Posts Tagged Luxury
Best-Value Luxury Cars Available in Hong Kong
Value is an infinitely subjective quality, and value in a car can be measured by a raft of different aspects. Of course, the best value car in the world would have both the best fuel efficiency and the best performance, the most controlled handling along with the cheapest-to-replace parts, and would be available in all different colors (at no extra charge), in a variety of body shapes, and with hundreds of different interior options…And obviously, that would not be a single car, but a whole range of them!
We have compiled this list if the best value luxury and classic cars in Hong Kong and all over the world based on factors like the satisfaction of people who own the car, a standard reliability index, and the total cost to run, including things like insurance, maintenance, fuel costs, depreciation, financing fees and taxes. Of course, emotional attachment – the ‘just love it’ factor, is also taken into account, through the owner satisfaction scores. These cars may not be the most fuel efficient, the punchiest, or the smartest in their classes, but they provide an excellent mix of features and have wide market appeal.
In the Midsize crossover utility category, the Ford Edge gained a rating of 877/1000 on the total quality index (TQI). The cost of ownership is quite reasonable – over 3 years, the Ford Edge will cost you around $9,000US, while over 5 years, it will cost around $51,000US. It is considered vey reliable, and it comes with innovative features like a tire pressure monitoring system, roll stability control, comes with privacy glass, and has modern features like an mp3 input jack that are infrequently found, even today.
The Mercedes Benz CLS class has gained consistently good scores in the empotional attachment category. This classic Mercedes Benz is said to have a blend of athleticism and sumptuousness – a strange yet enticing mix, creating a masculine and luxurious feel. A lot of the undferlying structure and hardware is the same as in the E-class, which gives the CLS good heritage. It has a seven speed gearbox, meaning that performance nuts will be extremely pleased with the CLS. Those seven gears also have 382 horsepower and 391 pounds per foot of torque, making the CLS a classic sports car.
The Lexus LS 460 is recognized as one of the best luxury cars to own, and has one of the highest satisfaction ratings around, with owners giving it 922/1000 on the scale. One of the most groundbreaking and impressive features is that Lexus take care of maintenance and repairs during the first three years of ownership; this also significantly reduces the cost of ownership in the first three years. The three year cost is $17,000 or thereabouts, while the five year cost is just over $98,000. However, it has a voice activated navigation system, and other quirky extras like a push button ignition to start and stop, a headlamp washer and knee airbags for front passengers.
The Mercedes Benz SLK class is another classics from the German fathers of luxury and performance. Its true cost to own is relatively low for all its luxury, at only $12,000 or thereabouts for three years. Over five years the SLK class is estimated to cost $76,109. The SLK was the first car to popularize the steel retractable convertible top, rather than the usual fabric soft top, with the inferior security and pigeonholed styling.
These classic cars from Mercedes Benz, Lexus and Ford show that value in luxury cars really is possible, no matter what end of the scales you like to drive at.
Tags: Available, BestValue, Cars, Hong, Kong, LuxuryWe have compiled this list if the best value luxury and classic cars in Hong Kong and all over the world based on factors like the satisfaction of people who own the car, a standard reliability index, and the total cost to run, including things like insurance, maintenance, fuel costs, depreciation, financing fees and taxes. Of course, emotional attachment – the ‘just love it’ factor, is also taken into account, through the owner satisfaction scores. These cars may not be the most fuel efficient, the punchiest, or the smartest in their classes, but they provide an excellent mix of features and have wide market appeal.
In the Midsize crossover utility category, the Ford Edge gained a rating of 877/1000 on the total quality index (TQI). The cost of ownership is quite reasonable – over 3 years, the Ford Edge will cost you around $9,000US, while over 5 years, it will cost around $51,000US. It is considered vey reliable, and it comes with innovative features like a tire pressure monitoring system, roll stability control, comes with privacy glass, and has modern features like an mp3 input jack that are infrequently found, even today.
The Mercedes Benz CLS class has gained consistently good scores in the empotional attachment category. This classic Mercedes Benz is said to have a blend of athleticism and sumptuousness – a strange yet enticing mix, creating a masculine and luxurious feel. A lot of the undferlying structure and hardware is the same as in the E-class, which gives the CLS good heritage. It has a seven speed gearbox, meaning that performance nuts will be extremely pleased with the CLS. Those seven gears also have 382 horsepower and 391 pounds per foot of torque, making the CLS a classic sports car.
The Lexus LS 460 is recognized as one of the best luxury cars to own, and has one of the highest satisfaction ratings around, with owners giving it 922/1000 on the scale. One of the most groundbreaking and impressive features is that Lexus take care of maintenance and repairs during the first three years of ownership; this also significantly reduces the cost of ownership in the first three years. The three year cost is $17,000 or thereabouts, while the five year cost is just over $98,000. However, it has a voice activated navigation system, and other quirky extras like a push button ignition to start and stop, a headlamp washer and knee airbags for front passengers.
The Mercedes Benz SLK class is another classics from the German fathers of luxury and performance. Its true cost to own is relatively low for all its luxury, at only $12,000 or thereabouts for three years. Over five years the SLK class is estimated to cost $76,109. The SLK was the first car to popularize the steel retractable convertible top, rather than the usual fabric soft top, with the inferior security and pigeonholed styling.
These classic cars from Mercedes Benz, Lexus and Ford show that value in luxury cars really is possible, no matter what end of the scales you like to drive at.
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What Constitutes A Luxury Car
There are many cars on the market that claim to be luxury vehicles but can they all surely be in this class? It seems more like most car manufacturers will produce a very basic model of a metal box on wheels and any additions paid for turn it into a luxury version. If you recently looked at one of these boxes you would see these are not basic cars but verging on primitive versions with their plastic interior, hard surfaces, uncomfortable seats and tinny noises.
You can pay for extras like leather seats or a better stereo but at the end of the day, you have a glorified metal box. Even when you look at the used car market, there are versions of luxury and basic. The difference between a used Hyundai and a used Lexus is as far apart as the difference between a puddle and the Pacific Ocean – vast.
So what should you expect to find with a luxury car that you wouldn’t with your glorified tool box? First, reputation is a good place to start. If a car manufacturer is known for churning out vehicles that have a habit of breaking down or falling apart or simply not being able to go the distance, then this is a good indication, however cheap they may be, that you should steer well clear.
The reputation of a used Perodua Kelisa is that of a bag of nails that couldn’t overtake a pushbike whereas, ask around for a used Lexus and you will be treated to a veritable barrage of extra goodies that actually come as standard. There are many cars in between that mean you are bound to find a used car that meets your needs and your budget.
Of course, for those on the border of being wealthy there are many ways to show this. Joining the elite of those that can afford luxury cars is easily done if you buy a used BMW or used Lexus or some such car. You can appear to be much better off than you are and enjoy all the benefits of the better class of car as well as the after service that comes with such high standards that no-one will ever know you haven’t had the car from new.
A top class stereo is always a good idea and will show that you want your driving experience to be one of luxury. You should also look out for higher class interiors. Leather seats are all very well as long as it is good quality, soft leather and that the stitching is second to none. The cabin comfort says a great deal about whether or not this is a luxury car. It will be a quiet, comfortable, smooth ride undisturbed by engine or road noise, just the sweet, mellow tones of your classical CD.
The body work of a luxury car has to be impeccable. No flaws should be visible in the paintwork or bodywork itself. Well thought out aerodynamics in a car show the designers have put a lot of thought into it and a lot of research and money. They don’t do this for run of the mill cars.
If you want to know what car manufacturers are up and coming in the luxury car field, do a little research. Take a good look at the company themselves, find out their goals for the future, whether they are progressing or standing still and whether or not they are leaders of innovative ideas and world firsts in their field. This will all give you a taste for what you can expect from them whether you are buying brand new or used.
Tags: Constitutes, LuxuryYou can pay for extras like leather seats or a better stereo but at the end of the day, you have a glorified metal box. Even when you look at the used car market, there are versions of luxury and basic. The difference between a used Hyundai and a used Lexus is as far apart as the difference between a puddle and the Pacific Ocean – vast.
So what should you expect to find with a luxury car that you wouldn’t with your glorified tool box? First, reputation is a good place to start. If a car manufacturer is known for churning out vehicles that have a habit of breaking down or falling apart or simply not being able to go the distance, then this is a good indication, however cheap they may be, that you should steer well clear.
The reputation of a used Perodua Kelisa is that of a bag of nails that couldn’t overtake a pushbike whereas, ask around for a used Lexus and you will be treated to a veritable barrage of extra goodies that actually come as standard. There are many cars in between that mean you are bound to find a used car that meets your needs and your budget.
Of course, for those on the border of being wealthy there are many ways to show this. Joining the elite of those that can afford luxury cars is easily done if you buy a used BMW or used Lexus or some such car. You can appear to be much better off than you are and enjoy all the benefits of the better class of car as well as the after service that comes with such high standards that no-one will ever know you haven’t had the car from new.
A top class stereo is always a good idea and will show that you want your driving experience to be one of luxury. You should also look out for higher class interiors. Leather seats are all very well as long as it is good quality, soft leather and that the stitching is second to none. The cabin comfort says a great deal about whether or not this is a luxury car. It will be a quiet, comfortable, smooth ride undisturbed by engine or road noise, just the sweet, mellow tones of your classical CD.
The body work of a luxury car has to be impeccable. No flaws should be visible in the paintwork or bodywork itself. Well thought out aerodynamics in a car show the designers have put a lot of thought into it and a lot of research and money. They don’t do this for run of the mill cars.
If you want to know what car manufacturers are up and coming in the luxury car field, do a little research. Take a good look at the company themselves, find out their goals for the future, whether they are progressing or standing still and whether or not they are leaders of innovative ideas and world firsts in their field. This will all give you a taste for what you can expect from them whether you are buying brand new or used.
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