The author of the article was clearly impressed with both vehicles, his final statement was most notable though, that ultimately the Maybach can be judged using the same scales as any other luxury car - it excels because it has more amenities and features than any other luxury car - whereas the Phantom offers a completely unique experience. However, the Phantom does carry with it possibly undesirable long-held connotations of social-rank, snobbishness, privilege, and excess. I find it somewhat amusing that for decades Rolls-Royce was proud to be a genuine blue-blooded symbol of the old-moneyed establishment (even if in reality Rolls-Royce became more synonymous with self-made millionaires) today though, many of those old-world attitudes are viewed negatively as being too discriminating and prejudiced - so what kind of people buy Rolls-Royces in 2006? - the real blue-blooded establishment (and European aristocracy) are much more likely to drive themselves (Audi A6's, A8's, BMW 7ers, Range-Rovers, and Mercedes S, G, or E class's for example) - Maybach's and Phantom's are much more likely to be bought by celebrities and self-made entrepreneurs.