[RX135]

An interesting article from Forbes magazine about Original Best Sedans of 2005 .

Few observations from this article are quoted below :

In comparison after comparison, we found the Japanese offerings tend to beat the competition in terms of reliability, owner satisfaction, safety and depreciation. While, for example, a BMW may have higher owner satisfaction than a car from Toyota Motor (nyse: TM - news - people ), the Toyota will tend to have a stronger combination of the vehicular selling points we just mentioned than its competitors

However much I prefer German/European cars over Japanese cars, Japs have been relentlessly marching forward in the auto market.

Consumer Reports gives both Mercedes' flagship S-Class and high-volume E-Class sedans ratings of "poor," the lowest on its scale, for predicted reliability. The entry-level Mercedes C-Class sedan ranks only one step higher, with "fair" predicted reliability.

Does this sound too familiar, folks?

Despite the reliability problems, Mercedes still makes a mighty fine car. We hope that the engineers and executives at the company are able to resolve their quality control issues quickly, and we will be the first to stand up and cheer when we can put a Mercedes back on this list. Mercedes-Benzes have a certain iconic quality lacking in Lexus cars. It's sort of like the difference between Sean Connery's James Bond and Pierce Brosnan's; one is the real thing, and one is a kind of smooth copy.

Long live Mercs!

[kooldude]

hey rx 135 to tell u most of the people prefer toyotas as they r cheap and they can afford them but ya a bmw and merc give much more satisfaction and happiness then a toyota coz they have much more features and are much more reliable than the toyotas in any way.People here stare at you when u go with your merc or bmw and not with a toyota and unless its the toyota supra or any other sport car

[RX135]

Off late, reliability of Mercs have taken a beating with the electronics wreaking havoc. Hopefully, they will be back at their legendary reliability soon.

[freakrz]

if you equate price to comfort & safety ..it is directly proportional..like the comfort and safety features increase with the price of the vehicle.you dont expect to get all the features for a very low price. the jap's are trying to provide the comfort and safety features at value for money..so these cars are hot on stands..you dont expect everyone to buy a merc or a bmw..which are set to a standard of exclusive people..thatz one of the resons why these jap cars go like hot cakes in the market..

[kooldude]

yeah this is like getting biryani at home