Re: compare this what?

[Michael Williams <daserde@ucla.edu>]

Matt & Jenai decided to speak these words:

>C'mon man.  These are 70k vehicles designed to be more than just
>comfortable.  We are not talking Sedan De Villes and Town Cars.  Do you know
>what the phrase *Q Ship* means?  Your statement assumes that these 70k cars
>were purely designed for luxury.  You would be mistaken.  Part of the
>prestige in these cars is connected to their performance abilities.  Does
>that mean they can out handle a new Corvette?  No, but it does mean they can
>comfortably handle three digits on the interstate and hard cornering in the
>twisties with aplomb.  Performance IS a crucial element in this market
>segment and when the cars are compared it deserves to be a central factor.
>How hard is it to put leather on some seats and wood in the dash?


Yeah, i have come 180 degrees, but only to these huge sedans.  I still 
hold that the A4 1.8tq has a LOT of potential.  But actually in general, 
i was talking about the vintage audis that we all love in terms of 
performance.  None of them are heavy, and none are particularly heavy on 
the luxury amenities compared to today's cars.

How bout we take a survey of the buyers of these cars and find out how 
many of them are buying them cause of performance.  I think that would be 
interesting.  If you are paying 70k for a luxurious performance sedan, 
get something half as expensive which can perform better.  I say that the 
buyers of these cars like being able to accelerate relatively quickly and 
perhaps the occasional speeding session, but i doubt that most of them 
are thinking, "wow, this would be great on highway 1 going 90 mph"  If 
they were thinking that, they wouldnt be in the market for a sedan, they 
would be thinking sports car, or at the very least a lighter sports sedan 
such as the S4 or the M3 or M5.

But come on, it is silly to base arguments on luxury sedans based on 
performance.  What you talk about is driver feel, and that is subjective. 
 Many would say flat out, straight faced that the Deville is a better 
car, or maybe a Town Car, because THEY LIKE the feel better.  But yeah, 
you can compare these cars based on performance, but then when you do 
that, you leave out the reason why they were built: to transport people 
in comfort at high speeds.  There will ALWAYS be a car that is faster 
than one of these sedans.  So why dont we judge them on their primary 
goal, which is of luxury...

As Mercedes Benz what their main priority is with the S class.  Do you 
think that they will say performance?  Puhleeze....YOU say that the whole 
purpose is not to be luxurious, but what would i say, or what would the 
next guy say?  Everyone will say something different.  The only people 
who truly know what this car wsa designed for would be the engineers.  
Are any of them on this list?  If so, please chime in here.  The buyers 
of these cars, except in the rare circumstance would not be stressing 
their budgets too much.  If they want performance and a luxury car, they 
will buy a luxury car (A8. 740, whatever) and a sports car.  People with 
that kind of money to buy new wont be compromising...

In conclusion, yeah, these cars can perform relatively well compared to 
cars of yesteryear, but when a Dodge Neon is approaching them for 0-60 
and handling for A LOT less, the comparison of performance becomes 
diluted....



later...


Michael Sheridan Williams

My new one: 1985 4000 S Quattro
175,000+ miles, and going like a new car
Well, went like a new car.....right into a guard rail :o(

http://members.aol.com/daserde2