nopcbs

BMW makes theMini and it is...FWD. Second, most buyers in Europe who own BMW 1-Series think it is...FWD. Third, BMW has announced that they WILL build FWD cars sold as BMW's in the near future. MB will not be far behind, US mileage standards will require it.

Acura has built FWD high quality cars for years. Audi has been building high quality high price FWD cars for years. In fact, they have very few RWD models.

You are VERY wrong.

Arrie

Just for curiosity: What does FWD/RWD have to do with fuel consumption? In general, AWD cars use a little bit more fuel than FWD or RWD cars but why would there be a difference between FWD and RWD cars?

TheGreatOne45

lol are u serious?

dannieboiz

I'm just as dumb please enlighten me guru.

storm10

LEXUS -DEPENDABLE??? These days when Lexus was #1 in reliability are long gone... Especially the last 2010 year was the biggest disaster in Lexus/Toyota history ever. They had more recalls than Buick. When Toyota was a simple car with 4 wheels and 1 steering wheel there was nothing to go wrong with it - that's when it was reliable. But once they started to create serious machines with serious technology to compete against automotive giants - that's where they started to get in trouble.

Somebody mentioned FWD Acura: the reason Acura's sales is dead in U.S., is because ACURA is really a Honda with different badge on the trunk, leather, sunroof and some extra buttons. At least Lexus has a real luxury design, completely different from Toyota (except ES and RX).

Obviously FWD is cheaper to build than RWD, but you can't compare the quality, safety, performance and handling to the RWD. That's why all high performance sports car and luxury cars are RWD. Even cops drive FORD RWD Crown Victorias Police Interceptors. They are not stupid...

italyatalanta

buy a vey nice comfy,luxury house in baltimore, or get a nice house in florida,palm beach.thats the difference in my point of view sometimes the name talks,i ve driven lexus but its just....not good enough as mercedes...i mean...its a mercedes.

Arrie

Yes. I have never heard that FWD car would be better for fuel mileage so would you provide an explanation. I want to learn.

SolidGranite

Had a GS350. Hated almost everything about it except the tech stuff. My E is head and shoulders above anything Lexus makes imo. Even the LS. The ES, well I wouldn't even begin comparing the two. Get yourself an E but make sure you get at least a 2009 so the electronics are at least passable. 2008 and earlier are a complete joke.

nopcbs

...sucks, does it not?

I believe it is Aston Martin that intends to sell a very expensive ($36,000) rebadged small FWD Japanese car under their own brand in the near future.

Not to worry, the other brands will follow soon enough as the fleet average mpg requirements keep going up and up and up.

- nopcbs

sheba100

I currently own a 2006 E350 MB and I too compared it with the Lexus ES and GS. I owned an ES300 Lexus prior to this Mercedes. It was the best car I have ever owned and traded it with 194K miles on it and it looked amazing still. It never once not started on me with the exception of a dead battery. I would have bought another Lexus in a minute if the mid year 2000's weren't so damn ugly!! My belief is that the Lexus is a far more reliable and dependable car. It rides better and has better acceleration. My MB and others I test drove did not have the quick pick up that the Lexus did (Toyota engine). I like my MB and it is a beautiful car and body style but it is far more expensive to fix and even generally maintain than a Lexus (still expensive though). As someone else mentioned here, if money is not an issue, than an MB is ok. I simply worry all the time about something going wrong with my MB and before my year anniversary of owning I already have had to replace the rear view mirror as garage controls weren't working and my seat frame and motor aren't working either and it wasn't covered under the MB certified warranty! Only a month into owning it, a huge nail punctured the side wall of my tire. Bye Bye $375 for ONE run flat tire that had to match the other three!!! I could have nearly replaced all tires on my Lexus for that. Parts are an issue to get with an MB. Dealers control most of that where on a Lexus, secondary parts may be available rather than dealer parts and they work as well. You have more options on where you can take it to get services also. Check out insurance rates as they will be higher for an MB. Just depends for what you are searching. Reliability, expense, status, or looks. Good luck!