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High End Luxury Cars

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Comments

  • blkhemiblkhemi Member Posts: 1,717
    Ok, that's a better look.

    It appears that the overhang apparent, but not overly longish like most Audi/VW product.

    It may appear better in person, altho the new '08 A4 has that BMW-like sleekness up front now.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Noticed these shots up over at C&D. Good looking car.

    Yeah, it is good looking. I noticed it's popping up all over the internet. As for my personal preference... where's the convertible? ;)

    TagMan
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    I like the seats, but YAWN! :surprise:

    And the black dash clashes with the white seats.

    Started a new board, for anyone who wants to get into it on GM vs. Toyota, especially with Chrysler "in play", here's a good place to start:
    http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f11c385

    DrFill :shades:
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,327
    From head on it almost looks like it has added ground effects at bottom on front bumper. Too much plastic.

    3/4 rear view reminds me of 80's era Mazda 929.

    Head on view of dash looks like a Taurus.

    And then we have the large mouth bass effect.

    I normally like Audis, especially the interior but no thanks on this one. Not trying to start a fight, just being honest.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • dhamiltondhamilton Member Posts: 878
    the new A5 is on the MLP platform. It starts here and continues with the new A4.

    Rumors are the A4 will debut at the Frankfort show in the fall, and hit dealers in early 2008

    The clutch [and everything else] has moved back 4 inches. Weight distribution still won't be perfect, but much improved.

    Can't wait to read reviews.

    I started a thread in the future cars section if anyone is interested
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Here's the link: Audi A5.
  • ctsangctsang Member Posts: 237
    U.S. Market Premium Sales From 2002 to 2006

    2006
    2002
    Change
    %

    Porsche
    34227
    21318
    12909
    60.55%

    Infiniti
    121146
    87911
    33235
    37.81%

    Lexus
    322434
    234109
    88325
    37.73%

    Acura
    201223
    165552
    35671
    21.55%

    BMW
    274432
    232032
    42400
    18.27%

    Mercedes Benz
    247934
    213225
    34709
    16.28%

    Audi
    90116
    85726
    4390
    5.12%

    Volvo
    115807
    110670
    5137
    4.64%

    Jaguar
    20683
    61204
    -40521
    -66.21%
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Interesting results. I think that Audi and Infiniti still have a lot of room to grow in this market, which will come at the expense of the growth of the big players. Acura needs more and better products to keep growing. They've got a grand total of 5 cars. Mercedes offers more than 5 variations of the C class.

    Poor Jag just cant catch a break.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Poor Jag just can't catch a break.

    LG - If you haven't caught this yet, I know you'll appreciate this information. IMO, it's too early to know with enough certainty what we're dealing with here, but I'm not liking that front grill all that much. Same issue I had with the S-type's XF replacement. The rest of it just might be the necessary medicine... but I'm not convinced... we'll have to see. It's hard to have a lot of confidence in Jaguar, although the XK, as you know first-hand, was indeed done very well.

    Jag's next XJ

    image

    TagMan
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    MO, it's too early to know with enough certainty what we're dealing with here, but I'm not liking that front grill all that much. Same issue I had with the S-type's XF replacement.

    Unfortunately it sounds as if that grill is just something we're going to have to get used to, like Audi's big mouth bass. I really didn't like that when it made its debut, but it doesn't really bother me anymore. On some cars like the A3 it gives character that would otherwise be missing.

    It's now or never for Jag. The XK was definitely a good start, but its these two cars that will determine whether or not there will even be a Jaguar in 2010. If Jag can combine the pricing of the LS460, the dynamics of the 750i, and the elegance and ultra-tech of the S550, I think they've got a shot.
  • designmandesignman Member Posts: 2,129
    If Jag can combine the pricing of the LS460, the dynamics of the 750i, and the elegance and ultra-tech of the S550, I think they've got a shot.

    And if the Queen had... nevermind. ;-)
  • esfesf Member Posts: 1,020
    The A5 Cabriolet will be introduced to replace the A4 Cabriolet ( :cry: ) sometime next year, or even later this year.

    For everyone who'd like to know, it is Audi's first product on the MLP. This means that the engine is pushed back, ridding Audi of their usual nose-heaviness. It also gives the cars better handling, and more easily configurable engines and transmissions.

    I love the exterior of the new A5. I'd have to see the interior in person first- but I can imagine that it would look fabulous in beige with wood trim, or even all-black. It's quite an improvement over my car. And check out the MMI controller- it's like out of the Audi concept cars!

    I'm nervous about the engines, however. I hope Audi was smart enough to figure out that they need at least 300hp in the V6 model and 220hp in the 2.0T, if not more.

    '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
  • brightness04brightness04 Member Posts: 3,148
    http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=14&article_id=4810

    Chrysler is currently valued around $5 billion, compared to the $35 billion that MB paid for the company back in 1998. $30 billion difference! How many Mercedes cars hitting the wall, or handed out for free, is that equivalent to? It's really hard to measure trade deficit when we have foreign companies giving us products for free like that ;-)
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    I would expect that an S5 variant should be in the works... you're not thinking of trading in that nice S4 are you? ;)

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    That's a nice review of the S8, a car I'd like to test out some day. So much complimentary information with almost zero downside...

    Thanks for the link.

    TagMan
  • ctsangctsang Member Posts: 237
    Total
    Total


    December
    January


    2006
    2007

    Lexus
    176
    104

    BMW
    91
    58

    Mercedes-Benz
    84
    51

    Audi
    45
    24

    Jaguar
    9
    8

    Aston Martin
    1
    1

    Rolls-Royce
    1
    1
  • cyclone4cyclone4 Member Posts: 2,302
    Here is a link to a brand new AutoWeek article/review about the LS460L. Warning! LS460 bashers will be especially upset about its stopping distance. This has already been posted on the LS460 forum. However, it is also appropriate to post here as well since the article talks about comparisons with other high end cars.

    http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070223/FREE/70216008/1004/T- - - - HISWEEKSISSUE
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    We could do without the "basher" comment.

    My perspective on the brakes is this... (I also posted a similar post on the LS forum.)

    The negative information on the brakes started with the earliest of reviews. After additional reviews, there appears to be a majority of reviewers that have mentioned two issues with the brakes. The first involves stopping distances that are too long and are sub-par for this class of car. The second is what was often referred to as "grabbiness".

    I tested the car myself recently and wrote a fair and somewhat extensive review that I posted in the HELC forum. With regards to the brakes, I was not able to perform a measured stopping distance test, of course, but they performed very well, IMO, but I did notice that there was a touchy and sensitive nature to them that did indeed lend the brakes to being a bit grabby. I did mention, however, that I was able to get used to it for the most part, and that it was mostly noticeable at slow speeds and city driving versus braking from higher speeds.

    While there is a sensitive nature to the brakes, I would not call it a deal-killer for someone that otherwise wants the car.

    As far as stopping distance goes, the majority of test results should speak for themselves... and there does seem to be enough overall indication that the brakes' stopping distance might need to be addressed in the future.

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    The increased December sales numbers show us "'tis the season to be jolly..."

    TagMan
  • cyclone4cyclone4 Member Posts: 2,302
    Sorry for the use of the word "basher" but that's what it seems like from some folks here. Here is my reply to you that I also posted on the other forum.

    Tag, what are you trying to say here? The review states that the stopping distance is superb on the LS460L. Are you sure that the majority of reviewers are finding an issue with the stopping distance? Am I missing something here? As far as I know, there was only the C & D review that said the breaking distance was horrible. All the LS460 bashers took this as the Bible and refuse to acknowledge that there was something rotten with that original C & D review. How can two reviews be so totally contradictory? I believe the answer is simple. The C & D review, at least on this issue was full of you know what.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    OK, to be fair, one review says the brakes are good and another says they suck. The only thing to do is some homework and pull up all the tests thus far and see for yourself.

    As far as the "grabby" (I'm starting to hate that word) brakes, I personally experienced them to the level I explained in my review. There is some truth to that.

    To say the C&D test is BS and the AutoWeek test is correct would be a case of picking and choosing the results that best suits us... and that would be biased of course. So do some homework and see what the others have said. Two opposite tests do not give a clear picture... in either direction.

    TagMan
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    C&D does get bad review samples on occasion. You may recall that their 3 series basically fell apart, and its braking test was well beyond horrible. On the other hand, both their LS460 and their LS460L posted braking distances akin to vehicles wearing a Mack or Peterbilt badge. I'm not sure if this was some kind of issue with all early LSes, but its definitely not normal, as the car can stop in the 130 foot range, as more recent tests have shown. I do find it a bit odd that C&D was perfectly willing to ignore all of their 3er's problems and use earlier test results to hand it the win anyway, but didn't even bother to ask Lexus WHY their testers posted such horrible distances, they just printed them and moved on.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    It would seem that more evidence is required in the form of more test results to know with certainty the status of the LS460's brakes with regards to the vehicle's stopping distance.

    Personally, I find it outrageous that there should be such conflicting information about something as important as this. There is no excuse, IMO.

    TagMan
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,327
    The information is really not conflicting at all. C&D simply screwed up...big time. Eventually they will fess up.

    As far as the word "grabbiness" is concerned, maybe drivers that are more experienced with the LS would just call the brakes very responsive.

    Calling these brakes "grabby" is akin to saying a Porsche "lurches" forward when accelerating. This "lurchiness" is a trait that I have personally noticed in Porsches. Spin City.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    I wish I could agree with your spin. While it makes sense it really isn't the honest situation, IMO. Having driven the car, I know first-hand that those brakes are indeed a bit "grabby". As I've said numerous times, it isn't a deal-killer for someone who otherwise likes the car, but nonetheless it is the truth. I also have mentioned that I believe that with regular use, a driver could get used to it for the most part.

    As far as the stopping distance goes, I'm not convinced. I'd like to see more test results. I still think it is outrageous for there to be such a large difference in those two tests. There seems to be a lack of responsibility and accountability, IMO.

    TagMan
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Just wondering, have you driven one? If you reported on that, I apologize, but I don't remember it so I thought I'd ask.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,327
    I would not call it a full fledged test drive but a friend of mine bought a more or less standard issue swb model about a month ago and I took it for a short spin. What a great car!

    I seldom if ever drive cars really hard and this was no exception, (especially since the owner was with me) but to me it had a moderately firm ride, nicely weighted steering and very good brakes. It was extremely quiet and had that bank vault feel. I found it had a very similar feel to the LS 430. Maybe a tad bit firmer but overall feel, seating position, etc. were very similar.

    Truth is, if I ever buy one I will wait a couple of years and buy a certified used one 2 or 3 years old. This has worked really well for me in the past and we have a great local dealer.

    I realize this is not much info but it is the best I can do for now. I will keep everyone posted on any future drives or info from the owner. This is his 3rd LS in about 10 years.

    How about you. Have you driven one or do you own one? It would be great to get your impressions.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,327
    I just noticed my last post was # 23,999 and just could not resist posting #24,000!!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • dhamiltondhamilton Member Posts: 878
    with the LS is the same as Tag's, it has grabby brakes.

    Per Car&Driver, it's up to Lexus to provide a car for review. You can't blame Car&Driver for Lexus giving them lemon.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    I will own one if you will buy me one! :P

    The reason I asked you that is because - and I may be quite wrong here - I was thinking that the only person reporting impressions in this discussion who actually says he's driven one is tagman.

    So now we know that you have also. And I apologize if I've overlooked anyone else.
  • oacoac Member Posts: 1,594
    And I apologize if I've overlooked anyone else

    Apology accepted, Pat :) Just an FYI, I have driven both the LWB and SWB... I'd say much different animals, those two. Would rather own the LWB tho'... What I really want to drive, but cannot find one, is an LS460L with the Touring Pkg... that 19" rims, the now infamous bigger but "grabby" brakes :confuse: and the expected performance improvements over the SWB, assuming there is any...

    Phew!!! When I clicked this thread, I found that the last day I visited here was back in Dec 4, 2006, and b/w then and today, there were over 1,000 posts!!! :( Geez... Do you guys ever get any sleep ? I just could not bring myself to read any of those 1000+ posts since my last visit here, so I just zoomed to the present... I am sorry if anyone feels offended by that :) I'll take a 2-week vacation sometime, and go back and read up months of debates on HELC just to "catch-up". Or maybe I should just hang around here awhile now... in my rocking chair, of course.

    But let me conclude this post by saying that I believe the S550 is a better car than the LS460L. I simply LOVE the S over the LS... I am sorry if this hurts my fellow Lexicans... The S550 is a cooler-looking, better styled luxury marque, at least in this go-round, than the new LS. However, I can see the new LS kicking the S in sales. With 10-30K in price gap, that won't be a surprise... The LS600hL does have a more primal look than the 460 model, IMO, and I'd prefer it oh so slightly, over the S550, in looks alone. Yes, those LED beams in the hL did make a difference in looks to the LS model, all of this IMHO, of course.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    I'll take a 2-week vacation sometime, and go back and read up months of debates on HELC just to "catch-up". Or maybe I should just hang around here awhile now... in my rocking chair, of course.

    I don't think that will really be necessary. There was a lot of the usual Merc vs. Lexus fighting, and blkhemi and I got Jags. Other than that...
  • ctsangctsang Member Posts: 237
    From Germany's Autoweek:
    "Drive-wise, the LS is superb in a straight line, handling bumps and road wallops easily. Acceleration is brisk, hitting 60 mph from a standstill in 6.29 seconds. Braking is an LS strong suit. The car needs just 113 feet to stop from 60 mph, which puts it on a level with sports car thoroughbreds such as the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (112 feet)."
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    But did you post your experience in this discussion? What I was saying was that I didn't remember anyone but tagman posting the actual driving experience here.
  • brightness04brightness04 Member Posts: 3,148
    A bit "grabby" seems to be the common trait for new cars with electronic brake systems nowadays. I was out test driving a 335i and an X3 Si late in the week, and much to my surprise, both had "grabby" brakes instead of the linear brakes that I remembered from my two 5 series cars a decade ago.

    The stopping distance issue is really beaten to death. We have to go by the "performing to spec" standards; obviously the one that had extraordinarily long braking distance had a problem with its brakes, as it is quite inconceivable that a car that's designed to long braking distance could possibly deliver short braking distance on normal testing conditions as in the later test (braking distance being a function of roter surface area, vehicle weight, etc..; performance can only be up to certain per centage of a design optimum, not massively exceeding it). That's the only logical way to see these real life tests. Otherwise, we'd have endless debate on whether all BMW's will spin out of control on braking just like that faulty 3 series did in a particular test :-) C&D should have followed up on the issue after noticing the anomoly; on the other hand, having a longer than usual braking distance is not as catastrophic as spinning out of control, so the testing staff may honestly not have realized that it was a faulty sample that they were testing.
  • brightness04brightness04 Member Posts: 3,148
    Per Car&Driver, it's up to Lexus to provide a car for review. You can't blame Car&Driver for Lexus giving them lemon.

    So why did C&D rank the 330i at the top of their comparo (by borrowing numbers from a different car on a different day under different test conditions) instead of at the bottom after it nearly killed one of their testers by spinning out of control while testing brakes?
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,330
    You make a good point, brightness.

    Those electronic brake systems (brake-by-wire) are responsible across the board from LPS to the HELC for touchy, unnatural brake feel. I can attest to being highly disappointed last year when driving the 330i and GS 430. I couldn't believe how touchy the brake pedal was for both vehicles. I hope for better on the A8, the only HELC I am considering, but I'm not optimistic.

    My 545's brakes while not grabby, have an annoying jerk at the end (No! Not me!) which prevents me from modulating to a smooth stop every time.

    Why did the auto manufacturers have to do this? This is progress???? :(
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,330
    "Spinning out of control"

    Was this reported in C&D's test write-up? Yikes!! :surprise:
  • dhamiltondhamilton Member Posts: 878
    I'm not sure what your question has to do with my statement?

    Expound please.

    FWIW, I agree that the 330 review was a little crazy, but that doesn't take away from the fact that if the brakes where in bad shape, it's on Lexus that they delivered a sub par car.

    Just like it's on BMW for providing a dangerous ride, and on Car&Driver for letting it pass.

    Are you saying they should have given the LS a free pass?
    Two wrongs don't make a right.
  • blckislandguyblckislandguy Member Posts: 1,150
    OAC, welcome back. Speaking of "the new LS kicking the S in sales", I was in a Lexus showroom this afternoon. First time in many a year. They had a new LS460 on display. The car looked fantastic with a wood wheel and great interior, etc. The MSRP was only 67K.

    Let me put that in comparative perspective (and I am not a Lexus guy by any means). The smaller M/B E Class with an option of two like simply leather and a wood wheel (love the way the Germans stick it to you on options) is only 10K less than a 67K LS. A BMW 5 series with a couple of options is only 8K or so less. While the MSRP on an S Class is 82K has anyone seen one for this price? In short, I think that there is an enormous difference in transaction prices between an LS and an S and not much difference between it and the smaller E Class and 5 Series. Moreover, according to survey data for spending less you actually get more customer service and more reliablity.

    Its not hard to see why Lexus is doing well, especially among non-car type people who just want a comfortable, stylish upscale sedan and could care less about technology, handling, performance, etc. There have been several posts recently on the S Class forum by people who bought a new S Class for 25th wedding anniversaries and other milestones but then were very disappointed. It seems to me that if a mid-60s couple is going to buy a high end luxury sedan to ride off into the sunset, they should do it in an LS460.

    I was also struck in looking at this dealer's inventory at how much Lexus depends, at least here in the Northeast, on SUVs and cross overs. Seemingly, half his inventory was in SUVs and cross overs.
  • brightness04brightness04 Member Posts: 3,148
    Much of the world is not neatly diviced into two opposite camps of rights vs. wrongs, or black vs. white. There are many shades of grey. Cars being mechanical beings, can not be always perfect at all time. The goal of a comparo is reflecting upon typical characteristics of a particular model, not necessarily a particular car. Say for example, if a car gets a ding on the way over, should the writers then belabor on how terrible the paint job or a body fisnish is? That there are dings and dents straight from the factory?

    While I do not agree that C&D should have used a test restults from a different car under different testing conditions on a different day for a narrowly point-based comparo (different test conditions, from temperature, wind speed, surface friction, tire tread, etc. all affect brake distance and handling, often trade-offs, so use two different cars would result in different score tallies, especially if the ambient temperatures are different). . . using the braking distance of a malfunctioning LS is equally wrong in that it is not representative of the model in general.
  • brightness04brightness04 Member Posts: 3,148
    My guess is that's the result of consumers shopping by numbers ;-) Grabby and jerky brakes may shave a couple feet off brake distance :-) The perils of manufacturers designing cars for rag tests :-(
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    It is really good to see so many familiar names again (pardon my nostalgia).

    I would like to inform everybody here that I have recently moved to a brand new residence. I currently reside in the forum below where I can continue my compulsive digressions from the HELC topic without any more deletions.

    LUXURY LOUNGE

    Oh and by the way I own a BMW 335i and a 530i Touring and I still dont notice grabby brakes.(OOps there I go again digressing away from the topic of this forum).

    Take Care and I hope I meet some familiar names at my new residence.

    Dewey
  • brightness04brightness04 Member Posts: 3,148
    Yup, here's the link:

    http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/10391/2006-bmw-330i.html

    Unexpected 360-degree turn at 70mph is certainly not for the faint of heart.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,330
    Not good!

    C&D should certainly have listed the brake problem under "lows."

    It does seem that C&D has a positive bias in favor of BMW.

    The car "wormed its way" into their hearts? Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a first-place finisher.

    Thanks for sharing it, brightness.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,330
    "My new residence."

    Why can't you maintain dual postizenship? :)
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    My guess is that's the result of consumers shopping by numbers Grabby and jerky brakes may shave a couple feet off brake distance The perils of manufacturers designing cars for rag tests

    I'm not so sure. Brake-by-wire, while older than steer-by-wire, still hasn't been around for all that long. Perhaps the manufacturers just need more time to make them behave more like old mechanical braking systems. I remember driving a '00 Volvo S80, which had a brake pedal like an on\off switch. It was absolutely awful. More recent Volvos still use electronic brakes, but they are far superior.
  • brightness04brightness04 Member Posts: 3,148
    You are quite welcome.
  • brightness04brightness04 Member Posts: 3,148
    I can see your point; probably very valid points regarding the atrocious on/off brakes of yore. The "grabbiness" that we are talking about probably have more to do with the exceedingly rapid application of full brake power, making gradual linear brake application difficult. The 335i and X3 Si that I tried last week both were brand new 2007 models with less than 50 miles on the odometers . . . not exactly warmed over old cars. They were not "on/off" switches per se; however, every so often, the brakes bite hard at the slightest provocation on the brake pedal.
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