Brooklyn Bob commented on Forbes' list of Top 10 Luxury Cars and didn't care for them, other than the acura TL. He was curious to know what the Ancient Automobilist (that's me) might choose. Well Bob -- and all you good folks in Blogland -- I wouldn't want any of those vehicles (with the possible exception of the Cadillac DTS or Mercedes S-Class) fouling the garage of my imaginary country estate. Because they're not luxury cars.

Recognising that anyone with the cash to shop in this category has considerable discretionary income, a real luxury car has to be exclusive, fast, and available with customiseable features. And it certainly isn't a pseudo-SUV. Which means we're talking about Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Maybach, and perhaps even the Phaeton, whose only sin lay in carrying a VW badge. Trouble is, manufacturers today think they can take any pedestrian platform, ladle it with technological goodies and a few yards of wood and leather, and pass it off as a luxury vehicle.

My pick as the world's greatest luxury car is the Maserati Quattroporte, an Italian 4-door sedan. Designed by Pininfarina, engineered with the assistance of Ferrari, the Quattroporte is elegant, beautiful, inspiring to anyone who loves to drive. The all-aluminum 400 hp V-8 will rocket the owner from rest to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds while on the way to a top of 170 mph. It does so with a wealth of engineering achievements, including a 6-speed electro-hydraulic gearbox offering considerable advantages over one with a torque converter. The 47% front/53% rear weight distribution gives it handling worthy of a true sports car. Did I mention customising? Quattroporte clients can fit out the cabin interior to suit their own tastes (while facing the classic oval analog clock).

The first Maserati Quattroporte was produced in 1963. A second version came along in 1976. Both models carried the title of "world's fastest 4-door sedan." Until any of the so-called luxury cars on Forbes' list can reach 171 mph, the Quattroporte is still the champion. And that's my idea of luxury. What's yours?