What is it like to drive a Luxury car?
I’ve only driven two or three normal cars for short distances. What does driving an expensive car feel like? Is it easier and safer to drive?
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Depends on the type. Different cars drive quite differently.
Some American luxury cars are a bit like driving a boat / sofa with soft seats, soft ride, and lots of room.
I’m partial to BMW sedans, which have a tight suspension that makes speed bumps jarring but lets you feel the road. They’re very well balanced and accurate for fast tight turns (and recovering from loss of traction), have nice easy transmissions (I prefer manual) that allow for bursts of acceleration, are fun to drive but may scare passengers…
I owned a Lincoln Continental once, nice to drive and big engine. Pass anything on the road but a gas station.
I have driven, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, Citroen Sport Maserati and many other “luxury” automobiles. They they all drive on four wheels; Citroen Sport Maserati was the classiest but that was 1974.
Smooooth. Powerful. I had a 56 Pontiac that rode so smooth. And Dad had a 60 Cadillac that was the same way. And on bias ply tires!!!
Usually, they have more power, and they feel more solid, less tinny, less plastic. Easier to come by a bigger engine, so the acceleration is smooth, and the engine doesn’t sound like it’s overworking itself when you accelerate. You feel more attached to the road. The more money usually does get you a noticeable difference in driving experience and finishing touches in the car. Still, you overpay, so to speak, for the name.
Sometimes they don’t feel more “comfortable.” Some performance luxury cars have harder seats, and are really meant for performance driving, and not so much for long distances.
A “luxury” car, as opposed to a “performance” car, is all about comfort. The best are driven by someone else.
And a friend’s description of when he was driven in a Rolls Royce is probably the epitome of luxury: “This seat is so comfy it feels like I don’t have a butt.”
@zenvelo LOL. I used to say when I drive American cars it was like driving my living room sofa. Comfy seats. Plus, back then a lot of the cars had bank seating. Now, even sedans and utility vehicles have bucket seats, and many are form fitting with a sporty feel.
I was in a Rolls many many years ago, and it felt too stodgy to me. It was odd being in the car. Too out of my league I guess.
About 15 years ago I was the ‘designated driver’ for a bunch of us going to a bachelor party in a city 2½ hours away, giving me the chance to drive (and get an impression of) one of the most expensive Mercedes Benz made. Overrated, I thought.
Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t get it. I’ve always enjoyed driving (and been just as comfortable in) any of our Hondas and Toyotas over the years just as much, maybe more….
@LuckyGuy Yeah, that’s funny. Also it underlines for me how amazing it is that people often accept/desire whatever the latest styles are, and then later consider those styles unacceptable later.
My husband has a full-size, luxury Acura sedan. I really hate driving it. I feel as if I’m trying to maneuver an oversized cardboard box. At least for me, that car is just an awkward and clumsy thing.
I’m infinitely happier with my cute lil’ Prius.
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