- sedan 52,920
- 476 below average
- 59,980 fair
- Raleigh, NC
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- autoshopper.com
- 476 below average sedan 52,920 flex fuel automatic
2008 bentley continental flying spur review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. All are effortlessly propelled by a twin-turbo 12-cylinder engine. All have all-wheel drive and air suspension. All 2008 models feature minor enhancements and detailing to further refine the experience. despite tabs hovering around $200,000, price is a factor in continental purchases. While a continental is perhaps twice the tariff of a flagship from audi, bmw, lexus, or mercedes-benz, similarly executed prestige brands such as maybach and rolls-royce are a six-digit increase above the bentleys. Exclusivity and cost tend to go hand in hand. arguably three factors separate the bentley continentals from rolls and maybach: first, its styling is more more distinctive than that of those other more imposing, less elegant carriages that probe the limits of how large a car should be. Second and no less important, the continental is much more a driver's car, as rewarding piloting as being chauffeured, a dynamic the others can't match. The final feather in bentley's motoring cap is the breadth of range, with two-doors and convertibles the others may not offer. Perhaps it's no surprise that the bentley continentals outsell rolls-royce by roughly 10-to-one and maybach by 20-to-one. the 2008 bentley continental models have a more upright grille and front end with added chrome around the headlamps; they look a hint more aristocratic without being snooty; the only reason to bow to a bentley is to say a prayer of thanks to the gods of speed. It shares the concealed, pop-up spoiler behind the rear window with the gt coupe. luxury and labor-saving devices are abundant, with trunk, folding roof and door-sealing all performed at the touch of a button. Standards include heated and cooled 16-way front seats, driver memory, keyless operation, navigation, mirror-finished unbleached wood (generally walnut unless otherwise specified) that includes roll-top console lids on some models, and leather for the seats, door panels, coupe and sedan headliners, assist handles and steering wheel. the flying spur has a rear bench seat that accommodates three and includes a pull-down center armrest concealing a lockable pass-through access to the trunk. Audio, climate and telephone controls are on the consoles, and the sedan includes overhead vanity mirrors and head, face, and foot-level ventilation outlets. as prices rise, so too do expectations in customization. Conventional options include pneumatic lumbar massage 540), wheel choices, moonroof 995), refrigerated cooler 2,140), thick floor mats with leather serge 440), and a valet key 290). Active safety software includes eight-generation electronic stability control, all-wheel drive, rain-sensing wipers, hid headlamps with washers, fog lamps front and rear, and antilock brakes with brake assist. walkaroundfrom the days of the speed six and 4. 5-liter blower bentleys a long hood and mesh grille have been hallmarks, and the continentals carry them to this day. The slightly reclined grille and smoothly faired expanse of hood marry graceful substantial proportions with aerodynamic function and slickness required for stability at the three-mile-a-minute speeds every continental easily exceeds. a shapely character line sweeps up, over and rearward from the front wheels, fading into the door panels, and another similar sweep picks up ahead of the rear wheels and leads to a tapered rear-end evoking the boat-tail silhouette of years gone by. Mercurial exterior chrome is limited to trim items and sleek lips at each corner, yet one easily senses the hands of practiced polishing. the flying spur is formal and most upright, the large rear doors suggesting a cramped driver's compartment of a limousine and spacious accommodation for the master; fortunately the latter is true while the former condition is not. The long, low, sleek proportions provide visual stimulation without the low seating position that makes traffic terrifying; every detail is subtle, best illustrated by the spoiler that appears merely as an added seam in bodywork between trunk and rear glass. while it looks good with the top up (and matches the coupe's aerodynamic drag), the gtc convertible takes on an elegance all its own with the top down, the classic profile as elegantly flowing and simple as a herreshoff sailing yacht. They also gravitate to the heavy end of the scale, this year's reengineering of some suspension parts taking only a small fraction off the 2. 5-ton-plus weight. bentley is owned by volkswagen, which also owns audi. Consequently, much of the bentley's structure and design can be traced to audi's a8 flagship, a much lighter car because it is constructed primarily of aluminum alloys. The predominant elements are leather and wood, with complementary pieces of alloys and chrome; one need only look upward to the headliner to find stitched hides like a fine briefcase, or in the convertible, a fully insulated and lined fabric top that even has an interior light in the middle of it. Anti-lock Brakes✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Bluetooth
59,980 Raleigh, NCRaleigh, NC at autoshopper.com