Luxury commuter car?

[Tave]

Well the VW trolls are out in force today.


A Jetta or Golf are not what I'd describe as what "you'd expect to find in a Lexus LS 460, but in a small sedan with respectable fuel economy."

[2o6]

Well the VW trolls are out in force today.


A Jetta or Golf are not what I'd describe as what "you'd expect to find in a Lexus LS 460, but in a small sedan with respectable fuel economy."

To be fair, he owns an uplevel 2.0T......not a base 2.5L.

[CJ]

No, but they're reasonably priced, comfortable, quiet, refined, and very well built.

[Raza]

Yes, this is a theoretical exercise. 10/10th handling and blinding acceleration aren't as important as insulating the driver from the tedium of overcrowded roads. I was trying to visualize something about the size of Corolla but without the "built down to a price" feel.

I do 106 miles a day in slit-your-wrist traffic in a 2008 Jetta Wolfsburg 2.0T with a manual.  Same car with a DSG sounds a perfect fit, aside from the sound system. 

[Raza]

Well the VW trolls are out in force today.


A Jetta or Golf are not what I'd describe as what "you'd expect to find in a Lexus LS 460, but in a small sedan with respectable fuel economy."

What he wants doesn't exist.  There's nothing in a midlevel VW that is out of place in a luxury car, however.  My Passat's interior was better built than my Merc's and it managed to be better to drive in every way barring outright speed (though I'm certain in a high speed run, the Passat's turbo would walk the E320's V6), despite having plastic in the interior.  If you want a tiny LS460, you better get a shrink ray, because it's not happening.

He also mentioned commuting, so efficiency is important.  A big Buick won't give you better gas mileage than a TDI or even 2.0T.  The ride is firmer yes, but more controlled as well, which makes it, to me, more comfortable than a floaty car on the highway.  If I had to do my daily in a Camry, I'd be seasick by the time I hit the airport. 

[Raza]

I was going to say Jetta TDI, but that works too.

The Golf four door is shorter, which makes it a better commuter car, in my eyes. 

[r0tor]

Lexus is?

[Vinsanity]

Yes, this is a theoretical exercise. 10/10th handling and blinding acceleration aren't as important as insulating the driver from the tedium of overcrowded roads. I was trying to visualize something about the size of Corolla but without the "built down to a price" feel.

Gotcha...although I can't help but think carmakers have been down this road before

[Cookie Monster]

I do 106 miles a day in slit-your-wrist traffic in a 2008 Jetta Wolfsburg 2.0T with a manual.  Same car with a DSG sounds a perfect fit, aside from the sound system. 

Too bad more people can't do the same and bitch and complain about driving a manual in traffic.

I've done so numerous times (not on a day to day basis) and it wasn't bad at all.

[the Teuton]

Here's one out of left field: How about a Sonata Limited?

[2o6]

Here's one out of left field: How about a Sonata Limited?

Cheap inside.

[the Teuton]

Cheap inside.

Cheap bits here and there, but overall it really depends on how you option it. Lexus ES might be another good option if it weren't so overpriced. Toyota actually spends good money to give that thing a nice interior.

[Xer0]

What are your must haves? It's a tough call but I think the 1st gen TSX would best serve your needs. Relatively luxurious, spacious enough, great driving dynamics, relatively engaging (but economic) powertrain, and most importantly CHEAP. You could probably find a relatively low mileage one for 15K no problem.

You'd think so right?  I was sure that it would be at around that price too.  I've been looking up on auto trader a lot for potential "upgrades" to the good ol Civic and the TSX is a front runner.  Most that I've seen retail in the low 20's with very few dipping under 20k (high mileage 04's for instance).  I was surprised by how well they held their value.  I assume it was something to do with the underwhelming second gen.

[Raza]

Cheap inside.

Hideous outside too.

[Xer0]

Oh, and I nominate the Kizashi. 

[CALL_911]

Oh, and I nominate the Kizashi. 

Of course you do.

C300 Luxury, there's another good one.

[68_427]

I still Vote MKZ Hybrid.

[r0tor]

IS250

[68_427]

MKZ has a game to make time fly by!




And yes; that's real wood.  Standard heated and cooled seats.

[Xer0]

Of course you do.

C300 Luxury, there's another good one.

I will get over my love of that car 

Good call on the C-class.  I would also add a used B7 A4 too

[Madman]

Audi A3 TDI.  Problem solved.  You can close the thread now.

[Morris Minor]

@Vinsanity. Aha. I was thinking how easy it would be to address this by trying to make a silk purse out of sow's ear - images of the Caddy Cimarron popped into my head.

[Vinsanity]

@Vinsanity. Aha. I was thinking how easy it would be to address this by trying to make a silk purse out of sow's ear - images of the Caddy Cimarron popped into my head.

yeah, you can probably thank the Cimarron for the lack of small luxury cars in today's U.S. market; I wouldn't mind a small, but cushy and space-efficient commuter/cruiser myself. It's too bad the Lexus HS was executed so poorly.

[Morris Minor]

Audi A3 TDI.  Problem solved.  You can close the thread now.

That would work very well. Loaded it with options it would make a decent economical gentleman's conveyance.

[nickdrinkwater]

Surely a 1-Series BMW (118i SE or similar) with some options would be what you were looking for.

Or a MINI Cooper with a few option packs thrown in.

[Submariner]

Used 135?

What a sleeper! 

[2o6]

Surely a 1-Series BMW (118i SE or similar) with some options would be what you were looking for.

Or a MINI Cooper with a few option packs thrown in.

We only get the 128i and 135i, and only in Coupe or Convertible.

[GoCougs]

Yeah, no diesels guys. That explicitly excludes "super luxury."

To answer the question I'd say there is no market simply because people who want big luxury want to show it off (i.e., carry around other people).

As to a recommendation, likely the closest currently available would be the IS250.

[Raza]

As to a recommendation, likely the closest currently available would be the IS250.

How does an IS250 do the job better than an A4?

[2o6]

How does an IS250 do the job better than an A4?

The IS is much more cramped.