MMMMMmmmmmMMMMmmmm......AWD!!!

 

Almost every car manufacturer has mastered engine technology at this point, and with basic maintainance, they are unlikely to fail. On the otherhand, transmissions still have a ways to go in some cars, they are far more complicated and actually take more abuse in every day driving. That and electrical systems. I believe lexus makes the most reliable engines and transmissions as well as electrical systems without question.

I don't think ive ever seen an Audi A8 before... Ive seen it in the magazines and been rather impressed, at least by the twin turbo version.

 

The latest Motor Trend contains a road test of five large luxo sedans. A BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW and Lexus. The Audi won with the LS 430 finishing second. They loved the car with their only real complaint being that the handling wasn't sporty enough for some of them and that the systems tended to take control too soon when driven hard. Some thought the styling was stodgy but beauty is in the eye of the beholder isn't it?
I found it interesting that it placed second and that it was at least 10k cheaper than every other model tested.

 

Car & Driver ran a comparo test of the same cars in the December '03 issue and this is how the cars were rated:

1. LS430
2. XJ8
3. 745i
4. A8L
5. VW Phaeton
6. S 430



http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1

 

Thanks for letting us know, though I'd be very grateful if someone could post the comparo article here.

But wait!! I just looked at my calendar and it says today's July...
Am I living in a different dimension from yours, JLSC4?

 

My father has an ls430 that he leases and it was up a few months ago. He was trying to decide whether to get the new ls430 or an A8. So we went over to rusnak. Anyone who has gone to rusnak knows whats up with their salesmen. Luckily our guy wasn't that arrogant. He made a weak toyota joke when he heard that my dad and i both drive lexuses but he more than made up for it when he let me drive the a8 after my dad. All I can say is that it is amazing. The ls430 is smooth but the handling on the a8 was amazing. I tried convincing my dad to get the a8 but in the end Lexus won. He now has a black ls430. He couldn't have gone wrong with either.

 

Seen quite a few A8l around my way... and I have seen a few S8's... to boot!

 

Good job Lexus! Even though it's second place it's good enough. It beat out the BMW 745i and Benz S430 . The Audi A8L, it is very common to see on in the Long Island suburbs it is a really beautiful car aswell as the LS 430. But for me the LS 430 should have won... If you overlook the handling it is the winner.

 

The A8 is so beautiful inside and outside. I sat in one at the DC car show earlier this year and loved it. Too bad it's not as reliable as the Lexus.

 

Well, it's just about August and magazines come out a month before its dated month.
I got the issue yesterday in the mail as I have a subscription. Don't know if it's on newstands yet.

 

Well between the 2 mags, the LS finishing 1st and 2nd is more convincing than the A8 finishing 1st and what 4th.
I also think the A8 is simply wonderful inside and out. hell, I liked the old one. The LS is simply one of the finest cars built EVER in history.

Kudos to the A8 for getting some hard earned recognition.

 

Notice no Infiniti Q45 or Acura RL even tested in EITHER. They suck that bad.

 

Ya, of course the cars tested are way out of the RL's league and to a lesser extent the Q45. If Infiniti and Acura ever want to compete in this catagory, they will need completely new models (new names).

What sells worse: the Q45 or the A8 L? You never see any of these never mind the Phaeton.

Lexus, MB, and BMW are the only healthy sellers in this class. They own the market!
And I'm happy to say that Lexus now outshines the S class and 7 series sales.

 

only problem thay talked about, and always do with lexus is handling, or the lack of. If it was more sport luxary than luxary sport it would top all lists,

 

I thought about this thread when I saw an A8 on the road today. It is absolutely one of the most beautiful cars out there. No one can dislike the looks and luxury. Interior looks quality even from outside. BUT...from what I hear Audi is almost as bad as Mercedes and that is a shame.
One thing the magazine guys never add in the comaparo's....reliability. They talk about feel and ride and power...never about reliability. Even on the long termers when they mention the repairs....if they mention them, they minimize them like it doesn't matter. It does to me.