Do We Have a New Segment Benchmark?

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 06/24/2015 at 23:07 • Filed to: None

2

25

One country will take the crown. Place your bets! My money is on the Jaaaag because XE-S is the sex!

Hot Takes Salesman > Wobbles the Mind 06/24/2015 at 23:14

0

I think the Alfa is the sex. Because Italy (I'm being literal about it being the sex)

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Wobbles the Mind 06/24/2015 at 23:15

2

I’m always going to consider the M3/4 as a benchmark for this class. Cars can be worse, and cars can be better than it, but it’ll always be the one I compare other cars to.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Wobbles the Mind 06/24/2015 at 23:19

11

From Sweden with love!

Wobbles the Mind > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 06/24/2015 at 23:25

0

Completely agreed! It’s also worth mentioning that new benchmarks do not replace old ones. Porsche knows this since they are still having to deal with new 911s being benchmarked against decades older 911s. Hell, Ferrari still has to deal with people bringing up the F40 as a benchmark to the 488 GTB. Benchmarks are permanent. New ones are made but they are still judged in relation to the past ones.

Nick George > Wobbles the Mind 06/24/2015 at 23:28

1

BMW will always be the benchmark. Although I have massive respect for Alfa/Cadillac/Jag. If the M3/4 is a 10, then the rest are all above 9 for me.

Wobbles the Mind > Hot Takes Salesman 06/24/2015 at 23:29

1

Not gonna lie, I am as into Jaguar as I am Maserati (Alfa is a downward extension to me). XE vs Giulia, XF vs Ghibli, XJ vs QP, XK vs GT, F-type vs Alfieri...the appeal is always equal.

Wobbles the Mind > Nick George 06/24/2015 at 23:44

0

I sort of feel the same way because BMW has the same issue the Porsche does with the 911. They always have to use the last Gen as the benchmark, never a current production model from a competitor. I mean think of all the 3-series Alfa/Caddy/Jag had to buy!

SlickMcRick > Wobbles the Mind 06/24/2015 at 23:55

4

The fact that ANYONE from MotorTrend picked the Jag over the BMW is saying something.

Sam > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 00:01

1

If we’re talking about the US, the Alfa will be $10k more for a lower spec model. The 3-series requires going to a BMW dealership. The Caddy means you’re looked down upon by all the others. And the Jag will spend most of it’s time in the shop. So, I dunno.

Wobbles the Mind > SlickMcRick 06/25/2015 at 00:03

0

HOW DID I MISS THIS?! I have too many subscriptions.

Party-vi > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 00:11

1

The king’s been on the throne for 30 years. It’s going to take more than some upstart Italian and a Nigel to end the 3-Series reign.

Wobbles the Mind > Party-vi 06/25/2015 at 00:25

0

I would agree if it wasn’t for the current separation that is occurring. Right now we have a divergence between true sports sedans (ATS, Giulia, 3-series) and high-handling GTs (C-class, A4, IS/RC). Unfortunately the 3-series is straddling this divide when it invented the true sports sedan segment. I worry that if Porsche decides a compact sedan makes sense, we will have a new leader.

Svend > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 00:51

0

From the Czech Republic, Skoda Superb Mk3

Not going to be an out and out performance winner but looks, practicality, comfort, etc...

Wobbles the Mind > Svend 06/25/2015 at 00:59

0

I wish we had Skoda in the US. Weird that Volkswagen keeps the best things away from us.

SLR999 > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 01:01

0

Personally, Maserati -> Aston Martin; Alfa Romeo -> Jaguar
Sex appeal is high with all (though a bit jaded with Aston)

Svend > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 01:11

0

It would impact on VW sales and it would cost too much for any little gain to federalise it.

Imagine all the Citigos, Fabias, Rapids, Rapid Spacebacks, Octavias, Roomsters, Superbs and Yetis they’d have to test (crash the hell out of). Ouch.

If they brought in Skoda to the U.S. then SEAT will likely want to enter the market also.

Wheelerguy > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 01:13

0

I’m still here, ya know.

Your boy, BJR > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 06/25/2015 at 02:05

0

FOH bruh. That thing not only finished last, but showed up on the wrong damn day.

Your boy, BJR > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 02:06

0

Y’all already know what imma say. Let's just leave it at that.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 02:32

0

On the one hand xes sex is palindromy enough to be full of win.

On the other hand, I’m not convinced there’s any such thing as xes sex.

ReaperChief > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 04:00

0

You should always take the C Class into consideration.. People should also consider the Lexus IS, the Infinity Q50 and the Audi A4 as well as wait for the Alfa Romeo Giulia..

Hot Takes Salesman > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 07:08

0

Well, think of the Giulia as FCA’s Mercedes C-Class, and the Ghibli as the E-Class. It’s a ladder across two brands, and hopefully it turns out successfully.

hike > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 09:07

0

I still think the C63 is the benchmark. It has everything this segment should have; great interior, powerful engine, fantastic exhaust note, great chassis, and aggressive looks. The beauty of this segment is that there is no bad choice though. I just feel the C63 is the most well rounded. (Also, V8!)

Lekker > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 10:51

0

I am ever so happy to live in the day and age where the M[3][4] aren’t just happily owning the throne. They actually have to continue improving on an already amazing car. And the competitors? Deary me are they pant-droppingly gorgeous. In about 5 or 6 years time I might be able to realistically afford one of these, so I’m interested in how they do with time as well

Party-vi > Wobbles the Mind 06/25/2015 at 16:16

0

I’m not sure I follow calling the C-Class and A4 GTs. The RC sure, but even then it’s a sports coupe and not a GT like a 6-Series or E-Class coupe.