The Lap of Luxury

[JohnBM01]

I'd like to dedicate this thread to luxury cars. Whether it is an affordable luxury car, a high-class expensive luxury car, a luxury car that has plenty of "get up and go," an executive-level sedan, or anything that is all about driving comfortably, you have a luxury car. This topic is more of a collection of luxury car talk. Perchance you may own a BMW 5 or 7 Series, a classy Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler Crossfire, Nissan Cedric, Nissan Cima, Toyota Chaser, Lexus SC430 (I love the newer ones... until you take a look at the price tag), Bentley Arnage, Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph, or even a Maybach. In any event, the luxury cars are the talk of this town.

I'll start.

If I wanted sporty luxury, I'd go for either Jaguar or Aston Martin. Jaguar is very elegant and sexy in car design. Whether it's the affordable X-Type, or the car you only wish you had, the XJ220, Jaguar has you covered. The car I liked the most at the Houston Auto Show from Jaguar was the XKR. The car (that I thought was $40,000) isn't what you would consider a luxury car, but it is very sweet, especially at speed. Aston Martin has the V8 Vantage, and the Gran Turismo old-schoolers, the DB7 and DB7 droptop.

I don't really have a favorite luxury car. All of which were meant for one thing- enjoying driving and feeling comfortable. Let's talk luxury, folks!

 

[TsLeng]

Maybach to be driven in

S65 to drive.

 

[High-Test]

My mom's boyfriend had a 93 Lexus LS 430 until he traded it (it was falling apart at 280000 miles) It was relly nice. never had one single problem until everything started falling apart at the same time. And the seat heater actually could be felt.

 

[West Side Ninja]

Well I can say the luxury car that I hate the most. VW Pheaton. What a waste of money. W12 engine with 400 hp? How the hell do you only get 400 hp from 12 cylenders (spell?). It also weighs like 6000 lbs. Plus the inside isn't that nice. My friends were trying to tell me how cool the cup holders were. And it comes in at a mere $100,000. There are NO positives to this car.
</rant>

Ok but my favorite luxury car would have to be any bently.

 

[emad]

Infiniti M45

My parents were seriously considering purchasing an Infiniti G35 sedan or a loaded Altima but in the end, things came up and money was tight and insurance costs went through the roof so we never got a new car

 

[[]AzNDrifter[]]

Hmm.. I have to say the '04 BMW 545i series, the exterior is so sleek looking and interior is very nice too, I also like BMW's 645Ci Coupe.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by West Side Ninja
Well I can say the luxury car that I hate the most. VW Pheaton. What a waste of money. W12 engine with 400 hp? How the hell do you only get 400 hp from 12 cylenders (spell?). It also weighs like 6000 lbs. Plus the inside isn't that nice. My friends were trying to tell me how cool the cup holders were. And it comes in at a mere $100,000. There are NO positives to this car.

Right. I considered buying what was the first Volkswagen Phaeton in New York, and I can tell you you're dead wrong on a few things. First, the power. NEVER look at horsepower per cylinders. Engines are tuned to compete, and Volkswagen does not have a V8 engine that competes with competitors' V12s regarding power (Merc 493bhp, BMW 438bhp). They wanted to produce 420-horsepower, and they do - the engine type is really moot. Anyway, it's a decent engine - they get 420bhp from six liters, meaning 70-horsepower per liter - the same rating the Nissan Altima V6 has. Next, weight. Yes, it's the heaviest luxury sedan, at 5194lbs - but it accelerates and handles as well as any of them, so what does the weight matter?

The interior is very nice and class-competitive. And it comes in at a "mere" $64600 for the V8 model, and just $79900 for the W12.

If you think there are no positives to the Phaeton, you've obviously never even been in one - so quit complaining about it.

 

[emad]

I got to sit in a phaeton at the car show. The interior is damn farkin nice compared to the mercedes 5 series and the bmw 7 series. In Road & track they said the interior is more or less made to order (is that right?). Not too many luxury sedans offer that.

Great car overall. VW knows they won't sell very many for the first several years but despite knowing this, they're very dedicated to the project.

 

[Joey D]

Haha Jags make me laugh, so unrealiable its not even funny. Well with that out of the way. I do like luxery cars and I think the Japanese auto industry makes em pretty good, along with Europe. As America goes you have the Caddys and thats about it.

I really like the Lexus GS430 and Ilike the Infinitis a lot, the G35 the best. Also the most Audis are good and I really really really like the Phaeton.

 

[Jetboy.]

The G35 is kickazz. It's like the 350Z 2+2 they never made. I have a magazine article in my room, but I am too lazy to get it.

 

[McLaren'sAngel]

hiya!

I really like the 2004 Lexus SC430. I dont know much about it except it is a V8 with a hardtop convertable. I always wanted a convertable car after the first time I got in my friends convertable Chrysler. It feels so good that I want one! I really luv how luxury car will have all of those features to make the driver and the passenger's comfortable. Things such as heated seats and how shiny and "rich" looking interior it have!

 

[West Side Ninja]

Originally posted by M5Power
Right. I considered buying what was the first Volkswagen Phaeton in New York, and I can tell you you're dead wrong on a few things. First, the power. NEVER look at horsepower per cylinders. Engines are tuned to compete, and Volkswagen does not have a V8 engine that competes with competitors' V12s regarding power (Merc 493bhp, BMW 438bhp). They wanted to produce 420-horsepower, and they do - the engine type is really moot. Anyway, it's a decent engine - they get 420bhp from six liters, meaning 70-horsepower per liter - the same rating the Nissan Altima V6 has. Next, weight. Yes, it's the heaviest luxury sedan, at 5194lbs - but it accelerates and handles as well as any of them, so what does the weight matter?

The interior is very nice and class-competitive. And it comes in at a "mere" $64600 for the V8 model, and just $79900 for the W12.

If you think there are no positives to the Phaeton, you've obviously never even been in one - so quit complaining about it.

My car, which has half the cylenders, is faster. I find that sad. You imply that there are positives to the phaeton, tell me, what are they? Why buy the phaeton over say a 5 series BMW or a high end Mercedes? This car isn't marketed properly. The only difference between it and it's competition are price and performance. The Phaeton is more expensive and has awful performance. Why in the world would you want this car. The only car that is worse in marketing is the scion. Who are they trying to sell those cars to?

 

[KSaiyu]

I'd take a 6l A8 over the BMWs, Phaeton's etc.

Originally posted by West Side Ninja
My car, which has half the cylenders, is faster. I find that sad. You imply that there are positives to the phaeton, tell me, what are they? Why buy the phaeton over say a 5 series BMW or a high end Mercedes? This car isn't marketed properly. The only difference between it and it's competition are price and performance. The Phaeton is more expensive and has awful performance. Why in the world would you want this car. The only car that is worse in marketing is the scion. Who are they trying to sell those cars to?

You should read the post. BMW have a V12 in the 7 series range that has over 435hp. VW made the engine to compete with engines of that "class" and used a W12 layout (from what I interpretated from M5powers post). They succeded in that objective.

BTW, what car do you have with 6 cylinders and has more HP? Not being funny, just curious?

 

[emad]

Originally posted by West Side Ninja
The Phaeton is more expensive and has awful performance.

More expensive and worse performance? Let's take a good look at pricing, shall we?

First the v8's

Mercedes S500 - 302hp - $83,420.00
BMW 745Li - 325hp - $73300
VW Phaeton - 335 HP - $64,600

VW wins with both price and hp here

Now for the more expensive ones with the big engines

Mercedes S55 AMG - 493hp - $110,970.00
BMW 760Li - 438hp - $117000
VW Phaeton - 420hp - $94600

VW wins price against the mercedes by $16370 and by $22000 against the BMW. You're telling me it's worth paying the additional 16 grand for a mere 73 horsepower?

The vw has a far better interior than the other two vehicles and to top that, it's more affordable. People purchase cars in this segment NOT for their performance values but rather for the amount of luxury they provide. Surprisingly enough, the VW has a very VERY nice interior (IMO it's better than the Merc and BMW) and to top that, it's a cheaper car with equal or better reliability (The Phaetons are all hand assembled)

In terms of performance, you're talking about cars that each weigh well over 3000 lbs. There's almost no way you're gonna get decent handling out of any of these 3 - not in any way you're thinking of. The high hp figures are only to give these barges on wheels better acceleration off the line and in traffic. Keep in mind that the weight of these things puts their acceleration and top speeds in the same category of much much smaller vehicles with smaller engines (doug knows the accel and performance figures - not me)

Why in the world would you want this car. The only car that is worse in marketing is the scion. Who are they trying to sell those cars to?

Why the hell not? It's a great car. Granted, it doesn't have the bmw, audi, or mercedes names but it's still a damn good car.
The VW name is the only thing people have a problem with. This was proven with the luxury version of the Passat. Wonderful car but it's not going to sell until VW gets their name out. That's a time consuming process and VW has clearly brought that point across. They're planning on sticking with these projects for a long time to come (from road and track). Get used to it

 

[West Side Ninja]

Originally posted by KSaiyu
I'd take a 6l A8 over the BMWs, Phaeton's etc.



You should read the post. BMW have a V12 in the 7 series range that has over 435hp. VW made the engine to compete with engines of that "class" and used a W12 layout (from what I interpretated from M5powers post). They succeded in that objective.

BTW, what car do you have with 6 cylinders and has more HP? Not being funny, just curious?

Less horsepower and it's about half a second faster in the quarter.

To emad:

Put it up against the non rediculusly priced BMW's and mercedes. You just went and found the most expensive ones.

VW needs to stick to hitler moblies.

 

[emad]

say what? The phaeton is classed to compete directly with the bmw s500/ S55AMG and the BMW 7 series.

Alright, I didn't know about the pricing of the cheaper bmw 7 series b/c I got the numbers from an old magazine I had layiing around. All pricing I listed in the previous post was the starting price of the models listed

BMW 745i is $69300 and the 760i is $109800.

The vw is still the better buy regardless of what you say.

Again, you're comparing your lightweight car that weighs less than 2000lbs to a car that weighs twice that. You can't just compare 1/4 mile times based on hp alone. Weight and gearing has a LOT to do with it.

 

[halfracedrift]

West Side Ninja, not all cars are performance geared.

Granted, performance is important, but not to people who are in the market for a 100K car. They want luxury. They don't give a damn about the go part of the car. As long as it gets the passengers and the driver from A to B in style, luxury, and comfort, they'll buy it.

 

[West Side Ninja]

Only women and old men care about luxury. I'm not a big fan.

 

[Joey D]

Well lets not forget rappers, rich guys, and oh ya people who like to travel in class.

 

[West Side Ninja]

rappers: who the **** cares
rich guys: I said old men
people who like to travel in class: old men and women

The phaeton isn't a car you drive anyway. It either sits in a garage and looks pretty or you have your own driver. Even if I had billions of dollars, I would still drive myself. I would rather have all the money under the hood of the car, than under my ass. I don't need the seat to heat my balls as my cup is being held by a high-tech cup holder. I also don't need wood panels, or a fancy audio/electronic system. But that's just me. There are only a few cars over $60,000 that I would ever buy. None of them are known for luxury.

 

[West Side Ninja]

Originally posted by emad
say what? The phaeton is classed to compete directly with the bmw s500/ S55AMG and the BMW 7 series.

Alright, I didn't know about the pricing of the cheaper bmw 7 series b/c I got the numbers from an old magazine I had layiing around. All pricing I listed in the previous post was the starting price of the models listed

BMW 745i is $69300 and the 760i is $109800.

The vw is still the better buy regardless of what you say.

Again, you're comparing your lightweight car that weighs less than 2000lbs to a car that weighs twice that. You can't just compare 1/4 mile times based on hp alone. Weight and gearing has a LOT to do with it.

WEIGHT AND GEARING HAS TO DO WITH SPEED???!!!!111ONE

NO **** SHERLOCK.

Only track cars and lotus elise's weigh under 2000 lbs. My car weighs roughly 3400 lbs. And it is by no means fast, or even quick. It's slow as ****. And WHY is the VW a better buy? Are the seats really that much better?

 

[Joey D]

Wow you know that you sound like a complete idiot, right?

Lets see here, my family is wealthy and we aren't a bunch of old men. I know plenty of people who drive luxery and are young guys, like my boss. He's late 30's and drives a Caddy.

 

[West Side Ninja]

You have bad taste. Congrats. Your boss is a prick. I bet he plays golf too.

You call me an idiot but atleast I know how to spell luxury.

Edit: I'm tired of arguing over opinons.

 

[Joey D]

What are you 5?

And just to let you know, don't talk about people you don't know. Thats todays free life lesson. Take notes.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by West Side Ninja
My car, which has half the cylenders, is faster.

And what Buick is that?

I find that sad. You imply that there are positives to the phaeton, tell me, what are they?

Nah - I didn't imply it. I outright stated it. It is a class-competitive vehicle. That's the positive. The price, spec, power, interior and exterior size, fuel economy, options prices, etc all make it a decent buy in its class. Granted, I proudly recommend the Infiniti Q45 and Lexus GS430 over the Phaeton V8 and the Jaguar XJR, Q45, and GS430 over the W12 - but still, I like it.

Why buy the phaeton over say a 5 series BMW or a high
end Mercedes?

If you think the Phaeton competes with the 5-series, then ... why are we having this discussion?

The Phaeton is more expensive and has awful performance.

Well, if you're comparing it to the 5-series, then yes... but so does the Infiniti Q45, Lexus LS430, Jaguar XJ, Audi A8, Mercedes S-class, BMW 7-series, and Cadillac Deville. The point of luxury cars is spec, which is why you're making the wrong comparison. And you don't even understand that you're making the wrong comparison.

I'd take a 6l A8 over the BMWs, Phaeton's etc.

And as soon as such a vehicle exists, so would I.

Wow you know that you sound like a complete idiot, right?

Yeah, and it's interesting because I usually argue with more intelligent people - you, for example. This guy's a let-down to the board. And he doesn't even know what he's talking about.

Edit: I'm tired of arguing over opinons.

So then stop. I only argue facts.

 

[Joey D]

I think an OWNED picture would be called for in a situation like this...don't you Mr. Ninja?

 

[West Side Ninja]

I just don't care about luxury cars. The Phaeton just seemed like a really stupid car in my opinion. I was very dissapointed by 12 cyl only getting ~400 hp. Ask me which car will mash you into the seat. Then I can talk. It is compeditive. But the competition in luxury cars is really which seat feels better. And which car is overall more comfortable. For me, if I can fit into the car (which is a challenge sometimes being 6'6") then the interior is fine with me.

 

[Joey D]

The Caddy CTS-V, tell me that lacks in performance. Or what about a Maybach, the things a tank and still can run up there with the best of em. There are plenty of car that will pin you to the seat.

 

[West Side Ninja]

The cadillac is a little on the heavy side but still makes a lot of power. Same as the Phaeton with 4 less cylenders .

The Maybach has over 600 lb/ft of torque at only 2300 rpm. That's sweet. Your private driver will sure have fun driving you around in that.

My only problem with them is you have to compare price to performance. You can do a lot better.

 

[Joey D]

I thought you would have got it by now, cylinders don't really mean a whole lot in the whole picture. Well maybe thats not the best way to put it. But you can make just as much power out of a 4 cylinder as you can out of a V8.