Fridae

VW chief exec Martin Winterkorn warns that the crisis in the car market is deepening. He estimates that global sales have slumped by a quarter in January 2009 alone. And it is predicted that car buyers will be even more careful and selective with their car purchases. Even Audi, the sole gainer for 2008 with record breaking sales of 1 million units has called for reduction in production and a 5-day closure of its Ingolstadt plant.

For a better part of the last decade, premium junior executive cars in the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3-series and the Mercedes Benz C-Class have made great gains at the expense of mainstream executive/large family cars. In UK, the rise of the BMW 3-series saw the German junior executive car outselling the once-chart topper Ford Mondeo since 2006. One could blame the decline of mainstream large family cars at the rise of alternatives like SUVs and MPVs, but the higher take up rates of such "exclusive" brands is certainly the main culprit.

In Singapore, premium cars since the late 90's have become more accessible to most folks with declining car prices. More importantly, re-structured financing schemes have allowed lowered down payments and longer loan repayment periods. While we debate the values and exclusivity of these premium cars, there is no denying of their badge appeal. Is there truth in the premium brands offering better driving abilites and presumed higher build quality and interior posh-ness that comes with the higher outlay?

As a resolve to wrestle back the lost in sales, mainstream manufacturers have gone in great lengths to revamp or rather, rid the white goods image that was once associated so closely with such cars. Perhaps the battering economy has presented executive/ large family cars from mainstream brands a real opportunity to stop the rot and turn the tide. Fridae Auto Club explores some real bargains among the current crop of aspiring talents.

Looks
Among the current crop of premium junior executive cars, the Lexus IS 250 is my pick as the best looking one. (A hard decision as the Merc C-Class certainly runs it close.) The L-finesse design language has made Toyota's luxury arm's entire range looking more cohesive than before, and the IS is a fine balance of Japanese Zen and sporting proportions. Do not ever mention "Zoom Zoom Zoom" to any Mazda marketing executive. They are now officially victims of their own success; none of their successive campaigns since is remotely catchy. Thankfully, this does not apply to their product developments. The second generation of Mazda6 is stunning and like the Lexus IS; a genuine Japanese aesthetic showcase.

Lexus IS 250 Luxury 2.5 (A) S$143,000
Mazda6 R 2.5 (A) S$83,488
Savings:S$59,512

Driving
50:50 weight balance that contributes to a superior driving machine. A tag line that is ever so present in BMW's 3-series ad campaigns. Over 30 years of evolution, the Munich based premium car maker has earned itself an undisputed reputation as the best driving executive car. On a smaller scale, Ford Europe has been churning out cars that begs to be driven hard from 1993's Mondeo (Mk I). Into its third generation, the Ford Mondeo remains a sweet drive and unrivalled in terms of responses and steering feedback. Despite a staring role as Bond's ride in Casino Royale, the Mondeo is still lacking in image. To be honest, unless you need the rear wheel drive of BMW's 3-series for creating tyre donuts, the front wheel drive Mondeo will serve you just fine. Did I mention that Ford Singapore shifted only 200 units for 2008? Exclusivity is ensured for buying a Mondeo.

BMW 320i (A) S$$139,800
Ford Mondeo 2.3 (A) S$93,888
Savings:S$45,912

Ride Comfort
In the chase of market leader 3-series, the current Mercedes Benz C-Class have traded in some ride comfort in pursue of handling finesse. Still the Stuggart starlet remains the choice for buyers who preferred a comfortable ride. Meet the Citroen C5, the once essentric French manufacturer The C5 had a further development of Citro�n's hydropneumatic suspension, now called Hydractive 3. Take a chance with the French reliability track record and treat yourself to the smoothest riding automobile avaliable in the market now.

Mercedes Benz C230 (A) S$173,888 (reviewed here on 29th February 2008)
Citroen C5 3.0 (A) S$132,988
Savings:S$40,900

Interior Quality
Audi still leads the premium car makers in the stakes of perceived quality of interiors. And in the big selling A4, there is without doubt cheque books will be coaxed out of buyers once the seductive smell and touch of the A4's all round brilliant interior. A strange phenomenon of late, is the perceived quality of French cars. The Renault Laguna's interior feels incredibly sturdy and the dash moldings are soft and sumptuous to touch. Renault-Nissan's CEO Carlos Ghosn's current focus on upping the build quality of Renault cars is seeing fruits now.

Audi A4 1.8T (A) S$139,800 (reviewed here on 8th August 2008)
Renault Laguna 2.0 (A) S$101,900
Savings:S$37,900

For performance seekers, worth considering would be the Volkswagen Passat R36 (reviewed here on 29th August 2008 priced at S$161,300) for it's earth shredding 300 horsepower 3.6 litre V6 engine and a smooth as silk ride quality. And for all the size queens out there, the Honda Accord will be your bargain hunter's star buy at 55mm short of 5 metres in length with prices starting only at S$87,900. Seemingly, we have come up with a comprehensive list of affordable alternatives as long as you are not a badge snob.

*Prices quoted are indicative of prices in Singapore. Please contact your local distributor for prices in your country.