Dema

Lexus navigation is complete crap. It's inaccurate at all and Lexus sold cars with outdated DVD, and asks $500 for updates, although MB customers get updates for free. You should find another Lexus feature you could proud.

T0ked

It can't be worse than the MB nav system. The one in the 2000 S500 sucks big time. I don't even use it. From what I have heard, the Lexus is supposed to be the best overall system right now. Maybe the Honda one in the new accord is better? The nav system is the last thing you should be thinking of if deciding between the LS430 and the S430.

Caliz_Finest

I use my S430's nav, its accurate and gets me where i wanna go

fvellani

show the proof then...

vraa

Yes please show us the proof. Just less then a week ago my aunt in her 1993 LS400 was in a wreck, the lex was totaled but she only had a bruise from the airbag..

also about a couple years ago when the LX450 was replaced by the LX470 my uncle, aunt, and their daughter (about 5 years old) flipped over on the highway after some idiot caused them to brake and turn crazily.. the car flipped over but no one got hurt.. went back the next day and got another one!

also his SC400 was in an accident with a garbage truck (haha) and he came out perfect even though the car was totaled.. btw.. in that one they got a s500 to replace the sports car.

AMG4life

looks like your relatives could use some driving lessons before they crush another car.

vraa

you sure got that right! its crazy! but its all good.

fvellani

Crashed LS400

Not safe, eh?

vraa

wow!

btw: i'll be another to vouch for the safety of lexus!

internet_mafia

How can anyone cite random examples of accidents and determine which car is safer? These stories don't identify speed, collision forces, or the cause of the accident. THese variables are critical when making a blanket statement about the safety of a car. Show me a LS and a S430 travelling at the same speed and hitting the same object at the same angles, then we'll discuss safety.

fvellani

well then internet_mafia, perhaps you should ask Sean to justify his blanket statement...

Sean

Actually while we are all on the Benz forum, the foremost reason we buy these cars are for their proven safety record and the fact that even their brohcures state they are amongst the safest cars in the world.

My neighbour had a bad accident in their 600, and the police officer had told them that if they were in any other car they would die.

The accident in the Mercedes S Class involving Princess Diana, still saved the driver. CNN reporters and investigators rated the car # 1 for safety and I specifically remembered that of the top 10 vehicles stated back a few years, LEXUS was not even on the charts! This was a proven fact by the CNN qualified investigators. They had investigated all sedans and the Mercedes vehicles were built on a stronger platform, used better engineering methods for load paths ensuring that the passenger compartment would remain intact.

Honestly, if SAFETY was an issue, and you were told that you have to hit a wall at 50 mph and you have the choice of being in a lexus or a MERCEDES S Class.........(I don't need to say more...do I?)

Sean.

fvellani

You buy cars based on what the sales brochures say???

That goes back to what internet_mafia said, stories aren't really proof.

I'm not disagreeing (or agreeing) with you, Im just asking that you give concrete proof to back up what you say.

vraa

whoa.. be careful with a statement like this.. we bought our car cuz my mom liked it!

Sean

Please don't get me wrong. I think that the Lexus (particularly the LS 430) is a very safe car....but I felt safer in a S Class Mercedes. I do also trust CNN reports, I trust what I hear from various people when it comes to safety (in almost all cases state the S class as the safest car in the world)

I do not have actual statistical reports comparing the car to a lexus, but I know and remember the programs watched involving Princess D's death and was truly convinced that she was really in the safest car she could have been.

Let me state again, that although I don't have numbers to spring out at you, I have watched a credible source that safely allows me to state that the S Class is the safest car out there. I hope that I'm not way off!



Sean.

internet_mafia

The reality is that there is no concrete proof. All we can rely on is our own experiences. Even laboratory tests can't compare to real life accidents because human intervention is key. I think that safer drivers save their own lives. I would rather be in a Mercedes if I were to be in a serious accident, but I am only basing my choice on my own perceptions.

vraa

I just relized, which ever car we choose, buying from a big name luxary maker, we're probably going to be safe anyways. Unless we hit a missle head on.

sportlichE430

I'd rather pay homage to the artist/creator and forego the copying machine (toyota)

S55inPA

hey everyone,

there are about a gozillion factors in an automobile accident. having said that there is no other sedan i would rather be in than a Mercedes Benz S Class. the photos (posted on this site)of Mercedes Benz raming the side of an S Class with a wedge shaped battering ram completely convinced me. Lexus are terrific automobiles but they are not a Mercedes Benz....period..end of story!

Silver_Lana

Wait till lexus copies the Pre-safe system next.

Besides why are we comparing the LS430 to the S430? I feel a better comparison would be the E500 wouldnt it?
As Per size, they are closer as well as in other categories. Plus we can evaluate DVD nav in the E500 shortly once it crosses the pond.
We might have to redo the comparison once the redesigned LS comes out in a year or so. Have fun guys!

ajayz

the redesigned ls430 should be a lot better. On autospies, they said that some who have already seen it have said that it was a better design than the S and the 745. They also said it kind of looked like something from the concepts and drawings they used to come up with the current S Class.

Dema

Great. I was going to buy '04 A8, but it looks like I need check out the new Lexus first.