Best in class: Sedans $36,000 to $60,000
By Terry
Jackson • Bankrate.com
Buyers in this price range have a lot of choices that
range from the small, but sporty, BMW 3 series sedan to the huge,
old-school front-wheel-drive Cadillac DeVille. But every year there
are some luxury sedans that consensus says are the best buys.
Our list this year has a familiar name at the top,
but there are also two models that buyers who stick to the conventional
wisdom may overlook.
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Lexus LS430
Click image for larger view | Lexus LS430:
If we have a complaint about this perennial best buy, it's
that it does everything so well that it's, well, boring. The styling could be
more cutting-edge and the suspension could send more signals to the driver. But
those issues pale when compared to the overall satisfaction of a vehicle that
cradles its occupants in tactile luxury without feeling like an over-padded cocoon.
Power from the 290-horsepower V8 is delivered in a silky smooth fashion, and the
overall vehicle has a reputation for bank-vault security and reliability. A word
for smart buyers: The base LS430 carries a sticker price of about $56,000 and
has all the features most anyone could want. Nonetheless, Lexus has packaged a
number of options into expensive add-ons that can push the LS430's price to more
than $69,000. Although it may be hard to find on a dealer's lot, try to find a
base LS430 with few options. In the long run, it's a better buy than a fully-optioned
model.
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Audi A6
Click image for larger view | Audi
A6: Longer, wider and more distinctively styled than the previous model,
the A6, with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, is a terrific sport-luxury
sedan. Its smooth six-speed automatic transmission is among the best in the industry,
and when the 335-horsepower 4.2-liter V8 is on board, the A6 performs like a sports
car. For buyers where winter is more than a two-month event, the all-wheel-drive
system provides traction that's reassuring on slippery roads. Interior room is
adequate for five passengers and there's an elegance of style not found in some
competitors. A well-equipped A6 with the V8 will sticker for less than $55,000.
Cadillac STS: This is the
replacement for the Seville, and it couldn't be more different. It is a deft blend
of luxury, distinctive styling and sporty driving experience rarely seen in previous
Caddy sedans. The STS is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle that comes standard with a
3.6-liter V6 that makes 255 horsepower. It's coupled to a five-speed automatic
transmission that has a manual shift mode. The 320-horsepower 4.6-liter Northstar
V8 is optional, as is an all-wheel-drive system. Technophiles will like features
such as a head-up instrument display, active climate control, Bluetooth wireless
cell phone connectivity and even an optional 15-speaker Bose 5.1 surround-sound
audio system. Prices start at about $42,000 for the V6 model and $47,000 for the
V8.
-- Posted: Feb. 15, 2005 |
