smk4565

Not surprised at all by the final weights. I always said the TT V6 would be over 4,000 lbs, and with the options it is over 4,300 lbs. Getting awfully close to the bigger, V8 S-class in weight. And 4,300 lbs is about what a 6-cylinder 7-series weighs. So this huge weight advantage isn't really there when you compare similar models. The base model is low weight, but it has no options or tech and a 4-banger, and no one will buy it anyway.

Maybe the MKZ can go KITT style and copy this wheel.

So the 2 spoke wheel on the S-class is looking pretty good all of a sudden. Non one else does that.

Compare an MKZ to an A4 or C-class. The C-class doesn't even use plastic window switches, the MKZ has acres of black plastic. If anything, the MKX interior should be Audi A6 level because they aren't spending any money on the power train or chassis.

Not in the least. If nothing else, MKC and MKX are currently enough to preserve Lincoln. A new aluminum Navigator is coming (none too soon), and a refreshed MKZ (also a bit past due). That puts Lincoln at least on par with Acura and Acura isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The MKZ came out in 2013 model year, it needs a refresh already? And how do you refresh it, it is still a Fusion. The GLC should put the hurt on the 2 Lincoln crossovers, now that Mercedes doesn't have an ugly c-segment crossover, they can actually get sales, and the yuppies can buy Q3s for less than a Lincoln. Why buy a Lincoln and have to explain to your neighbor why you did it, when you can buy and Audi or Benz and be proud.

A Honda Accord is better than an MKS at this point. I think the Continental will help seal the fate of the Lincoln brand. They'll spend all this money on the car, sales will tank and they'll realize that the brand is dead and it is time to call it a wrap.

Chrysler does have a lot of good names. Not always great products, but they come up with great names. Intrepid, Stealth, Barricuda, Charger, Challenger, Imperial, Avenger, Prowler, Viper, etc. They all sound big, scary or dangerous.

The Tesla must be better than perfect. CR should retro-active adjust all other scores and take 3 points off every car off all time. If Toyota ever makes an all electric Prius it will probably get 110 points out of a possible 100.

I think Lincoln could price the Continental at $39,995 (including destination charge) and the Lexus ES will still mop the floor with it in sales. Good luck getting people to buy a full size Lincoln sedan.

I have an 08 E550 with 83k miles, I got it 2 years ago. Aside from a panoramic roof repair that was 37 days at the dealership (probably best to skip that option), it has had very little go wrong between me and the previous owner. I think the car fax showed one repair for moon roof by the previous owner. I had a check engine light that was a camshaft sensor, there was also a slight oil leak and the dealer fixed both for about $400. Where a Mercedes can get expensive is routine maintenance. An oil change is about $150 for a V8 at the dealer, although it does last 13,000 miles. Transmission fluid service is $420. So the routine upkeep can be costly but their cars last and run forever. The dealer gives free loaner cars too.

The XTS was around in 2012 too, there have to be some cheap XTS out there. Or Chrysler 300C, Hyundai Genesis, get cheap used too, Lincoln MKZ as well. Those bigger cars geared toward the older folks are cheap when they get past 3 years old. I still think a 2011-2012 E-class will out last any of those cars though.

I think the Impala looks better than the Buick, and feels roomier, because it it is a little larger. But that could be good or bad depending on how big a car you want.

Depending on the car maybe. My car makes max horsepower at 6,000 rpm, but has a 6,500 rpm redline.

A good decision, they should work on coming up with VWs that sell, like a crossover, or cars regular people buy. Luxury buyers will just buy an Audi over the Phaeton anyway.

I think the pricing is pretty good. As people want more and more performance, price goes up. $40,000 for a V8 is pretty expected, anything with a V8 is pricey because they want to sell the cars on the plus side of the CAFE equation. The old school Camaros that were $22,000 also had 200 hp and a junk interior. I think the pricing on this Camaro is pretty good value, a 335 hp coupe for $30k, that is a good deal. You could spend $30k on a 4-banger Malibu and the interior on the Mablibu isn't any nicer than the Camaro.

If the 4.3 was so great, they'd use it in the Lambdasm or even the Colorado. They must prefer the 3.6 DOHC for some reason. And however the Corvette and Hellcat sound, compare that to a V12 Aston Martin or a Ferrari 458, or a Lamborghini or a Veyron, etc. No contest.

The Pushrod engines don't have the refinement and NVH that the DOHC engines do. And when you rev a pushrod and get into that 5,000 rpm area they sound horrible, where as a DOHC engine usually sounds better the more you rev it. There is a quality to the DOHC sound and feel, that regular consumers want for their CamCord, and luxury consumers want in their S-class. And the pushrod V6 didn't lose as much to the DOHC V6 as it lost to the DOHC inline-4. Look at the Malibu, Terrain/Equinox, Impala, Regal, Verano of today with 4-cyldiner DOHC vs the Alero, Monte Carol, Impala, Malibu, Regal, Lesabre, etc of 2002 that had a pushrod V6.

I am a DOHC fan of course, but I will say the GM 4-speed automatic killed the pushrod V6 because the Japanese cars had 5 and 6 speed at the time. A 4-cyldiner dohc and 6 speed combo was able to provide the performance and better fuel economy than a 4 speed and 3500 v6 combo.

I think the only way a Chinese built car (and especially a Chinese branded car) sells in the USA is if it is dirt cheap. a made in China car is a tough sell.

Until we see the production version of the Continental and get a price tag I don't think we can evaluate it at all. A lot gets cut from concept to production on any car, and you can't predict how it will sell until you know what it costs. People thought the Cadillac Converg concept was cool, then the ELR got priced at $75k and was DOA.

I think the Continental looks a bit like a jelly bean. The Avenir has a terrible rear end, it is part SUV and part Panamera. And the Panamera might be the ugliest sedan on the market.

The Cummins Titan will be interesting for sure. I think the Jeep Renegade is an intriguing car right now. It has a cool, sort of classic Jeep look, that removable roof section, and more capability than the typical compact SUV. I am curious on what the production Continental looks like and how they price it, and how the Cadillac CT6 is priced. I feel like both cars if done and priced right could have some impact, but one little mistake and it could be a disaster like the ELR.

That is true.

Well personally I don't think you can do better than this 2012 certified E350 4Matic for just under $30k. Only 22k miles and under warranty. http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=17601&endYear=2014&modelCode1=E_CLASS&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=2010&makeCode1=MB&searchRadius=75&maxPrice=30000&showcaseListingId=0&mmt=[MB[][E_CLASS[]]]&listingId=406647478&Log=0 If the choice is limited to Buick and Chevy, and you and your wife want a larger car, then I'd say the pre-owned LaCrosse Premium is the way to go. If she wants the white diamond, I am sure CarSense will get one in within a month. Not like the LaCrosse is a hard to find car.

The new Lexuses are butt ugly, I don't get why people buy them. I am just glad now that they can't make an ad about how it has more standard horsepower than the Germans. Because for years the GS had one engine choice, the 306 hp V6 which was indeed more than competitors base model, but all those competitors had 400 and 500 options that Lexus failed to mention.