Best car maker? (Mainstreamish) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Sylvanfan · 03-28-2006, 12:58 PM

I'm talking car maker that people can realistically have a hope in hell of owning one day. Not something like a Ferrari, or a Lambo, or some other exotic in limited production.

I was out looking at vehichles on the weekend, and decided why not go visit the upper brands and drive their cars. Anyways in my meanderings I ended up at Lexus, and I have to say they really impressed me. The vehichles are pretty spectacular and I got the impression that they had thought of every little detail when they made these vehichles. Now I'm sitting around trying to figure out how I can move the numbers to get my credit score so that I can go buy a Lexus. Anyone else ever owned a Lexus? Good, bad, phenominal, crap?

Shazam · 03-28-2006, 01:07 PM

They're made by Toyota, so yeah, they're rock solid.

The only other manufacturer I would look at is Honda. Although they're starting to slip a bit.

arsenal · 03-28-2006, 01:09 PM

Why not look at Infiniti? Made by Nissan, and Nissan is moving up in the realibility market.

:edit for spelling mistake:

BlackEleven · 03-28-2006, 01:11 PM

I guess it depends on what you mean by best --- best performance, relability, durability, longevity, safety, price, bang for the buck? Or a mixture of a few qualities...

Regulator75 · 03-28-2006, 01:11 PM

Check out Infiniti, BMW, Acura and Mercedes as well.
I personally like the AWD 300 and the SC430 coupe convertable. They are nice quality cars, but some folks will say that they are nothing more than pricey Toyota...

Did you end up test driving anything?

Lanny_MacDonald · 03-28-2006, 01:15 PM

I owned one (RX300), and was pretty disappointed to be honest with you. Went out of a BMW and into a Lexus and I regretted the decision to do so. The Lexus was a great ride, but it was terribly under-powered IMO. It had some great creature comforts, but it just never felt like a car I could take out and bag drive. I looked at the IS300 when I was looking for a sport sedan (I thought I would try another one) and came away even less impressed. Fit and finish wise, they are close to Mercedes for quality. Performance wise I think they leave you wanting. If you're going to buck up for a Lexus, go buy yourself a Mercedes or a Beemer and get a car that will is vastly superior IMO. I think if you buy any of them you'll be happy, but I think the performance out of the German cars is just so much better than you'll get out of Totota/Lexus. IMO, if you're going to buy a Japanese car, buy yourself a Nissan/Infiniti. Great performance, great styling (IMO) and great production. And they cost substantially less. Just a suggestion.

Sylvanfan · 03-28-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazam

They're made by Toyota, so yeah, they're rock solid.

The only other manufacturer I would look at is Honda. Although they're starting to slip a bit.

I actually grilled them about it, and they were quite adament that they're not glorified Toyota's. They did actually go to great lengths to show me what they did differently. Toyota is the parent company and they have the same phillosophy about constantly trying to make their product better. But other than that only a couple vehichles share the same conceptual platform and the rest of the design, manufacturing process is quite different as is the ultimate objective of the company.

I acutally want to try the same thing at Acura and call them glorified Honda's and see what they say.

Shazam · 03-28-2006, 01:28 PM

Lexus's are certainly not glorified Toyotas.

Lanny is right about the power though. They're pretty sluggish.

Acuras used to have what I considered rebadged Hondas, but they seem to be moving away from that.

I wouldn't touch a German car right now. Both BMW and Mercedes are having some serious quality problems right now.

Wookie · 03-28-2006, 01:29 PM

Last time I was at a Nissan dealer we were discussing the Infiniti and Lexus line ups. The guy mentioned how they're all the same cars, except the infiniti and Lexus cars are just fine tuned maxima's Camry's etc.

Is that true? Who knows, it sounded like it made sense... I wasn't there to buy anything and the guy knew that.

So.. With that in mind and buying an expensive car, I'd go for Mercedes, BMW, Land Rover etc. Before a Camry, or Maxima... At least then I feel special.. even if there were no difference in any of the cars. I also remember seeing a review on the Newer Jags and how they are basically luxurious Ford Taurus's now.

Wookie · 03-28-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazam

Lexus's are certainly not glorified Toyotas.

Lanny is right about the power though. They're pretty sluggish.

Acuras used to have what I considered rebadged Hondas, but they seem to be moving away from that.

I wouldn't touch a German car right now. Both BMW and Mercedes are having some serious quality problems right now.

Hmm typing the rejection of my post at the same time I was posting my post yet you beat me to it.. lol

Yeah I've heard about the problems with BMW and Mercedes recently.. But if I'm buying a Luxurious car it's for looking good, cars are a sinkhole regardless... Especially expensive ones.. what's the point? lol... So, if I'm buying a sinkhole I'd rather have one that Is more associated with luxury then Regular car manufacturer.. All personal opinion though..

White Doors · 03-28-2006, 01:34 PM

I actually like alot of the domestic cars now actually. The Buick Lucerne and the Chrysler 300 are good cars. Seems that they are catching back up to the Japanese makers in my opinion and they are much more reasonable priced for whaty you pay for. I find alot of the Japanese brands are more pricey now. That said, I'd get a Japanese CAR, but I'd never get a foreign truck.

Bill Bumface · 03-28-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

I owned one (RX300), and was pretty disappointed to be honest with you. Went out of a BMW and into a Lexus and I regretted the decision to do so. The Lexus was a great ride, but it was terribly under-powered IMO. It had some great creature comforts, but it just never felt like a car I could take out and bag drive. I looked at the IS300 when I was looking for a sport sedan (I thought I would try another one) and came away even less impressed. Fit and finish wise, they are close to Mercedes for quality. Performance wise I think they leave you wanting. If you're going to buck up for a Lexus, go buy yourself a Mercedes or a Beemer and get a car that will is vastly superior IMO. I think if you buy any of them you'll be happy, but I think the performance out of the German cars is just so much better than you'll get out of Totota/Lexus. IMO, if you're going to buy a Japanese car, buy yourself a Nissan/Infiniti. Great performance, great styling (IMO) and great production. And they cost substantially less. Just a suggestion.

Performance wise, sure those are good bets. If its very important to you to keep your car out of the shop, not a chance. Lexus is way above all of those brands in that category. Personally I find them boring and I'd be willing to take my Infiniti in for a few warranty repairs. BMW's are just straight ugly now and Mercedes are incredibly overpriced for the performance.

Sylvanfan · 03-28-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

I owned one (RX300), and was pretty disappointed to be honest with you. Went out of a BMW and into a Lexus and I regretted the decision to do so. The Lexus was a great ride, but it was terribly under-powered IMO. It had some great creature comforts, but it just never felt like a car I could take out and bag drive.

Interesting that you mention that particular model. I drove a used 2002 RX 300 with about 84000 km on it. I would have to agree that it was very nicely appointed and well thought out as a passenger vehichle. But I did think that particular model to be a bit under powered for a so called premium vehichle and it was also a bit small for my liking. But I did go look at the new RX 350 and it is noticably bigger on the inside, and the 3.5 does look to have quite a bit more power than the 3.0 in the 300. I have to drive the 350 to see if the engine does deliver what it promises.

I didn't drive a Bimmer or a Benz as they are substantially more, do have the quality issues, and don't have as good a warranty. I did come across a 2004 Touareg with the V8. It had good jam and was a decent vehichle, but a 2004 with 50000 km on it was still like 48 g's. The Touareg has lots of offroad capability, but I can't say I'd make use of that ever. Than it's a Volkswagen, and could be sketchy when it comes to reliability. Given that the RX 350, Murano, M350 all have similar engines with similar power specs. I'm hoping that those engines are the inbetween balance that still delivers good power but gives better fuel economy. But I will have to go to Infiniti and look at those. See if there is a diffence between their vehichle and the Murano.

nfotiu · 03-28-2006, 02:48 PM

We've had an '00 Passat, '03 Audi A4, '01 Audi Allroad, '06 BMW 530xi, '06 Toyota Landcruiser, and a Honda S2000 over the past few years. I like the Audis the best of them all. The BMW drives a little sportier, and the S2000 couldn't be beat for fun, but the Audi was the nicest just to drive around in and take trips. I love everything about the interior of Audis, more refined and a better feel than any of the Japanese brands IMO. We didn't have a single problem with any of those cars. We are kind of wishing we bought a new Audi A6 instead of the BMW, my wife just liked the exterior looks of the BMW better.

Shazam · 03-28-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wookie

Yeah I've heard about the problems with BMW and Mercedes recently.. But if I'm buying a Luxurious car it's for looking good, cars are a sinkhole regardless... Especially expensive ones.. what's the point? lol... So, if I'm buying a sinkhole I'd rather have one that Is more associated with luxury then Regular car manufacturer.. All personal opinion though..

It's more than just being a sinkhole. They're serious problems that translate into safety issues. Both manufacturers are having major problems with their OBCs and electrical systems. Not to mention that stupid driving assistance system on BMWs.

Table 5 · 03-28-2006, 03:15 PM

Have you ever considered a Saab or a Volvo? I think those are two extremely solid car brands from a design and build standpoint. They are a little on the pricey side, but there's not that many on the road compared to the others. Seems like every Joe Blow out there has a BMW these days....

Temporary_User · 03-28-2006, 03:23 PM

I have an A4 Audi and I love it.
Volvo's are also great cars and it seems like no one ever considers them when thinking about great cars.
Ive never drove a Saab, but have heard great things about them.

BMW's are great cars, I like the looks of them aswell, but everyone I've talked to say they like the Audi's more then a BMW.

Fozzie_DeBear · 03-28-2006, 03:29 PM

I am glad to hear the Volvo's getting some love on here...we have an older V70 T-5 and love it.

I would recommend a test drive of a V70 T-5 or V70R (if $$ is no object) (they are wagons but you can get the same car in sedans too). Also check out the V50 T-5 All Wheel Drive.

SAAB's haven't been the same since they were bought by GM, but they seem to be improving.
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Canada 02 · 03-28-2006, 03:44 PM

Love the Infiniti G35. Built on the same platform as the 350Z (it's nothing like the Maxima!) . Great performance, great styling IMO. I test drove it, the Acura TL, BMW 330 and Audi A4. All very nice cars, but I came away from that day with little nitpicks of the later 3, but had nothing but great impressions of the G35. The interior is gorgious! All the controls are in the right spot and are intuitive. Real leather seats, unlike some of the others, which had faux leather. Rear wheel drive, which should be mandatory in order to be considered a performance car. Handles impecably well. Needs winter tires in Calgary, however.

Sylvanfan · 03-28-2006, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Love the Infiniti G35. Built on the same platform as the 350Z (it's nothing like the Maxima!) . Great performance, great styling IMO. I test drove it, the Acura TL, BMW 330 and Audi A4. All very nice cars, but I came away from that day with little nitpicks of the later 3, but had nothing but great impressions of the G35. The interior is gorgious! All the controls are in the right spot and are intuitive. Real leather seats, unlike some of the others, which had faux leather. Rear wheel drive, which should be mandatory in order to be considered a performance car. Handles impecably well. Needs winter tires in Calgary, however.

Yeah, I must say that I really like the looks of the G35. Did you drive one with the 6 speed Manual, I believe they call it the M6? Mind you I'd like to know what big difference between that and the 350Z are. But something like that will be my mid life crisis gift to myself in 10 years when I turn 40.