could've fooled me
$38,000 Entry Level Luxury aka Sport Sedans Shootout
- Thread starter mikeyb
- Start date
ahhhhhh.......
Price wise yes but not in the same class. No one that is going to look at these 4 cars will most likely not look at either an EVO X or STI.
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Out of this bunch:
I'd take the G35 first and the CTS w/ auto trans second. I wouldn't even consider the Benz cuz it sucks unless its the AMG variant and I still think the current BMW 3 series sedan is a styling abomination (twin turbos or not).
But screw all these cars. Gimme a Pontiac G8 GT for about Fully loaded for
12K less than all these rep mobiles, plently luxurious enough and it will leave them for dead in the twisties and absolutely MURDER them all on the straights.
This video proves my point. But I hate how Top Gear tested it in the wet. It always seems to be raining when they test the American or Austrailian cars but bone dry when the Brisitsh cars go around the track.
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I'd take the G35 first and the CTS w/ auto trans second. I wouldn't even consider the Benz cuz it sucks unless its the AMG variant and I still think the current BMW 3 series sedan is a styling abomination (twin turbos or not).
But screw all these cars. Gimme a Pontiac G8 GT for about Fully loaded for
12K less than all these rep mobiles, plently luxurious enough and it will leave them for dead in the twisties and absolutely MURDER them all on the straights.
This video proves my point. But I hate how Top Gear tested it in the wet. It always seems to be raining when they test the American or Austrailian cars but bone dry when the Brisitsh cars go around the track.
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FreewheelBurner
Member
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- E36 M3/4
The G8 is honestly in a different class than these euro(and semi-euro) sports sedans.
Everyone wants to try to compare performance and say its better because its quite similar for less, but obviously these cars offer quite more than just all balls power. They offer refinement and are very friendly daily drivers. As stated in the article these cars are the fun and sporty without points on your licence cars.
The G8 is really more comparable to the likes of the Charger SRT8, another car that lost when Top Gear compared it to the M5. These are the brute power screaming down the highway cars.
Everyone wants to try to compare performance and say its better because its quite similar for less, but obviously these cars offer quite more than just all balls power. They offer refinement and are very friendly daily drivers. As stated in the article these cars are the fun and sporty without points on your licence cars.
The G8 is really more comparable to the likes of the Charger SRT8, another car that lost when Top Gear compared it to the M5. These are the brute power screaming down the highway cars.
Those exact traits describe the G8. Its refined, it will trundle around town with no complaint, it has just about every amenity a modern semi luxury car would need. It beats the germans at their own teutonic game pure and simple. The only reason someone would pay more is for Badge Snobbery purposes. Just to say I own a Bimmer.
I used to love bimmers (still love the engines not the styling though) but there is not a bimmer being made todat that I'd take over a VXR8/G8. Not the M5, Not the M3, not the 135. Why pay so much when I can get 9/10ths the car for 5/10ths the price?
Top Gear compared the VXR8 with a BMW 530i, E 320, and Audi A6 3.0. Which are in the same price bracket as the VXR8 in the UK. The VXR8 out ran, out handled, and out braked all the euros. JC even stated that the BMW is for the Badged Snobbery.
EVO mag will have a comparision test with VXR8 goes up against the BMW M3 and C63 AMG. Just from the short clip I've seen of the video they love the VXR8.
Car mag did a full test of the VXR8 and they stated that it stops faster the a M5.
EVO mag will have a comparision test with VXR8 goes up against the BMW M3 and C63 AMG. Just from the short clip I've seen of the video they love the VXR8.
Car mag did a full test of the VXR8 and they stated that it stops faster the a M5.
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blacksrt47
Member
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- Dodge SRT4
I know its FWD and people may not associate it as super luxorious, but I would put the Nissan Maxima up against these. My parents have owned the past 3 generation Maximas and I have to say that we have loved them. I think they have all the nice luxorious things, good amounts of hp, and pretty good handling. Like I said the only downfall I can see would be the FWD, but I can look past that. Just my opinon.
To be honest, if they were considering auto transmissions, the car selection would have been quite different. The Benz would have been the C350 Sport and I'm sure the Lexus IS350 would have dominated the field and ultimately won.
As a previous owner of 3 Maximas myself and a current owner of a 03 Altima SE, I do not think they are in the same class all together. The current Maxima is bloated and fat compared to these cars. Its more on the lines of a Toyota Avalon and Lexus ES 350. Maximas are not known for their super luxorious cheap interiors. Nissan needs to put a hell of alot more money into their interiors.
Why buy a Maxima when you can buy a high end sports sedan for around the same price? I know I would not buy a Maxima over a 328i or G35.
What year is your parents Maxima, blacksrt47?
I use to own a 92, 96, and 02.
blacksrt47
Member
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- Dodge SRT4
We just got an 08 and have previously owned a 98 and 02 I think it was. Pretty much the last two body styles. I can understand about the BMW I guess like I said in my opinion. I guess too for me there is just something about the image with a BMW and Mercedes and I don't feel that much of an image like that with a Maxima. If that makes any sense. As for the Infiniti thing, again I know they are close, I guess I have just become partial to the Maxima.
Just a little extra, I love the Altima 3.5s. I think those are pretty badass b/c most people don't think of the Altima as being much, but with the 3.5 I'm sure they rock. I have grown to love the new Coupe Altimas, do they come in 3.5 also?
Just a little extra, I love the Altima 3.5s. I think those are pretty badass b/c most people don't think of the Altima as being much, but with the 3.5 I'm sure they rock. I have grown to love the new Coupe Altimas, do they come in 3.5 also?
blacksrt47
Member
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- Dodge SRT4
Nice that rocks.
FreewheelBurner
Member
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- E36 M3/4
No one seems to get the point, A Corvette C6 is around the same price as a 335i does that mean they are in the same category? To say that a car with 100hp more horsepower is better because it outperforms cars in similar price ranges is completely wrong. The G8 is a sports sedan, thats it. Those other cars are luxury sedans that are sporty.
a 8mpg V8 is not by any means refined and daily driver friendly. Whether its a Vauxhall or a Pontiac, its still not a Cadillac and not as refined as one.
a 8mpg V8 is not by any means refined and daily driver friendly. Whether its a Vauxhall or a Pontiac, its still not a Cadillac and not as refined as one.
I'm afraid it is you who's missing the point.
A vetter and 335i are different because ones a sedan and ones a coupe. Ones a pure bred sports car and the others a luxury sporting sedan
In the case of the VXR8 and its competition, all have 4 doors, good sized boot and sporting intentions. Just because its competition is grossly overpriced, doesn't mean the VXR8 doesn't compete with them. And I'd put its interior up against any of theirs any time. And I'm not sure where the HECK you got 8 MPG from. Maybe if you're flying around the nurburgring all day. I'd say you'd average 18mpg or so.
I guess the M5 is not a refined daily driver as well because its got a gas swilling V10?
Yes they are around the same price but they are not in the same market segment. Two different purposes and buyers. And you of all people should know that the BMW 3er is a sports sedan and is the brenchmark that the rest want to be.
Of course a 8mpg V8 is not refined or good for a dailly driver. Tell that to all the gas guzzling SUV and truck owners. How do you know that the Vauxhall or G8 is not as refined as the Cadillac? The platform that the CTS rides on was developed by Holden which stated back in 1998. The Sigma platform is only for use on Cadillac vehicles. Where the VXR8/G8 use the Zeta platform which will underpin about a dozen vehicles from sedans to wagons and sport coupes. Zeta was also developed by Holden at the same time as the Sigma platform.
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flipstylex
Member
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- Mazdaspeed 3, Cosmic Blue sport
eh, bimmer always wins comparo, no matta wich cometition is out there...it's sad that i noticed the mercedes is falling apart within every entry comparison coming out....i think the amg is the only thing keeping the mercedes on it's toes 
eh, bimmer always wins comparo, no matta wich cometition is out there...it's sad that i noticed the mercedes is falling apart within every entry comparison coming out....i think the amg is the only thing keeping the mercedes on it's toes
Even the C63 AMG does not do well in comparos. Car and Driver always has a BMW win a comparo. I think it finished 2nd once and that was when the Infiniti G35 first came out.
The 3 series is the brenchmark in the entry/luxury sports sedan segment.
I think this comparo should have been a $40K comparo not a $38K.
