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Category: Blog

5 Articles
Posted inAuto Blog News

Top 10 Off-Road Luxury SUVs

Even though most drivers would shudder at the thought, some of the priciest, most luxurious SUVs relish trouncing through mud, bounding over boulders and powering up steep inclines. Think of them as well-mannered brutes, frustrated for lack of opportunity to display their brawn.

As car buyers abandon truck-based SUVs for car-based ones — called “crossovers” by industry insiders — to gain more on-road comfort and capability, it’s the costlier truck-like models that continue to flaunt true rock-crawling abilities. (Click here to read about the difference between car- and truck-based SUVs.)

“This is the carryover from the idea that any ‘real’ SUV had to be able to get to the top of the mountain with its 4×4 system,” says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific Group, a California-based automotive research firm. In many ways, this makes a luxury SUV the vehicular equivalent of costly professional-quality stove and oven ranges sold to wealthy people who don’t cook much but would like to think they have the tools to whip up a gourmet meal if the need ever arises.

“Substantially less than 10 percent [of luxury SUV owners] indicate that they actually go off-roading,” says AutoPacific’s Peterson. “We actually think that the percentage that actually off-roads is less than 5 percent, but we have to go with what the owners report.”

While some lower-cost SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler and Nissan Xterra boast the largest percentage of “real” off-roader enthusiasts — Jeep says 60 to 80 percent of Wrangler owners take their vehicles to the trails — some large luxury models are equipped to tackle tough terrain. “The price of a Land Rover has always been higher than many other four-wheel-drive vehicles, based not just on luxury but on capability,” says Bob Burns, off-road events manager for Land Rover North America. “Range Rover customers want to buy the best and want to experience what their vehicles are built to do.” Go to the Land Rover Showroom to compare prices for different models.

Land Rovers have the highest off-road penetration among luxury SUVs, with 26 percent of all LR3 owners engaging in “real” off-roading, and 22.2 percent of all Range Rovers and 14.8 percent of Range Rover Sport drivers occasionally leaving the pavement. By contrast, the study found that no Cadillac Escalade EXT, Infiniti QX56 and Volvo XC90 owners ever venture off-road. (See the chart below for more data.)

Defining ‘Off-Road’

How motorists define off-road driving affects those numbers. “Off-road for some of these folks could be in the shopping mall parking lot,” Peterson says. “We try to get at that by differentiating ‘real off-roading’ with ‘getting to fish/camp/hike sites’ in our study.” In other words, AutoPacific defines “real” off-roading as driving on rugged off-road trails, versus merely traversing a dirt or gravel path to access a fishing, hiking or camping site, for instance.

“The definition of ‘off-road use’ varies greatly, and we’re OK with that,” says Land Rover’s Burns. “Some customers consider it to be the snowy driveway to the ski house, while others may well define it as scaling the Sierra Nevada mountain range.”

Industry analysts agree that among all luxury SUV brands, Land Rover does the best job of creating an active community of off-roaders. For starters, most dealerships maintain their own off-road test courses, which can range from a simple hill climb to a full-blown facility for buyers to test their vehicles’ mettle and their own fear threshold. Beyond that, Land Rover dealers help make sure their customers have access to an assortment of off-road events and excursions.

“Our owners have the option of learning how to drive their vehicles off-road at a driving school, a retailer-organized event, or they can take a dive off the deep end by signing up to attend a Land Rover Adventure,” Burns says.

SUVs have been around for decades, arguably starting with limited but growing enthusiasm for truck-based station wagons post-WWII that were generically called “Suburbans” (long before Chevrolet trademarked the name. Luxury SUVs are a more-recent phenomenon. Born out of the SUV boom in the 1990s, today every mainstream luxury brand except for Jaguar offers at least one SUV.

Kings of Off-Road

VehiclePercent of owners
who drive off-road
BMW X31.4%
BMW X57.4%
Cadillac Escalade4.3%
Cadillac Escalade EXT2.2%
GMC Yukon XL0.0%
Infiniti FX6.1%
Infiniti QX562.2%
Land Rover LR30.0%
Land Rover Range Rover26.0%
Land Rover RR Sport22.2%
Lexus GX 47014.8%
Lincoln Navigator6.1%
Mercedes M-Class9.1%
Porsche Cayenne3.1%
Subaru B9 Tribeca10.5%
Volkswagen Touareg3.5%
Volvo XC909.8%
Average Luxury SUV7.15%

What to Look for

There are some basic parameters that every SUV must have for serious off-road duty. Primary among them is a four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing that enables a slow crawl often needed to negotiate rough terrain.

Other important specifications include ground clearance, approach and departure angles, and fording depth. Go to the next page for definitions of these terms. A host of expensive accessories are available to improve off-road performance and safety. But instead of focusing on expensive add-ons, like brush guards and winches, those serious about off-roading should invest in training, off-roading expert Pietschmann says.

“The main thing you want to have when you’re off-roading is a prepared driver,” he says. “Ninety percent of everything off-road has to do with the driver — only 10 percent depends on the equipment.”

Bill Burke, an off-road driving instructor who runs 4-Wheeling America, in Fruita, Calif., stresses that drivers should adhere to the “three Ps” of off-roading:

Patience – Drive slowly enough to be able to gauge the terrain and react accordingly.

• Planning – Stop and decide exactly how to negotiate an obstacle rather than just plow forward without a plan.

• Practice – Learn the capabilities of your vehicle and its equipment in safe surroundings before setting out to conquer a remote trail.

It’s also imperative to always be mindful of how the vehicle will impact the environment, Burke says. “Treat the outdoors where you drive like your own home — take care not to damage it or clutter it.” Land Rover’s motto of “tread lightly” encapsulates this idea.

Prior to the SUV boom of the 1990s, most SUVs were referred to as “four-by-fours,” expressed as “4x4s,” by virtue of four-wheel-drive systems that imbued them with nearly superhuman off-road and foul-weather abilities. Back then you had to get out of the truck and manually “lock” the front wheel hubs to send power to all four corners, however. Today’s 4×4 systems are much more sophisticated and come in several varieties, each of which is skewed more toward either off- or on-road use.

Here’s a quick rundown of the various similarities and differences between the competing types of systems:

• Part-Time 4WD: Typically the most-basic type of 4WD system found on the least-expensive models; the engine powers only the rear axle until the driver pushes a button or shifts a lever to engage the front wheels. Vehicles with this system include the Jeep Wrangler and Nissan XTerra.

• Full-Time 4WD: A driver can choose between rear-drive, 4WD and an “automatic” mode that engages the front wheels as needed when sensors detect wheel slippage. This system typically affords the best compromise between on- and off-road use. Vehicles with this system include the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition.

• Permanent 4WD: Found on many higher-priced SUVs, this includes the automatic system mentioned above, but doesn’t offer two-wheel-drive. To some degree, all four wheels receive power at all times. Such systems may or may not include low-range gearing for extreme off-roading. Vehicles with this system include the Hummer H2 and Land Rover Range Rover.

• All-Wheel Drive: Similar to permanent 4WD and available on most car-based “crossover” SUVs and a few truck-based SUVs. AWD not only boosts traction, but also can improve cornering abilities on-road. Some systems vary the amount of power sent to each wheel, individually. Unlike 4WD, however, no low-range gearing is included, which means the system is not intended for serious off-roading. Vehicles with this system include the Buick Enclave, Cadillac Escalade, Lexus RX 350 and Mercury Mountaineer.

Some automakers will refer to their car-based SUVs as having 4WD, when really they’re equipped with AWD. This is a marketing ploy to create a burly image. The rule of thumb is that if it doesn’t include a switch or lever to engage low gear, it’s not a true 4WD system.

About Our Ranking

In our top 10 list of luxury off-road SUVs, we’ve listed the models retailing for $30,000 or more that we feel are the most rugged, based on a combination of personal experience, published performance reports and the manufacturer’s specifications.

We’ve included a few critical specs in that regard for each model on the list: ground clearance, approach and departure angles, and fording depth (see below for definitions of each). Sometimes these numbers are expressed as a range because the measurements either differ from version to version within a particular model line — given different suspension systems, tires and so on — or vary because of features like an adjustable-height suspension. We’ve also included a list of off-road enhancements available as factory options for each ranked model, though separate dealer-installed accessories may also or alternately be offered.

Definitions

• Ground clearance: One of the key specs for those looking to take an SUV off-road, ground clearance refers to the space between the lowest point on a vehicle’s chassis and the ground beneath it. The higher the ground clearance, the less likely the underbody and associated components will sustain damage over rocky and uneven terrain. Generally, this is measured from a point under the differential housing, though on some models this may not actually be the lowest spot, so bring a tape measure with you if you’re serious about comparing various models’ ground clearances. A serious down side to having higher ground clearance is the resulting higher center of gravity, which adversely affects the vehicle’s on-road handling and makes it more susceptible to rollovers. Many luxury SUVs offer suspensions that can be lowered for highway use and raised for added off-road clearance at the push of a button.

• Approach angle refers to the steepest incline angle a vehicle can drive up from a flat surface without damaging the front bumper or undercarriage.

• Departure angle is like the approach angle for the back of the vehicle. It refers to the degree of incline a vehicle can negotiate without having the rear bumper or other overhang scrape.

• Fording depth represents the maximum depth at which an off-road vehicle can operate in water. Fording depth is important if you plan to cross creeks and streams along a trail.

10. Volkswagen Touareg
The Touareg hasn’t been a big seller, despite being both luxurious and capable. It shares some components with the Porsche Cayenne. A standard 4Motion permanent AWD system enables the Touareg to scale a 45-degree grade; a sophisticated suspension gives relatively responsive on-road handling. Three engine choices include a 310-hp 5.0-liter V10 turbodiesel that generates 553 pound-feet of torque for extreme pulling and climbing power. A freshening later this year will rechristen it the Touareg 2.

Off-Road Specs:
Ground Clearance: 6.3-11.8 inches
Approach Angle: 28-33 degrees
Departure Angle: 28-33 degrees
Fording Depth: 19.7-22.8 inches

Off-Road Options:
Rear Locking Differential ($700)

9. Lexus GX 470
Introduced as a smaller and lower-cost alternative to the LX 470, the GX 470 is essentially a luxury version of the Toyota 4Runner with a V8 engine. A full-time 4WD system is standard, the vehicle’s ActiveTRAC technology is able to apply the brakes to a slipping wheel while transferring the engine’s power to wheels with better traction. An optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System hydraulically controls a set of oversized front and rear stabilizer bars to further enhance its trail response.

Off-Road Specs:
Ground Clearance: 8.3 inches
Approach Angle: 31-30 degrees
Departure Angle: 25-29 degrees
Fording Depth: N/A

Off-Road Options:
Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System ($1,750)

8. Porsche Cayenne
After taking the 2007 model year off, the Porsche Cayenne is updated and reintroduced as an early-2008 entry. As before, it’s offered in 290-hp base, 385-hp S and 500-hp Turbo S models, the latter of which boasts the best off-road specs, but is priced just short of $100,000. The Cayenne’s sophisticated 4WD system can send up to 100 percent of the vehicle’s traction to the front or rear axle if needed. The available Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) system limits vehicle roll on pavement through corners and enables maximum axle articulation and improved traction off-road.

Off-Road Specs:
Ground Clearance: 8.6-10.7 inches
Approach Angle: 28.6-31.8 degrees
Departure Angle: 22.8-25.4 degrees
Fording Depth: 19.7-21.9 inches

Off-Road Options:
Fire Extinguisher ($140); Off-Road Technology Package ($2,640; includes rear differential lock, rocker panel protection, additional skid plates and undercarriage protection); Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control ($3,510); Sportdesign Package with Off-Road ($3,395; includes front and rear lower bumper covers, extended roof spoiler and rocker panel extensions, front and rear stabilizer bars that can be disconnected hydraulically, rear differential lock, additional skid plates and undercarriage protection, headlamp washers, additional tow lug)

7. Mercedes-Benz G500
Derived from a German military vehicle designed in the 1970s, the G500 soldiers on as an unabashedly boxy, low-volume, high-priced and somewhat eccentric luxury SUV. While it offers a comfortable cabin, the G500 remains rugged and is one of the few SUVs of any kind to offer three separate locking differentials for exceptional off-road aptitude. Its 292-hp V8 engine has to work hard to move the un-aerodynamic bulk with authority; the G55 AMG version includes a much-quicker 469-hp supercharged V8, but at a steep price.

Off-Road Specs:
Ground Clearance: 8.3 inches
Approach Angle: 36 degrees
Departure Angle: 27 degrees
Fording Depth: 19 inches

Off-Road Options:
N/A

6. Lexus LX 470
Lexus’ upscale version of the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser excels as a posh off-road adventurer, thanks to a hardy, full-time 4WD system that features a locking center differential and four-wheel traction control. A height-adjustable adaptive suspension provides added ground clearance for off-road use. While the 2007 model’s 4.7-liter V8 is rather meek at 268 hp, the vehicle will receive a more-powerful 381-hp 5.7-liter V8 engine with its 2008 redesign, which will prompt a name change to the LX 570.

Off-Road Specs:
Ground Clearance: 9.8 inches
Approach Angle: 30-32 degrees
Departure Angle: 23-26 degrees
Fording Depth: N/A

Off-Road Options:
N/A

5. Land Rover Range Rover Sport
This big SUV is sporty by SUV standards, thanks largely to well-balanced handling and strong engines (300-hp V8 or 390-hp supercharged V8). However, the Range Rover Sport can be just as entertaining on the trails. It shares the LR3 and Range Rover’s low-range 4×4 gearing, lockable center differential and the Terrain Response system that maximizes performance according to five settings that correspond to different road conditions; three of which are off-road (mud, sand and rocky surfaces).

Off-Road Specs:
Ground Clearance 7.4-9.6 inches (front); 7.9-10.0 inches (rear)
Approach Angle: 30.2-34.0 degrees
Departure Angle: 26.0-29.0 degrees (with spare tire); 13.9-16.9 degrees (with tow bar)
Fording Depth: 27.6 inches

Off-Road Options:
Locking Rear Differential ($500); Dynamic Response Package ($2,000; includes dynamic-response suspension, Brembo front brakes)

4. Land Rover LR3
You could certainly pay less for a midsize SUV, but few combine the inherent luxury and off-road readiness of the LR3. Known as the Discovery in other markets, this upper-crust Brit offers a choice of V6 and V8 engines, with five- or seven-passenger seating. A center-locking differential, a long list of chassis control functions and the automaker’s adjustable Terrain Response system combine to deliver secure handling and a smooth ride in a wide range of conditions.

Off-Road Specs:
Ground Clearance: 8.0-10.2 inches (front); 8.4-10.6 inches (rear); 7.3-9.5 inches (under differential)
Approach Angle: 32.2-37.2 degrees
Departure Angle: 24.9-29.6 degrees
Fording Depth: 27.6 inches

Off-Road Options:
Heavy-Duty Package ($625; includes active locking rear differential, full-size spare with alloy wheel)

3. Mercedes-Benz GL450
Introduced for 2007, the seven-passenger GL450 is well suited for both carpooling and off-roading. Unlike most 4x4s, it’s built on a reinforced unibody structure that affords more of a car-like feel on pavement than the truck-based competition. Be aware, however, that you’ll need to specify the $2,200 Off-Road Package to maximize ground clearance and off-road prowess. A 4.6-liter V8 engine is rated at a hearty 335 hp and comes mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Off-Road Specs:
Ground Clearance: 7.9-10.9 inches
Approach Angle: 33.0 degrees
Departure Angle: 27.0 degrees
Fording Depth: 19.3-23.6 inches

Off-Road Options:
Off-Road Package ($2,200; includes additional ground clearance, locking differentials, underbody skid plates, adaptive damping suspension)

2. Land Rover Range Rover
With a well-heeled British pedigree, the V8-powered Range Rover continues to lead SUVs that venture into the wilderness. It’s also one of the costliest, most luxurious SUVs offered. Land Rover’s Terrain Response system allows the driver to tailor the vehicle’s electronic controls and traction aids according to various road conditions, while an electronic rear differential (standard on the 400-hp Supercharged model and optional on the 305-hp base version) improves the vehicle’s already tenacious trail-forging talents.

Off-Road Specs:
Ground Clearance: 8.7-11.0 inches (front); 9.5-11.5 inches (rear)
Approach Angle: 29.0-34.0 degrees
Departure Angle: 24.2-26.6 degrees (with spare tire); 15.2-17.4 degrees (with tow bar)
Fording Depth: 27.6 inches

Off-Road Options:
Locking Rear Differential ($500)

1. Hummer H2
Though it has become the mascot for excessive consumption, the Hummer H2 is nonetheless one of the most capable off-road vehicles around. A rugged, full-time 4WD system with low-range gearing enables it to climb 16-inch steps and rocks; short front and rear overhangs and a generous ground clearance mean there’s less of a chance the vehicle will get hung up on bumpy trails. A 325-hp 6.0-liter V8 offers ample power and a 7,000-pound tow rating.

Off-Road Specs:Ground Clearance: 9.7-10.1 inches
Approach Angle: 39.8 degrees
Departure Angle: 37.1 degrees
Fording Depth: 24 inches

Off-Road Options:
Adventure Kit ($325; includes two-way radios, tire deflators, light, binoculars, compass, wind-resistant lighter); Adventure Series ($2,530; includes brush guard, first-aid kit, roof rack, CD changer, air suspension, tool kit, floor mats); Brush Guard (basic, $525; wrap-around version, $675; chrome wrap-around version, $995); Off-Road Lights ($1,410); Spot Lamps ($450; roof mounted, $998); Taillamp Protectors ($250; chrome, $350)
(C)Jim Gorzelany, Forbes

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Top 10 Luxury Vehicles with the Lowest Resale Value

Watch for reliability and obsolete technology when car shopping with an eye toward resale values.

Poor reliability, aging designs and supply that exceeds demand are the main culprits for low resale values. The 10 luxury vehicles likely to shed the most value over time each have at least one of those qualities.

The top two value losers on our list, the Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis, which are based on the same Ford platform, have at least two counts against them. Both cars are sold in large numbers to various vehicle fleets, such as limo, taxi and rental agencies, and they use decades-old technology. At least their predicted reliability, as rated by Consumer Reports, has improved in recent years to “average.”

Larry Batton, president and founder of Auto Appraisal Group Inc., says that these two cars “are archaic and don’t fulfill the requirements of modern buyers.” The average age of a Lincoln Town Car buyer in 2006 was 69; for a Mercury Grand Marquis buyer it was 67, according to a Ford spokesperson. “That plus the high supply due to heavy fleet use adds up naturally to dismal resale values,” Batton says. He’s referring to the fact that every year the market is flooded with vehicles retired from fleet use, which creates a huge supply that outstrips demand.

The Lincoln Town Car, our list’s top loser, is plagued by another problem: Starting at $45,000 and easily selling for well over $50,000 with options, it’s “dangerously in the price category of some really excellent cars,” Batton says — cars like the BMW 5 Series, Infiniti M35 and Lexus GS. “All are significantly more modern and more appropriate to a wider cross-section of buyers,” Batton says.

Other cars on this list have a similar issue: Their price is too high for the value they offer. The Mercedes-Benz E550 on the list is a good car but seems overpriced at more than $60,000, especially with reliability ratings much lower than those of a competing BMW 5 Series or Lexus ES. Plus, the six-cylinder-powered Mercedes E350 costs $8,500 less than the V8-powered E550. The E350 is a better deal and its residual values show it: Kelley Blue Book projects that the E350 will retain 37 percent of its value after five years and the E550 only 26 percent.

Reliability is Key

Reliability didn’t play as great a role on our previous list of Top 10 Luxury Vehicles with the Highest Resale Value, but it figures prominently into the bottom 10. “Any reliability hiccups or predicted quality issues like battery reconditioning will likely show up once the car is used, after some wear and tear,” Batton says.

And this has significant implications for those who lease vehicles. “The lease is heavily determined by the residual value,” says Eric Ibara, director of market valuation at Kelley Blue Book. “You’re paying for the depreciation from when you purchase the car to when you return the vehicle. You’ll often get a great deal on vehicles that have a high resale value because the dealer will be able to sell it for more when used.” So vehicles with the lowest residual values are a double-edged sword: They offer the lowest potential return on resale for those who buy and require more money upfront to lease.

It’s important to note that this list isn’t comprised of a bunch of bad cars. Based on our test-drives, the Cadillac STS and Lincoln MKZ that made our value-losers ranking actually perform well. And others on this list are desirable image-wise. The question is, how much are you willing to pay for perceived prestige? For instance, the elegant Jaguar S-Type, with its fragrant leather interior, might instantly appeal to those who always dreamed of owning a Jag; same with the Mercedes-Benz E550.

“Buying a car is an emotional decision, and for some, a snap decision,” Ibara says. “Despite some potential red flags — overly high lease prices, lower quality ratings and bad resale value — people still buy them. But if you’re really interested in getting a good price for the used car, it’s worth it to take time and evaluate all the facts when buying — rather than just go with your gut.”

Graceless Aging

Another important aspect to keep in mind is that for mainstream vehicles, the longer they are on the market without getting significant updates or redesigns, the more likely residual values will suffer. “It’s almost a given that cars near the end of their life cycle — unless they’re cultural icons — are going to suffer in the residual value department, simply because they’re lagging behind newer designs in technology, comfort and safety features, which in the auto industry are changing fast,” says Auto Appraisal Group’s Batton.

The Jaguar S-Type and X-Type on this list are good examples of this. The S-Type was first introduced for the 2000 model year and the X-Type for the 2002 model year. Neither vehicle has seen significant updates since their debut, while competing models have been revamped. “Consumers are going to gravitate toward newer, fresher choices…. No amount of ‘freshening-up’ during a life cycle can make up for a redesign,” Batton says.

Our list of the Top 10 Luxury Vehicles with the Lowest Resale Value was compiled using Kelley Blue Book data for new vehicles with manufacturer suggested retail prices (MSRPs) of $30,000 and up, including specific trims of vehicles, not just base MSRPs. The residual values are expressed as a percent of the original MSRP five years into the future. We’ve put the vehicles in ascending order. Those that tied for a particular ranking are in alphabetical order.

Kelley Blue Book estimates future vehicle values based on a model’s past performance as well as new or notable features. “The best indicator of future performance is past performance,” Ibara says. For newly introduced models, Kelley Blue Book looks to past similar models from a given manufacturer.

10. Cadillac SRX V8
MSRP: $43,870
Residual Value After Five Years: 27 percent*

A “Poor” reliability rating from Consumer Reports sheds a negative light on this midsize SUV. In this extremely crowded and competitive segment, that can really hurt a vehicle’s success.

The current-generation SRX is nearing the end of its life cycle and soon will be replaced by an all-new version. Despite Consumer Reports’ poor reliability rating, we think the SRX’s sporty performance and versatility are appealing.

9. Ford Expedition V8 4WD
MSRP: $32,895
Residual Value After Five Years: 27 percent

As we wrote in the Top 10 Luxury Vehicles with the Highest Resale Value feature, performance is a primary driver of used car values. The Ford Expedition makes this list largely because of sluggish performance compared to other big SUVs. It has a 300-hp V8, which sounds powerful, but really isn’t for a vehicle that weighs well over three tons.

On top of being rather under-powered, the Expedition guzzles fuel. “It’s just not at all ideal for what’s going on right now in the world — namely, rising gas prices and increasing interest in ‘green’ vehicles,” says Auto Appraisal Group’s Larry Batton.

8. Cadillac DTS V8
MSRP: $41,990
Residual Value After Five Years: 26 percent*

The Cadillac DTS is another solid performer marred by low residual values. Part of the problem is that, like the Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis on this list, the DTS is sold to fleets for use as a limo, livery cab and the like. Lots of them get pumped into the used-car market once they’re retired from fleets and throw off the supply-demand ratio.

Also working against the DTS is the fact that it competes with full-size sedans from Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Those brands have more clout than Cadillac and are currently regarded as leading innovators. In the upper echelons of the luxury-sedan market, where “mine is better than yours” is a mantra, clout and innovation are key.

7. Cadillac STS V6
MSRP: $42,765
Residual Value After Five Years: 26 percent*

Like the larger DTS, the Cadillac STS is a solid performer and appealing in many ways. But, “American cars are having a tough moment,” says Auto Appraisal Group’s Larry Batton. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are struggling to regain a competitive edge long lost to foreign manufacturers.

Just as the DTS competes in a heady field, so does the STS. It goes up against the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Infiniti M, Lexus ES and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, all of which have higher residual values; the Infiniti M even made our top 10 list for highest residual values. For the STS, power pays: the V8-powered model has a five-year residual value of 30 percent and the hot rod STS-V 39 percent.

6. Lincoln MKZ AWD
MSRP: $31,765
Residual Value After Five Years: 26 percent*

The Lincoln MKZ (formerly the Zephyr) is based on the Mazda 6 platform. The Mazda 6 is an excellent car and so is the MKZ, but the $5,000 to $10,000 price premium for the Lincoln makes it less appealing, despite its luxury features and respectable performance. In its favor, the MKZ gets an “Excellent” predicted-reliability rating from Consumer Reports.

Like with most luxury cars, the MKZ offers what auto analyst Ricky Beggs of Black Book Auto Research calls “fluff features.” Some of these options, such as pricey navigation systems, quickly become obsolete and can drag down residual values.

5. Mercedes-Benz E550
MSRP: $59,775
Residual Value After Five Years: 26 percent*

Reliability of Mercedes-Benz vehicles has plummeted, says Larry Batton of Auto Appraisal Group. Poor reliability erodes resale value. Mercedes execs have unofficially admitted to us that adding too much new technology without enough time to fully test it was a downfall with the E-Class and caused many of the model’s widely documented problems in recent years.

Compared to the V8-powered E550, the six-cylinder-powered E-Class sedans and wagons — E350 and E320 diesel — retain more value: 37 percent after five years, according to KBB. Likewise, the low-production, high-performance E63 AMG, with 41 percent of its value retained after five years. The E550 cranks out 114 hp more than the E350 but costs a whopping $8,500 more.

4. Jaguar S-Type V6
MSRP: $49,000
Residual Value After Five Years: 25 percent*

The current-generation S-Type debuted as a 2000 model and is near the end of its life cycle and will be replaced by an all-new sedan called the XF. Auto Appraisal Group’s Batton says that residual values almost always suffer when vehicles are at the end of their life cycle as consumers gravitate to the latest and greatest offerings.

Besides being long in the tooth, the midsize Jaguar S-Type also suffers from poor reliability, according to Consumer Reports, a double-whammy for residual values. And its retro styling, though elegant, no longer stands out against jauntier competitors.

3. Jaguar X-Type Sedan and Wagon
MSRP: $34,995
Residual Value After Five Years: 25 percent*

The X-Type has struggled since its 2002 debut. It never quite mustered the appeal and performance of more-capable competitors such as the BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35, Lexus IS and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Jaguar plans to quietly phase out the lame duck X-Type. Poor reliability, as rated by Consumer Reports, is only one knock among many. Auto industry insiders fault the X-Type for being little more than a dressed up Ford Mondeo.

2. Mercury Grand Marquis LS
MSRP: $30,320
Residual Value After Five Years: 23 percent*

The Mercury Grand Marquis is “a big, bulky vehicle that simply doesn’t reflect trends in the current market,” says Auto Appraisal Group’s Larry Batton. Buyers of the Grand Marquis owners are 67 years old on average. “The market for this huge car is small and getting smaller,” Batton says.

Even though the Grand Marquis is a good value for its sheer size and features, the fact that so many are sold to fleet operations such as cab services hurts resale values. “When cars are used heavily in fleets, supply goes up, and demand — and prices — go down,” Batton says.

1. Lincoln Town Car
MSRP: $42,985
Residual Value After Five Years: 17 percent*

The Lincoln Town Car is archaic by today’s automotive standards, much like the Mercury Grand Marquis that shares its platform. “It doesn’t reflect the needs and wants of a modern consumer anymore — it’s a niche vehicle,” says Auto Appraisal Group’s Batton. Not only that, but at nearly $45,000 to start and well over $50,000 with options, “it has dangerously entered the same price territory as significantly more sophisticated import luxury sedans,” he says.

The average age of Town Car buyers is 69 — an indicator of the dwindling group of potential buyers for this vehicle. And like the Mercury Grand Marquis, the Lincoln Town Car is sold in large numbers to limo and other fleet services, which boosts the supply way past the demand once these vehicles hit the used-car market.

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Posted By rimmy
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For Riders, Risk Is Growing

Returning to the office from lunch on his 2007 Honda Gold Wing motorcycle one day this spring, Lou O’Connell got a glimpse into the future, if only by two seconds or so. A car pulled out of a shopping center in Weston, Fla., near Fort Lauderdale, and into his path. He could see that he was going to hit the car.

Mr. O’Connell said that although he did not expect to be killed in the impending crash — becoming one of the 5,000 or so motorcycle riders who will die on American roads this year if recent trends continue — he knew that at the very least he was about to go flying over the handlebars.

But then there was a bang and a cloud of powder in front of him. Though the front of his bike had slammed the passenger side of a black Nissan 350Z, Mr. O’Connell found himself nearly uninjured — intact enough to lay down the bike and stride over with some well-chosen words for the car’s driver.

Mr. O’Connell’s accident was, so far as Honda knows, the first in which the air bag of a motorcycle deployed to protect a rider. At least for now, the air bag is an option only on the big Gold Wing touring bikes, which cost nearly $25,000 fully equipped with features like heated handgrips and antilock brakes.

“It’s amazing,” said Mr. O’Connell, who escaped with only bruises on his shins. Without the air bag, his injuries might have been serious: Florida relaxed its helmet law in July 2000, and he had been seduced by good weather to ride without one. “It was so nice, I couldn’t resist, and I couldn’t resist the American dream,” Mr. O’Connell, an immigrant from Ireland, said. “The American dream is to ride a motorcycle without a helmet.”

Honda began development of motorcycle air bags in 1990 and tested the system for a decade before making it available on the Gold Wing for 2007. A Honda spokesman, Jon Row, emphasized that the air bag was something of a last measure in today’s safety technology, and is not intended to replace the need to wear a helmet.

Mr. O’Connell, 40, and the father of two young children, said the accident persuaded him to wear his helmet whenever he rides.

The crash was something of a milestone in motorcycle safety, one of the few positive developments in recent years. Riding a motorcycle is becoming riskier. Deaths last year increased by 5.4 percent over 2005, according to preliminary estimates of the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System, and are up for the ninth consecutive year. Deaths have increased 125 percent over 10 years, a period in which registrations rose more than 50 percent.

Even when adjusted for more bikes covering more miles, the picture is grim. While the death rate for people in vehicles fell by about 17 percent for each mile traveled over that period, the rate for motorcycle riders more than doubled, according to the report.

That timeline coincides with factors including a rising average age of riders, more powerful engines and the repeal of state laws requiring universal helmet use, in part a result of pressure applied by lobby groups that persuaded legislators to “let the rider decide.” Wearing a helmet cuts the risk of death by about 37 percent, according to Ted R. Miller, a researcher at the Pacific institute for Research and Evaluation. Making helmets mandatory increases use because police officers can check compliance at a glance.

Measuring the effect of motorcycle helmet law repeals is tricky because of factors like the increase in motorcycle sales. Still, the numbers are powerful. Texas, which loosened its laws in 1977 and then reinstated universal coverage in 1989, again backed down on the regulations in 1997 for riders over 21; fatalities shot up 31 percent in the first year after the law was relaxed. A study in Florida sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that in the two years after that state repealed its universal helmet law in 2000, fatalities for every 10,000 motorcycles were up 21 percent, compared with 13 percent nationally.

At the National Transportation Safety Board, the death toll has not gone unnoticed because it is now larger than the number of deaths in airplane, marine, railroad and pipeline accidents combined. Deborah A. P. Hersman, a member of the board who presided over a two-day motorcycle safety forum last September, said in an e-mail message, “This is the only mode of transportation in which the overall number of fatalities and the rate of fatalities continue to steadily rise, and yet there is no public outcry.”

While it might seem that older riders would be more experienced and less likely to take risks, other factors may lie behind their portion of the fatality increases.

“It’s the baby boomers,” said Barbara L. Harsha, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, a Washington-based group of state officials. Many riders are returning to bikes years after having given up riding, and “they don’t realize how powerful the bikes are,” she said.

Government statistics support, in raw numbers at least, the assertion about older riders, even if the data cannot assign blame for the fatal crashes. Umesh Shankar, an analyst at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said that the number of fatalities among riders 40 and over had more than tripled.

The industry, though, says the statistics are misleading. The Motorcycle Industry Council, a trade association, says that the fatality rate — which takes into account miles traveled — has been calculated incorrectly, in part because the Transportation Department does not accurately tally the number of miles ridden. For instance, government statistics say motorcycles traveled 9.6 billion miles in 2003; the industry council’s research says they actually traveled 20.6 billion miles.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which is allied with the industry council, does agree that returning riders can be a problem. Dean L. Thompson, a spokesman for the safety group, said that older riders should “not be in denial about their skills, which decline over time.” Riders should know their limits, he said.

With gasoline prices high, some riders are putting more miles on their bikes. Mr. O’Connell, the Gold Wing owner, loves to ride but also uses the bike in his business. He is a commercial real estate broker, and says when he arrives to show a property, the big Honda impresses customers.

The industry’s consistent message is that more rider training will reduce the number of deaths. Last fall, Ms. Hersman took a basic rider course, and got a motorcycle endorsement on her Virginia drivers license.

Ms. Hersman may be better prepared than most riders; according to the industry, only about 38 percent of riders have taken an organized rider education course. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation urges riders to take recurrent safety courses, wear protective gear and not ride while impaired.

Air bags, which have cut the fatality rate in cars, are not adaptable to all motorcycles. They are well suited to touring models like the Gold Wing or the very popular cruiser bikes, where the rider sits upright, but sport bikes with a crouched riding position present a design challenge.

Electronic antiskid systems, a technology that has been very effective in preventing car and truck crashes, are not applicable to two-wheel vehicles, but traction control devices are already available on many BMW motorcycles. In addition, BMW offers tire pressure monitoring, which can help riders prevent problems on the road.
(C)MATTHEW L. WALD

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