MB Fanatic

WTF is that Zam. Besides there is no replacement for a Mercedes in my book.

Lexus has nothing new on its LS460, no new safety features, and its not very innovative. Lets be honest the only thing this car has going for it has to be its engine, which sounds amazing with Direct Injection and the 8spd tranny.

G55K

I'm a die hard Mercedes guy but I'd bet that this Lexus is going to have a lot of bell and whistles (innovation). I've learned to reserve judgment until I actually see and drive a vehicle myself. Looking at pictures can be very misleading. As an example: I wasn't crazy about the S550 exterior in pictures but the interior looked awesome. Well I drove a S550 yesterday and really likes the exterior but was disappointed with the interior. Lexus makes great cars and I'm confident that the LS460 is going to be an amazing machine.

StephenK

I am always disappointed with Lexus do to one main thing. They lack BIG POWER in all of their lines. Wonder why they don't introduce some muscle when that seems to be what most manufacturers are doing.

AsianML

Isn't Lexus coming out with some performance division to compete with MB AMG and BMW M?

Nevada Jack

They sure look alike don't they...

MB Fanatic

Who cares the cars are still going to be built off these ugly bodies. No thanks. Sure they are reliable and what have you but lets be honest, if a car is ugly like this Lexus no one will buy it, perhaps some older person, but not me.

Oh yeah they drive like **** too.

G55K

Somebody likes them. Lexus is the hottest dealer franchise in the U.S. by a long shot. Have you ever owned one? Obviously not, because they don't drive like ****.

I've had two LX470's and a GX470. They were terrific vehicles. They were extremely well built, drove nice, and the customer service blows everyone else away.

BTW, I'm 36 - too young for a Lexus in your opinion?

MB Fanatic

My sister had a new SC430 not too long ago with all the trimmings and needless to say how "cute" it looked and the features it had the engine felt lethargic, and the drive was very anemic not to mention scary.

I also had the pleasure of joining a friend in his new LS430 recently with the sport package? to BLythe CA, and for those who go out in that area the road is fairly bump and what not. The car was very unstable and to be honest it made me sick. A car should be able to instill passion into a persons heart as a result of its looks, features, content and other aspects.

The SUV's like the LX and GX on the other hand are solid vehicles and drive great all while giving a solid ride. I cant say the same about the RX which is nothing more than a glorified Toyota Camry or Lexus ES.

G55K

I agree that it's hard to get passionate about a Lexus like you can about a Mercedes. However, Lexus does make solid and reliable vehicles. It looks as if they're also getting close to releasing some real performance cars, we'll see.

Botton line is that it's nice to see companies like Mercedes, Lexus, BMW, Audi, etc., pushing eachother. It's good for the consumer and enthuasist.

jprescott

Definitions of fanatic on the Web:

marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea; "rabid isolationist"
a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause); "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject"--Winston Churchill

MB Fanatic

Touche, competition is a great thing for us consumers as we get the benefit in the end.

Hey if Lexus can make a vehicle that competes with my AMG's and future Porsche I'll be the first in line at my local Lexus dealer. I want to see if they release a new LX since the current is a bit dated to say the least. It might be a runner up for me if it looks great and isnt built off some existing Toyota platform.

PHXATC

I drive a LS430 2003 model and love it. The new styling leaves a little to be desired, but I'm sure it will grow on me. It looks to similar to an Acura RL/TL.

Oh well. There are people that will buy it.

G55K

I agree, the exterior pictures are nothing to get excited about. However, I've owned many cars that I swore I wouldn't buy after seeing a picure. I'm going to reserve judgement until I see it in person and take it out for a drive.

vraa

LS600 is supposed to be a competitor as far as the S600 is concerned.
BTW LS430 keeps up with W220 S500 and what not. It's a very quick car although it's not fast on paper.
Add another one hundred horse power, two more gears in the tranny and that car is going to be flying.

With the LS600.. ohhh weee! Talk about fast! And Lexus' airsuspension is awesome. Turn off Sport setting for a wicked smooth ride, turn it on and it stiffens to almost the level of my X5.

ClayJ

You know, what's interesting to me is that it has been my understanding for years that Japan limited HP in their home market, and that was why it was the rare car (Skyline for instance, NSX?) that had real HP - at least over 300 - now I see the Evo's, Sti's, and Lexus pumping up the HP??? Is this just export to US market? Or are they releasing these in Japan also - does anyone know?

vraa

They are releasing them in Japan as well from what I remember.
Lexus will be Lexus in Japan for model year 2008 I think.

traumadoc

I guess the car companies have run out of ideas

BMW tried something new and are still paying for it. Now I'm not advocating an Acura/Bangle hybrid like this but c'mon.... there has to be some sane innovation.

ClayJ

That's why I asked because I heard something a little while back that they decided to drop or modify the restrictions -- which should result in higher HP Japanese cars from all of the makers. But I really don't follw the Japan cars or market very much. Seems to me like their concept cars are getting hotter and hotter.....

vraa

It's very interesting to see the concept cars come from Toyota because they are traditionally a very conservatively styled company.

ClayJ

Sedans and wagons...but what about the MR2?

MB Fanatic

The new LS just reinforces that they have one of the worst styling departments for being such a large automaker.

vraa

MR2 was targetted to kids. Wasn't it killed off?

MB Fanatic: Yeah man, the LS460 is really ugly.

ClayJ

Oh, heck, I don't know...like I said - I don't pay much attention to the Japanese makers.
I did go take a serious look at a '99? '00? MR2 for a track car once upon a time.... Sat in the thing and all I could see forward was the frame at the top of the windshield -- needless to say....
Considered the '98? super Celica GT....
Also seriously considered an S2000, until I sat in one.....
A Mitsu Evo VII, until I took a good look at the dash and around the interior....
A Subaru WRX STi rally car....
And on and on goes the list - Japanese cars just don't do it for me, that's all.

jangy

Challenge? Make sure you compare the Lexus to the NEW S550. I saw on last night at the dealership and it is ALL S class. Let's see....a 5.5liter versus a 4.6L? Also, nno disrespect to any Lexus fans, but, why is EVERY aspect of that car stolen from somewhere else?? Hell, i have the DVD in my Jeep. Also, the new S Does have the card and card only for a key.

If you guys want to compare, at least be fair.

p.s. I can get a new S within the next month, so again be fair.

PHXATC

I'm just throwing this out here, I have no evidence, but, wouldn't you think that most people compare cars by simply the price point? I mean, if I throw out a Lincoln LS (cool car in it's own right) with some higher hp, some blingy wheels, and a price piont of around $70Kish, most people would compare that car to MB and Lexus and the others.

I'm just thinking that most people begin their comparos with the simple price point, then with looks closely behind, then the other things.

This is the average Joe, not superfreaks like we have in here!