$130,000 Super Sedan Smackdown - The Spies Want To Know Which Sedan Would You Choose

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

Just the sound of it can make the hair on the back of ones neck stand up at attention.

$130,000. 

It’s a lot of money, where I live it can buy a small starter home or halfway decent condo.  But of course just like where you live, down the road or across town from the “starter” homes are the big homes.  And if where you live is anything like where I live, those big homes typically have some sort of eye candy in the driveway. 

Of course there is eye candy, and then there is eye candy.  You know the sort I am talking about.  In neighborhoods dotted with Mercedes-Benz S550’s, BMW 7-Series, Lexus LS’s and the occasional Jaguar or Audi A8, it takes more to stand out from the rest.  The truth is while all are great cars, they have become so commonplace that rarely does one turn the head of those they pass.

Which is were the two cars we are discussing today come into play.  The Mercedes-Benz S63 with its hand built 6.2-liter V8 and the Maserati Quattroporte S and its new 4.7-liter V8 putting out an impressive 425 horsepower.  With both priced right around the $130,000 mark, a compelling argument can be made for either car, but both have their pros and cons when considered for purchase.

The Maserati is the next best thing to a 4-door Ferrari.  Sharing engineering and production lines with Ferrari does have it advantages, and the V8 is a great example of this.  Coupling this engine with a decent automatic has done wonders for the Maserati creating a truly unique driving experience plus a design that truly makes heads turn.

Mercedes comes to the party with their S63.  Aggressive body work combined with some of the best looking rims yet to come out of AMG produces a car that truly screams Bad Ass Sedan.  Looking best in black with black interior, the AMG enhancements take the conservative S-Class to the next level of aggressive yet tasteful super sedan.

We are talking a lot of money, and if you are going to spend it you probably would like people to notice your success, so which car would you choose.

If it was my money, the Mercedes S63 AMG gets my vote, but I don’t think you lose choosing the Maserati either.  So which car would you choose?  And, if there is a car you think should be on this list, go ahead and tell us.

cl0wn - 8/31/2008 11:58:34 PM

+1 Boost

s63 fo sho

hao420 - 9/1/2008 8:43:01 PM

-7 Boost

Lexus LS top 3.....

golfer38 - 9/2/2008 2:50:03 PM

0 Boost

Interesting comments from someone who's driven the cars, if you're being truthful.

hpfreak - 9/1/2008 12:02:01 AM

0 Boost

How could you answer that without driving them?

WorldofLuxury - 9/1/2008 2:04:42 PM

+2 Boost

lol...very true

But I consider it like this...
I'd take the Maserati over the Merc 'cause it's unique. They both have somewhat the same amount of "flash", but when I saw my first Maserati on public roads a couple of years ago, it certainly caught my attention.
There wasn't a feeling that it was worth kidnapping the couple in the car and walking away with millions of dollars despite its uniqueness. (just as an example x])
Mercs are all over the place, and I've found myself ignoring them 'cause they're not that "special". But when it comes to a Maserati, there's a feeling of charm that you just can't resist. You won't feel cold when sitting in one. Just looking at it and you know you'd take care of it as if it were your baby.

Matthew1 - 9/1/2008 12:03:46 AM

0 Boost

It would be nice if the Maserati image was actually of the car in question, not the pre-facelift 4.2.

I would hit up the Maser any day, because it's Italian and I love Italian cars.

Granted, the S-Class may be more sophisticated, but it's not as glamorous and not as sexy.

Although I am not inclined to believe that "if you are going to spend it you probably would like people to notice your success".

Really? Are Autospies' readers that vain? Personally that's not how an 'enthusiast' would choose a car, based on what other people might think of them.

That's a typically-American mindset though, a rather distorted view of how most people choose a car to purchase.

asiancars233 - 9/1/2008 12:04:24 AM

-1 Boost

Mercedes. No doubt. I don't care if it drove bad. At least I'm not driving the other. And besides Mercedes is known for great engineering, so i wouldn't worry. Cause if I'm paying $130,000 for a car. I want my money's worth. So I think the Mercedes is a better choice

AlexTx - 9/1/2008 12:15:42 AM

-1 Boost

Money's worth???
Ooh no... wrong car for that.
Both cars have horrible depreciation and even worse on the S63.
The Maserati will out handle the S63 anytime.

Agent63 - 9/1/2008 4:14:15 PM

-1 Boost

I thought Maserati's have worse depreciation.

E36er - 9/1/2008 12:48:59 AM

-3 Boost

Neither.

AudiNewEngland - 9/1/2008 1:04:43 AM

-4 Boost

Both are beautiful,
but A8L W12 for me.

nembogt - 9/1/2008 1:06:07 AM

-4 Boost

i have to say the merc...the major draw back is that they look so similar to the dime a dozen S550...especially ones with the horrid fake tips. If only they made a black edition, uncap the torque to the full 900lb/ft or so

sizquik - 9/1/2008 1:11:25 AM

-1 Boost

I would wait a year and pick up the Maserati for 80

t_bone - 9/1/2008 1:34:05 AM

-1 Boost

Heart vs. Head. I'll go with heart.

Germancar_fan01 - 9/1/2008 2:12:52 AM

-8 Boost

Bmw 760LI

wedouglas - 9/1/2008 2:21:30 AM

0 Boost

I won't touch a new AMG with a ten foot poll. They obviously aren't $130K cars because they are worth half as much a year later. Maserati and Mercedes are better bought half off with 5K miles on them.

crackityjones - 9/1/2008 2:53:51 AM

-2 Boost

130K is not enough.

Gennissen - 9/1/2008 4:21:45 AM

+1 Boost

maser for me. i always liked the look.. real tasty.

JUGNU - 9/1/2008 5:44:01 AM

-3 Boost

$130,000 equals to approx 500,000 Dirhams here in UAE.
and for that money Meserati Quattroporte is possible but not S63 as it starts at around 600,000.

btw right now i am looking at Mesarati Granturismo S, a coupe, a bit more than $130K here, but that is what i would get.

JUGNU

M53R - 9/1/2008 6:44:51 AM

+7 Boost

you're supposed to pick a sedan.

xj13 - 9/1/2008 6:27:11 AM

0 Boost

BLACK S63 of course.

M53R - 9/1/2008 6:45:44 AM

+2 Boost

I would take the maserati. It's far less common and looks much more elegant.

almady - 9/1/2008 8:00:54 AM

0 Boost

Audi - A8L W12

JWalkerLegrande - 9/1/2008 8:31:15 AM

0 Boost

I love the 4porte. Still, the only thing better than the S63 is the S65.

iamdabest1 - 9/1/2008 9:28:52 AM

+1 Boost

i would take maserati although, i KNOW ill regret it.
it will have electrical probs and will probably be in the shop longer, the benz is definitely more reliable and being mass production, you could go to any dealership and have it fixed, i live in NYC, and there is only 1 maserati dealership here and its on long island.
i just like the fact that there are less maseratis on the road... i dont like being like ever other guy.
4matic, also has a big advantage here in ny.

cheechitup88 - 9/1/2008 10:50:32 AM

-1 Boost

The S63 is not 4matic. Coming from Montreal, I also have a great appreciation for 4-wheel drive. For Winter purposes, I would take an S8 Quattro, or a Flying Spur ( A little more expensive, but what's an extra $25,000)

AudiNewEngland - 9/1/2008 6:42:22 PM

+3 Boost

Just stop, Lexus sucks and you know it. That's why only old people drive them.

Agent63 - 9/2/2008 5:38:21 AM

+1 Boost

It's not just as powerful. What are you smoking? Nothing in the Lexus lineup can compare with Mercedes' S/SL/CL/CLS AMG models. Quit defending Lexus in a market where they have no share in. You're dulling the Lexus image (whatever they have) so cut it out. You're getting annoying.

caixa2 - 9/1/2008 10:00:36 AM

+3 Boost

S8 or A8 W12, depending on the conditions. The S63 AMG is up there as well.

cheechitup88 - 9/1/2008 10:48:13 AM

-4 Boost

Panamera Turbo

SHOWTIME - 9/1/2008 11:29:46 AM

0 Boost

S63

AgentOrange - 9/1/2008 11:54:38 AM

-1 Boost

For $130K I'd buy a 335i sedan, a 335xi sedan and a 135i cabriolet and still have enough left over for a big mac and fries...

Agent009 - 9/2/2008 8:40:20 AM

0 Boost

As long as that is a small fries, you may be ok..

pushrod27 - 9/1/2008 12:01:41 PM

+3 Boost

I'd get the Maserati for sure. You can customize pretty much the entire interior in any color combination you want. It's much better looking than the Benz, inside and out.

Agent63 - 9/1/2008 4:17:32 PM

+6 Boost

Michael,

Unfortunately the LS isn't a super sedan, not even the LS600HL. I know you must be sad and quite rightly so. The whole Lexus performance department is in jeopardy. The whole L-Finesse design philosophy will go to waste if the flagship car that started it all is going to be put aside. At the moment the only performance they have is the IS-F.

Sorry no Lexus anytime soon will be considered in this prestigious category. It's still behind in many excitement aspects as well. Put it this way. Lexus is for the older crowd so it's expected to see their designs more bland and boring.

Hate it or love it, its true.

1evlaudi - 9/1/2008 3:44:25 PM

+1 Boost

I'll go for the S8 and still have about $10K to spare.
I did drove those 3 cars as I was in sales, the S-class is fast but a bit overwhelming and the interior did not feel satisfying for me, same with the QP, power is great, much easier to drive than the S but that interior looks like somebody sneezed buttons and it is not as comfortable as the S, made me feel a bit claustro too.
Both great cars in their own ways, but the S8 is more well-rounded and a better overall car experience and the V-10 is a nice addition with a nice sound to it.

F1_Driver - 9/1/2008 5:46:21 PM

+2 Boost

For 130 large I'd want exclusivity and the Maserati does it for me.

1evlaudi - 9/1/2008 10:51:57 PM

+1 Boost

Oh, here you are amazinidiot,
amazin&bimmer= oxymoron...

Am i a badge whore? When you are the one saying that the B7 would be better than the QP and the S63 and the S8.
Did I say that the S8 was better flat out? No, I expressed my opinion based on my test drives and experience with those vehicles.
Did I or did I not say that those 2 cars were great cars in their own ways?
Did you even read my comment and try to understand or your brand blindness took over because there was no BMW mentioned?
BTW, a B7 might be sold as a BMW but it is not for say an official BMW like the AMG is truly a Merc., Alpina while a very respected tuner co. is not the equivalent of M-motorsport, if BMW had a BMW M7, than we could speak, so for now, and until we know that you drove all those 4 vehicles, please amazing nothing, leave the grown ups exchange their opinions.

ThierryHenry14 - 9/2/2008 12:26:42 AM

+1 Boost

i would think the s63 should be a better pick, but never driven either. only been in the quattroporte twice, and the S550, S55 (older one) I've driven, but heard the s63 is a whole different beast.

omega2005 - 9/2/2008 3:20:42 AM

0 Boost

S63 all the way or maybe a pre-owned S600 with very low miles

MunichRob - 9/2/2008 4:04:18 AM

+2 Boost

"amazinBimmer" You really don't have the right to call anyone a badge whore as you're one of the biggest badge whores on this site!

I'd say Michael Taylor is the worse with you in a close second...& I'm a Bimmer fan, you just fail to recognize anything good that's not BMW! How can a car enthusiast of today not like an Audi R8?

B7FAN - 9/2/2008 8:34:44 AM

+1 Boost

S63 there is no contest

MBKing - 9/2/2008 2:03:58 PM

+1 Boost

S63, Maserati's are for the "ohh look at me" kind of people and honestly the world has enough of them.

golfer38 - 9/2/2008 2:56:51 PM

+1 Boost

I'd choose the Maserati on looks and that incredible exhaust note. Being a 4 door luxury car, I don't think exceleration is as important as long as it was somewhat fast. Exotic nature, getting noticed is not important to me in fact I think its a detriment.

stash84 - 9/2/2008 4:23:58 PM

0 Boost

bmw m5 (i know its not 130k)but id prefer it over anything other sedan in that price range

Htay7500 - 9/2/2008 8:28:01 PM

+2 Boost

word.