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smk4565

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Everything posted by smk4565

  1. smk4565
    149,000. The check engine light has been on most of the year due to some air flow sensors, the check gas cap light is on, service stability system warning comes on daily, and the felt headliner on the sunroof cover is falling. I've replaced 3 of the chrome wheels since they corroded, the last remaining original needs replaced and 2 new tires, possibly brakes because they squeak terribly, and it burns/leaks 1 quart of oil every 3 months. The GM build quality is showing up in full force this year, and I really maintained that car and kept it clean over the years.
  2. smk4565
    A lot of parking lot spaces are narrow, especially pay lots and garages because they want to squeeze in extra spaces for more revenue. In 10 years time we might all be driving electric boxes anyway. Look at the big cars of the 70s or 80s, then how there were less in the 90s, and now a LaCrosse and Avalon at 198 inches long are considered big. In 10 years, the Camry and Accord might be considered full size, while the Cruze and Focus become mid-size family sedans, because Sparks and Toyota IQs become what the Cavalier and Corolla once were.
  3. smk4565
    True if everything goes electric, and the supercharged V6 does make 380 hp so it is a pretty strong engine. But Jaguar without V8s will be a sad day. What is scary is when you see companies like Jaguar, BMW and Mercedes moving away from V8s, Audi sort of already did. We are about 5 years away from V8s only being in AMG or M cars, and optional in the S-class and 7-series. Cars under $75,000 with a V8 could be really rare come 2020.
  4. smk4565
    I am pretty close to a deal on the E550, I drive alone almost always so I don't need a big roomy car, and the E-class is a bit better in handling and I like the look more with the AMG wheels. Plus the resale will be better on the E-class, assuming I keep either car 8 years, the E550 I could still sell for something, where as no one wants a 12 year old Hyundai. It is the same situation I am in now, a 13 year old Aurora is worth like $1500, but a 13 year old Mercedes or Lexus with 150,000 miles will sell for $6,000 just because of the badge. The E550 will cost about $3,000 more now, but I will get that back in the end I bet, so the price is a wash.
  5. smk4565
    I actually don't (I thought the 2008 refresh almost made it worse though with the metal trim), I like that interior, my complaint is the center stack doesn't angle toward the driver like the 03-07 CTS did. The interior is sort of cheap though, the level of materials isn't really up to German standards. I drove an STS years ago and thought it was sort of floaty, it is similar to the Genesis with that big car body roll in corners. The STS didn't really win me over, I'd rather have a Genesis from 2009-2010 over top of an STS from 2006-2008 because they are basically the same equipment and the Hyundai has more power and is newer. STS-V I had thought about in the past, because they are cheap and look good, but I don't like the suede seat inserts, and 469 hp is overkill really, and it is really thirsty. If the 2009 E-class had a 300+ hp V6 that would be great, or a turbo V6 like they will offer this year, but since they don't I'd rather have the V8 than that 268 hp V6, because a 268 hp V6 sounds like what the Camry has.
  6. smk4565
    G8 lacks the luxury and refinement of the Genesis or Mercedes and I already own a car from a dead brand. If I did a lot of highway driving or drove 20,000 miles a year, the diesel E-class would have the win, but since I don't drive that much, it makes a V8 affordable, and this may be the last chance for a V8, because in 8 years or so the only cars with V8s will be ones I can't afford. The Genesis doesn't have much cool factor or curb appeal, and it does ride a bit soft and have lighter steering, so it isn't too sporty. But it is cheaper to buy probably cheaper to maintain, so it is the more economical choice. E550 is more bad ass, and probably more fun to own.
  7. smk4565
    Never liked the looks of that car or the interior, but they are in the price range and I had thought about it. I have driven a G37 and didn't like it, it is too herky jerky, and isn't really all that luxurious. It basically comes down to E550 or a Genesis with $3,000+ to spend on something else. I think I would be happy with either car.
  8. smk4565
    The Aurora has been big enough, it is a wide car too. But I am ready for something smaller and more agile, I don't want to go so small as a 3-series or C-class, and I don't like BMW styling anyway. E-class is a nice middle size, Genesis is as big as I would go. There is no Japanese car I like either, and the Jaguar XF's are too expensive, and the retro looking XJ is just too retro, and that is a long car, that is small on the inside. I am leaning toward the E550, their V8 sounds good, the badge is better, and on resale, I think a Mercedes always has value, it is like Honda and Toyota, that even with 200,000 miles, some fool will pay $5,000 for it. The value quotient of the Genesis is hard to beat though.
  9. smk4565
    Well I wouldn't say just make a 2-door version of the CTS, but use the Alpha platform for a coupe with it's own sheet metal, and the existing powertrains that Cadillac has, and an 8-speed transmission and eventually some diesel or hybrid or plug-in since those are becoming common in luxury cars, even if just for marketing purposes.
  10. smk4565
    I ruled out the C-class because it is mostly C300s at that price and those are underpowered, and not as nice an interior as the Genesis or E-class. and I ruled out anything bigger than a Genesis, because an 06 S-class on paper might seem like a good idea, but they would be a pain in parking lots, parking garages, etc.
  11. smk4565
    Well I make an average income, but I always have money in savings. So a high price repair wouldn't kill me, but if I had to spend $2,500 on something, I'd rather go to Disney World for a week than to fix the AirMatic suspension. If I had to do a repair like that, it would be no vacation for me that year. The E550 has only had some repairs to the sun visor and sun roof motor, and some gaskets and seals, nothing major so far. I drive about 8,000 miles a year now, so even if that goes to 10,000 a year, I can keep the car for 10 years and that is 100,000 miles. So that pute the Genesis at 143,000 miles and the E550 at 170,000, which I think either car will last that long. There are a lot of 200-250,000 mile Mercedes out there, and a lot of 1980s Mercedes still out there, their cars last.
  12. smk4565
    I drove a 2010 model once, it was too rough and loud for my liking, over rough pavement you felt it, and the engine wasn't smooth enough. I like the visual updates to the new car though, and I thought the old one with 306 hp was fast. I am not sure if I had a track model or not, perhaps Grand Touring is a bit more refined. That was the one miss for me on the first generation of this car, you feel every bump and it is racy all the time, and if you want a comfortable quiet commute to work, it couldn't give you that. If you want loud and racy, this is your car.
  13. smk4565
    But would you, (or the people with money) spend $100,000 on this car? The Mercedes CL sold about 600 cars last year in the USA, and only 300 so far this year since that model is being phased out. If the entire market for $100,000+ full size coupes is 600 a year, which Mercedes has a monopoly on right now, even if Cadillac takes 50% of the market, it is 300 cars a year. They can't do that. The Eldorado should return as a 191 inch long coupe based off the CTS/Alpha platform, 3.6 V6 standard, the 3.6 TT V6, and some hybrid or green powertrain, price it $55-65,000 and you have a winner. It can compete with the 6-series and E-class coupe, it gives Cadillac a cool car that is a bit of a halo product, but that is still attainable, and at a price where past Cadillac buyers can afford one.
  14. smk4565
    Same chassis and engine, they are basically the same car. The CLS is an E-class with a different body. So it is do you want a sedan, or pay $5-10k more for styling and 4-door coupe look. Notice those cars stop though, where the S-class starts.
  15. smk4565
    I am about ready to buy a new car, and have narrowed the search down to a previous generation E-class, 2007-2009, or a used Hyundai Genesis 4.6. I am looking for rwd, and not really a fan of the 300C or the CTS, and don't want a BMW either. So that leaves me with these two, first up is a 43,000 mile Genesis 4.6 and it is under a 2 hour drive to the dealer. http://www.ncautoauction.com/detail-2009-hyundai-genesis-4dr_sdn_4_6l_v8-used-10629235.html The other option is a 2008, 69,000 mile E550 with AMG sport package and Designo interior package, so it is fully loaded, with a good carfax report, but I would be buying it without seeing it in person and have to spend $750 to ship the car from Tampa to Pittsburgh. http://www.jaguaroftampa.com/used/Mercedes-Benz/2008-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-1ccf38020a0a0049010a9da79f36e9c8.htm So is it the better performing, better equipped, better built E-class (but with the risk of buying it in Florida), or save $3,000 on the newer, less driven, under warranty, safer choice Genesis?
  16. smk4565
    I like the Eldorado name, Cadillac (and Acura, Lincoln and Infiniti) thought they needed Alpha-numeric names because that is what luxury buyers wanted and that would allow them to take sales away from BMW and Mercedes. 10 years later, Mercedes and BMW are selling better than ever, and Cadillac, Acura, and Infiniti aren't doing any better than they were 10 years ago and Lincoln is on life support. If I list the names, FX, RDX, SRX, JX, MDX, MKX, MKS, XTS, how many average joe car shoppers could list the brand that sold that car. Those names are meaningless. Is Cadillac going to call their Flagship the LTS, while Lexus sells the LS? Let's bring back Fleetwood, Eldorado, etc names that have some weight and you know it is a Cadillac. I think a $100,000 Cadillac coupe is a sales flop waiting to happen, the Eldorado should be based off the CTS and priced at $55,000 where it has a chance. BMW, Audi, and Jaguar don't even try to go against the S-class coupe/CL-class, they know it can't be done.
  17. smk4565
    Cadillac says this car is production doable, but I can't imagine a 205 inch long 2-door is going to have much success, and how would they price it? A CL550 is $115,000 and that is a car that gets replaced by the S550 Coupe next year, and will probably carry the same price or perhaps even more. They can't price the Elmiraj at $100,000, no one would buy it, so if it costs $60,000, does it even have appeal there? It is bigger than an XTS, but supposed to be a luxury sports coupe? Then you have the CTS V-sport, ELR and Corvette in that price point, so if you push the Elmiraj to $75,000 or higher to get it away from those cars, doesn't it just become the next Allante or XLR?
  18. smk4565
    Awful idea, they want an SUV too, which is a bad idea. Jaguars need to sell on being beautiful looking sports cars, they don't have that wide range appeal of BMW or Benz. They do need a small RWD sedan below the XF, that at least gives them 3 sedans and 2 coupe/convertible models, 5 products is good, let Land Rover do the SUVs. If they plan to dress up a lesser front wheel drive car as a Jag, they won't be doing a Cavalier turned into a Cimarron, they would be working with the Tata Nano.
  19. smk4565
    Why is cache so important? Hyundai isn't having much trouble selling the Genesis or Equus, even though their reputation was just above 'garbage' barely even a decade ago.Cadillac needs money. Why not build what people want? They did a good job giving people what they wanted with the SRX. Why stop there? Cache lets you charge luxury prices for luxury cars. Hyundai has to sell at a discount, and the Equus is only moving about 3,000 cars a year, not really setting the world on fire there. If Cadillac needs money, wouldn't it be nice if the CTS was $50,000 base price and sold better than when it was $35,000 base price? If you have image you can charge more and sell more.
  20. smk4565
    In the US, aren't they more like 99% AWD? It doesn't matter if the Cadillac SRX has a 100% AWD take rate nor does it matter that the Cadillac XTS can send something like 75% of its torque to the rear wheels when the computer tells the AWD system to... they are still FWD. Audi isn't FWD because they have longitudinal engines... even though they are driving the front wheels just as much as the FWD Cadillacs do. </smk mode> That is correct, haha. Longitudinal engine means Audi's have a 55/45 weight split, much better than the 60/40 or worse of may FWD cars. But if you aren't 50/50 you might as well go home. The ATS and CTS are done right, now Cadillac just has to convince the sheeple that they are superior and worth the price. I think crossover buyers are Sheeple, just like Cam-Cord buyers are. They think a CR-V or RX350 is unstoppable in snow, and safe in a crash, and a rwd sedan like the ATS or 3-series will get stuck all the time and lead to a firey death in a wreck. The same people that think a Nissan Sentra is crap, but will pay $5,000 more than Sentra for a Rogue, even though the Rogue is just a raised Sentra hatchback. Cadillac needs the Eldorado back because they need to make cars cool again. From the early 90s until now SUVs were thought to be cool, and you hadn't made it unless you had an Explorer, Grand Cherokee, etc. Time for cars again, scale the Elmirage down to CTS size, V6 for $52,000, twin turbo V6 for $62,000 and we have a winner. If they put the Elmirage in production as a bigger than XTS 2 door for $100,000 no one will buy it, and it will be another fail like the Allante and XLR, probably bigger. Then to get quick cash GM will make another crossover for the Sheeple. Do the Eldorado and do it right please.
  21. smk4565
    Agreed on the lack of X5 competitor and the SRX not being it. If SRX was made a bit smaller (on the outside and not inside) it could open the door to a vehicle in between it and the Escalade. Audi sort of plays 3rd fiddle to BMW and Mercedes. Notice Cadillac was benchmarking the 3-series for the ATS, not the A4. And everyone benchmarks the S-class. Audi is ditching the A8 platform for an all new RWD platform, because they can't compete with the S-class. Audi does their Quattro thing well, they market it well and it is sort of the luxury Subaru, where they have a following, but they aren't the big dog on the block.
  22. smk4565
    Cadillac could do a Delta crossover and it would sell, but you risk hurting the brand that doesn't have a lot of image or cache built up, because they lack halo cars. I think Cadillac needs ATS and CTS coupes and a convertible ATS, and a flagship sedan before they mess with another crossover.
  23. smk4565
    Why would you want Cadillac to lower sales to the level of the Germans in that segment? A rwd SRX could base at $47k though, not $37k, fewer sales, but more profit. They could put some other crossover at the $35-40k area. Or keep the SRX how it is, and make a new RWD crossover off the CTS. But then they risk taking away from the Escalade. 50% of Cadillac's 2014 line up is front wheel drive though, that is a lot for a luxury car company that wants to be "standard of the world" And it won't be long until they add an crossover below the SRX because once Mercedes and Lincoln hit that market, and Audi Q3, they will want one too.
  24. smk4565
    The FWD ones outsell them because they are bigger but also the crowd that grew up on the Rav4 or first Gen Lexus RX keep buying Lexus, they also don't demand better driving dynamics. A GLK is 5 inches shorter in length than an ATS, so it is pretty small. The SRX has over a foot in length on the GLK. But people that want RWD handling are going to buy a 3-series or C-class, the X3 and GLK are going to be less appealing. And the GLK is pretty small and firm riding compared to the Lexus that women buy like crazy.
  25. smk4565
    Distinctive, but ugly. The current Lincoln designs are awful, the Fusion looks way better. This Black Label is pointless, I guess the marketing people want another pricey option package to throw on. Some fancy leather or paint can't save this car, and I doubt the materials are all that great anyway.
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