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I have been test driving the current crop of luxury coupes on the market. Primarily, I am drawn to them as I am looking for something which a sports car leaning driving experience, while being able to equip it with all wheel drive (Makes life easier in a Buffalo winter), and having a decent back seat where I can transport my daughter, who turns 7 next month, reasonably well. (This is not the family car, but it needs to be able to have the family in it).
So, everyone raves about the the cars in the luxury coupe class. I have driven the BMW 428i X-Drive, Cadillac ATS4 coupe, and Lexus RC300 AWD.
With all the magazine and individual raves of these cars, what a disappointing trio.
The BMW felt the sportiest and most fun to drive so long as it was in sport mode, but I never got past the howl of the run flat tires. Overall, I think it is probably the best option in class, but the amount of tire noise that came into the cabin, really did not make it feel like a $50K luxury car.
After the BMW, things fell off fast. The Lexus RC 300 AWD may have been the next best. It felt very eager to rotate around the middle axis of the car. That was fun, but the lack of any feel through the steering was not. So although I am sure it would grip turns well, the lack of road feel would kill off any confidence the driver would have in the chassis. Thats not a deal breaker necessarily either, but the lack of push was. It just never felt quick, even at WOT. Maybe it is because the 428 and ATS have turbos that give you a healthy kick, where as the V6 is more linear. Still, it did not feel like a lively powertrain. The interior was pretty busy too, with disjointed shelves, creases, levels, etc, to the dash and controls. It at least felt worth that $50K sticker price in build quality. Now, if it had a little more kick like the BMW and ATS's entry/mid engine options.
The Cadillac ATS4. If I could put this nicely I would. I cannot. It felt cheap. Unrefined. I cannot fathom how magazines think this may be the to sit in, and had a lot of kick from the turbo 4. The car moved fast and felt eager to be given a lot of power. It just did not feel like a premium or well refined car overall.
Ultimately, I guess I felt disappointed that these cars did not provide more of a wow factor considering their price tags.
I have been test driving the current crop of luxury coupes on the market. Primarily, I am drawn to them as I am looking for something which a sports car leaning driving experience, while being able to equip it with all wheel drive (Makes life easier in a Buffalo winter), and having a decent back seat where I can transport my daughter, who turns 7 next month, reasonably well. (This is not the family car, but it needs to be able to have the family in it).
So, everyone raves about the the cars in the luxury coupe class. I have driven the BMW 428i X-Drive, Cadillac ATS4 coupe, and Lexus RC300 AWD.
With all the magazine and individual raves of these cars, what a disappointing trio.
The BMW felt the sportiest and most fun to drive so long as it was in sport mode, but I never got past the howl of the run flat tires. Overall, I think it is probably the best option in class, but the amount of tire noise that came into the cabin, really did not make it feel like a $50K luxury car.
After the BMW, things fell off fast. The Lexus RC 300 AWD may have been the next best. It felt very eager to rotate around the middle axis of the car. That was fun, but the lack of any feel through the steering was not. So although I am sure it would grip turns well, the lack of road feel would kill off any confidence the driver would have in the chassis. Thats not a deal breaker necessarily either, but the lack of push was. It just never felt quick, even at WOT. Maybe it is because the 428 and ATS have turbos that give you a healthy kick, where as the V6 is more linear. Still, it did not feel like a lively powertrain. The interior was pretty busy too, with disjointed shelves, creases, levels, etc, to the dash and controls. It at least felt worth that $50K sticker price in build quality. Now, if it had a little more kick like the BMW and ATS's entry/mid engine options.
The Cadillac ATS4. If I could put this nicely I would. I cannot. It felt cheap. Unrefined. I cannot fathom how magazines think this may be the to sit in, and had a lot of kick from the turbo 4. The car moved fast and felt eager to be given a lot of power. It just did not feel like a premium or well refined car overall.
Ultimately, I guess I felt disappointed that these cars did not provide more of a wow factor considering their price tags.
There is nothing preventing you from ditching the runflats on the BMW after delivery. Many of us BMW owners do.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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The Dodge Charger SE and SXT have a 292 HP V6 and are available with all wheel drive, I would suggest a test drive. You might be surprised at how much more of a sporty feel it has, but with 4 doors and a lower price (under $35k) than those you have been looking at.
I have not gotten out to drive an Audi yet, but I would consider it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemlock140
The Dodge Charger SE and SXT have a 292 HP V6 and are available with all wheel drive, I would suggest a test drive. You might be surprised at how much more of a sporty feel it has, but with 4 doors and a lower price (under $35k) than those you have been looking at.
I do not disagree with your assessment of the Charger. I have a 2013 SXT AWD as my present DD. I was very impressed with how it drove when I bought it, and still am. That said, there are limitations to it's nimbleness due to sheer size and weight that even its Mercedes rooted suspension cannot fully compensate for.
The AWD system is rather limited too. It will send only up to 36% of the power to the front wheels, and in slippery and slick conditions, it is not really enough power to pull the car around turns and maintain a straight line. I have never been happy with the AWD compared to other brands and setups. I have driven a lot of AWD vehicles over the years. This system is by far, the least bad weather capable I have ever sampled.
Basically, I have always owned two cars, a sports car and a daily car. I no longer want to own and maintain two vehicles due to changes in my driving habits and behavior, and have been sampling potential cars which may be a good middle ground.
If I do not find one, I am more than happy to keep the Charger.
The Dodge Charger SE and SXT have a 292 HP V6 and are available with all wheel drive, I would suggest a test drive. You might be surprised at how much more of a sporty feel it has, but with 4 doors and a lower price (under $35k) than those you have been looking at.
What is it with people on here recommending Dodge's and other similar makes when someone is asking about BMWs, Audis, and Lexii? It's no slight against Dodge, but the cars are worlds apart.
Audi for sure, if you want a quality feel.
The A5 is very nice in the higher trim levels. for some real fun go for the S5.
Or, if you are a baller, I highly recommend the A7. It's a coupe AND a hatchback. Best vehicle design ever.
Exactly! I would never let something so easy to replace as tires be the determining factor good or bad on a purchase lol
I can see that to a point, but having to put $1500 worth of tires on a brand new car right away seems to be an awfully big initial negative to making the purchase too. Especially without knowing if the tire change will fully cure the noise intrusion, or whether the tire change will hurt the ride/handling/dynamics that made the vehicle attractive off the bat.
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I was very impressed with how it drove when I bought it, and still am. That said, there are limitations to it's nimbleness due to sheer size and weight that even its Mercedes rooted suspension cannot fully compensate for.
