2003-SL55AMG

Good. Point well taken.

What bothers me and most others is why Lexus' having only 4 unique automobiles means Lexus is less-established than Mercedes-Benz?

Explain that one and we'll be set.

BTW, I don't think you should have been banned either. If I could, I would have you re-instated. But, unfortunately, it's the moderator's call, not yours or mine.


Peace-

2003-SL55AMG

"That Lexus chose the 4Runner to base its GX on is your first clue about this vehicle's intended mission"

-www.edmunds.com

Thus, the GX platform is based on the 4runner. It is not a 4runner clone.

S55inPA

thanks for the understanding 2003-sl55amg!!

as auto enthusiasts we should be able to engage in lively debate without having are feeling so easily hurt. hey...just check out the Sclass forum where n_gillis rips me apart over and over!!!

ok...the reasons i feel that Lexus as a brand is not as established as MB are these...

1-every vehicle badged with the word MB are soley sold and manufactured for MB
2-MB has a much broader scope of vehicles that it offers to the buying public.
3-in each line that MB offers you have much greater depth and variety offered to a customer.
4-MB has a true high performance division. not just for the most expensive car they sell but also for the most inexpensive car they sell.
5-MB sets the tempo of what is expected of an automaker when it comes to style, performance, safety, and luxury.(i'm sure this could be argued to death but...i said it anyways!)

S55inPA

2003-sl55amg....the GX is a fourrunner like a fourrunner is a GX.
hey...i really like the new GX. it's nicer than my ML500 inside. but...i like the fact that my ML has independent suspension. i still can't figure out why toyots/lexus didn't give there new suv this feature.

W210

For me, after reading about the ban I decided not to even bother going there to read about the debate, as the site is obviously run by a bunch of inexperienced naive fools.

2003-SL55AMG

In that context, I couldn't agree with you more S55inPA

S55inPA

....thanks guys......

you know what is the worst part of this experience....i really like many of Lexus products. without Lexus, MB wouldn't be the great car company that it is.
the way i see it is that Lexus is going to keep on coming...MB just has to stay focused.

2003-SL55AMG

I'm anxiously anticipating the arrival of the 2005 GS.

According to every source I've read it's supposed to set the tone for the future of Lexus design (hint=originality).

If the new GS is anything like the Lexus LF-S concept, then I'd have to say Lexus is heading towards originality.
----------------------------------------------------------------

BTW, S55inPA, are you considering an LS430? I believe for '06 the hybrid LS430 will be launched. Imagine V12 power in 35 MPG package!

S55inPA

i also am very curious about the new GS. i've got to think that the new GS will have around 400hp. i'm guessing that Lexus will not match what BMW and MB are doing on the extreme end of the HP range. they will likely settle in above the E500 and below the E55. one of the reasons i think this will happen is because they will be able to undercut MB on price but still offer a high performance sedan that anyone would love to own. when i was surfing Club Lexus they have a thread that shows all of the possible directions the GS may be heading in design. definately worth a look.

dtkw

Some of you might know that Lexus is only called Lexus in the Western world. In Japan or other Asian countries, the very Lexus model wears a Toyota brand with some strange names.

S55inPA

2003-sl55amg,

over at Club Lexus there was some rumors about a larger displacement V8 coming from Lexus. i really like the LS. the changes that were made to the car this year make the car more appealing. i only wish the car had a little more hp. not that the car is underpowered....i just feel that in the very near future...like you said..more power is coming. it would be nice to buy a car and have it not be outdated in less than 3 years. when you think about ...if you purchased a GS430 or even the GS400 you purchased a car that didn't change much but still kept it's appeal over it's life span. plus...i actually looked at a LS430 today at my local dealer. it had the sport package. very nice vehicle that is priced right on the mark. just ....a little plain....in a nice way.

500AMG

The Lexus brand is being introduced in Japan.

I didn't want to throw my hat into this ring...but I can't stay away from a good debate.

I think the Lexus brand has been established well, especially given the fact it has only been around ~15 years. IMO their depth of products is currently lacking compared to MB...but you could name 5 other car brands that lack product depth. Doesn't mean the brand isn't there.

Personally, I wouldn't care if EVERY Lexus was a rebadged Toyota...they brought some heat to the luxury auto market and made everyone step it up. What consumer can't love that?

500AMG

Oh, one more note: Why do people feel such an attachment to a certain car brand (assuming they don't work for the company and/or are shareholders)? Do they feel their purchase is being attacked in some way...perhaps inadequacy? It's a car...not your son or daughter.

Buy what you want because you like it and it meets your needs...blind brand loyalty is not to a capitalistic consumer's advantage.

S55inPA

when it comes to cars....there are so many nice cars manufactured today with such high quality that it is really a buyers market. just today i saw a new A8L. it looked really great in motion. much nicer than just sitting on a car lot. right now i'm in the market for a new car. MB is usally the first place i will look.
even then... i will still shop Lexus, and Audi etc.

Steve Clark

+ + + =

S55inPA

hey steve..do you still race?

2003-SL55AMG

This is a good point you make.

Over on ClubLexus, the vast majority of owners own Lexus vehicles for "the hassle free" ownership experience. Many of them crave BMW's and certain Mercedes'; but hold quality, reliability, and dependability as their number one priority.

Thus, they've gone ahead to modify their Lexus vehicles in handling, power, and looks, to equal or surpass their German counterparts.

I wouldn't quite call it blind loyalty to a brand, more like prioritization of what one looks for in a car.

Hakk403

Don't know if this has been brought up, haven't read the whole thread yet, but crossfire and slk are pretty much the same, no??

karl k

NO.

Crossfire has a solid roof, -- not even a sun/moon cut-out. The interior is just too small for most mortals.:o

lig

S55-

I have a W211 and a Lexus so my perspective may be a little different than yours.

You were trolling over @ CL. With some of the inflammatory stuff you posted what did you expect?

Obviously by bragging about being banned you achieved your objective.

my .02

davar

However, the Engine (3.2-litre V6), transmission and most of the chassis components are from the SLK.

If the minute differences between the SLK and the Crossfire are enough to label the SLK as "mercedes-only", then many of Lexus' Models would have to follow the same logic and be labeled as "lexus-only".

karl k

I was simply replying to posting by Hakk403.

Not interested in discussing the price of rice in Japan and doing a comparative analysis of same in each of the provinces of the PRC.

S55inPA

this comment is to lig,

your absolutely entitled to your opinion.
i wasn't trolling. i've been a member
of club lexus for a while and enjoyed posting there.
also...who's bragging?
i posted that i was banned for a couple of reasons....
1- were my posts off base?
2- to point how silly and thinned skinned the moderator
and the posters were of that particulat thread.
to me it's a joke that they got so upset. you would think
i was making derogatory comments about thier mothers!

i've been posting at MBworld for quite a while....
i've seen many controversial opinions posted here
without moderator intervention. what's the big deal
if someone has a different opinion? what kind of world
would it be if we all liked chocalate icecream


this comment to davar.....the crossfire has A LOT of MB content.
i think the difference would be that the MB counterpart (SLK) existed well before the crossfire. MB didn't take the Crossfire
over and rebadge it to broaden their line of cars.

S55inPA

this comment is to lig,

your absolutely entitled to your opinion.
i wasn't trolling. i've been a member
of club lexus for a while and enjoyed posting there.
also...who's bragging?
i posted that i was banned for a couple of reasons....
1- were my posts off base?
2- to point how silly and thinned skinned the moderator
and the posters were of that particulat thread.
to me it's a joke that they got so upset. you would think
i was making derogatory comments about thier mothers!

i've been posting at MBworld for quite a while....
i've seen many controversial opinions posted here
without moderator intervention. what's the big deal
if someone has a different opinion? what kind of world
would it be if we all liked chocalate icecream


this comment to davar.....the crossfire has A LOT of MB content.
i think the difference would be that the MB counterpart (SLK) existed well before the crossfire. MB didn't take the Crossfire
over and rebadge it to broaden their line of cars.

S55inPA

this comment is to lig,

your absolutely entitled to your opinion.
i wasn't trolling. i've been a member
of club lexus for a while and enjoyed posting there.
also...who's bragging?
i posted that i was banned for a couple of reasons....
1- were my posts off base?
2- to point how silly and thinned skinned the moderator
and the posters were of that particular thread.
to me it's a joke that they got so upset. you would think
i was making derogatory comments about their mothers!

i've been posting at MBworld for quite a while....
i've seen many controversial opinions posted here
without moderator intervention. what's the big deal
if someone has a different opinion? hey....what kind of world
would it be if we all liked chocolate ice cream


this comment to davar.....
the crossfire has A LOT of MB content.
i think the difference would be that the MB counterpart (SLK) existed well before the crossfire. MB didn't take the Crossfire
over from Chrysler and rebadge it to broaden their line of cars.