Which car has the highest fun factor and gotta have it factor out of the Acura RL, Acura TL, Lexus GS430, and BMW 545?

 

A very complex and fundamentally unanswerable question given the variables...

 

With 4" of snow so far, and 6" on its way still tonight, I thing "fun" took a back seat to my RLs AWD tonight.

 

My Volvo XC-70 Cross Country also did it's usual great job through the snow tonight but I have to say I believe a major contributor to that is the Pirelli Skorpion tires that come stock with the car. They contribute to the rather rough ride over dry roads but kick ass on standing water and accumulated snow.

It's looking quite certain I'll be replacing the Volvo with the RL but I wonder if I might need to look at having 2 sets of wheels and tires - a 9 month set and a winter set. The info I have (and, admittedly, it's not much) on the Michelins that come stock on the RL don't give me a whole lot of faith in their winter ability (in fairness, neither do most 'all seasons'). Honestly I'm running out of storage space for wheels/tires. My 'vette has 3 complete sets of wheels and tires that I swap as needed; adding another set for the RL would be a pain.

 

define fun factor

To many, fun factor would be tire burning acceleration with a hint of greathandling. To others, fun factor would be crusing along in a competent car with a great stereo and nice comfortable interior that can be pushed hard if need be.

performance wise I'd say the 545 would be the best in fun factor. Total package wise I have no idea but the RL is fun for me to drive.

I voted for the 545 though

 

I would have to vote for the 5, because of that sexy sounding V8 and RWD handling that leaves you grinning like a goofball.

But if I was voting for overall and all-around package, I'd have to go with the RL.

 

This thread was also posted on the TL site. For a few good laughs, check out the response it received over there.

Sufall, are you wearing Kevlar today?

 

My vote would be for the 545, but that's only for driving fun. I doubt it would be fun trying to get it serviced.

 

Somtimes it's good to start threads and let them run wild. Just having a little fun. It started to get a little boring in here.

 

I hear you. I think some people got a little too serious over there. I agree with you, it's all about fun!

 

I think the two choices shouldn't have been combined. For fun factor, definitely the 545...I've read nothing but rave about its active steering system. Gotta have? I'd settle for the RL.

 

I voted for 545i because I like its exterior styling the most among these four, and it should be the most fun to drive.

 

You should drop a note to Chris Bangle - he'd probably be thrilled to know he's finally found somebody that doesn't hate his "styling".

 

He can send my name along with a few other 5 series lovers that I know. I love the direction Bangle and his team have taken BMW. The designs aren't for everyone, much like Infiniti and Cadillac, but at least they aren't generic and dull like Lexus.

 

lmao. pot calling the kettle black......

 

If you say so.

 

I don't particularly dislike the new 5 series exterior design, but I have no love for the interior. That is one of the primary reasons I wouldn't consider one. Re: Lexus designs, I see nothing generic or dull about the SC430 (it is just as polarizing as any BMW design) or the current generation GS. The current GS was also pretty polarizing when it was first introduced, and even though I'm an RL owner, I think the '06 GS is more distinctive than either the RL or M. That doesn't mean I want one... it just means I think it's the most distinctive. The RL and M are attractive but fairly generic. And before the trolls jump in, I didn't buy the RL because it had a look-at-me design. I bought it for the interior, driving experience, features, and overall package. 2 months, 1800 miles, and I still think it's a fantastic car.

 

To each his own man. Those 2 are just as unattractive as the rest of the line to me. Couldn't see driving one even if it was given to me.

 

You're right. To each his own. And they may very well be unattractive to you, but I don't think that's what we were discussing. You said Lexus' designs were "generic and dull". That's very different from "unattractive". I can't think of anything else on the road that looks like the SC430 (like it or not). That's my point.

 

There's not much difference to me, so I guess I should have just said unattractive in the first place.

Definitely not.
And I can think of a few: the goofy-looking G35 coupe's front end is almost a direct copy, and Toyota's own equally unattractive Solara is similar to it in the rear.

 

Let's see... you love the design of the new 5 Series but think the G35 Coupe is "goofy looking". To each his own is definitely right.

 

True.

 

Don't see how Lexus designs are generic especially when each car looks different unlike BMW that uses the same cookie cutter design but to each their own.

As for the BMW 545 and the current BMW design. Ugly to me. I'll take the "dull" looking Lexus cars any day over those hideous looking things.

I guess the aztek is a nice looking vehicle as it isn't a "generic & dull" design.

I also find it laughable a guy would not drive a great luxury car even if it was given to him. Yikes.

 

Don't see how Lexus designs are generic especially when each car looks different unlike BMW that uses the same cookie cutter design (and in this case an ugly cookie cutter design) for every model but to each their own.

As for the BMW 545 and the current BMW design. Ugly to me and have no idea why they fugged up what was a nice design in the previous generation. I'll take the "dull" looking Lexus cars any day over those hideous looking things BMW is putting out now. I mean they are downright FUGLY to me. You talk about unattractive? That is the definition of the BMW exterior now.

I guess using that logic the aztek is a nice looking vehicle as it isn't a "generic & dull" (which to you equals unattractive) design.

I also find it laughable a guy would not drive a great luxury car even if it was GIVEN to him. Yikes. Reminds me of my accounting teacher in high school back in um, 96...he said if someone gave him a Lexus he would drive it maybe once and get rid of it. He thought they weren't well built cars because they were Japanese. hahaha he was such an ignorant moron.

 

I absolutely love how on each and every message forum at least one person will get their panties bunched when someone doesn't fall to their knees in utter admiration over Lexus. It's all about choices, and the choices coming from Lexus do NOT appeal to everyone, but apparently some people can't deal with it.

Now, to you specifically Rob, I'm sure you don't see Lexus as generic or dull, since you used to own one (and one of their most uninspired designs at that). That would be called 'bias'. They're aren't cookie cutter designs of each other, I'll give you that. Instead, they're just rip-offs of OTHER companies' designs.

It's also ok that you'd take one over a current BMW. Lexus owners and fans don't care about driving, they care about resale, reliability, and a smooth ride, like good little bankers and accountants. They're absolutely fine with driving a boring, soulless car, because, since a car is usually an extension of the driver, it fits them perfectly.

Bottom line, once again, to each his own. I'm a driver, so I like fun to drive, exciting cars that are at least interesting to look at. Lexus has yet to master any of those, so I'll continue to pass on them until they figure it out.

 

My vote: BMW 545

That is if I don't care about the repairs, the dealer experience, and the crash test results compared to the RL.

 

Despite your misconceptions, driving a BMW does not improve your social life nor does it increase your testosterone level. But you just keep believin' that.

 

Neither will a breathed-on, gussied up Toyota, but I don't recall seeing where anyone said a BMW would either.

I said they were fun to drive, which is pretty much the consensus, and that Lexus is not, again, pretty much the consensus.