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smk4565

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Everything posted by smk4565

  1. smk4565
    That looks like an SUV, which is pretty lame. Much like Mini Cooper trying to make an SUV, it doesn't make sense.
  2. smk4565
    It is all marketing, and a way to drive up prices. Every car company does it. The best example is probably the F-sport package on the Lexus RX350. It costs $6,000 more than the base AWD RX350, and for that you get an 8-speed transmission, 19 inch wheels and "exclusive interior and exterior styling details." It probably doesn't cost them much more to make an 8 speed vs a 6-speed, the cost difference between a 19 inch and 18 inch wheel is pretty marginal, and "exclusive styling" is a black headliner and some plastic molding on the bumpers. It probably doesn't cost more than $1000 in parts to make the F-sport trim, yet they charge $6,000. All a marketing ploy to drive the price up. So making V-sport cars is a way to for Cadillac to advertise the low price of the base model, then gouge on the price for the sports model. An ATS 3.6 for example is $43,000, but with the same engine and a V-sport appearance package, they could charge $48,000, more profit for Cadillac. I think a lot of these sport packages aren't worth the price. In the old days the better model had a V8 and interior upgrades and other things to justify the price increase over the base model. Now that big engines are dying, the marketing people need to find something new to make money on, so we get things like F-sport that have the exact same horsepower as the base model for $6,000 more. Hopefully all Cadillac V-sports have an engine upgrade, as the CTS and XTS have shown.
  3. smk4565
    So where does the Omega crossover slot in? Above the Escalade? And can Cadillac support 2 SUVs in high price range, when their previous high dollar offerings have failed. I'm seeing a $30k small crossover, a new SRX at $40k and a Lambda crossover at $50k. That way they can keep the Escalade at $65k as their top SUV. And is Escalade is going to have a word for a name, then all Cadillacs should. It makes no sense to make a BRX, SRX, CRX, Subaru WRX, or XRX or whatever they come up with for the 3 crossovers, then call the other SUV Escalade. Everything should have a name, Alphabet soup names have failed Cadillac and Lincoln, Infiniti has a mess of a naming structure too. These companies so desperately want to copy the Germans they will do anything.
  4. smk4565
    At least they state the truth, rather than live in a fantasy world. Really Lincoln should try to be the Buick-Chrysler competitor, and not even try to keep up with the luxury brands. They don't have the products to do it, and they aren't going to get them. Lincoln isn't going to come out with exclusive rear drive chassis, or 8-10 speed transmissions and new engines, etc. Ford should just shut Lincoln down, but like GMC, it probably turns a profit because there is so little money invested into it.
  5. smk4565
    Hopefully SRX goes to Alpha platform. I could see them doing a Gamma or Delta based crossover to take on the GLA, then SRX gets redone off teh Equinox platform and a Lambda crossover is added. But what good does 3 FWD crossovers do them? Plus Lambda came out in 2007, is Cadillac going to get a version of it in 2016, it will be really dated by then.
  6. smk4565
    Probably, the car overall is in pretty good shape, but it would need a wheel, 2 tires, and some sensors and the check engine light addressed. It will need an oil change and possibly brake pads in front, but a used car shop could do all that work and turn it around and sell it for $3,000. The driver's seat leather is in decent shape, the other seating positions the leather is basically like new. Most cheap used cars suck, the Aurora at least has auto climate, rainsense wipers, Bose stereo, rides well, and the V8 is smooth.
  7. smk4565
    I was hoping to get $1500 out of the Aurora, but I haven't really looked at what I could get for it yet. A friend told me about one of those we buy any car type guys so I want to see what he offers.
  8. smk4565
    I decided to go with the Mercedes, it was $23k with tax, title, etc all total, and $600 to ship from Florida. I think it is pretty unbeatable for an E550, so I'll see how it goes. The E-class has been the go-to mid size luxury sedan for the past 25 years or so, I think it is a safe bet. The Genesis is a nice car, but doesn't have the track record of the E-class, the E-class is proven. Kia does have a RWD car coming, the Quorros or something like that, it is based off the Genesis platform obviously, but I don't know if it is supposed to be Genesis size or Equus size or something in between. Rumor is Hyundai is working on a smaller rear drive sedan, more like ATS and 3-series size, 2.0T and 3.8 V6 with 8-speed transmission, could be a pretty nice package for those that want RWD in a smaller than full size package and can't afford BMW pricing.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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?
  24. 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.
  25. 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?
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