LEX-SV

Anybody try blowfish? (If it's not prepared correctly it can kill you btw)

Certainly some super examples of luxury cars being discussed here (even those that are quite sporty, because most are still well-equipped with luxury car amenities, etc). Here's another slant on the topic, which is just the opposite. Or what makes a mediocre common car feel so mediocre. A retired relative was checking out our Mercedes C250 and asked a lot of questions about it and sat in it for about 10 minutes checking out the usual lux stuff (moonroof, nav, Harmon Kardon audio, power everything, a thick flat bottom steering wheel with lots of controls, sport seats with endless adjustments and memory, paddle shifters, etc.), so I was curious as to his interest in the car. He mentioned his wife's 2008ish Ford Focus and how every aspect of it felt so cheap, including the driving experience. He was definitely interested in upgrading to get the lux car experience (and feel) which I found interesting.

^ Your car has the super-sized metal sunroof. I've owned only 5 convertibles, all were rag tops, none had the slick folding metal roof.

Judy - Super variety of nice cars and trucks.

To me it's less of a problem, since for this car I would choose a dark metallic exterior color and the dark glass would not contrast open or shut. I do 100% require a sunroof/moonroof on my sport coupes and sport sedans. That's a big reason why I've avoided ownership of Mustang GT fastbacks and Porsche Caymens, both cars I like very much.

RC open? No. My guess is on a white car it will stand out in a less attractive way. I've seen several new Benz's and new Porsches open which are similar. Pano roofs will look best because the dark glass lays on top of the dark glass and black roof, less contrast.

The value spring replacement is a non-issue for most, those within the range of specific engines had value springs replaced. My dealership gave me a decent Lexus loaner car, full tank of gas, and $500 gift card. The carboning problem resulting in piston and valve replacement is a separate issue, (not the same as value springs).

This is common today, and something I don't view as a problem if it's done well. For example the pano roofs on Mercedes CLA and C-classes are like this today (including my 2015 C300 loaner car), on these 2 Benz's it's done well. It allows a bigger glass roof with zero impact on rear seat headroom. What they are trying to avoid is puny little sunroofs like Porsche 911's had (for example) for many years.

Beautiful show car, wow.

Teal, a metallic I assume, very nice...

That's why the faster the car (when it's mine), the more I prefer conservative color.

No, those 2 birds died a slow death taking decades.

My personal road kill story is not nearly as impressive. I hit a small bird at freeway speeds, it stuck in the grill of my car, clean kill.

Believe me, I tached that thing out in Sport mode a few times, no prob. Driving a dark steel gray color rather conservatively styled lux sedan is a good way to remain somewhat stealth. The people that tended to notice the car were mostly those driving older Benzs.

This review was just ok, if not especially useful to potential buyers. I also enjoyed the colorful pics.

OMG creature features! Thankfully the S2000 had no puncture wounds.

Since the topic is "luxury" here I'll give my little report on the (loaner car) 2015 Mercedes C300 Sport 4matic that I put about 150 miles on over the weekend: . Exterior styling is mini-S class which is a good thing for Mercedes as they compete with 3 series for best-selling premium compact sedan, even if a bit conservative (emphasis on luxury style). The trick LED lights front and rear are nice too. . Interior looks elegant and is winning awards for good reason. This the best interior in class so far, Lexus IS second, BMW and Audi follow. Given the slightly bigger size of new C (versus previous gen), interior/trunk room is not much different but certainly adequate front and rear. . Fit and finish is first rate and no different than German-built cars. I was pleasantly surprised since this is American-built (Alabama), the earlier ML SUVs that used to come from Alabama were crap quality in comparison. . Ride/handling/noise levels are very similar to previous gen C-class and typical of this class of car, very good. The runflats (now improved and called extended mobility) seem to work fine without the usual harshness of old run flats. This car is equipped with 18's, (19's are optional). The usual ultra stiff chassis of a Mercedes, but that's expected. . 2.0L turbo 4 banger is still up there with the very best from a NVH standpoint, very smooth to redline. Many will never notice this is a 4 cylinder engine. 30 mpg consistently at 65-80 mph was easy, and this was awd config. . I enjoyed driving the car and passengers enjoyed the comfort and features including audio system, nav, pano roof. .

Beef jerky, sun dried.

A true car story of mine involving a cow: Back in 2006 on a scorching summer afternoon we were in the middle of a heat wave in bay area of northern CA, defined as several days in a row with temperatures well over 100 degrees (or highs around 110 F for a week). I was driving my Boxster S on a quiet country road just outside of a gated neighborhood in the hills. I saw a cow keel over (probably dead from the heat) in a huge cloud of dust, weird.

Kinda reminds of me of that book "101 uses for a dead cat".

I'm well behaved most of the time, (at least when people are looking).

Assuming it doesn't have to get turned in this afternoon, then I will use it on weekend.

Here's an example of a compact luxury car I hope to drive later today. My wife took the Benz in for service today and got this loaner car (new 2015 C class). I assume it's the new C300 with the latest 2.0L turbo 4, sb about 240 hp and reasonably quick.

467 hp, normally aspirated, no waiting. Nice.

Walmart and McDs are often under 1 roof, depressing, no wonder..... Back to OP's topic of sushi. What's your favorite sushi? Pick one favorite.