Buford,
The Accord had every luxury and stacked up pretty evenly to the entry level BMW on paper:

4 cylinder engine (Accord had VTEC)
seats 5
sedan
power windows
sun roof
power mirrors
power steering
Antilock brakes
4 wheel disks

The Accord even came with Alloy wheels versus the 318i which came with steel wheel and hub caps.

The major difference was not on paper or product comparison. It was in the driving that was totally different.

I think it is a valid comarison. Certainly I think my wife saw little difference between the two cars - not being a "car person",
whereas I saw a huge difference.

-Eric

 

I've owned a 318i and an Accord (1988) as well, and I guess I just disagree. The Accord is in the same class as the Camry and the Altima. Even entry-level BMWs are classified as premium vehicles. I have not made the assertion that Hondas and Toyotas compete with BMWs or MBZs, so I'm still a little perplexed at how they got thrown in as an example of why the German cars are better. It's like beating up the high-school nerd to prove you're macho.

 

I think we got here by a few of us theorizing the Lexus nameplate vehicles had much in common with their Toyota
siblings, and that we did not find Toyotas to be dynamic driving machines we feel our C's are.

Then I compared my '95 BMW 318i to my '95 Honda Accord EX - which I still think is a fair comparison. REMEMBER
that in 1999 BMW pulled the 318i from the US market because it posed them an image problem - being an underpowered
4 cylinder. I am talking '95 318i to '95 Accord EX. Not '06 325i to '06 Accord. Entry level BMW's have swollen to $35k now and I agree are not to be compared to Camrys and Accords.

Also, you will find when people choose to deride the C Class they call them ....."Mercedes Benz's little Camry".

-Eric

 

Oh. Well, I strongly disagree with the premise that Lexus models are just dressed-up Camrys... so I suppose I didn't jump aboard the logic train.

I didn't know that. Well, that explains quite a bit about some of the responses in this thread. If it helps any, I don't think any Toyota holds a candle to a MBZ (except perhaps in matters of reliability). But, I'm cross-shopping Lexus models, and they are considered to be in the same niche as MBZs.

 

You're right. I was just messing around 'couse the thread was pissing me off. It's an available "smiley" but has no athority-which I knew. But one can dream.......

I'm unstable[sm=chairshot.gif]

 

Gosh, I hope you're just joking.

 

I didn't actually mean the "post" itself, but the responses in the thread. Fine question to ask, but it quickly digressed into petty bickering. One man's opinion.

Have you test driven an '06 C230 Sport? I'm curious for anyone's reaction to it. ( don't know why it has to weigh 3500 lbs +, although the competition are fatties too.)

 

Not yet, but I sure would like to! One of the problems with showing up at dealerships is that they never believe you when you say "I'm just looking today." Somehow that translates into "stalk me until I cave in." They always seem extra hungry this time of year. Since I'm still a ways off from making a purchase, I doubt I'll test drive anything for a while.

 

Dolphin boy here.

I test drove a '06 C230. Was my 7th test drive trying to find a car to serve as a high-milage long distance commuter. Attempts prior were (in no paticular order): VW Passat, Acura TL, Infiniti G35, Volvo S40, Audi A4 and Lexus IS 350. My prior car was a souped-up Mini Cooper S, and I needed something that didn't cost an arm and a leg, got decent gas mileage, and would be easier on my butt and ears. (Didn't try a BMW, as wifey is biased against them; still plenty of other nice fish out there).

Made it about a block in the C230 and I knew I'd buy one. I loved it's quiet competence.

Have had it for about three months now, and 6,400 miles. If pressed to find fault, I'd have to ****le about silly stuff like the metal trim strip under the windows (it turns splotchy blue black from the car wash chemicals). I've had zippo problems with the car, including the delightful 7-speed tranny, and contentedly ooze about in "Comfort" mode 99% of the time. Switched to "Sport" at a stop light this morning, and dang if I didn't scoot off twice as fast a normal, all without trying (subjectively it felt *very* different from when I tried "Sport" after buying the car). The car is perfectly at home cruising; if you need to eat miles daily and want to throw in a jink or two, it's definitly a candidate. The V6 (mine is the small one) mates wonderfully with the 7-speed, to provide ample power, low rpms at highway speeds, and (for me) an observed lifetime average of 29.2 mpg and climbing.

Best indication of the car's long term impact is this: my wife fell in love with it to the point where she insisted on trading in her Range Rover for a Mercedes. I in turn insisted that she at least get something other than a 2nd C class, so she opted for an '06 CLS500. Both cars are a pleasure to own and drive; one gets a Wow, the other gets an Ahhh, but we're both very pleased with the way our garage looks with the cars in it these days....

 

I quote todays Los Angeles Times:

"As much as the Lexus nameplate has become the default choice for the sensible careerist looking for a well built well priced luxury car the brand still ranks near zero Kelvin on the prestige thermometer. You can site all the ways that Lexus is a great car - best selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. for six years running, perenially at the top of the JD Power heap in initial quality, vehicle dependability, customer satisfaction and return business - and Ill tell you that none of that matters. Compared to luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz, Cadiallac, BMW and Audi, Lexus has the emotional appeal of a public golf course."

-Eric