Performance & Luxury Automobiles--A Must !

Just think about how much time we all spend in our vehicles. Next to our homes and offices, the car may be the only other place where a great deal of our life is spent.

Add to this, for a lot of us, driving is a singular pleasure. We certainly spend a great deal of energy considering driving, talking about it and thinking about it.

Isn't driving right up there with many other pleasurable activities?

Therefore, for me, it is very important my vehicle be a place I really want to be!!!

Like it or not, expensive gas as it is, our country and lifestyles are automobile based. This is not going to change anytime soon and has been this way for a very long time.

For my dollar, I want to be in a car that is exciting, handles well and is simply fun to drive. After all, if I am going to have to drive anyway, let's make it one that I will enjoy!!

When I look for a car, I want it to be exactly what I want--no compromises. For me, I don't to be stuck in traffic, burning gas, and in a car that I did not aspire for.

Regardless of the cost, once the car is purchased and paid for, the experience of buying it is a memory but we have to live with the car daily, look at it, drive it, maintain it and repair it.

When I am in a car that I wanted and worked towards getting, it is a continual joy to operate this fine vehicle. The color, options, performance, "feel" when right continually reinforce THIS IS RIGHT!!

After having owned economy cars, I purchased my first luxury car a '85 Toyota Cressida. Bought it with all the options, exact color I wanted and at the price I wanted to pay. Every day i drove it for 5 years and 100K miles, it was a truly enjoyable experience. I always looked forward to driving it. Even when washing, waxing it, I was reminded that this was MY car.

Compare this to my first new car--a '82 Toyota Tercel. I kept this for 3 years and put 90K miles on it. This was a very reliable car, extremely low on maintenance and met my budget--BUT it was a $$ compromise. I had really wanted a Celica but could not come up with the extra $2000 to buy it. First chance I had to sell it, I did.

My first two Mercedes' were exactly what I wanted-color, model, specs--all. Every mile driven was great fun.

Even my first SUV--'92 Range Rover County was purchased after a long ardous search--got the exact one I wanted. Now this was a highly unreliable, very expensive to maintain and drive vehicle. Absolutely impractical, in efficient but what I wanted. Kept it for 10 years--drove it for about 95K miles, spent as much on maintenance and repairs as I paid for the car BUT even today it is the most talked about & fondly remembered car in our family. Both my kids learnt to drive on it, took it on numerous ski vacations and were all sad when we sold it. In thinking back, we never should have sold it.

I truly believe that as we all work hard for our success and getting the car we want is a simple reward.

Today, I make it a point to ONLY buy cars that I get real excited about. Fortunately, most cars made today are very well made and enjoyable to drive so it is hard to buy a bad car.

For me, the important considerations include a great design, performance engine, excellent ergonmics inside, excellent handling and full power options. Gadgets such as navigtaion, power seats, rain sensing wipers, SAT radio are all great pluses. I don't buy cars simply for the make or engine size or what someone else may think of it.

In my opinion, there are cars that are made by engineers and others that are conceived in the marketing departments. Every car manufacturer has certain cars that are their best. The others are added to complete the product line. After all, every co. wants to get their buyers to buy as many of their models as they can.

My focus is to search and acquire the best examples of the "engineered" models. These are the most fun to drive.

Just some of my favorite cars are Mercedes S class sedans, Mercedes AMG models, BMW 3 and M series, Porsche 911 cars, Audi S class cars, Jaguar XK, Range Rovers (of course), GMC full size SUV's, C6 Vette's, mid 60's Cadillac's, Infinit G35/37's, just to name a few. Of course, luxury convertibles are always at the top of the list!!

How about sharing with me some of your favorite cars?

Buying A Car....Open Invitation to Submit

For all those who visit my blog, I am interested in compiling a list-maybe even creating a separate blog with stories about buying cars from car dealers, private parties, etc. Just about any interesting story about buying a car is welcome.

I think, after having talked with a lot of people, the whole process of deciding what to buy, searching for the right car, visiting dealers and other sellers to find it, searching the web, finally getting down to negotiating the purchase and then coming to grips with the acquisition is such an exercise for all of us!!

These are the stories we always share with families and friends. Just about everyone has a fun story, a horror experience, a truly wonderful encounter and so on!!

I believe your submissions will make for fun reading and hopefully help everyone become a better shopper for cars. After call we spend a great deal of time in our cars and a lot of money.

I reserve the right to edit your submission for length, remove people's names and names of dealerships. Vehicle make/model/year/mileage and data is OK.

Thanks!!!

BMW Z4 M 2007

Talk about really wanting a car after having just seen it briefly at a car show over 6 years ago????

From the first time I saw the Z4 M hatchback/coupe I thought what a beautifully ugly car.

Then I sat in it and it just felt right!!!

Recently, one became available in the right color combo--Black Metallic exterior with red hot leather inside and fully loaded in just like new with less than 3K miles.

I simply had to buy it.

It is the purest sports car I have driven ever. The suspension is rock hard, shifter real short, clutch stiff, amenities at a minimum--all setup to pay attention to the road and simply drive it.

The long hood seems to go on forever and the tail is short allowing one to easily push the car thru corners and get a very stable 50/50 weight distribution.

For a guy my size, getting in and out is not the easiest thing in the world but once inside, it feels like a much bigger car and fits like the proverbial glove.

It does take a bit of learning to drive but once I got the hang of it, every moment was pure excitement and complete control. I don't even care to turn on the radio. Why distract myself from enjoying the sheer enjoyment of driving the car.

At first I thought a lack of sunroof and small cabin would mae me feel claustorphobic but once again the BMW engineers have put together a masterpiece. The car feels & drives very solid and is also quite comfortable.

I would not choose to drive it cross country but absolutely superb for weekend jaunts, mountain drives and some exciting commutes.

I am real glad I got this car and am getting the opportunity to confirm it is JUST RIGHT !!

BMW 535xi, 2008

After many years of simply not understanding why people so doted on the BMW 5 series, I finally decided to get one to see what all the hoopla was all about.

To be sensible while wanting power, I chose to acquire the 2008 535xi. The xi option was not particularly important to me, living in San Francisco. However I did want to try out the much written about 3.5 liter twin turbo BMW engine.

The car had to be, of course, highly loaded and in like brand condition and this one fit the bill just fine.

When I first drove the car, it felt a bit awkward as I was used to either much bigger cars like the Mercedes S class or smaller sports cars. Even the Mercedes E class felt much bigger.

The seats were rather stiff and extensive technology a bit daunting at first, the gear lever felt weird and the active steering a little jittery.

I also like to be able to turn the radio & climate control completely on / off. Rather hard to do that with the BMW.

However, once I got the car into DRIVE, stepped on the accelerator--gently--it just felt right. The more I drove the car the more it seemed effortless and very solid.

It continued to impress a Mercedes lover like me more and more. This engine is simply a marvel to drive as the power just pours out.

The size, engine, suspension are all superbly crafted to work together creating a very exciting yet safe and enjoyable performance sedan. Sports cars eat your hearts out.

Also at first I thought the car was rather small. Later when my whole family-wife, two grown kids were in the car we were all very comfortable. The BMW engineers have really crafted this car beautifully.

At some point later, I also realized how quiet it was.

The next day when we all checked out of our hotel and packed the car--two full suitcases fit so perfectly in the trunk, it seemed the trunk had been designed specifically for our cases.

Once on the highway, everything about the performance and comfort of the car came into full clarity and I was yet another convert to the msytique of the BMW 5 sedan. Even got 24 mpg!!!!

For a small portion of the drive, we drove thru mountain roads with some nice twists/turns. Here I got to appreciate the rock solid confidence inspired by the XI-all wheel drive system.

Now having driven it for a couple of weeks and finally learnt to use the idrive, bluetooth, programmed the radio stations and gotten used to not being able to turn off the radio and climate control system, I can honestly say this is a magnificent car perfectly suited to our American roads and current cost of gas!

Of course, the overall fit and finish are as good as any other premier luxury car and the quality of the materials leaves nothing to be desired. The original dealer installed after market tint on all windows giving those inside a very private feeling while keeping the interior very cool.

The only compliant I have is that temp. scale on the temperature control knob does not seem to match the system's output. On most cars I leave the setting at 72 and the cabin stays very comfortable. In this car, I have to keep it at about 68 to get the same level of comfort. As the dial is anlog -no digital readout, I can only assume the dial is off. Of course, this is just nitpicking.

This car is an excellent daily driver.

Given our roads, current state of the economy, this may be the perfect family sedan. It combines so many elements---comfortable seating for 4 to 5, generous trunk space, excellent performance at 300hp, BMW fit / finish, superb engineering, one of the highest resale values, state of the art safety and all wheel drive for best possible handling and verstality--lastly, higher than expected gas mileage at mid 20's on the highway.

Mercedes Benz S65 2006

Finally after about a 2 year search, I managed to finally purchase this car.

From first reading about the car to finally being able to carefully inspectand reasearch the car, I was completely impressed by the totality of the car.

Of course, Mercedes capitalized on buyer's seemingly insatiable desire for AMG products and wanting the biggest, baddest horseopwer mobile on the market. At approximately $200K, buying a S65 brand new bordered on insanity.

Who in the world needs to spend that kind of money on a car? Any car? Especially when these cars just don't hold their value.

While the MSRP-list price is ridiculous, the cars are absolute engineering marvels and tremendous bargains when purchased used.

This is how I got my dream car. Using my dealership and personally developed inspection and valuation process, I think I got a super deal.

My car with 30K miles, impeccable condition cost me in the mid 70's.

How does this compare to other luxury cars? Let's take a look........

For example 2006 BMW 760li (also a 12 cylinder car) has an average market price of $79000. This is off a MSRP of about $120,000. Another example a 2006 S55 AMG has an average market price of $69230 over a MSRP of also about $120,000.

I have also been pleasantly surprised (albeit relatively) at the gas mileage the S65 gets on the open highway. 19mpg is rather standard !!!

The most powerful sedan in the world, at 70% of its original price and rather decent mileage for a performance car that is an absolute blast to drive...who could want anything more?

Mercedes has done a superb job with the interior and also kept the exterior very conservative with subtle markings that only those in the know would realize what this car really is. I kinda like that it does not aggressively announce its power.

The S65 starts up with a unique engine and matching exhaust sound. Once warmed up the rumble from the pipes is sheer music. Unfortunately, it can't be heard inside the cabin.

Driving a super car like this is exhilirating and also very relaxing. One sits up and straight with excellent visibility with easy access to all controls.

Having owned many Mercedes S class cars and enjoyed all of them for their roominess, quietness and total sense of security, this one just notches everything up!!

The Nappa leather upholstery, excellent wood along with complete options of heating / cooling / massaging seats, BOSE stereo system, distronic and keyless go , airmatic suspension, double paned optical glass windows, and much more make this an easy car to drive. The simply sheer sense of power makes one feel like they own the road.

Imagine driving a car that almost accelerates as fast as it slows down. The speedometer can seem to just keep climbing with no limit-just watch for "trouble" in your rear view mirror.

Everytime I get a chance to get behind the wheel I want to just keep driving it and driving it.

My appreciation for the wonderful line of Mercedes S class is once again reinforced.

About My Blog

This is simply a collection of my comments, rants & raves about cars and everything I find interesting related to cars.

Many posts will be about cars that I have, have owned, aspire to buy or have driven or have strong opinions about.

As a long long time "car guy" I am opinionated, highly passionate about luxury and performance vehicles and will use this medium to share my points of view with everyone who chooses to read my blog. Everything I write will be from the heart and based upon my own experiences.

The buying and selling of cars is really big business and a bigger part of our culture. Also invokes a great deal of emotion. Let's face it--we all buy cars mostly on emotion--especially the kinds of cars I am talking about.

Having said that, I think, the way the majority of the auto industry approaches us--the customers is crazy. Why does buying a car have to be such a hassle? Part of my mission, besides being able to buy and enjoy and sell what I consider "aspiration cars" is to conduct this process in a way that is FUN, SAFE and gratifying for both parties.

After all we are buying adult priced toys that while are functional do provide us with a great deal of joy.

So why can't the whole thing be one that we want to do knowing that we are getting a good deal, dealing with honest people, having complete information and starting a business relationship and a friendship?

It is with this desire to be able to put my thoughts and feelings into action that I started my specialty car dealership Inflowtech Motors. I believe, today, since 2003 I have been able to accomplish my objectives; and, working hard to continually improve the process and experience.

Over time, I am sure some may find my comments helpful, may disagree with me, find my approach unacceptable or may find it merely interesting. I hope you don't find anything I say offensive or rude.

Your feedback and comments are always welcome even if I may not agree with you. I truly believe, it is through honest, direct discussion and an open mind that we can all learn and everything can be improved !!!

Let's have some "car" fun!!!!!!!