Everyone Is On A Budget, But Are These 5 Your Choice To Keep Living Large?

Luxury is a malleable concept. After all, the details that impressed back in the Seventies and Eighties—tufted leather seats, digital dashboards, vinyl roofs, and opera windows—have become ironic jokes. But two aspects of luxury never go out of style: quality and performance. And in a worldwide economy that’s stutter-stepping around the abyss of a recession, it’s possible to get both for a low price. Ridiculously low.

The trick for those lucky enough to be prosperous in perilous times is to find products that fulfill their appetites without rubbing it in the unwashed faces of the downtrodden hoi polloi. Showing up for dinner at Ruth’s Chris in a block-long luxury flagship may have been the dream way back in 2007, but right now the smart money is staying with the premium brands, but going mid-size and ordering the New York strip at Outback. As to big V-8s, forget ‘em. No one with half a brain believes the current drop in oil prices will last, and today’s sixes are plenty good anyhow. There are bargains to be had. For you surviving plutocrats out there, here are five of the best.

 

njsidekick3 - 12/1/2008 1:30:32 PM

-6 Boost

i dont care if Hyundai got its hands on BMW & Rolls, Porsche & VW, Hyundai will always be cheap to me. branding is Big here in the states, since i was a Kid in the 80's with pepsi & etc. Hyundai has a long way to go. they should not be on this list of 5. IMO.

Agent009 - 12/1/2008 1:46:53 PM

+6 Boost

Don't forget people were saying that in the 90's for Lexus. It takes a while to build a brand image.

DexDiamonds - 12/1/2008 1:54:24 PM

+10 Boost

Even though what 009 is saying is true. Lexus created a name and brand outside of it's parent Toyota. Hyundai on the other hand is using it's original name to push luxury cars and for some people recognized Hyundai from the POS that they sold in the past and that leaves a bad taste in their mouth.

AmazonPrinceIS350 - 12/1/2008 2:12:35 PM

+5 Boost

I think the genesis is targeting people that aren't so brand conscious but want most of what comes in a luxury car, what's wrong with that?

Nowadays you can go to Walmart and buy some pretty nice things you weren't able to buy years ago, its all about catering to the middle class.

Bored - 12/1/2008 2:20:49 PM

+5 Boost

@njsidekick3,

True.
But it's also one of our fatal flaws -- the assumption that we've arrived just because we got the label (even if the label was picked up at Filene's Basement!).
"Don't Believe the Hype"
And if you exclude the vehicles sold in the U.S., every mfg you named builds a competing "cheap" car elsewhere in the world.

mercuryguy - 12/1/2008 1:34:53 PM

-3 Boost

Well, if the point of this article is budget and downsizing, why show the Genisis?

Especially considering you can buy 2 Grand Marquis for the price of 1 Genisis.

NItePhire - 12/1/2008 1:56:43 PM

+4 Boost

I think the article was dealing with luxury on a budget.

HSCenterconsole - 12/1/2008 2:08:53 PM

+6 Boost

Mercuryguy, why would ANYBODY ever consider the Grand Marquis? I know it is cheap, but that Panther platform it is built on is a dinosaur that dates back to 1978. Ford should be ashamed of itself for producing a body-on-frame CAR in 2008 with a live rear axle. Even body-on-frame TRUCKS are past their prime today. Plus its V8 produces 224hp (today's V6 easily top this) and has a 4-speed automatic. Aboslutely miserable.

I have no doubts the Mercury line will no longer exist in five years -- it has become irrelevant and a drain on the already struggling Ford.

Bored - 12/1/2008 2:27:43 PM

-1 Boost

@mercuryguy,

Gotta love sarcasm (although I must confess that I accidentally deboosted you. Sorry).

ubercool - 12/1/2008 1:37:55 PM

-4 Boost

Luv Jag's XF so much, the rest look dull...

PerformanceGuy - 12/1/2008 1:51:24 PM

+8 Boost

The M35 looks pretty hot!

M35MT - 12/2/2008 8:20:59 AM

+1 Boost

Agree, this is best sum-up of the car I've ever read:

"The Infiniti M35 is a car for connoisseurs; an assembly of finely tuned parts that delivers a sublime driving experience without any flashy spoilers, wings, or decorative tape. It’s not the sort of car that impresses everybody, but it does impress the right somebodies"

HSCenterconsole - 12/1/2008 1:59:45 PM

+2 Boost

My personal thoughts on these cars:
1) 535i: Great mid-sized sport sedan and a far better value than the 550i. I would opt for the 6MT and would have to end up getting xDrive (I live in New England and its a must).

2) Genesis: I give Hyundai credit for producing this car, but I would never consider it. The reviews say it isn't that exciting to drive. Plus paying $30k+ for a Hyundai is nuts in my book no matter how nice the leather or how powerful the sound system may be.

3) M35: How about an even better bargain and buying the G37 sedan instead? It is roughly the same size and has a better engine. Plus you can get stick in it.

4) XF: I know this car has gotten great reviews and C&D even named it as a 10 Best car. It may look great, but I would still be worried as a buyer that Jag won't be around in 3 to 5 years.

5) GL320: Love the GL as a full size SUV and the diesel just makes it all that much better.

FillorKill - 12/1/2008 2:18:55 PM

0 Boost

+1!

mercuryguy - 12/1/2008 5:09:22 PM

-3 Boost

Why is Body on frame a bad thing? I actually prefer the body on frame as opposed to my Uni-Body cars, because it make it rather simple to jack the car up from any position on the car.

Not really sure why a live axle is bad. I've driven cars with stability and yaw sensors, you can have that stuff, makes the road feel artificial.

Doesn't Bentley and Rolls still build with a real frame underneath?

HSCenterconsole - 12/1/2008 5:28:24 PM

+5 Boost

I really hope you are being sarcastic mercuryguy. You know it is 2008, not 1968.

Rupert - 12/2/2008 8:32:18 AM

+4 Boost

Nope, no current Bentley or Rolls has a body on frame. It's a ridiculously outdated piece of engineering for non-commercial applications - as are live axles. They have worse ride quality as the wheels cannot respond to bumps independently, and conering is worse as the wheels cannot spin at different speeds, unless there is a limited slip differential.
The Grand Marquis/Town car are relics of a time long gone, and are hopelessly ill-equipped to deal with the demands of modern consumers.

M53R - 12/2/2008 6:46:35 AM

-4 Boost

I just bought a 2009 S63 AMG, bronze colour.

350zdon17 - 12/2/2008 10:03:26 AM

+4 Boost

I just bought a Wii, white color

Rupert - 12/2/2008 11:32:36 AM

+2 Boost

I just bought 2 cushions, one red, one black, and a printer cartridge, in black. I win!
I'm about to buy pasta sauce as well...I'm on a total spree!

FamilyGuy - 12/2/2008 8:12:17 PM

+3 Boost

I just bought an M53R. Isn't it cute?

LACMAN - 12/4/2008 12:37:10 AM

+1 Boost

^^^ROTFLMAO!!!^^^

(@ the last 4 comments)

M53R - 12/4/2008 5:36:50 AM

+1 Boost

If you dont believe me, I'll post pictures :)

mercuryguy - 12/2/2008 12:41:16 PM

0 Boost

Q: Does anyone know if the Chrysler 300 has a live rear axle?

The Chrysler 300 is rear drive. It is the most uncomfortable car I've ever driven, and I tend to love rear drive. Diamler Benz made such a fuss over the rear drive components as being German Engineered, but the TV commercials turned out to be empty promises.

I really do think the Germans build superior stuff, but the 300's driveline just seems wrong in so many ways.

LACMAN - 12/4/2008 12:49:50 AM

+1 Boost

You are a total lie. The Chrysler 300 might not be styled to everyones taste but it is absolutely NOT one of the most uncomfortable cars you have EVER driven (thats even if youve driven one). I own a 300C and I know that for a fact. Its not "performance tuned" but it is a balanced and solid ride. Also, hell no: it does NOT have a live rear axle.

(I think that was a cheap shot from you because everyone else got on you and your tired ass Ford/Mercury/Lincoln Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Town Car)