What car are you buying/test driving?

I love the Audis these days. I don't think they are going to depreciate as much as you do. The BMWs still drive the best, though they cost a fortune to maintain if you are going to keep it for a while. I just don't get MB or Lexus -- they aren't fun.

When you compare lease payments for Audi, MB and BMW, Audi is always the highest due to the residual value. It’s getting better, but they don’t have the track record of holding their value like MB and BMW. I’m much more of a MB guy vs. BMW and my 2012 C350 is very fun.

Just like the look and feel of MB over BMW, but agree BMW’s are certainly fun to drive. Lexus I agree is not very sexy/fun.

CTS-V

You leasing again, or buying? I like the Audi for a lease, Lexus for a purchase (Audi maintenance is nasty, I literally just had to talk my way out of a $3k fix today by getting them to concede something was covered by extended warranty).
And/or a big 2nd on the CTS-V, damn sexy!

quote:

Originally posted by GlennK:
When you compare lease payments for Audi, MB and BMW, Audi is always the highest due to the residual value. It’s getting better, but they don’t have the track record of holding their value like MB and BMW. I’m much more of a MB guy vs. BMW and my 2012 C350 is very fun.

Just like the look and feel of MB over BMW, but agree BMW’s are certainly fun to drive. Lexus I agree is not very sexy/fun.

Wait. You have a '12 and your lease is up in less than a year? What, an 18 month lease? 24 months and you got it as it was rolling out? If you are going for a very short term lease I guess the MB might be a better deal. I don't know; I, and virtually all the people I know, buy cars to drive for a while, so those are the parameters I'm used to dealing with. I don't know much about short term lease deals.

While I've driven recent models of all the cars you're looking at, if you are a MB guy, maybe that is what you are... I agree the Audi styling, inside and out, is second to none on the (realistic) market. I also happen to love the Audi engines, though the automatic shifting on the BMWs is slightly cleaner, I think. (That may be a 4wd v Rwd thing, too.) Personally, I just haven't had fun driving MBs, but...

I love my BMW...and Im more of a BMW guy than MB but I will admit the S class by MB is very sweet! I also like the look of Audi but driving wise I will take my BMW any day.

I have owned ( still do) 5 MB and 2 Audi's.

I will NEVER buy an Audi again, ever, but I do like their look currently a great deal.

Glenn, you need to buy a Porsche.

Love the CTS-V. It's a world class automobile. As far as Porsche is concerned, if 2 seats will get the job done, the new Boxster is a smokin' little vehicle.

PH

Although I am not into cars the way you folks are, we recently replaced FKG's Honda Element with a Mazda CX-5 - it is awesome

The vehicle i miss owning the most in the past decade is easily the F-250 super duty quad cab diesel. By a long shot.

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
Love the CTS-V. It's a world class automobile. As far as Porsche is concerned, if 2 seats will get the job done, the new Boxster is a smokin' little vehicle.

PH

I just do not see Glenn buying / leasing an old man car.

I agree ( like all the critics) the new Boxster is a must to consider. Glenn only needs two seats!

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
I have owned ( still do) 5 MB and 2 Audi's.

I will NEVER buy an Audi again, ever, but I do like their look currently a great deal.

Glenn, you need to buy a Porsche.

My friends with Audis complain about too many minor problems requiring trips to the dealer.

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
I just do not see Glenn buying / leasing an old man car.

w+a, I'm assuming from your continued insistence that this is an "old man car" that you STILL haven't availed yourself of the oppportunity to drive this thing. If your local Cadillac connection is still in play, I HIGHLY recommend you get your Texan ass into one of these vehicles and play. It is not, by any stretch, a geezer-mobile....

PH

I was invited by Cadillac to drive the CTS-V on a racetrack in Monticello, NY, accompanied by a racing instructor. The CTS-V is a monster on the track and on the road. The combination of handling, power, and luxury is unmatched in anything I've ever driven, though I hear the new M5 is in that class.

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
I agree ( like all the critics) the new Boxster is a must to consider. Glenn only needs two seats!

This is SUCH a great car. Starts at just over $50K too. 30 MPG to boot.

PH

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
I just do not see Glenn buying / leasing an old man car.

w+a, I'm assuming from your continued insistence that this is an "old man car" that you STILL haven't availed yourself of the oppportunity to drive this thing. If your local Cadillac connection is still in play, I HIGHLY recommend you get your Texan ass into one of these vehicles and play. It is not, by any stretch, a geezer-mobile....

PH

Oh, I had the car for a three day long weekend, I thought I told you, sorry.

Remember, a friend in my small wine group is some big corporate guy with Caddy. ( he is praying he does not have to move back to Detroit) A fine car for sure, but it is still a Caddy for old men, but now they may buy this car in lieu of a Vette. I know my friend says this remains one of the hurdles they are trying to overcome, which is hard.

What is next, you want me to shop at Brooks Brothers?

Just one of those guys who will NEVER come around on the Boxster. Give me a 3-4 year old Cayman over a brand new Boxster any day of the week.

And I am in the same age demographic as GlennK- the CTS-V is a BADASS!

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
It is not, by any stretch, a geezer-mobile....

PH

Their cars are much improved, but their demographics are still not what they want them (or need them) to be. They are having a very hard time getting the attention of younger buyers.

quote:

Originally posted by marcb7:
I love my BMW...and Im more of a BMW guy than MB but I will admit the S class by MB is very sweet! I also like the look of Audi but driving wise I will take my BMW any day.

+1, but with a lot of bias.

I still believe that in most segments, BMW has the edge in terms of product. What's changed is that both Audi and MB have improved their products, so the gap is not what it used to be. In terms of driving feel and handling, it's still BMW. I've never understood the appeal of Lexus.

Audi definitely has some very nice designs. But I don't think they have an overall design advantage compared to other brands. All have their flaws on certain models - in Audi's case, I don't think much of Q7 design, nor do I like the A1 (current gen. not available in NA).