what are the elements of a luxurious drive?

[HULK_I6T]

What makes a car luxurious to drive? What are the elements of a luxurious driving car? The must have elements?

heres my list of must haves...

-Car needs to be generous in size which all falcons are
-need excess power to burn, v8 or turbo options add to this or preferably the most powerful engine variant offered by the manufacturer.
-motor needs to be smooth and quiet
-automatic transmission
-need leather seats for a nice comfy feel
-need a very clean sounding car audio / entertainment centre
-need flashy wheels and very neat premium exterior look about the car
-suspension on the softer side
-interior features to make the car more comfortable, air cond, power windows, navigation etc

what elements are you missing? Any plans to make to make your car more luxurious?

[superyob]

Old school styling
V8 rumble

That's all I need...

[Mechan1k]

No traffic to add to that.

[chevypower]

Long wheel base for a smooth ride, lots of torque, refinement (harder to measure), quiet, something you can sit in for hours without feeling fatigued, something that is enjoyable and easy to drive.

[vegabass]

I just spent a week in a VF SSV Redline ute. That has absolutely everything for a luxurious drive.

Swish trim
my link
head up display with sweet functions
push button start
duel zone climate control
proximity key thingo
hand brake button (not the old leaver)
suspension as firm enough to give you the sport feel yet soft enough that a baby could sleep while driving

Its a good package

[Streets]

considering the car I drive now, anything with EFI, air conditioning and cruise control would be a luxury for me

[Franco Cozzo]

The A/C needs to be better than an someone with emphysema blowing at you through a straw on a mildly warm day.

A common problem with Euro designed cars.

[HO 3]

A gorgeous blond sitting on the passenger seat

Cheers Mick

[blackf6]

Aircon. And kid free.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

The A/C needs to be better than an someone with emphysema blowing at you through a straw on a mildly warm day.

A common problem with Euro designed cars.

Remember the old CFC air conditioners? They actually worked. I remember dad's EA Falcon feeling like we were sitting inside a freezer on a 40 deg C day. Then the EF's AC was very unimpressive in comparison.

[Ben73]

I actually agree with Hulk.
I would love to have a luxurious car to drive around day to day. Maybe if I win the lotto one day.

[nstg8a]

My fairlane is plenty luxurious enough for me, has most mod cons I'd use, the right sound and it's comfy as.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Remember the old CFC air conditioners? They actually worked. I remember dad's EA Falcon feeling like we were sitting inside a freezer on a 40 deg C day. Then the EF's AC was very unimpressive in comparison.

Yeah, I had this discussion recently on another forum, R134a is a crap refrigerant to use in cars, its got nothing on the older R12 in terms of cooling.

If you've got an old school car which used R12, you can use hydrocarbon refrigerant in it (its called Hychill Minus 30) which cools just as good as the old R12

I've used it in a few cars and it can also work in older R134a systems like the early ones, the jury is still out on it for modern cars though, some people say you can use it, others say you can't due to the way modern A/C compressors are designed, I've got a 4.5KG bottle of it.

R12 and R134a are both bad for the environment, R12 had an issue with causing ozone depletion and R134a is a "super greenhouse" gas, which was why it shot through the roof in price when the carbon tax was introduced.

[noddy383]

I've got the LWB, leather steering wheel, climate control, bluetooth music/phone and wheels. I'm working on the leather interior, and the sound system is in the works. Upgrading to dual zone CC and rear power windows is on the to do list as well Getting the power up is a matter of time to figure out Turbo Vs V8 and how much power is enough.

For me, the first priority in any car is enjoying being in it, even if it's slow or ugly. My old AU was testament to that.

[CoupeKing]

My project was good in its day. Ordered new in 1973

size = yes
power = I`ll say yes. K-code so it beats a 250ci
auto = yes.
Leather = No. But has cloth interior and other fairmont goodies.
Audio = No
Quiet motor = No, but I wouldnt want a v8 thats too quiet.
Wheels = yes. Sports road wheels with red-walls.
Suspension = Not sure. Has lowered sports handling suspension, so better than standard.
Interior = yes. Air con, P/S, P/W.

Never used the factory air-con in it, so I got know idea how well they work. If its no good, then I`ll just click all 4 windows down and open up the factory sunroof.


Ahh stuff it, just give me a new Bentley.

[FGX-351]

Not crashing.

[FGX-351]

Coming from an XF S pack(which at the time I thought was the greatest thing ever) then getting in my EL XR it's all the luxury I need.

Supportive seats, remote keyless, leather wrapped wheel that hasn't deteriorated, can't be stolen with screwdrivers & packing tape, power front windows, working ac, cruise, abs & a passenger airbag for peace of mind.

I just added a few things like trip computer, front/rear floor lights, carpeted kick panels, black leather gearboot & handbrake, black gear knob, chrome handles.....etc

Might not be much at all these days but I've got everything I need in it.

[Brodes]

Originally Posted by FGX-351

... my EL XR it's all the luxury I need.

Supportive seats, remote keyless, leather wrapped wheel that hasn't deteriorated, can't be stolen with screwdrivers & packing tape, power front windows, working ac, cruise, abs & a passenger airbag for peace of mind.

....

Might not be much at all these days but I've got everything I need in it.

X2

[pottery beige]

windows that wind up in winter

windows that wind down in summer

[MAGPIE]

Power (Enough to blast past the ******* on the road)
Cruise
Fast Glass
Air Con

and I'm happy

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by HULK_I6T

What makes a car luxurious to drive? What are the elements of a luxurious driving car? The must have elements?

heres my list of must haves...

-Car needs to be generous in size which all falcons are
-need excess power to burn, v8 or turbo options add to this or preferably the most powerful engine variant offered by the manufacturer.
-motor needs to be smooth and quiet
-automatic transmission
-need leather seats for a nice comfy feel
-need a very clean sounding car audio / entertainment centre
-need flashy wheels and very neat premium exterior look about the car
-suspension on the softer side
-interior features to make the car more comfortable, air cond, power windows, navigation etc

what elements are you missing? Any plans to make to make your car more luxurious?

You big dummy, you forgot sitting in the back with a big cigar in your mouth with James at the wheel.

OBTW you not sitting in a falcon.

[BradEL]

I think if I could pick any car that ticks all these boxes, it would have to be an EL GT

[Ben73]

I wouldn't really want leather seats.
I used to want leather seats, now that I have had them I will happily never have them again.
Leathers only good when it's not hot or cold.

[HULK_I6T]

One thing I didnt mention was does it need to be worth x amount or more? Not sure of the right value.

Imagine saying I bought a luxurious car for $5000? It doesnt sound right does it.

[cs123]

Originally Posted by HULK_I6T

One thing I didnt mention was does it need to be worth x amount or more? Not sure of the right value.

Imagine saying I bought a luxurious car for $5000? It doesnt sound right does it.

There you go again, worried about what others think of you.....

[aussiblue]

Lllllllllllleeeeggggg Room.

[commodorenutt]

Originally Posted by HULK_I6T

Imagine saying I bought a luxurious car for $5000? It doesnt sound right does it.

That's what we paid for an LTD Cartier 351 in the late 90s. That's all it was worth. Plenty of luxury - even the boot was trimmed in proper carpet - and it was plush pile! Console bin was lined in the softest leather I've felt in a car this side of a Rolls.

You'll get 10,000 different answers to your question, as everyone has different needs/wants, and what's important to someone, could be worth diddly squat to the next guy.

[blownv8au]

I think the force 8 hits it on the head. But my TE has everything I need, power everything, great suspension but compliant also. Only problem is lack of power and by luxury stakes its manual. But its getting a engine upgrade and converting to auto for a while, might be a little to powerful and angry for a luxury kind of car, but I don't care I'm gonna love every minute of driving it. I already do enjoy every drive.

[NX74205]

Rolls-Royce Ghost.

It's the epitome of what a modern luxury car should be. Huge (albeit not by Phantom standards), high quality craftsmanship and materials, the famous Rolls-Royce 'waftability' that makes the car seemingly glide over bumps without so much as a jolt, effortless power from the 6.6 litre twin turbo V12 that can propel you to illegal speeds in no time and embarrass a few muscle cars in the process, while being eerily quiet and serene inside that the driver can whisper to the back seat passengers.

Those are the elements of a luxury drive. There are very few cars that actually come up to that standard - in fact, none. The Mercedes-Benz S600 may beat the Ghost in terms of technology and gadgets, the Bentley Flying Spur may beat the Ghost in terms of driving pleasure, but no other manufacturer nail the luxury car segment the way Rolls-Royce does.

[MrEL]

A lovely lady in the passenger seat that is more then happy to polish the happy stick when sitting in traffic.