Is Your List Better Than These Top 10 Luxury Car Impersonators?

Passat maybe, not the Jetta.

— 993Turbo (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 2:15:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 16   

I agree, I just drove one and was surprised at how solid it was. Plus it looks way better than the accord.

— daytonaviolet (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 3:00:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Honda is definitely not for those who are cheap and tasteless. Honda's aren't that cheap, first of all, and their styling is really tasteful. The Civic Si is proof of both of those.

— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 4:02:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

If you're talking about those people who think it's cool to destroy Hondas by adding stupid exhaust pipes, ugly body kits, racing stripes, and ugly spoilers, then yes, Hondas are crappy. But stock version Hondas are very attractive.

— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 4:12:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

You mean the stock Honda Civic SI that comes stock with ricer decals on the sides? Tasteful is definitley not a word that comes to mind...

VTEC YO!

— Obliv (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 4:31:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -8   

Those aren't ricer decals. A ricer decal doesn't have anything to do with the car. A ricer decal is the logo for their huge bass speaker or the logo for their crappy after market junk or their gang symbol.

— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 4:33:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

Ya, I guess the Porsche GT3 RS is ricer too with its decals...

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 7:57:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

OF COURSE the camry isn't listed.

simply because it IS NOT an IMPERSONATOR.

one of the attributes of TRUE LUXURY, is TOTAL RELIABILITY. what good is a leather couch that's sitting at the dealer, waiting for parts? on this basis, toyotas are TRUE 'luxury vehicles' so not a single one is on this list of "IMPERSONATORS."

now if you get an optioned up Avalon or Camry or Corolla, RAV4, Matrix, etc..... then you do have a TRUE luxury car. which will STILL be faithfully cosseting you YEARS AFTER many a euro or detroit car has been traded or scrapped for too frequent repair needs.

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 1:39:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

I'll take the new Honda Accord anyday over the bloated and squat toyota camry(really and old family man's car).

— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 2:10:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

What looks good varies from person to person, but i have to say that the Camry is not that good looking. At least Toyota made some sort of effort not to make it look as a box with 4 wheels.

— zorbeeze (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 8:55:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"now if you get an optioned up Avalon or Camry or Corolla, RAV4, Matrix, etc..... then you do have a TRUE luxury car. which will STILL be faithfully cosseting you YEARS AFTER many a euro or detroit car has been traded or scrapped for too frequent repair needs."

if theres an avalon, whats the point of a fully-loaded V6 camry or ES?

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 5:42:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

some prefer the longer wheelbase and bigger cabin of the Avalon, some do not.

some also prefer the higher fuel efficiency of a Camry 4, while also appreciative of the lux features.

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 4/16/2008 2:41:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

LOL

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 3:31:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I agree that the new Accord has NEAR luxury quality. I know that Acura is not perceived as a luxury nameplate by many around this site, but I think they should reintroduce the CL coupe (basing it on the new Accord coupe) with minimal effort.

— finishline (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 2:47:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Interesting, no Hyundai Genesis or Kia Amanti on the list...Or Toyota Avalon

001

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 2:58:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11   

Dont agree with the Mazda3. Jetta should be replaced with the Passat, or CC

— w209w114 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 3:24:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Is the Honda CR-V suppose to impersonate the RX? Yea the Jetta, Vue, Santa Fe and Mazda 3 probably shouldnt be on here. I agree with the CC (Passat), maybe the outlook or whatever the big saturn suv is.

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 3:33:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The Jetta, MAZDA3, Malibu, and Santa Fe shouldn't be on the list. First of all, the Jetta isn't that nice. Like others have said, it should be the Passat. The MAZDA3 isn't that great either because you can get a Nissan Versa with the same luxury features. And the only reason I said the Malibu is because the interior is kind of tacky. Personally, I don't like how they wrapped the shifter in leather. I think that the only automatic transmission shifters that have the leather wrapped around the base are those that don't have the side button on top. And I just plain don't think Hyundais are nice and that includes the Santa Fe.

— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 4:06:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I generally don't post negative comments here but I think that is a dumb list. It just seems random. Off the top of my head...

VW Passat
Hyunda Genesis
Kia Amanti
Volvo S40 (not sure if they make that any more)
Nissan Maxima
Honda Accord
Chevy Malibu
Toyota Avalon
Ford Edge
Acura TSX (Europea Accord)

— M35er (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 4:16:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

what the heck....is it just me or would my #1 be the chrysler 300!!!!!! looks like a total ripoff of bentleys/rolls....worst imitator of them all

— rand0m (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 8:44:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

agreed, Bentley should be on this list. Also agree with interior assessment. Seems like they use that same interior on many of the Chrysler/Dodge sedans.

— M35er (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 9:27:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Glad to see the Accord on there. It's rip off from the 5 series with its latest exterior design.

— corelink (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 9:43:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Where is BMW? They pretend to be 'Luxury' with every model!

— MadibaP (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 11:37:20 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

Oh wait! They charge like they ARE 'Luxury'! Ha ha suckers!

— MadibaP (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 12:23:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

1. 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
the Jetta is so far out of it's marketplace, it is a joke. It was originally a nice entry level 4 door sedan version of the Golf and GTI in my opinion. Compared to Civic and Corolla and has since moved up to compete with...well I dunno what since the Passat goes against the Accord, Altima, Camry, etc. So this car needs a major turn around in every aspect, especially price.

2. 2008 Mazda3
more sport than lux to me. Compared with a Civic, Corolla, etc. it does seem to be tighter, have better fit/finish and the fun to drive and accessories like bi-xenon lamps and LED tail lights give it a lux appeal. So maybe it could be considered in here afterall.

3. 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Have yet to sit in one in person, but from the outside with the tasteful chrome and accents done it does look like it belongs a step above a Buick even. It is much more stylish than Camry or Accord and for the money in the LTZ version you get more bang for the buck than in either of the others.

4. 2008 Honda Accord
Spare me, it's an ugly Acura TL, which as a cousin car is not even considered luxury. So if the Acura nameplate is near luxury, how can a Honda be near luxury when it offers less. Not to mention Honda's designers have gone very lax and have been uninspiring as of late, even the new Si makes me yawn now.

5. 2008 Honda CR-V
Once again please spare me. The Acura RDX's little brother with less power, a very girlie look, and no fun factor. The Toyota Rav 4 Limited 4WD V6 with 276hp would have been a better choice.

6. 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe
I can agree with this because for the money compared to a G37 coupe, the Altima coupe is a total bargain and quite a looker even in 2.5s trim.

7. 2008 Saturn Vue
Love the new VUE, it is def. on par with being a near luxury car. The design, the accents, the interior aesthetics are all pleasing and for the price with a V6 and the Redline coming out soon, you really can't beat what it offers in the compact SUV market. Unless you want hard off-roadability, then you get a Liberty.

8. 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
Umm, I would say no. I have driven in one, it was cheap looking, the V6 had no power to speak of, and the appointments were very ho-hum.

9. 2008 Buick Lucerne
The Lucerne is the Regal of the decade, nothing inspiring on looks, nothing that stands out about it. Buick is still your grandfathers car and they are going through hell to try and banish that look. Should have kept Oldsmobile alive and ditched the Bu.

10. 2008 Ford Edge
Why not just call it the Lincoln MKZ. It's a nice car, but not near lux at all. It's a Ford and Ford still needs to work on other images than just putting all there bread in this and the upcoming Flex. How about the real deal Focus from Europe and a Fusion that looks more like the European Mondeo!


The Jetta is so far out of it's market it's ridiculous

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 12:44:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

so stupid to pay $25-30K for these cheap wannabees, come on people wake up--the best value is an awesome CPO, from Audi, BMW, Lexus etc, you can get a 2-3 yo amazing vehicle (with a long warranty) for 30-40% off new car prices, and for basically what these "near luxury" pos's go for,,,...

— bocabimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 11:03:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1