By Matthew Clyde
In today’s car market every auto manufacturer seems to make a luxury line of automobiles. Nissan’s Infiniti, Toyota’s Lexus, Ford’s Lincoln and others offer a large selection for driving luxury.But what makes a luxury car luxurious?
The combination of a brand name, smoother ride, tighter handling, higher quality in design, and the little added details answer that question.
Infiniti calls it the total ownership experience — that’s a $45,000 experience for the 1997 Q45. But contrast that with Oldsmobile’s luxury at a discount, around $30,000 for the 1997 Aurora. However, one doesn’t always associate Oldsmobile in the class of luxury cars like Infiniti. It is like comparing the penthouse suite in the Plaza Hotel to a regular room at the Plaza. But when it comes down to it, driving the Q45 and the Aurora is about the same since each car evens out with individual strengths and weaknesses.
Both cars have a luxurious style but, with different design approaches (same hotel, different floor). The Q45 design mixes classic elements with some modern touches like the slanted chrome grille. The Aurora has a modern, sleek design, with aerodynamics dominating the car’s appearance. While the Q45 expresses a mature feel, the Aurora is a little more playful.
Though both cars carry exceptional audio systems, the Bose Audio System installed in the Infiniti is the most desirable. Once the CD player is in motion or tape cassette rolling, the listener is immediately isolated by precise sounds. The speaker layout offers a solid balance for listening. The Bose system offers a six CD changer in the rear of the vehicle and a radio, single CD and tape deck on the main console. The Aurora is not equipped with a multiple CD changer, though one can be added.
What the Aurora does offer, which is lacking in the Q45, is a solid engine performance. Though both cars carry a V8 engine, Oldsmobile’s felt stronger than the Infiniti. The Aurora drives with a powerful pick-up and utilizes more muscle to maintain its speed.
The little details in both cars’ like leather interior, heavy doors, more solid frame, power “everything”, built-in security alarm, wood-tone trim, and console design qualify them as luxurious. The Aurora also boasts separate temperature controls for passenger and driver and stereo/temperature controls built in the steering wheel.
Little details can make a difference. In this case, that difference is about $15,000. One can note the difference between a penthouse suite and a regular room at the Plaza. But, is Infiniti’s suite over priced? Yes. When it comes down to it the price for this luxury is the name Infiniti. Recommendation, downgrade to the Oldsmobile.
Report card.*
1997 Infiniti Q45: B
Infiniti/Bose Audio System: A+
Oldsmobile Aurora: B
*Each automobile was driven for one week. Grade based on car’s total performance, design and price. Prices based on a national average.
