Anyone own a German vehicle, or want to at some point in addition to our Lexus?
04-22-16, 09:26 PM
#17
Lexus Test Driver
A couple of comments:
- The new X1 is now about the same size as the original X3. Have a look at it. It's far more affordable than the X3.
- Anyone can cheap out on maintenance over the course of a lease, then hand it down to someone else. It is not exclusive to German cars. In fact, at least with BMW, all scheduled maintenance was included, so those cars will be more babied. I think one of the worst examples would be a pre-owned Camaro or Mustang, which was driven by a young male. Talk about abuse.
- Audi's current reliability has greatly risen in recent years. They should get said credit.
- Reliability and maintenance are two different things in the longterm. A car, such as a newer A4, can be quite reliable, but still very expensive to maintain over time.
- For the longest time, German cars were said to have driving soul and character. This is what has made them more fun to drive than their Japanese counterparts. However, these two roles are somewhat changing now. Many newer American and Japanese cars are said to handle and perform better than the perennial BMW winners. So the need to go back to a German car for the fun factor is diminishing.
- The new X1 is now about the same size as the original X3. Have a look at it. It's far more affordable than the X3.
- Anyone can cheap out on maintenance over the course of a lease, then hand it down to someone else. It is not exclusive to German cars. In fact, at least with BMW, all scheduled maintenance was included, so those cars will be more babied. I think one of the worst examples would be a pre-owned Camaro or Mustang, which was driven by a young male. Talk about abuse.
- Audi's current reliability has greatly risen in recent years. They should get said credit.
- Reliability and maintenance are two different things in the longterm. A car, such as a newer A4, can be quite reliable, but still very expensive to maintain over time.
- For the longest time, German cars were said to have driving soul and character. This is what has made them more fun to drive than their Japanese counterparts. However, these two roles are somewhat changing now. Many newer American and Japanese cars are said to handle and perform better than the perennial BMW winners. So the need to go back to a German car for the fun factor is diminishing.
04-22-16, 10:06 PM
#18
- For the longest time, German cars were said to have driving soul and character. This is what has made them more fun to drive than their Japanese counterparts. However, these two roles are somewhat changing now. Many newer American and Japanese cars are said to handle and perform better than the perennial BMW winners. So the need to go back to a German car for the fun factor is diminishing.
Agreed about the newer BMW's not handling or driving as nice as their predecesors(yes they are faster). Plus I think the big thing is the competition has caught up in terms of handling/chassis development. The Cadillac ATS(a car I wouldn't buy based on the horrendous interior) drives/handles/rides like nothing else. It feels like a 4 door Miata, it has that natural, light on its feet feel about it that is missing in the current 3 series.
Anyways, getting back on point, I think the real reason you buy a German car is both for the prestige and that some of them really are the best thing on the market. Mercedes-Benz, I feel that they are making the best cars in the world if you want that luxury feel, their interiors bring the fit/finish and design from 200k Bentleys down to prices mortals can afford. IMO they leapfrogged Audi and Lexus in that department with the latest C, E, and S class.
04-24-16, 04:19 PM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
Technically, my Buick Verano is essentially a German car (the Delta II-platform Opel Astra sedan) with a standard Buick-supplied powertrain and a whole lot of Buick sound-insulation added to it. The Chevy Cruze is also (very loosely) related to this platform, but much less so than the Verano.
04-26-16, 12:34 AM
#20
Technically, my Buick Verano is essentially a German car (the Delta II-platform Opel Astra sedan) with a standard Buick-supplied powertrain and a whole lot of Buick sound-insulation added to it. The Chevy Cruze is also (very loosely) related to this platform, but much less so than the Verano.
04-26-16, 06:35 AM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
I've never driven the Verano, but do have some seat time in the larger Germanic Regal a 2012 model. I must say that car straight boogies around the corners and has a good amount of thrust from the turbo 4 cylinder engine. Mainly I liked the ride, it was a bit firm, but smooth at the same time. You felt the big bumps, but they were asorbed with a very solid "thunk" that is kind of hard to describe with an American car. Overall the fit/finish on that car was better than a $100,000 Escalade Platinum, yes it wasn't as glitsy, but the fit betweent the buttons/panels was tighter.
04-26-16, 08:42 AM
#22
I used to own a BMW 320i many years ago. It was the most unreliable vehicle I ever owned convincing me to never own another BMW ever. I have kept to that promise to myself up to today.
The BMW I owned was plagued with electrical problems. It was very unnerving to get into the car far from home and turn the key and nothing happens. (it wasn't a bad battery either) I had bought it brand new but they never figured out the problem up til I finally traded it in and washed my hands of BMW.
I have owned many Lexus cars since over the years and have enjoyed the reliability and comfort unmatched by any other brand.
The BMW I owned was plagued with electrical problems. It was very unnerving to get into the car far from home and turn the key and nothing happens. (it wasn't a bad battery either) I had bought it brand new but they never figured out the problem up til I finally traded it in and washed my hands of BMW.
I have owned many Lexus cars since over the years and have enjoyed the reliability and comfort unmatched by any other brand.
04-26-16, 10:32 AM
#24
Yes. When you take the car in, the dealer will very calmly tell you that you need the 60K maintenance done. For $1200, when you inquire.
What every owner fails to realize is that the owners manual states exactly what needs to be done at those intervals, and nothing the factory specifies costs anything in that region. In my 70K miles of ownership of the ML350, I have spent approx @ $600 in oil changes (every 10K miles) and one transmission fluid replacement for $450. Nothing else. Nada. Zilch.
Last edited by chikoo; 04-26-16 at 01:50 PM.
04-26-16, 11:17 AM
#25
04-26-16, 08:31 PM
#28
04-27-16, 08:07 AM
#29
I have owned many cars starting with 07 Lexus IS 250, 09 BMW 335i (e92), 14 Lexus GS F Sport, 08 Acura TL Type S, 06 Infiniti G35 coupe and the only car that has given me the most problems was the 09 BMW 335i. I later found out that the 09 BMW model year was horrible and had many many issues and that was my case. I finally sold it to some college kid who wanted his first BMW and I hope this doesn't discourage him from getting another BMW. Anyways, my point is that all my Japanese cars has great reliability and it also comes down to how the owner takes care of the car too.
