http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/buy-luxury-worth-extra-cash-article-1.1491969
Ford Fusion or Lincoln MKZ? Honda Civic or Acura ILX? Deciding whether the luxury upgrades to automakers' base line-up can be difficult. As automakers offer more and more luxurious upgrades to their standard line-up, it begs the question of whether upgrading to the higher-end model is worth the money anymore.
By Jeffrey Jablansky / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Monday, October 21, 2013, 5:08 PM
Making the choice between a a fully-loaded Ford and a base Lincoln can be a tough choice.
"I want a new car loaded with all the latest features, but I’m not sure I want a luxury car. Is it better to buy the fully equipped model that I know already, or step up to its luxury-car equivalent?”
It’s an age-old question that journalists and car coaches and consultants receive on a regular basis, from friends and family members who want to make a solid decision without overpaying or receiving less than they anticipated. Automakers have sold more luxurious alternatives to mainstream cars for decades, but the lines on the balance sheets have never been closer, in terms of content for the dollar. When the difference in price is slim, it comes down to individual comparisons between the models, and there is not always an easy answer.
Below are a few examples of mainstream cars and their luxury equivalents, and how they stack up against one another:
Ford/Lincoln Motor Company
The Ford Fusion (top) rapidly approaches the base price of the Lincoln MKZ (bottom) when options are maxed out.Ford Fusion / Lincoln MKZ
The Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ are the bread and butter of the Blue Oval’s sedan lineup. Both midsize sedans are among the most attractive in their class, but offer distinct hooks, at different price points, for buyers. While the Fusion’s base price ($22,695) allows it to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the MKZ’s sticker starts almost 15 grand higher, and swells to nearly $50,000 when fully optioned. The point of convergence for the two cars’ prices comes as a loaded Fusion Titanium creeps toward the MKZ’s base price ($37,085), which pushes the Fusion into near-luxury territory.
Rationale for luxury? Not in this case. The Fusion SE ($27,430) includes the same 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine as in the MKZ, and can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive, without the hassle of the MyFord Touch infotainment system as standard equipment.
Devil’s advocate: Consider the MKZ Hybrid, which includes hybrid technology – and a 45 mpg rating – at no premium over its non-hybrid MKZ sibling ($37,085).
Honda/Acura
The Honda Civic (top) is always competitive among compact cars while the pricier Acura ILX (bottom) has few entry-level luxury competitors.Honda Civic / Acura ILX
The Honda Civic has been a mainstay of the compact-car segment for nearly two decades. Its luxury complement, the Acura ILX (and, in earlier iterations, the Integra) offers similar driving dynamics and chassis tuning in a familiar shape. Although they typically appeal to two disparate consumer bases – young, first-time buyers flock to the Civic, for example – as the options pile on, however, the case strengthens for the ILX, which has the built-in luxury cachet and dealer network of the Acura brand.
Rationale for luxury? Although there are plenty of competitors at the low end of the Civic’s price range ($18,955), few entry-level luxury sedans are as attractive as an ILX with a 6-speed manual, which can be snapped up for a hair over $30,000. That price also includes the traditionally attentive Acura dealer experience.
Devil’s advocate: For about four grand less than a base-spec ILX with a 5-speed automatic, the Civic Si sedan ($23,505) offers nearly as much fun per dollar. And if you’re looking for a hybrid, stick with the Civic.
Volkswagen/Porsche
Optioning up the Volkswagen Toureg (top) will certainly push the price up to the lower regions of the Porsche Cayenne (bottom), alhtough best of luck finding a base Cayenne model.Volkswagen Touareg / Porsche Cayenne
The Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne are sport-utility vehicles from unlikely German manufacturers that share similar underpinnings and construction. In the tradition of platform-sharing that allows for brand-specific styling while keeping the mechanical bits the same, the two SUVs – three, if you count the longer and larger Audi Q7 – appeal to different sensibilities, but are alike where it matters. As the optioned-up price of a Touareg comes closer to the lower echelons of Cayenne, the purchase dilemma enables some buyers to consider the Porsche for its own sake.
Rationale for luxury? Locating a Porsche stripper of any kind is like finding a needle in a haystack. Here, the Porsche is likely to be a significant reach, so stick with the Touareg unless you can really stretch your budget. But if you can find a base Cayenne without any options ($50,575), the value of the Porsche brand will likely help resale value.
Devil’s advocate: At $57,575, the Cayenne Diesel does make a compelling case against a $51,945 Touareg TDI.
Nissan/Infiniti
Max out that Nissan Pathfinder (top) and expect to pay more than the base price of the Infiniti QX60 (bottom), all without the added value of the luxury marque.Nissan Pathfinder / Infiniti QX60
Nissan’s recently redesigned Pathfinder, and Infiniti’s re-christened QX60 (nee JX35) are crossover sport-utility vehicles intended to reach families with a need for a third row of seats and a distaste for minivans. Both models are available with front- or all-wheel drive, and feature the same 3.5-liter V-6 engine, and share styling cues as well as a common platform. At the upper limits of leather seats, chrome wheels, and technology packages that would make a 1960s NASA crew envious, is it worth the extra cash to step up to the Infiniti?
Rationale for luxury? Yes, and with good reason: the sticker price for Pathfinders with options and all-wheel drive quickly climbs above the QX60’s $42,545 base price. For that price, the added value of the Infiniti badge will help you get the coveted valet spot, as well as potentially higher resale value.
Devil’s advocate: At $29,710, the standard, front-wheel-drive Pathfinder makes a case for itself in the Sunbelt as a competitor for the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is touting its CLA250 (top) with a base price below $30,000 before destination fees, but pony up a few thousand more and the C250 (bottom) offers more features per dollar.Mercedes-Benz CLA250 / Mercedes-Benz C250
Mercedes-Benz, the luxury brand known for astounding the world with technology and craftsmanship on high-end cars, is currently engaging in a significant outreach effort with its recently launched CLA250 coupe/sedan. With an advertised price of $29,900 ($30,825 with destination fees), the CLA250 offers the distilled experience of the three-pointed star to attract new buyers to the fold. However, for just a few thousand dollars more ($36,725), Mercedes will also sell you the C250, which offers more feature content for the dollar. Ahead of the launch of a new C-class lineup within a year or so, is the CLA250 the one to be reckoned with?
Rationale for luxury? Tossup. With just a few options added to the CLA250, the bottom line reaches the mid-30s, which is where the un-optioned C250 sits comfortably. The difficult decision boils down to buying a C250, which offers a more dynamic driving experience and a more luxurious cabin, or the arguably more stylish CLA250. Lease and finance payments will likely seal the deal in either case.
Devil’s advocate: We’ve seen three-year old CLS550s – the four-door coupe that the CLA250 is supposed to emulate, on a smaller scale – with less than 70,000 miles, going for about the same price as a brand-new C or CLA.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/buy-luxury-worth-extra-cash-article-1.1491969#ixzz2iSXgfcH8
Ford Fusion or Lincoln MKZ? Honda Civic or Acura ILX? Deciding whether the luxury upgrades to automakers' base line-up can be difficult. As automakers offer more and more luxurious upgrades to their standard line-up, it begs the question of whether upgrading to the higher-end model is worth the money anymore.
By Jeffrey Jablansky / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Monday, October 21, 2013, 5:08 PM
Making the choice between a a fully-loaded Ford and a base Lincoln can be a tough choice.
"I want a new car loaded with all the latest features, but I’m not sure I want a luxury car. Is it better to buy the fully equipped model that I know already, or step up to its luxury-car equivalent?”
It’s an age-old question that journalists and car coaches and consultants receive on a regular basis, from friends and family members who want to make a solid decision without overpaying or receiving less than they anticipated. Automakers have sold more luxurious alternatives to mainstream cars for decades, but the lines on the balance sheets have never been closer, in terms of content for the dollar. When the difference in price is slim, it comes down to individual comparisons between the models, and there is not always an easy answer.
Below are a few examples of mainstream cars and their luxury equivalents, and how they stack up against one another:
Ford/Lincoln Motor Company
The Ford Fusion (top) rapidly approaches the base price of the Lincoln MKZ (bottom) when options are maxed out.Ford Fusion / Lincoln MKZ
The Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ are the bread and butter of the Blue Oval’s sedan lineup. Both midsize sedans are among the most attractive in their class, but offer distinct hooks, at different price points, for buyers. While the Fusion’s base price ($22,695) allows it to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the MKZ’s sticker starts almost 15 grand higher, and swells to nearly $50,000 when fully optioned. The point of convergence for the two cars’ prices comes as a loaded Fusion Titanium creeps toward the MKZ’s base price ($37,085), which pushes the Fusion into near-luxury territory.
Rationale for luxury? Not in this case. The Fusion SE ($27,430) includes the same 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine as in the MKZ, and can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive, without the hassle of the MyFord Touch infotainment system as standard equipment.
Devil’s advocate: Consider the MKZ Hybrid, which includes hybrid technology – and a 45 mpg rating – at no premium over its non-hybrid MKZ sibling ($37,085).
Honda/Acura
The Honda Civic (top) is always competitive among compact cars while the pricier Acura ILX (bottom) has few entry-level luxury competitors.Honda Civic / Acura ILX
The Honda Civic has been a mainstay of the compact-car segment for nearly two decades. Its luxury complement, the Acura ILX (and, in earlier iterations, the Integra) offers similar driving dynamics and chassis tuning in a familiar shape. Although they typically appeal to two disparate consumer bases – young, first-time buyers flock to the Civic, for example – as the options pile on, however, the case strengthens for the ILX, which has the built-in luxury cachet and dealer network of the Acura brand.
Rationale for luxury? Although there are plenty of competitors at the low end of the Civic’s price range ($18,955), few entry-level luxury sedans are as attractive as an ILX with a 6-speed manual, which can be snapped up for a hair over $30,000. That price also includes the traditionally attentive Acura dealer experience.
Devil’s advocate: For about four grand less than a base-spec ILX with a 5-speed automatic, the Civic Si sedan ($23,505) offers nearly as much fun per dollar. And if you’re looking for a hybrid, stick with the Civic.
Volkswagen/Porsche
Optioning up the Volkswagen Toureg (top) will certainly push the price up to the lower regions of the Porsche Cayenne (bottom), alhtough best of luck finding a base Cayenne model.Volkswagen Touareg / Porsche Cayenne
The Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne are sport-utility vehicles from unlikely German manufacturers that share similar underpinnings and construction. In the tradition of platform-sharing that allows for brand-specific styling while keeping the mechanical bits the same, the two SUVs – three, if you count the longer and larger Audi Q7 – appeal to different sensibilities, but are alike where it matters. As the optioned-up price of a Touareg comes closer to the lower echelons of Cayenne, the purchase dilemma enables some buyers to consider the Porsche for its own sake.
Rationale for luxury? Locating a Porsche stripper of any kind is like finding a needle in a haystack. Here, the Porsche is likely to be a significant reach, so stick with the Touareg unless you can really stretch your budget. But if you can find a base Cayenne without any options ($50,575), the value of the Porsche brand will likely help resale value.
Devil’s advocate: At $57,575, the Cayenne Diesel does make a compelling case against a $51,945 Touareg TDI.
Nissan/Infiniti
Max out that Nissan Pathfinder (top) and expect to pay more than the base price of the Infiniti QX60 (bottom), all without the added value of the luxury marque.Nissan Pathfinder / Infiniti QX60
Nissan’s recently redesigned Pathfinder, and Infiniti’s re-christened QX60 (nee JX35) are crossover sport-utility vehicles intended to reach families with a need for a third row of seats and a distaste for minivans. Both models are available with front- or all-wheel drive, and feature the same 3.5-liter V-6 engine, and share styling cues as well as a common platform. At the upper limits of leather seats, chrome wheels, and technology packages that would make a 1960s NASA crew envious, is it worth the extra cash to step up to the Infiniti?
Rationale for luxury? Yes, and with good reason: the sticker price for Pathfinders with options and all-wheel drive quickly climbs above the QX60’s $42,545 base price. For that price, the added value of the Infiniti badge will help you get the coveted valet spot, as well as potentially higher resale value.
Devil’s advocate: At $29,710, the standard, front-wheel-drive Pathfinder makes a case for itself in the Sunbelt as a competitor for the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is touting its CLA250 (top) with a base price below $30,000 before destination fees, but pony up a few thousand more and the C250 (bottom) offers more features per dollar.Mercedes-Benz CLA250 / Mercedes-Benz C250
Mercedes-Benz, the luxury brand known for astounding the world with technology and craftsmanship on high-end cars, is currently engaging in a significant outreach effort with its recently launched CLA250 coupe/sedan. With an advertised price of $29,900 ($30,825 with destination fees), the CLA250 offers the distilled experience of the three-pointed star to attract new buyers to the fold. However, for just a few thousand dollars more ($36,725), Mercedes will also sell you the C250, which offers more feature content for the dollar. Ahead of the launch of a new C-class lineup within a year or so, is the CLA250 the one to be reckoned with?
Rationale for luxury? Tossup. With just a few options added to the CLA250, the bottom line reaches the mid-30s, which is where the un-optioned C250 sits comfortably. The difficult decision boils down to buying a C250, which offers a more dynamic driving experience and a more luxurious cabin, or the arguably more stylish CLA250. Lease and finance payments will likely seal the deal in either case.
Devil’s advocate: We’ve seen three-year old CLS550s – the four-door coupe that the CLA250 is supposed to emulate, on a smaller scale – with less than 70,000 miles, going for about the same price as a brand-new C or CLA.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/buy-luxury-worth-extra-cash-article-1.1491969#ixzz2iSXgfcH8