Forbes 2008 Best Luxury Cars For The Buck
12-15-07 | 10:20 AM
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Forbes 2008 Best Luxury Cars For The Buck
1. Lexus IS250
2. Volvo V70
3. Acura TL
4. Buick Enclave
5. BMW 3-Series
6. GMC Yukon
7. Lexus RX350
8. Saab 9-5
9. Infiniti FX35
10. Volvo XC70
11. Lexus RX400h
12. Lincoln MKX
13. Audi TT
14. Volvo C70
15. BMW 5-Series
Behind The Numbers
In compiling our list of the luxury cars that deliver the most return on investment, we first looked at cost. Considering that today's median new-vehicle transaction price hovers around $27,000, and the base price of many "entry luxury" sedans, such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Infiniti G35, is set just above the $30,000 mark, we included all passenger cars and SUVs with starting prices, including destination, over $30,000.
Then, respecting the point that dealership service especially matters to luxury buyers, we considered the 2007 results of J.D. Power and Associates' annual Customer Service Index (CSI) scores, which assess satisfaction with dealership service in the first three years of ownership. Any brands that performed below the industry average (876 on the index's 1,000-point scale) were then removed from consideration. Among luxury brands, this included Mercedes-Benz, at 872, along with Land Rover, which ranked near the bottom, at 843.
Next, we looked to Strategic Vision's 2007 Total Value Index (TVI) scores, which assess one's complete ownership experience, including reliability and dealership experience, on a weighted scale, out of a possible 1,000 points. In considering these, we removed any vehicles from our list that didn't achieve above-average scores in their respective segments (the firm has 20 of them, covering specific types of vehicles, such as "Convertible Over $30,000" and "Luxury Car").
Finally, we looked at overall five-year ownership costs, as compiled for 2008 models (2007 costs were used when necessary in a few cases) by Vincentric, a data analysis firm providing cost-of-ownership information to the auto industry. We used Vincentric's average costs across each model line, as ownership costs might vary depending on equipment, options, and trim levels.
In compiling our list of the luxury cars that deliver the most return on investment, we first looked at cost. Considering that today's median new-vehicle transaction price hovers around $27,000, and the base price of many "entry luxury" sedans, such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Infiniti G35, is set just above the $30,000 mark, we included all passenger cars and SUVs with starting prices, including destination, over $30,000.
Then, respecting the point that dealership service especially matters to luxury buyers, we considered the 2007 results of J.D. Power and Associates' annual Customer Service Index (CSI) scores, which assess satisfaction with dealership service in the first three years of ownership. Any brands that performed below the industry average (876 on the index's 1,000-point scale) were then removed from consideration. Among luxury brands, this included Mercedes-Benz, at 872, along with Land Rover, which ranked near the bottom, at 843.
Next, we looked to Strategic Vision's 2007 Total Value Index (TVI) scores, which assess one's complete ownership experience, including reliability and dealership experience, on a weighted scale, out of a possible 1,000 points. In considering these, we removed any vehicles from our list that didn't achieve above-average scores in their respective segments (the firm has 20 of them, covering specific types of vehicles, such as "Convertible Over $30,000" and "Luxury Car").
Finally, we looked at overall five-year ownership costs, as compiled for 2008 models (2007 costs were used when necessary in a few cases) by Vincentric, a data analysis firm providing cost-of-ownership information to the auto industry. We used Vincentric's average costs across each model line, as ownership costs might vary depending on equipment, options, and trim levels.
Last edited by GFerg; 12-15-07 at 10:26 AM.
12-15-07 | 10:24 AM
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1. Lexus IS250
Base Price: $31,220
Five-Year Ownership Cost: $57,085
Brand's J.D. Power CSI Score: 913
Strategic Vision TVI Score: 796
At a price that's about the same as a loaded Toyota Camry, the sporty IS250, some might argue, is a bargain--especially considering the Lexus brand's legendary dealership experience and high product quality. Inside, the IS250 has available bird's-eye maple wood accents. Some of its available features--including voice-activated navigation and heated and ventilated front seats--aren't always offered in "entry luxury" models.
© Lexus
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Learn more about the Lexus RX 350 on ForbesAutos.com.
7. Lexus RX350
Base Price: $38,165
Five-Year Ownership Cost: $60,263
Brand's J.D. Power CSI Score: 913
Strategic Vision TVI Score: 775
The RX350 was one of the first of the so-called "crossover" sport-utility vehicles, or CUVs, when it was introduced nearly 10 years ago. Since then, it's become more upscale, both in terms of traditional luxury, like supple leather upholstery and walnut and bird's-eye maple wood trim, and in features such as the available adaptive front lighting and "dynamic laser cruise control." Factor in that the RX ranks low in nearly all of Vincentric's ownership cost factors, and that the Lexus dealership experience is consistently rated so high in customer satisfaction, and it's an undeniably great value.
Base Price: $31,220
Five-Year Ownership Cost: $57,085
Brand's J.D. Power CSI Score: 913
Strategic Vision TVI Score: 796
At a price that's about the same as a loaded Toyota Camry, the sporty IS250, some might argue, is a bargain--especially considering the Lexus brand's legendary dealership experience and high product quality. Inside, the IS250 has available bird's-eye maple wood accents. Some of its available features--including voice-activated navigation and heated and ventilated front seats--aren't always offered in "entry luxury" models.
© Lexus
Like what you see?
Learn more about the Lexus RX 350 on ForbesAutos.com.
7. Lexus RX350
Base Price: $38,165
Five-Year Ownership Cost: $60,263
Brand's J.D. Power CSI Score: 913
Strategic Vision TVI Score: 775
The RX350 was one of the first of the so-called "crossover" sport-utility vehicles, or CUVs, when it was introduced nearly 10 years ago. Since then, it's become more upscale, both in terms of traditional luxury, like supple leather upholstery and walnut and bird's-eye maple wood trim, and in features such as the available adaptive front lighting and "dynamic laser cruise control." Factor in that the RX ranks low in nearly all of Vincentric's ownership cost factors, and that the Lexus dealership experience is consistently rated so high in customer satisfaction, and it's an undeniably great value.
12-15-07 | 10:58 AM
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Interesting that both the Lexus LS460 and Acura RL were left off the list. IMO, both cars trump everything else on this list, both quality and engineering-wise. Perhaps, though, they are just too expensive......although the Lexus RX400H, which did make the list, is up in the RL's territory, price-wise.
And the Audi TT? Kinda hard, IMO, to define that as a "luxury" car...IMO, it is
a borderline upmarket sports coupe.
And the Audi TT? Kinda hard, IMO, to define that as a "luxury" car...IMO, it is
a borderline upmarket sports coupe.
12-15-07 | 11:04 AM
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Interesting that both the Lexus LS460 and Acura RL were left off the list. IMO, both cars trump everything else on this list, both quality and engineering-wise. Perhaps, though, they are just too expensive......although the Lexus RX400H, which did make the list, is up in the RL's territory, price-wise.
And the Audi TT? Kinda hard, IMO, to define that as a "luxury" car...IMO, it is
a borderline upmarket sports coupe.
And the Audi TT? Kinda hard, IMO, to define that as a "luxury" car...IMO, it is
a borderline upmarket sports coupe.
12-15-07 | 11:13 AM
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,601
Likes: 89
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
You may not agree with me on this, but I think it was left out for a reason. The new ES350 is, IMO, a disappointment over the last-generation ES330 in several areas.....tires, suspension, interior plastics, amount and quality of interior wood trim, and dash rattles.
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12-15-07 | 04:30 PM
#10
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12-15-07 | 05:48 PM
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Interesting that both the Lexus LS460 and Acura RL were left off the list. IMO, both cars trump everything else on this list, both quality and engineering-wise. Perhaps, though, they are just too expensive......although the Lexus RX400H, which did make the list, is up in the RL's territory, price-wise.
And the Audi TT? Kinda hard, IMO, to define that as a "luxury" car...IMO, it is
a borderline upmarket sports coupe.
And the Audi TT? Kinda hard, IMO, to define that as a "luxury" car...IMO, it is
a borderline upmarket sports coupe.
12-15-07 | 06:10 PM
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My biggest shock and I mean biggest shock was that the G35 wasn't on there. I don't like to pay attention to what Forbes rate as the best anything for the buck but it really dissapoints me not to see the G35 sedan on there.
12-15-07 | 11:23 PM
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