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Ahhh... it's German music to my ears.
TagMan
A trio doing a Lederhosen Polka.
My cat gets my old Wall Street Journals. But she doesn't use them for reading
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=121511?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..1.*
Looks like a super car to me.
Jose
Would also be nice to replace that "locomotive cow-catcher" grill
In previous years, Lexus and BMW haven't done amazingly well in the head restraint tests. It's good to see that a lot more companies are starting to take this issue seriously, though. Not too long ago, the only car makers that consistently earned "good" scores were Volvo, Saab, and Subaru, with most other cars receiving only marginal or poor scores.
Funny that CR's "review" of the MDX interior in its July 2007 issue described it as "wood trim".
A real blow to CR's credibility! LOL!!
Eh... I don't know about that. There were a lot of complaints about the awful fake wood in the old TL, nothing was ever done about it. I can't think of any model in its history where Acura replaced fake wood with real wood when a car is refreshed, and the MDX isn't even due for that for several more years. Acura is not big on making changes during a model cycle. The TL got a 3-spoke steering wheel to replace the old 4-spoke. Other than that...
I'd say the chances of the 2008 MDX getting real wood trim are somewhere between nil and zilch.
Just look at the MB Corporate spin below and see how in this press release they evade any mention of the fact that their June sales were lower.
MONTVALE, N.J., July 3, 2007 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported sales of 19,589 new vehicles for June 2007, bringing the total for the first half of the year to 118,240 units, a 2.9 percent increase over the first half of last year, marking the best first-half sales in the company's history.
Highlights for the month include a 12.4 percent increase (4,776 vs. 4,250 units) in sales for the company's volume-leading C-Class. The retail launch of the all-new 2008 C-Class is scheduled for early August. The high-end luxury CL-Class coupe also recorded impressive gains with a 322.2 percent (266 vs. 63 units) jump in sales compared to June of last year. Other highlights for the month include a 24.9 percent increase for the CLK-Class coupes and cabriolets (1,170 vs. 937 units).
Compared to the first-half of 2006, the same period this year marked increases across the Mercedes-Benz portfolio, from the gateway to the brand - the C-Class - which recorded a 20.9 percent gain (27,328 vs. 22,596 units), to the highly acclaimed E-Class which rose 7.4 percent (22,246 vs. 20,720 units). Mercedes-Benz's light truck offerings posted a year-to-date increase of 15.6 percent, from 29,540 SUVs sold in the first six months of 2006 to 34,154 SUVs sold in the same period 2007.
Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program, MBUSA marked an 11 percent increase for June sales with 4,703 vehicles sold, bringing year-to-date sales to a total of 26,058 units, an increase of 13.8 percent over the same period in 2006.
Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. In 2006, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 248,080 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 13 consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com.
link title
You've got to hand it to M-B as a "volume" luxury car maker for being willing to develop and produce a car that sells 266 a month. An IS350 6MT wouldn't have great sales, but I'd bet they would sell more than 266 a month.
During the four-hour traffic operation, 275 citations were issued, according to sheriff's deputies.
"Unless Uncle Sam hops in your car and puts his foot on your gas pedal and makes you speed, we are not entrapping anybody," Orange County traffic division Officer Ken Wynne said.
Speeding tickets handed out by Uncle Sam start at $80 and increase with each mile per hour over the speed limit, Orange County sheriff's deputies said.
Local 6 News did not reveal Uncle Sam's whereabouts, urging motorists to drive carefully wherever they are.
Later during the week of Fourth of July, Uncle Sam will be on the lookout for red-light runners and aggressive drivers in Orange County.
In the past, deputies have dressed up as elves near Christmas, the Grinch at New Year's and a leprechaun around St. Patrick's Day.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
For 2008, not a chance. I wouldn't expect any interior or exterior changes before the mid-cycle refresh, and even then, it would be way out of character for them to do much. While the CL Type-S got a metallic trim option (not sure if it was real) in its final year to replace the aforementioned horrendous black plastic wood, I think it was more of a "special edition" type "say goodbye to the CL" thing, as opposed to Acura responding to criticism, as I'm pretty sure the '03 TL Type-S didn't get the same option.
Does that mean they are going to stick you with an $80 fine for 1mph over the limit? Pennsylvania is not the greatest state to speed in, but at least here the cops generally give you at least a 10-over "grace zone" (usually closer to 15-over) before they go after you.
This place is out in the country and the back road I was on was practically deserted. I busted around a corner in my trusty RL doing all of 35 mph and came eye to eye with a state trooper with his radar gun on me. He flagged me down, came up and said he had me at a steady 35 and the speed limit is 25.
I just grinned and said yes, that is about right. He grinned back and said if I had argued he would be writing me a ticket. He just said to pay more attention and slow down and have a safe 4th of July. My lucky day. The ribs were great too. Fireworks displays and watermelon tomorrow. Only in America! Everyone be safe. :shades:
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
The only speeding ticket I ever got in Florida was on the way to Universal Studios as a tourist in a rental car back in 1995, near Orlando on a deserted country road with a speed limit sign hidden somewhere by bushes!!!
I had to wait in a long, long line 'til I was finally processed along with the other hapless fools. Those troopers should have been ashamed of themselves. I wasn't going more than 30 mph!
Fortunately, nothing like that in Tampa. If I can't get a speeding ticket here, they just don't give them out! :shades:
Yup. Whenever I go near Disney, I am super cautious! :surprise:
The question for me becomes, what if I drive the MDX, 535 and 335 next year and love all three?
After the crash test results, I think I will pass on driving the X3.
Bride goes first. She decides small, I'll go mid-size or vice-versa.
With that in mind, and taking the Tundra in for a recall on the 'Savannah Highway Automile' we decided to take a first look at some cars. & we were just sitting in them/trying them on v/test driving-hoping to disqualify some. Test drives will begin in the fall.
First stop was BMW (route convenience, not preference). The Bride takes a shine to the 335i sedan. Doesn't like the coupe or convertible looks & I have to agree. The sedan looks the best in my eyes. She comments that the interior is a little plain/barren, was hoping for more 'gizmos', but that it looks better w/black leather (agree there).
I spend more time sitting in the 535i sedan. First immediate impression was the best steering wheel I've ever touched. Can't say enough about it, it was spot on. While the rest of the interior was what I would call minimalist, it was clearly high quality & it was obvious that this was a driver's car. If the Bride goes small, I'm thinking this will suit me well.
We go to Audi & sit in the A4. Interior was disappointing. Not much of a step up from a 93 Civic we're going to dump. Sit in the A6. Wow! Fantastic. Makes the belief the BMW's interior was 'okay' more true. Everything seemed just right, but I did wish the car had the BMW's steering wheel! Biggest difference was that the 535's back seat was way more comfortable than the A6's, by a long shot. Exterior styling I give a slight nudge to BMW v Audi (reverse was true from web & mag shots).
THEN, the salesman sits me in the A8L. I remember reading a post that someone said it was a quantum leap in lux v the A6, & that is true! It was a pleasure to sit in & didn't even make me pang to much for the BMW's steering wheel. I really wish I had not sat in it, because it'll put me in a pickle.
Assuming the Bride opts for the 335i, the A6 would serve me well, but I can't get the 8 out of my mind. It would stetch me past my 'flexible' spending limit, but not by much.
Decisions! (Sorry for the long post-but it is exciting to check out new cars).
Test drives next-can't wait!
But the S is their flag ship and it seemed that they were selling well????
Model June '07 June '06 Monthly % YTD 2007 YTD 2006 Yearly %
C-CLASS 4,776 4,250 12.4% 27,328 22,596 20.9%
E-CLASS 3,686 4,213 -12.5% 22,246 20,720 7.4%
S-CLASS 1,701 2,407 -29.3% 12,549 15,584 -19.5%
CL-CLASS 266 63 322.2% 1,699 329 416.4%
SL-CLASS 594 866 -31.4% 3,367 4,875 -30.9%
CLK-CLASS 1,170 937 24.9% 8,208 9,854 -16.7%
SLK-CLASS 968 1,068 -9.4% 4,614 5,939 -22.3%
The A8 has been around since '04, and isn't all that different now than it was at launch. Considered a CPO?
Just curious, are you guys newlyweds? I don't think I've ever referred to my wife as "the Bride" usually just "the wife" or "wife" when I don't use her name. "The Bride" makes me think of Kill Bill.
I've got a personal, I don't know, Seinfeld-ism re used cars. I just can't put it out of my head what someone else may have done in there.
It's hard to explain. It was what I call a 'larger grin factor' sitting in the seat of the 8 vs the 6. I will test drive both to be sure. Mayhaps the 6 provides more fun v the better driver's seat feel of the 8?
I'm more concerned about a clean maintenance record and title. The CPO thing is pretty great though, especially with high depreciation cars. You avoid the enormous hit in the first 2-3 years, and engines aren't really at their best until they have at least 10K miles or so on them anyway, and you get a warranty longer than it would've been new.
The A8 is pretty superb inside. Not as ultra-modern as the S-class, but the materials are first rate. On the other hand, an A6 4.2 S-line will be faster and will handle better. The 5 and E don't really do anything for me, but I like the A6. If I were going to buy in that segment, it would be a choice between the A6 4.2 and the M45.
I would go with "someone's" original instinct of getting the BMW 5 Series, the best vehicle in its class and simply put, one of the best vehicles on the planet.
Settling for the closest pretender to the BMW throne, the Infiniti M45,"someone" will kick himself, just in the quantum fall in prestige alone; unable to sleep, knowing that "someone" was sooo close to stepping up to an incomparable BMW vehicle. And that migraine headache probably results from the horrendously poor mileage the M45 gets. The 5 Series gets terrific mileage, the best in its class.
You can always visit the Audi dealer anytime you want and sit in the floor model A8 until the urge goes away.
The first model year June sales of the S Class was 2,407 compared to first model year LS460 sales of 2,631. Last year LS sales were close to only 1,000.
Also the LWB S Class is significantly more expensive than the average price of LS460 (majority of them are SWB models).
Well at least one CL Class sale is worth many times more than athan a more humble IS250 6MT sale.
High end limited volume luxury cars like the CL are the most desirable cars to own because it is very unlikely that the Joneses next door owns one. Assuming that status is important for a CL buyer( show me a CL class buyer who claims that status is not important and I will show you a liar).
My overdue debts to the Orange Country Traffic Enforcement Bureau would be sky high if was driving a BMW 545i instead.
You would think they would defer the immediate gratification of speed trap income for the longer term and greater monetary reward of making tourists feel welcome so they might come back and spend more money.
After that $180 they got from me, I never came back. I'm sure some of the other folks lined up with me, felt the same and never returned.
Final decision will obviously happen after the test drives. At this stage, we were just 'trying them on.' The A4 was the only one we ruled out from this.
If she decides on the 335i, having 2 different makes may be nice. If I fall for the 535i anyway, maybe there's a deal to be had for buying 2 the same day? It's going to be a fun process & am looking forward to it.
Just remember, when comparing segments: the BMW will get the best mpg as well as the most satisfying ride and highest status.
We BMW types have learned to ignore the rather stark, though unmistakenly upscale interiors. My wife insists that the dark, shiny wood in my 545i has to be plastic! So when I tell her "that's it for BMW around here!" she always says, "NO! NO!" I spoiled her rotten! Heh! Heh! :shades:
I agree though-sitting in that A8 sure did show me what I am missing in a BMW!
I do feel your pain: having to choose between a 335i and 535i. Man, nothing short of a Porsche will handle like the 335i. Settling for a bit less dynamic performance in exchange for a bit more interior room, a bigger trunk and 20 way adjustable comfort seats (which I swear by!) makes my decision of choosing the 5 Series over the 3 Series totally not regrettable.
So, it comes down to the best handling 335i vs the more comfortable and practical 535i.
Needless to say, please let us know which vehicle you choose.(Yes, even if it's an Audi!)
Selling onlly a LWB model of an S Class may turn off buyers who want a value SWB model.
MB does not want to give special lease deals on the new S Class because that may dillute their exclusivity. Better to make profits on fewer sales of more expensive S Class cars than earning the same profits on higher sales of incentivized S Class cars.
Even the hottest cars drop in sales numbers after introduction. Unless ofcourse they are incentivized like Toyota Prisuses are today. And that is not what MB wants to do with a relatively new S Class.
MB expects increased future sales volumes with a new SWB S450. They're not worried at this rate because there will be new versions of the S Class down the road (, S450, S320 diesel, Cabrio models)
And I didn't tell you this was going to happen last year, either.
I did not.
No.
DrFill
Prius' are selling for sticker, at any dealer worth a darn.
No lease specials (in my area), no rate, no rebate.
Toyota reduced the price of some option packages earlier this year. That's all.
S-Class may need incentives, but Prius doesn't.
DrFill
Says you. Maybe I'm the odd man out, but I'd rather have the M45. The 5 may be cheaper at the pump, but I'd also have to look at it, and thats more painful. The M looks much better, both outside and (with certain trim combinations) inside, and the electronics are WAY better. If I cared about prestige, I'd be driving a SL instead of a Jag, and it would probably be at the dealer getting fixed. Again. :shades:
Well done!
Once I'm stung by something I consider unfair, I'm done for life with the relevant party.
I'm confident that nearly all of today's retailers couldn't care less.
Loyalty is an obsolete concept in today's market.
It does seem to me though that at this point in its product cycle, the S isn't selling at a much higher rate than it did at the same point with the previous generation. Maybe this means that the buying public still doesn't trust MB reliability. Perceptions can take a long time to change.
OK I concede defeat regarding the Prius.
Other then that my infallability remains intact.
No official confirmation yet but based on past variations of the S Class there is a good likelihood that we will be seeing one with a smaller engine or at least hopefully a diesel engine.
That may be your perception but not the perception of new S Class owners who had submitted survey results to JD Powers and Strategic Vision.
I thought the month of June 07 vs June 06 was measuring new gen vs old gen.