Audi A8 named “Executive car of the year”

I just hate reading these perfectly legitimate Lexus fans posts, they're so biased...

— Kinger (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 11:42:00 AM | | Votes: 8   

david989 isn't a real Lexus fan, he's just making a mockery of them with his overtly biased and entirely factless posts.

Just for the remaining few who didn't know that. ;)

— Kinger (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 12:14:57 PM | | Votes: 6   

Isn't it funny how you can see the age of a person by their comments? So David989 how old? I guess about 16?

Hard to take people serious when they slam another company on an award given by industry experts. Make no sense to mock them.

— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 12:28:32 PM | | Votes: 5   

And yet nearly all of you on the defensive now were on the offensive when the LS won all its awards. Hypocritical much?

Good for the A8, it's a wonderful car still after all these years on the market.

— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 12:30:43 PM | | Votes: 5   

"Caltrans, the Phaeton is almost identical to the A8,"

Not even close.

— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 2:44:21 PM | | Votes: 3   

The Phaeton is an excellent machine, but the two cars (Phaeton vs. A8L) are so utterly different that they almost cannot be compared.

Some key facts:

• Phaeton's chassis is made of steel, as opposed to the A8L's expensive aluminum piece. The Audi weighs about 500lbs less. As a result of this, A8 has much better handling.

• The A8 has 350hp and direct injection, while the not-for-NA Phaeton still makes do with 330hp.

• The two car's interiors are very, very different. Similar approach to simplicity, but the Phaeton still has a ton of buttons on the dash, and looks cheap next to the A8's timeless decor.

• Finally, their exteriors. While both are very good-looking and unassuming (depending on wheel choice), the Phaeton, to most people, looks like a big Passat. The A8 is easily identifiable as a luxury car, and reminds me of a tailor-made suit.

That will be all.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 10:49:25 PM | | Votes: -2   

Nothing beats Audi in overall value and bang for the buck. The only area in which Mercedes beats Audi is in the S-Class front seats which have some unique adjustments and feaures not found anywhere else. Lexus LS tried to clone the fully independent seat cushion length adjustment of the S-class but did it for the driver's seat only and did not do it as well and failed to match the S-class seat comfort. Audi A8 gives you a rust-free aluminum body and a superior AWD system with a Torsen centre differential. You could argue that Rolls and Bentley provide more luxury and automotive art but the latter two do so at a very high incremental cost for very little imcremental benefits over the A8. Then there is the Maybach which has a SOHC engine and 3 valves per cylinder instead of a proper DOHC 4-valve-per-cylinder engine.

— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 12:42:42 AM | | Votes: 0   

Wow, people hate me just because I mentioned the better car? The Lexus! Do you see how bias Autospies is? Lexus fans have to suffer so much shame and insults at the hands of German fanboys. We need to stick together fellow Lexus fans! Will, 43LE everyone! Let's stick together!

— david989 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 6:39:04 AM | | Votes: -2   

at least they didn't choose a POS like the LS460/600h

— chris760 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 10:10:52 PM | | Votes: 0   

Who cares?

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 10:51:01 PM | | Votes: 0   

oh the us is the only market in the world ?

— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 11:55:36 AM | | Votes: 1   

There are three reasons why I'd take an A8 SWB over the S550 (S8's similar price to the S550 4Matic nonwithstanding):

• Size
• Gas
• Image

The S550 would actually be hard to fit in our garage, it's so long. The A8L is equally long, but at least Audi offers a shorter version. I can't understand why Mercedes-Benz won't give us the SWB S-Class, or the more economical S450/S420 CDI models. Which brings me to my next point: S550 has terrible gas mileage. Worst in class. The A8's is at least decent... but I would feel guilty driving the Benz. The last thing: image. I'm not a Mercedes guy. Never have been. The S-Class is the epitome of the M-B image, and I feel that it's a slightly assholish car to drive. EVERY 55-year-old bloke with money to blow has one. It's still a fabulous sedan, excelling in almost every way... but I don't want one.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 10:55:36 PM | | Votes: 0   

Interesting the reasons you don't like the S550 are the reasons that I like it. I genuinely did enjoy my short time in the Audi and I think its a great car. I just like the Benz more for my tastes. I like the S Class because it is big. It'll fit in my garage too. The gas mileage isn't an issue for me and usually anyone else who buys a hundred thousand dollar car. I wouldn't feel guilty driving it...I'd feel rich. Thats why I buy cars. To feel good and enjoy them. In the mornings when I ride to work with my top down and my music up its a great feeling that justifies my outrageous car payment. That feeling justifies the long hours and the corporate bs that I deal with. As far as the assholish image...well what can I say. I'm an asshole, have been for years. But I've earned the right. I'm 30 years old, have a great job, two nice cars, a home and money in the bank. Lets face it. Is there anything wrong with having money to blow? I'm trying to live the american dream. Its a good image to me and I'm happy to portray it.
I learned a long time ago that it is okay to have things and to enjoy them. Thats what i'm doing. Heck I think Im gonna buy a boat next summer.
T

— TauronB2G (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 12:06:38 AM | | Votes: 4   

I agree with TauronB2G as well.

People usually buy a large car such as an S-Class to feel good. To remind and reward yourself of what you acheived.

I only can't see this with the A8.
I took a short test drive in one earlier this year. Yes it does have the driving dynamics.
But it lacks the substance you would expect from an S-Class, or from the sports car in a silk suit-7 Series.
I asked myself, "is this car just a big A6"?

When you buy an S-Class or 7 Series, you have distinction.
Not only from other cars on the road, but within the brand itself.
You can't get this from an Audi or a Lexus.

Sure you are paying out the nose for the best luxury model.
But the money just doesn't cut it when people on the street can't tell it from an Avalon or A6.

— ZZZushi (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 2:34:16 AM | | Votes: 0   

Zushi!

The Lexus LS has more heritage and prestige than a Mercedes S class. Why? Superior engineering and technology and a more happy customer base. Every single S class owner I know is in the shop 24/7 365 days a year.

— david989 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 6:41:35 AM | | Votes: -1   

If I wanted reliability, I would buy a Hilux.

Such is the price of luxury. Sure, a Benz may be less reliable; but on the other hand it isn't a Toyota.

Luxury isn't Gadgets or Reliabiliy.
Luxury is Prestiege, Exclusivity, the longing look from oncoming LS Buyers.

Lexus works in favour of us German car buyers.
Encouraging productivity, as well as diminishing the number of German cars on the road, thus creating exclusivity.

— ZZZushi (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 7:46:37 AM | | Votes: -1   

Like it or not, Lexus has reached the same status that BMW and Benz are at already. The LS has been quoted as being the "most indulgent luxury car on the market" in the same review it placed last in for being too luxurious. With the LS you get just as much luxury and technology as the S-Class, yet with a small price difference due to the badge, which WILL be eliminated in a few decades. Buying a Benz gives snobs a few extra bragging points because they paid a few extra dollars, that's it. It's not a better car, it doesn't perform better, it doesn't offer more features, it's a badge. And with that, I add that buying a car so you can brag about it in other people's faces is childish. Oncoming LS drivers could care less about S-Class drivers passing by, I know I don't.

— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 5:23:21 PM | | Votes: 2   

Audi used to be crap in the eighties and I gave up on them after they struck out thee times on me. However, I recently returned to Audi with a value-priced 4-year lease and I can attest to the fact that Audi is just about completely reliable now. Also, Audi has had better rust resistance than anyone else ever since they started using 2-sided galvanized steel for all body panels way back in 1986. In 1985, only the lower half was galvanized.

— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 11:53:45 PM | | Votes: 1