platinumsc

Lot's of people on this site bash Lexus to no end. Personally I like both brands but after owning a Benz, I believe Lexus has an overall edge. Benz has way more models I dig but the overall experience is what I am talking about. Anyway, I'm not into bashing a brand, especially on the target site but I thought I'd stir up some controversy. Check the link.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365272

WSH

May want to consider source more carefully....they don't hand out lovely cars like Lex and S?200d to just anyone.....Darwinian selection often prevails

Any car is a tech commodity in US (e.g., can easily test-drive Veyron at Aug PebbBch car show and there's usu an unsold Veyron at the VW dealer in SiliconValley readily avail to test-drive)....

Anyone can easily do own back-to-back test drive of S65/600/63 vs any other car....and draw own conclusions....it's not very complicated....after all, only opinion that matters is one's own.....aside from one's view re: relative merits/value of each car, rest of buying process is largely determined by one's net worth and willingness to spend on any car....

Just haven't seen many smart, affluent car guys (those who can afford any car on planet) who don't choose to commute via some new S/CL (at least 550; those econo-S-Classes in RoW are just laughable indications of the lower std of living in RoW).....but to each his own....

Untertürkheim

Like was said before, opinions and reviews are only as valuable as the source. I have driven various Lexus, and I can assure you that nobody with a real appreciation for cars and driving would even think of comparing the two.

JohnH4260

[QUOTE=platinumsc;2921329]Lot's of people on this site bash Lexus to no end. Personally I like both brands but after owning a Benz, I believe Lexus has an overall edge. Benz has way more models I dig but the overall experience is what I am talking about. Anyway, I'm not into bashing a brand, especially on the target site but I thought I'd stir up some controversy. Check the link.

The big Lexus is a nice car... I owned a 2004 LS 430 for 4 years prior to purchasing my 2008 S550 in March ‘08. The LS Lexus is a very good car, but it's not in the same league as the current S-Class.

absent

The above comparo may work in Europe but not here in US where such taxicab weaklings like S320 (diesel!!!) are not even available.
Pricewise,LS600 is between S550 and S63 and against either it does not stand a chance.....

PartyVan

hmm....not a fair compairson at all. He is comparing a 15+ years old S320 diesel, which is most likey a striped down version in UK and also a rental so it's beat up already, to his new LS600 that is most likely loaded with every option available.

451/443=EW

I thought all S-class were the same with different engine specs, but it seemed I was wrong.

Looks like I'll have to find me an S500L, but maybe I'll spend the time driving my purchase instead.

--------------------------
2007 LS600hL, 5 seat
2000 LX470 (traded)

Mercedes SL500 AMG (sun)
Mercedes SLK 230 (wife)
Suzuki Grand Vitara (rain & runaround)


I took this clip above from the link about the lexus. It seems that even the guys at the lexus form didn't agree with the first post. At the end as you can see, the original poster boy hummed a different tune.

451/443=EW

Well dont worry bro cus the boys at lexus feel the same.

WSH

Indeed, need to do own drive of S65 on interesting rds vs any other sedan (or car/alleged supercar for that matter) to draw any meaningful conclusions.....

Driving econo-versions of various brands is a huge waste of time....it's sort of like commenting that 95%+ of Wharton/Stanford undergrads aren't all that smart.....prob a true statement....but, irrelevant, as much of reputation/relevance of these places has been built upon a fraction of top 1% of grads (and dropouts) in Finance and CompSci/EE, respectively, over past 20+ yrs.....sort of like MB reputation/repeat buyer base is largely built upon cars like latest S/CL65/63 030.....

Similarly, obsvns re: relative dealer expces at any dealer in Podunk are fairly meaningless.....my sense is relevant MB dealers on SF Peninsula/BH/Manhattan/Greenwich (arguably world's most economically powerful regions) treat their many repeat (often curmudgeonly) new S/CL custs quite well.....

Satan

I've driven both numerous times and I'm sorry, but the Lexus is a floating couch still. It has no soul, it's just there with nothing inside. All I feel is EMPTYNESS when I drive it.

Germancar1

Comparing a S320 to a LS600 is the reason why a lot of Lexus fanatics are seen as idiots anyway. The competition for the LS600 is the S600, not the S320. Now let me compare the C63 AMG to the IS220. Makes about as much sense.

M

ChrisBrown

[QUOTE=JohnH4260;2921430]I agree. The Lexus is a great car, it is what it is. That said, there is no car in the Lexus lineup that truly matches the S-Class. The LS is a great car, but if you're looking for an S, well, you need to buy and S.

platinumsc

As I said in my first post, I like both brands. I've never driven the Sclass but I can just imagine how it feels since I have been in several other Benzes.
The new Lexus LS is the closest Lexus has come to catching that Benz feel. The cars have a similar look and size. The S is probably the better drivers car, the LS more luxurious. Even the bolt pattern of the wheels has been changed to that of the S (which I don't understand). Us modders change the LS driving dynamics with suspension and wheel changes so it's a better drivers' car. In the end, I still like both. Lexus get's the nod because of better customer service by dealers and it's reliability. Those things are important to me. They don't have to be important to everyone.

husk323

He lists a SL500 AMG as one of his vehicles, I am sure the guy is a qualified car enthusiast.

Mercutio.Mont

The LS does what it is supposed to do very well.

Germancar1

How in the world can you say that the Lexus LS has come closest to capturing the Benz feel if you've never driven an S-Class? Makes no sense whatsoever.

The Lexus LS feels nothing like an S-Class. Every luxury car today rides smoothly and quitely, which is what Lexus is good at. A Benz does this, but it also provides a sturdier, more solid feeling, much great high-speed stability, and better handling than the Lexus LS. From the moment you sit in the S-Class you can tell it is more solid/sturdier car. Handles better, rides like a dream, but with handling that doesn't turn to mush either like on the Lexus.

For someone gradutating up from a Cadillac or Buick a Lexus is heaven. It rides better than either and is much quieter, but if you slightly more involved experience, with killer looks (AMG pack) than the S is the way to go.


M

carsnob

Lexus has always been a Mercedes wannabe, just as the purchasers are Mercedes wannabe owners. They justify their purchase by saying the cars are practically "the same" but they're so pleased with how much money they saved. To top it off, they boast how Mercedes owners are ripped off while they -- the Lexus buyers are the savvy car shoppers.
Well to them I say, enjoy your attempt at status, but for real drivers who appreciate handling/firm control/solid coachworks and all the other attributes of an S class, we know the difference and would never consider a Lexus. You get what you pay for.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...Ever notice how much the look of a Lexus, even the 90's models tried so hard to resemble a Mercedes S class, but they never quite pulled it off...

trumpet1

Apparently even the salesmen at my local Lexus dealership knows that their car can't compete with the W221 because everytime I drive up in my S600, park somewhere down an aisle of cars, and then go looking around acting interested, they don't even take the time to approach me. They know their car can't compete with my S600.

Anyway, I verified this by testing my theory. The next time I showed up, I was in my 2008 Ford Explorer pickup, and when I stepped out , it wasn't 60 seconds before I was greeted by a salesman.

True story.

451/443=EW

Im glad others buy Lexus. One day when I get my S ill pull up to a LS and say keep at it son and you will one day drive an S too. HAHA.... But for now I cant say anything

Sal Collaziano

The Lexus LS is excellent at what its intended to do. It offers an extremely luxurious driving experience - possibly better for passengers than the Mercedes S-Class. The Lexus is quiet and softer riding. For the driver, however, it's a bit boring...

christiaan

+1000000...

451/443=EW

+1 both great cars just different. My father would be better off in a LS and me in an S.

trumpet1

What is so funny is that this whole thread is based on a comparison of the Lexus to a Mercedes ....and not the other way around.

cjf_moraga

Yes a totally invalid comparison - particularly when based on subjective and uninformed opinion. I have had good experiences with past Lexi (and my wife still has one) but the LS600h was a total misfire ... and I contributed to the thread to say so...

Chris

MB Fanatic

Even Lexus executives have said that the car is no S class, and that shoppers looking at the S class will not even consider an LS. So very true, since the last time I drove an LS600hl, I came away dissapointed. It was slower than my mothers S550 and had worse fuel economy, so where is the logic behind such a "green car?"