro hype.

    So, it has nothing to do with their superior engines, interiors, styling, upscale offerings and performance variants? Hm.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    I'm talking about the U.S. market. And no, MB isn't threatened by Audi's U.S. sales. Probably not globally, either.

    Hahaha! I'm laughing right now! You must be kidding. Audi is growing about twice as quickly as MB on a worldwide scale. It has the Asian market on its side and owns the UK, very close to MB/BMW in Europe as a whole. I saw nothing but Audi A3s and A6s in Beunos Aires, with M-B in a distant second.

    If you don't think Mercedes-Benz is threatened by Audi on a global scale, you're delusional. Audi is on track (really) to sell over a million this year. That puts it squarely in Dieter Zetsche's rearview mirror. Not to mention, Volkswagen and Porsche are out to take over the world.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Let's compare prices:

    BMW / Audi (RMB)
    523Li Luxury / A6L 2.4 Comfort: 472,600 / 468,800
    525Li Prestige / A6L 2.8FSI Highlight: 563,600 / 606,800
    530Li Vantage / A6L 3.2FSI Luxury: 646,600 / 655,700

    I don't really know how each model line is equipped but those are generally equals. Granted, the most expensive 530Li is 712,000 but the most expensive A6 (4.2) is 835,300. So that argument is invalid, have a nice day.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    ....chills!! No thinking involved!

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    ...and the interior...

    image

    Regards,
    OW
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    I would definitely buy one over any other entry-level car at this point. Great crossovers, great sedans, great sports cars, great interiors, great styling, great prices; what more could you want?

    The only Mazda that doesn't seem to work very well (apart from the ancient Ford rebadges they are still stuck with) is the CX-7. Mazda's turbo four is fine in the MS3 and MS6, but like the RDX, when put in an SUV its a gas guzzler and slow at the same time. Not a good combo.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    My S4's top miraculously wouldn't go up (it was sunny, but at one point it was overcast and I thought it would rain) and the A3's air conditioning is disfunctional. Thankfully I have free maintenance on both, but from '07 on they stopped offering it.

    Er, shouldn't that stuff be covered under the standard warranty? I didn't think convertible tops and HVAC systems were considered "maintenance items". Jag always covered that stuff for me without BMW style free maintenance, they just don't cover wiper blades, brake pads, etc that BMW does.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Interesting, but no surprise at all that the 1-Series will now expand into a small SUV. Expect the X1 within just a couple of years.

    D-O-W-N-S-I-Z-I-N-G

    TM
  • atlas7atlas7 Member Posts: 126
    Today I thought of yet another reason to jump ship from Audi to BMW: free maintenance ;)

    of course,"free maintenance" ;)LOL...If you call pre paying for your maintenance when you buy your car....free maintenance....I have a bridge I would like to sell you.
  • bmlexusbmlexus Member Posts: 755
    Hahaha! I'm laughing right now! You must be kidding. Audi is growing about twice as quickly as MB on a worldwide scale

    Also growing quickly against bmw isn't it?

    If you don't think Mercedes-Benz is threatened by Audi on a global scale, you're delusional. Audi is on track (really) to sell over a million this year

    BMW is the market leader don't you think bmw is also threatened by audi?

    Not to mention, Volkswagen and Porsche are out to take over the world.

    I agree volks group is a threat to all the luxury brands its a significantly powerful group . volks porsche audi lambo bentley bugatti :surprise:
  • bmlexusbmlexus Member Posts: 755
    I did post before but no replys well lets try again

    Traded in the mdx yet?So which suv are you going to pick, perhaps the x5 which I remember you mentioned before?
  • bmlexusbmlexus Member Posts: 755
    I just walked around the lot. There were some beauties--black M3 sedan, an X6, a bunch of 1 Series, dark blue M3 coupe, etc.

    Finally some1 here thinks that X6 is a beauty.

    I dont know why people hate the X6 yes I know its not every1s choice not much cargo less head room is the back.

    IMO the styling is amazing I felt the back lights are similar to the LS460.

    How would you compare it to the x5 which you own?

    thanks.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    I did post before but no replys well lets try again

    Ooops... Sorry 'bout that! I usually try to make an effort to reply to you when I get the chance.

    Traded in the mdx yet?So which suv are you going to pick, perhaps the x5 which I remember you mentioned before?

    Nothing yet, because my perspective is shifting. I am now reconsidering the size and fuel-efficiency of all of my family's vehicles.

    The MDX is running great, and can last a little longer without issues, hopefully. It needs a good detail, and I might actually decide to keep it as a back up vehicle for those times when we need a 7-passenger SUV. I'd prefer to see my wife drive a more fuel-efficient vehicle since she puts on a fair amount of miles, and then she could only use the MDX as needed.

    We'll see what comes out for '09.

    I'm not ruling diesel out because I believe the price of diesel fuel will eventually stabilize, and I also see that in spite of it's higher pump price, the math still clearly shows that diesel is more economical. But the hybrid alternative has a greater appeal to me now than it did before. So... we'll just have to wait and see.

    TM
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Hi all,

    I have been browsing through this Pininfarina link

    link title
    link title
    link title

    You might wish to have a particular look to the Ferrari California
    (Its name is Ferrari California as the cult model of the fifties. It is the latest Ferrari designed by Pininfarina and it will be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October.)

    image

    or the novissimo Pininfarina Synthesis.

    Enjoy!

    Regards,
    Jose
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Hola Jose

    All very interesting....They have always seemed to have a majic touch with their designs....A person may not care for a certain part, but overall slick.....There is just something wrong with fuel costing four dollars---I guess we haven`t gotten use to higher prices---so I look forward to an upscale hybred, but it will have to be nice...Times are changing over here in the U S, and I think it is time to change...Tony
  • andrew2800andrew2800 Member Posts: 1
    hi guys im new
  • bmlexusbmlexus Member Posts: 755
    Hello how are you looking at getting a car. what car do you own?

    Hope u have fun in this forum.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Jose,
    I have been following the progress of the Ferrari California quite a bit recently... lots of pics and info is now flooding out about the car.

    I realize that I really can't and won't consider any Ferrari at this point in my life, but I sure like dreaming about what it would be like.

    It's a gorgeous vehicle.

    It amazes me how after so many beautiful cars, that there can be another home run without piggybacking on a previous design too much. The Ferrari California is unique and sexy.

    TM
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Welcome.....What type of cars catches your fancy? Tony
  • reality2reality2 Member Posts: 303
    Actually very interesting points. Of course you are referring to the modern day Audi. However, if you look back far enough to the turn of the 19th century (the start of the automobile revolution), Horch/Audi were already innovating. Historcially, August Horch (the founder of Audi and the Horch) worked for Benz & Cie (Mercedes-Benz today) as the manager of its motor vehicle development department before setting up his own car company in 1899. Horch was the first to introduce in 1900 the four-speed gearbox with a shaft rather than a chain to drive the rear axles. Even more interesting, Horch designed the first automobile wtih the engine in the FRONT of the car (Wow! What a concept for the masses), a concept for which Horch fought in vain while working for Benz. I will not go on and on, but Audi has been innovating for over a 100 years. It is that majority of American enthusiasts lack the historical knowledge of the Audi brand and assumption that MB and BMW somehow invented it all. I admit the PR machines of BMW and MB are impressive. Another interesting fact is Audi was the first to move the steering wheel to the left side of the car for safety reasons on German roads. Now, where is your steering wheel? And lastly, another interesting fact is that Daimler, the inventor of the first automobile, actually commissioned NSU at Neckarsulm to build what was in effect the very first production car. Just ten were made, using the expertise NSU had built up in making German bicycles. We all know NSU went under Audi control eventually.

    There is more, but that requires a book's worth. I could say more, but fanboy bias is difficult to change. However, if you are a true automobile enthusiast then you can appreciate the historical facts.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Let's compare prices:

    That's not what I meant.

    Apparently you don't understand why Audi enjoys better sales in China than both BMW and MB.

    Granted, the most expensive 530Li is 712,000 but the most expensive A6 (4.2) is 835,300. So that argument is invalid

    So you are comparing a V6 to a V8, okay... whatever floats your boat I guess.

    Even comparing the price, BMW clearly charges more than Audi in China, nevertheless MB:

    320i luxury: RMB 391,000
    325i luxury sport: RMB 481,000
    330i luxury sport: 599,800
    523Li luxury: RMB 521,600
    525Li luxury: RMB 625,600
    530Li luxury: RMB 712,000
    740Li: RMB 1,252,000
    750Li: RMB 1,556,000
    760Li: RMB 1,996,500
    BMW China

    A4 1.8T luxury: RMB 321,500
    A4 2.0 TFSI luxury: RMB 343,400
    China Audi A4 price
    A6L 2.4 luxury: RMB 526,100
    A6L 2.8 FSI luxury: RMB 606,800
    A6L 3.2 FSI Quattro luxury: RMB 655,700
    China Audi A6 price
    A8L 4.2 FSI Quattro prestige: RMB 1,424,000
    A8L 6.0 W12 Quattro prestige flagship: RMB 1,988,000
    China Audi A8 price
  • tayl0rdtayl0rd Member Posts: 1,926
    ... That puts it squarely in Dieter Zetsche's rearview mirror. ...

    Precisely. You said it best. And do you think Acura/Honda has poorly conceived and poorly put together interiors? :confuse: Hows about you guys get off my back?? I have no ax to grind with Audi. I very nearly bought an A6 4.2 S-Line when the new body style first came out!
  • tayl0rdtayl0rd Member Posts: 1,926
    Would be cool if they use Chuck Yeager as the spokesperson!
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Hows about you guys get off my back?? I have no ax to grind with Audi.

    Haven't you learned? Saying anything bad about Audi (and BMW...) is a big no no here.

    ;)
  • tayl0rdtayl0rd Member Posts: 1,926
    Duly noted. Thanks for the tip!
  • dhamiltondhamilton Member Posts: 878
    in here. Just hold your mud, and be passionate about what you like. Be willing to defend your POV. That's what makes it fun in here IMO. And BTW, welcome

    On another note, I just got back from a week in Mexico with the wife. Wow, how relaxing that is. I would highly recommend the place that we stayed. 5 star food, and accomidations.

    How's the 1 series holding up Tag? We just got 2 in as God intended [stick shift] they will probably sit for a while, but goodness what a fun car to drive.

    I will be ordering the wife a 5 series very soon, to hit around her birthday in August. I'm next in line for a new car, and the 335 is it fa sheezy.

    I remember a conversation about cameras about a year ago, I just picked up a Nikon D80, and I'm loving it. Anyone have any comments on that specific unit? I think LG was/is the resident gadget expert.

    Best wishes to all current and past members.............Dan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    How's the 1 series holding up Tag? We just got 2 in as God intended [stick shift] they will probably sit for a while, but goodness what a fun car to drive.

    Terrific, Thanks!
    The Convertible finally started its long journey, and in about a month's time I expect to have it. In the meantime I have been keeping the accumulation of miles on the Coupe to a bare minimum.

    I've been driving the Porsche a lot lately. But even with that, the wait for that 135i Convertible is absolute torture.

    Yeah... I need to get LG's take on cameras real soon. I'm thinking of two actually. One that's tiny and can go in my pocket, and another one that's a quality DSLR.

    A 5-Series? Very nice. No 335d?

    TM
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,208
    The quite lovely MB that I had posted some time back has had a nice price reduction! It peaked at $680,000 but now can be had at the "car or home on Lake Winnipesaukee" price of only $598,000! Tough times indeed...

    image

    '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...)

  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,208
    image

    Blueguydotcom, I think this might be what you're so desperately searching for, wherever you are...

    '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...)

  • reality2reality2 Member Posts: 303
    That is not true. However, to make baseless negative comments against Audi requires a form of rebutal. Comments such as Audi does not build quality cars is just nothing more than a bias opinion. So, yes it has to be answered. I really think this is an American left over bias that still plagues Audi here in certain circles. However, true automotive intelligensia knows much better and considers Audi as one of the best and leading in many areas. Motor Sports is one of them - the true measure of a marquee's technological and developmental prowess. Anyone can slap leather into a car and call it luxury, but winning consistently on race tracks for more than 100 years says it all. :shades:
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Er, shouldn't that stuff be covered under the standard warranty? I didn't think convertible tops and HVAC systems were considered "maintenance items". Jag always covered that stuff for me without BMW style free maintenance, they just don't cover wiper blades, brake pads, etc that BMW does.

    Yes, but I kind of forgot in that post. ;) So, not only do the BMWs have a warranty (LOL), but they also have free maintenance.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Eh, the only one that is significantly more expensive than its Audi competition is the 7 Series vs. A8, so it doesn't make much of a difference to me.

    That said, my options are still open. The RS5 Cabriolet might woo me when the time has come to trade the S4.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    The X6 is much more rakish, more stylish, more unique... What you would expect. It's also significantly quicker, significantly more expensive and significantly less useful.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    Fantastic post--I knew some of what you said, but you bring up some great stuff... Thanks for sharing. Do you mind if I rip it off on other websites every once in a while? :)

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    VW's involvement with the Chinese government? Let's not go there.

    '08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
  • tayl0rdtayl0rd Member Posts: 1,926
    ... Comments such as Audi does not build quality cars is just nothing more than a bias opinion. So, yes it has to be answered. I really think this is an American left over bias that still plagues Audi here in certain circles. ...

    Would be nice if the Euro-zealots would remember that sentiment when referencing American cars as well... :sick:
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    General Motors plans to close 4 North American truck, SUV plants, reviews Hummer's future

    link title

    Looks like market share changes will follow accordingly. Pace of change accelerating!

    Regards,
    OW
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.