High-end cars are easier to buy — assuming you can afford them — because there are fewer choices at this altitude.
Take the BMW 8 Series coupe/convertible, for instance. It has the ledge all to itself.
What It Is
The 8 Series is BMW's full-size four-seater luxury-sport coupe — or convertible.
The availability of hard top or soft top, and standard back seats, sets it apart from other high-end two-doors that are generally similar, such as the Mercedes SL, but don't have four seats and only come as convertibles.
Also setting the BMW apart is its standard all-wheel drive (versus the rear-wheel-drive-only Mercedes SL) and a standard V-8 (the Mercedes SL comes standard with a V-6).
Naturally, there's another thing that sets the 8 Series apart. The coupe costs $111,900. The convertible costs $121,400.
What's New
The convertible 8 Series coupe is new for 2019.
You can raise — or lower — the top in about 15 seconds, and while rolling, at speeds up to 30 mph. An integrated pop-up rollbar is part of the package, as is an M trim (for "motorsports," BMW's performance division), including LED backlit doors, sills and aluminum pedals.
Neck warmers, for those chilly top-down days, are optional.
What's Good
Take more friends along for the ride.
Open the top. Or not.
It's surprisingly practical (back seats fold down and open to the trunk, almost doubling cargo capacity).
What's Not So Good
The steep price of admission.
Those back seats are tight (29.5 inches of legroom).
Top speed is electronically limited to a mere 155 mph.
Under the Hood
You can pick your top, but both hard and soft versions come standard with the same drivetrain — a very special drivetrain: 4.4 liters of V-8 enhanced by a pair of turbos, which boosts the output to 523 horsepower and 553 foot-pounds of torque at just 1,800 rpm.
It all connects to the road via an eight-speed automatic and a standard performance-calibrated all-wheel-drive system that has the ability to route all the power to the rear wheels when the driver wants.
Zero to 60 mph is achieved in an asphalt-rippling 3.6 seconds.
Handling, meanwhile, is enhanced by a rear-wheel-steering system — another thing the 8 has that others don't yet offer.
On the Road
What does it feel like to be King of the Road? Take the 8 out for a drive and see for yourself. And take three friends along.
The ability to carry more than one passenger — and more stuff — makes the 8 a rare bird. Its performance makes it a formidable one.
But this is a car you sometimes won't want to drive fast. It is a grand touring car as much as it is a high-performance car, especially the convertible version. With the top down and neck heaters turned up, you may just want to enjoy the moment for as long as possible. And if you are in a hurry, this car will get you there — quickly.
At the Curb
As low as the coupe is, the convertible is even lower — at least when the top is down.
BMW says this lowers the center of gravity, which improves the handling. It certainly improves the looks.
Inside, the 8 touts the latest tech including a standard holographic heads-up display and available infrared night vision, which helps you see animals (or kids) in the road. And if you don't see them, the car will and will apply the brakes for you.
The main gauge cluster is a hi-resolution/driver-configurable 12.3-inch LCD display with a secondary 10.25-inch display for the audio system, climate control and secondary apps, which can be accessed via both voice and gesture (just twirl your finger or point at what you want) as well as by touch/swipe.
The Rest
Both hard- and soft-top versions come standard with 20 GB of built-in multimedia storage and updatable software designed to keep the tech current for years after you buy the car.
One of the very few things the 8 doesn't come standard with is an impressive top speed (given the price).
BMW electronically limits the 8 to 155 mph — which is very fast and very illegal in the United States, but not much faster than many ordinary cars are capable of reaching, at least theoretically. A new Toyota Camry, for example, is capable of exceeding 140 mph — if you dare to drive it that fast. Not that you would. But you could.
Arguably, a car like the 8 ought to be able to go much faster than a car like the Camry, even if in theory.
The Bottom Line
Adam Ant once said there's always room at the top, and he was right, especially if you're the only one there.
Eric's new book, "Don't Get Taken for a Ride!" is available now. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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