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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

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Comments

  • kominskykominsky Member Posts: 850
    HAHAHA! That Oscar thing took me a little while. I kept thinking of the one who lives in the trash can on Sesame Street, but couldn't come up with a Felix... :confuse:
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    I am very anal about keeping the interior clean, not so much about the exterior. Usually wash it every week or 2 and wax every 6 months.

    I am with kominsky, maintanence is more high up in my priority list than keeping the exterior clean.
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    I'm gone for a few hours, come back, and this has taken a whole new turn.
    I love this forum! LOL

    I drive the wife completely nuts when it comes to how meticulous I am.
    I won't allow her to eat in my car which she hates.
    The little perforated holes in her 06 MDX seats are filled with those microscopic beads which fall off of her english muffin sandwiches. That crap is never happening in my car.

    I wash and Z-6 at least once per week but it's usually at least 2 or more.
    My interior is absolutely spotless and I even have a rule where my daughter takes her shoes off before entering.
    I've even left the car in the garage and taken a ride into work with the crazy wife, just because it was raining and didn't want to dirty the car before getting to enjoy a sunny drive first.
    I know... I have issues.

    Worst was when I went into the garage to get something, and 2 1/2 hours later, the wife came looking for me.
    It was almost midnight and she found me covered in sweat (garage was hot) and in the middle of my second coat of wax.

    She feels like I'm having an affair and love the car more than her.
    I won't agree with her, but I don't argue the fact either.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Worst was when I went into the garage to get something, and 2 1/2 hours later, the wife came looking for me.

    I've done that! Can anyone advise where I can get help?? :blush:
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,499
    Having returned recently from a 7500 mile round-trip drive to Alaska in a 7 YO Lincoln LS with 120K miles on it, my put is (and always has been) that I prefer to use my car, as opposed to looking at it. Ideally, both are pleasant, but there's no contest if it comes to a choice. My car is a tool, not an end in itself. The drive is the deal, NOT the car.

    I change my fluids & filters at or below the recommended intervals & need the tires & shocks to be up to snuff. Beyond that, I'm pretty sloppy.

    I'd much rather have a conversation with someone up in Tok (AK) driving a bugged-up moderately-dented 3-series than the guy in the local supermarket parking lot who takes up three parking spaces & drives 8K a year, if that.

    Different strokes. . .
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • esfoadesfoad Member Posts: 210
    My interior is absolutely spotless and I even have a rule where my daughter takes her shoes off before entering.

    Just make sure it's fun for your daughter. They have a way of remembering bad times ;) after they grow up!
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Worst was when I went into the garage to get something, and 2 1/2 hours later, the wife came looking for me.

    As long as you're still wearing clothes it's not that bad.
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 4,686
    Are not mutually exclusive! One can do all three and enjoy each of them.

    I'm a fool for a pretty face. Cars and women, which is why I have no money and will retire in my 90s... I'm just happier road tripping on my new tires and freshly changed oil when the gloss of my Abyss Blue TL is blinding other drivers! :shades:

    "My TL finish is so bright I gotta wear shades!" Which is also why, "I wear my sunglasses at night!"

    '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...)

  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    That Oscar thing took me a little while.

    Heh, laurasdada is dating himself. And me as well, because I didn't think twice about he said, I just laughed out loud! :P
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    Just make sure it's fun for your daughter. They have a way of remembering bad times after they grow up!

    My daughter loves taking rides in my car.
    I should put some leather conditioner on the bottom of her socks.
    She loves putting her feet on the seat... hence the no shoe rule... so I could get some cleaning done at the same time. :P
  • goodegggoodegg Member Posts: 905
    I'm in your camp. You're supposed to wash your car? Why? Granted I garage my TL so that helps, but I just don't see the need to fuss with the cleanliness of a car when there are a hundred other things on my agenda to deal with that are either making me money, saving me time, or making life a little easier etc.

    I'd rather attend to the house and not a depreciating appliance.

    I don't think a cleaner car goes any faster or stops any better. Oil changes, tire rotated, filters changed, and when they hit about 50K miles they're gone. I'm a Soup [non-permissible content removed] with cars. You're in, then you're out. Next!

    Oh yea - replace the body side moldings too before selling/trading it.
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 4,686
    Luckily for Pete Townsend and I, his "hope" regarding getting old has yet to materialize. Ich bin eine Oldster!

    Oscar, Oscar, Oscar... Oscar lived in the town I grew up in. Always a nice sight to see him walking on Main St. Not sure what he drove though. Neil Sedaka drove a gold Rolls convertible. And oft wore a terry (velour?) warm up suit that matched. I could drop more names, but as goodegg (el segundo Oscar)noted, that wouldn't be making me money, saving me time, or making life a little easier etc. 'Cuz, "Out here in the field, I fight for my meal! I get my back into my Zaino!"

    '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...)

  • snakesndafieldsnakesndafield Member Posts: 4
    Thanks to all that post. I really milked my new car search this time around and lurking on these boards has been fun. Was replacing my 2002 Acura TL which had been a trusty and loyal steed. Drove all the cars discussed here and then some. Chicago, so it had to be front or all wheel drive and I'm sick of front wheel drive, so that ruled out Acura again. Would have gotten the G35, but I just couldn't pull the trigger on the one car on the market that doesn't make even the tiniest effort towards green efficiency. Everything about that car is engineered to go fast and nothing else. Other than that, I think it's the best ellps out there. Everything else was too small (I tend to put a coupla shorties in the back seat about twice a week) except maybe the A4, which I liked but it's dated and I didn't want to wait for the new one so that left me one option; a pre-owned luxury performace sedan. Got a great deal on an 2006 Audi A6, low miles, loaded s-line for $38.5k. I'm so happy with it that I'm retiring from car shopping for a while. Good luck and have fun.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    "Chicago, so it had to be front or all wheel drive..."

    A bizarre and controversial statement to say the very least. I lived in Chicago (both downtown and in the 'burbs) for thirteen years and can say with absolute confidence that there is absolutely no reason on earth why someone would need FWD or AWD to deal with the weather. Said another way, any decent RWD car on the roads these days will negotiate Chicago weather these days as well as (if not better) than your two self described options.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • esfoadesfoad Member Posts: 210
    "My daughter loves taking rides in my car.
    I should put some leather conditioner on the bottom of her socks.
    She loves putting her feet on the seat... hence the no shoe rule... so I could get some cleaning done at the same time."

    LOL!
  • bruceomegabruceomega Member Posts: 250
    Shipo,

    Regarding
    "any decent RWD car on the roads these days will negotiate Chicago weather these days as well as (if not better) than your two self described options"

    where the two options are FWD and AWD. Disregarding FWD, did you mean to say for a RWD with winter tires as compared to AWD with all-season tires?

    If you had identical tires on both the RWD and AWD, I would think RWD would not be as good for traction in snow or ice, although that doesn't mean RWD won't be able to do the job.

    Thanks
    Bruce
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Basically I meant that any late model RWD car (i.e. equipped with traction control) that isn't shod with summer rubber should be more than capable of handling Chicagoland roads in winter weather. The fact is that Chicago and its surrounding areas are faaa-lat, and don't need the extra traction afforded by AWD or even winter tires for that matter. That said, if I was to move back to Chicago and have a RWD car, I'd most certainly buy a set of winter rubber for it.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • bruceomegabruceomega Member Posts: 250
    Shipo,

    Thanks for the explanation. I was misreading your post.

    Bruce
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    I agree.
    I have family in Chicago and just got back from a road trip to go visit them.
    Your roads are all flat and straight, and the road names all make sense.
    All are numbered to let you know how far out your are (from Michigan Ave?).
    If I lived in Chicago, it'd be RWD for me as well.

    Living where I do in MA, I have a super steep driveway, live on top of Mt Everest, and drive 50 miles though horrible back roads which are plowed when the town feels like it.
    I also have to deal with the dreaded Mass Pike, which in itself is not a bad road, but it seems to attract the most stupid of drivers.
    For that reason, I opted for AWD.
    I see RWD cars getting stuck at red lights and stuff all the time.

    And yes, I also see 4WD SUVs in the woods and off the roads.
    People have to realize that it doesn't make you invincible and learn how to drive. :confuse:
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    I agree you need to use care with winter driving. So, with RWD, your chances are much better with real good snow tires.

    In the mountains, AWD would just be a notch up on capability.
    In Chicago, some of the snow events would likely favor AWD but I agree, it is not a have to have. In Buffalo, all bets are off! Nothing can help you in 2-3 feet of snow!

    Regards,
    OW
  • jkstew1jkstew1 Member Posts: 12
    What kind of gas mileage do you guys/gals get in city driving? What about highway driving? Has anyone used 89 octane in their vehicle?
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Using 89 octane fuel in a BMW is a fool's economy. The fact is that while the engine will run perfectly well, it will not yield as much power nor deliver as much fuel economy. Said another way, while each individual tank of fuel will cost less, you'll be filling up more often and spending more money as a result.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Does BMW require or recommend 91 octane?

    If it's required then they can void the powertrain warranty if they want to play hardball. If it's only recommended then like shipo said, it's still a fool's economy.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Per my manual:

    Fuel specifications

    The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.
    Required fuel:
    - Premium Unleaded Gasoline, min. 91 AKI
    - AKI = Anti Knock Index

    FWIW, I believe that I read elsewhere in the manual that lower grades were acceptable in an emergency, however, performance would suffer.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    I agree 100%.
    I've found this to also be true in my 06 Acura MDX.
    I have done nothing but 91 or higher in my 07 G35.

    The money saved at the pump by choosing a lower grade is only put in the tank later, when you run dry quicker, since the engine runs less efficiently.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,685
    I understand 100% the reasons for premium = better mileage, but does anyone have the numbers that show premium = 10% better mileage? That's about the increase needed to pay for it, right?
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    There was a study published some time ago that suggested that the reduction in mileage was more like 15%. That said, around here the difference in cost between Regular and Premium is more like 8%.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,685
    I wish 8%, here it's $2.95 vs. $2.65, so about 11%...
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Premium is about $0.20 more per gallon. 16 gallon tank, so you're paying $3.20 more per tank or maybe $160 extra per year. Seems like quite a bit until you realize you're paying about over 2k a year for gas ($3.00 a gallon). It's a drop in the bucket. If premium impacts your gas mileage even a little say +1 mpg, the cost is almost negligible.

    15000 miles / 23 mpg * $3.20 gallon = 2087
    15000 miles / 22 mpg * $3.00 gallon = 2045
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    The real question is what does 87 vs 93 do to you cars performance, when your car is tuned for 93.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    As I'm sure you well know (I suspect your question was rhetorical), burning 87 or 89 causes detonation (pinging) when the OBC sets the ignition timing at optimial settings. The detonation sensors report that fact back to the OBC which then retards the ignition timing, cutting fuel economy and performance in the name of protecting the engine from damage.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Right on shipo, question was rhetorical. Most modern cars designed to run on premium fuel have knock sensors. Most car manuals say regular unleaded fuel can be used "in a pinch". But I can't figure why one would buy a car that requires premium and then want to put in regular unleaded as a matter of course to save a couple of bucks a year.

    As you eloquently noted, performance and possibly mpg will suffer.
  • oldcemoldcem Member Posts: 309
    I'm assuming you have a BMW. Have you noticed fuel economy suffer if you run premium gas blended with 10% alcohol. I have a Jaguar, and, the blended stuff cuts my gas mileage by about 2 - 3 MPG. Just wondering.

    Regards:
    OldCEM
  • oldcemoldcem Member Posts: 309
    My car consistently gets 20 MPG in city driving, and, about 26 running the interstate. Its an AWD with a 5 speed automatic and a 3 liter engine.

    Regards:
    OldCEM
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Do you guys remember Sunoco 260? It was/is around 105 octane. We didn't use it for more mileage back then but to boost HP.

    I believe this is still produced. It's gotta cost big bucks now (15$/gal.) but I am sure it would benefit on track day.

    Regards,
    OW
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    That was before my time. cough, cough. Don't some Sunocos still have higher than 93 octane? I thought one of the stations along R9 did.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    I now recall it was called Cam2. There is a Sun Staion in Point Pleasant that sells it.

    Overview
    Sunoco 260 GT™ 100, which has the highest octane rating of any street legal fuel, is now available at selected retail locations.

    Sunoco 260 GT 100 is designed for high performance street cars, muscle cars, classics, street rods, motorcycles, karts and marine applications. Sunoco 260 GT 100 contains no metallic compounds to harm catalytic converters or oxygen sensors. It contains a comprehensive additive package for greater engine protection and reduced fuel system deposits. Sunoco 260 GT 100 is also compatible with virtually all two-stroke synthetic and mineral based motor oils.

    Sunoco 260 GT 100 Unleaded is available at selected locations throughout the
    U.S. In certain areas, Sunoco 260 GT 100 Unleaded is available under the CAM2 GTTM 100 label.

    I would NOT use this in my 330 or ina 335xi. I am near certain you would have warranty issue! (and you would go broke!)

    Regards,
    OW
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    The sad truth is that ethanol does not have the same number of calories per gallon as gasoline, and as such, your mileage will typically drop between three and eight percent when running on E10 as opposed to the same AKI rated fuel with no Ethanol. It doesn't matter whether you're talking about a Jaguar, a BMW or an old Dodge, they all suffer from in the same way due to the ethanol.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,499
    "Don't some Sunocos still have higher than 93 octane?"

    Could be, but so what, for those who actually leave the county they live in, or (OMG) the state. I'm going to posit that 93 octane availability is a very (very) local thing, and that one shouldn't depend upon it.

    I've fed my vehicle nothing but the highest-grade premium that's available in AZ (91, BTW) for its entire life. However, when I was going to (and in) Alaska recently, premium wasn't always available. Besides which, when you're above ~5000 ft you don't need it anyway.

    This is a Western thing. I realize that many (most?) who post here rarely get above 1000 feet above MSL, but out here it happens regularly.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 4,686
    Here in the Boston area, 93 is readily available. Finding 91 is difficult. I can get 91 at a local-ish Sunoco station, but usually the 93 is cheaper just down the road!

    '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...)

  • oldcemoldcem Member Posts: 309
    I remember it well. Used to feed it to my 69 Olds 442. On anything else the engine would ping.

    Regards:
    OldCEM
  • oldcemoldcem Member Posts: 309
    I ran across a Sunoco near Steubenville, Ohio, that had 94 Octane unleaded.

    Regards:
    OldCEM
  • jbourne1jbourne1 Member Posts: 4
    Hello, i was hoping someone could answer this question for myself and others. I have noticed that the "un-lock" portion of the button on the 2007 g35 is NOT illuminated but the "lock" portion of the same button is. Is this a defect or does infiniti not illuminate the un-lock portion of the button on the g35? Thank you in advance for the answer/s

    I apologize if i am posting in the wrong section.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    I had a rental A4 (FWD, 2.0T with CVT) for about a week and half, my impression of it is: blah.

    First of all, I don't like the way CVT shifts, turbo lag is horrible, the car is floaty and has a lot of body rolls. Steering is also on the light side, which makes it drives more like a Japanese midsizer than an entry luxury sedan. The power is adequate enough I guess but low end torque could use a lot of improvement. Audi could learn from BMW about how to reduce turbo lag. Generally speaking the driving dynamic is not what I expected from a German car, even in a FWD.

    I also don't see any of the "legendary Audi interior" in the A4. Material used although is not cheap but not among the leaders in its segment. MB, BMW and Lexus all utilized better materials in their own entry luxury sedans. However, the fit-and-finish is definitely among one of the best though. I believe the one I got has fake leather seats, they don't feel good when touched but is supportive and comfortable during long trips.

    I guess next time I'll test drive an A4 Quattro just to see if the experience will be different.
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    I have an 07 G35.

    My button is illuminated, but only on the front lock portion of the switch.
    The unlock portion is not illuminated.

    Wonder why that is. :confuse:
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    Well I saw the new CTS today. I still prefer the original. New one is alright, just a little more bubbleous our the sides, a little more rake to the roofline, and lots of stuff going on up front. Looks like the photos. I guess it is suppose to look more macho, or whatever. It is parked next to a stretch version of same called the STS '08. I would say the best look by far is the old CTS of the three, IMHO. The interior looked way finer in quality, from what I could see, as they had the doors locked. The exterior is silver, and a bit dull. I would think a red may look more sporty, or a black one more sexy. The front is a bit much. To me the roof-line, front and rear deck look somehow less in per portion to the overall shape than it did before. You know that feeling like something is just not flowing right. Maybe take away the back doors, which are shorter, and make it a coupe would work better? And like I said, maybe in red or some other color it is more exciting. When people speak of stunning, I usually equate that to seeing something like a Jaguar sedan for the very first time. Heck, in this case I would say a twenty year old Jag is more stunning.
    Loren
  • readerreaderreaderreader Member Posts: 253
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  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Is it me or the steering wheel looks big? The interior, especially the dash looks awesome though. Overall the car looks pretty good, if the Caddy designers toned down the massive grille just a little it can look much better. Still have to sit in the cabin and actually touch the interior before giving it my final judgment.
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