Larger Luxury Sedans

[TrevorS]

I'm in the market for a larger luxury sedan. I will be doing a one hour commute two times a day more often in future.

So far I'm considering:

CPO BMW 7 Series - both because I like cars that are engaging to drive and these depreciate a lot.
Tesla Model S - although more expensive, it could save money over the long term and it would be a cool car to own
CPO Jaguar XJ Supercharged - an engaging drive but should also be very comfortable and luxurious esp compared to the BMW. I did hear that the cabin will develop creaks and squeaks.
Audi A7 and S7 - I like the cargo space that the hatchback gives, it will drive well and has a high quality interior. But I hear it is noisy in the cabin.

Any others you think I should look at? Any insight on my short list?

 

[SteveSRT8]

Many people in your market look at the 300 series from Chrysler. Major renovations, well reviewed, SRT8 model easily outperforms most larger sedans at the price point. At about 50k for a 180 mph capable sedan it is quite the bargain.

I love that Tesla, but it is completely innovative and thus unproven in my world for reliability. Then there's the question of service and warranty support long term. New Audis are extremely nice inside, only been in one that was noisy (TT model). Newer Jags by Tata are also unknown as to reliability, but seem very well designed and are excellent dynamically. I simply cannot recommend a used BMW but I'm sure there are nice ones out there.

Lots of good choices, it's a great time to be shopping.

 

[d00df00d]

As far as I'm concerned, the Tesla Model S renders everything else in its class utterly pointless.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
I love that Tesla, but it is completely innovative and thus unproven in my world for reliability. Then there's the question of service and warranty support long term.

Indeed. On the flip side:

1. The company isn't entirely without history. Don't forget the Roadster has been out for several years now.

2. A lot of the tech is borrowed from other companies (e.g. the switchgear is from Mercedes, a lot of the software is Google, etc.).

3. The fuel savings alone are worth a few hundred bucks a month with a serious commute. There is also virtually no regular maintenance to do except, like... tires. That should net a huge financial cushion in case there is an early adopters' tax to be paid.

4. As for long-term support, Elon Musk is pretty much balls-to-the-wall on this company. He's rich, and he REALLY wants it to succeed...

 

[skyactiv]

People often forget about Infiniti. They make luxury sedans that are more of a drivers car than say a Lexus.
Look at the M series Infiniti's. They are either rear wheel driver or AWD.

 

[andyd]

I would get either a Town Car or a Grand Marquise. Less gadgetry to replace. The newer, larger BMWs need 1500$ of cooling system parts before 100k. Should you put off this PM, you are risking an engine meltdown. No comment on Jag or Japanese wheels. My daughter's '06 Corolla is a great little car, but it more of an appliance. I know, my age is showing, but, to me, Luxo barges are RWD. They have a V8 or a big I6. Who cares how many speeds the automatic has? As long as you can cruise at 80 in air conditioned leather. Or idle along at 45.

 

[itguy08]

I'd check out these too:

Infiniti G or M. M is larger but both drive really well (like a BMW), have great quality, and parts availability should be good as they are Nissans. I had an 04 G35 and it was a great car.

Lincoln MKS or Taurus SHO. Lincoln is more luxury but both are larger cruisers. Fast and handle well. I've got a 10 SHO and it's been a great car - fast, handles well for its size, and gets 26 MPG on the highway. Taken quite a few road trips of the over 1000 mile variety and it's a great highway cruiser.

 

[Vikas]

People who can afford the Tesla S are not of the type who need to worry about the fuel savings! The car looks fabulous in person.

 

[GSCJR]

Luxury = Lexus

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: andyd
I would get either a Town Car or a Grand Marquise. Less gadgetry to replace.

As eminently trustworthy and endearing as those cars are, they ride and drive like ox carts compared to the other cars listed here.


Originally Posted By: andyd
The newer, larger BMWs need 1500$ of cooling system parts before 100k.

Not true any more.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: andyd
The newer, larger BMWs need 1500$ of cooling system parts before 100k.

Not true any more.

And even if it were, I'd expect this $1,500 would be a drop in the bucket compared to all other expenses once the car is off warranty. But that holds true for most if not all luxury vehicles.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Many people in your market look at the 300 series from Chrysler. Major renovations, well reviewed, SRT8 model easily outperforms most larger sedans at the price point. At about 50k for a 180 mph capable sedan it is quite the bargain.

I love that Tesla, but it is completely innovative and thus unproven in my world for reliability. Then there's the question of service and warranty support long term. New Audis are extremely nice inside, only been in one that was noisy (TT model). Newer Jags by Tata are also unknown as to reliability, but seem very well designed and are excellent dynamically. I simply cannot recommend a used BMW but I'm sure there are nice ones out there.

Lots of good choices, it's a great time to be shopping.


I agree. If I wanted a sedan I would go with the 300. Just an awesome vehicle.

 

[dishdude]

That A7 is one beautiful car. What about a 5 series GT?

 

[hypervish]

Have you thought about a CPO Lexus LS?

 

[Cujet]

I work for a Billionaire. From time to time, I drive his cars. It's an interesting mix of very high end stuff. The Maybach is not my thing, big-n-heavy, unresponsive and leans excessively. The larger Merc's are somewhat more sporty, exceedingly quiet and simply a bore to drive. The middle of the road Mercedes are "staff" cars and I come close to using the word "hate" when driving them. However, the SLR McLaren Mercedes is an absolute blast to drive.

A friend has a Lexus 460, it is quite a capable car and enjoyable to drive. Fantastic "Mark Levinson" sound system. Better than anything else I've heard.

From time to time, I get to drive a higher end BMW. I generally prefer them, as they seem to have a performance and handling bias.

But when it comes down to the "ideal", the Tesla Model S takes the prize, hands down. Here is why I think so:

1) Absolute power
2) Instant response, no 8 speed "eco" transmission downshift lag
3) Very low center of gravity, no leaning in corners
4) Quality suspension design and components, an honest driving experience. No wallow, no overly soft bushing set, no harshness Just a luxury car ride coupled with near sports car cornering power
5) Responsive steering with great feel. Unusual in luxury cars
6) Interesting instrumentation.
7) Exceedingly quiet and vibration free
8) Very comfortable

 

[whip]

Of the choices listed, I'd get the Tesla.

 

[Kuato]

I'm in the Audi camp. There are a lot if great choices here, but in every review I've seen, the A7 is universally praised for comfort, dynamics and ergonomics. If you are spending an hour each way every day, you want Audi's "all day comfortable seats" along with the handling and other dynamics that every reviewer likes in this vehicle.

 

[TrevorS]

Thanks for the responses.

I did have the M56 in mind also, perhaps the M Hybrid although trunk space gets compromised.

The problem I'm seeing is lack of depreciation on many of these choices. I'd like to buy 2-3 year old CPO. The XJ and 7 series seem to depreciate the most. The only one of these that I would consider new is the Tesla S since it could offset the higher initial cost through fuel and maintenance savings and is will have a higher resale value in case my circumstances change.

 

[shDK]

You simply cannot compare the crysler 300 to any of those other cars mentioned. It is a terrible car to drive. Might be fast with the right engine but without even the slightest shadow of dynamics and the inside build quality is a joke.

 

[Cujet]

I took the brand new Tesla Model S sport for a quick drive this morning. What a great car! My airport friend just picked it up yesterday.

The sport version really feels good, with heavier steering feel and stiffer shocks/sway bars.

And it still has that instant response! No throttle by wire "lag" here!