I received a promotional flyer in the mail that had the address to an "exclusive" website for the LS...

http://www.ls.lexus.com/newls

The car sure has some nice touches -- it's just not for me...

 

Honestly... I think I would take the LS 460 over the 750... its really nice.

I would take the 550 over the GS 450h or even a GS 460 if they ever make one.

I would take the IS 350 over the E90 330 but would take the E92 335 over the IS 350. not sure what I'll do if its a E90 335. It'll be a close call. I dont like the E90 sedan look that much.

 

Saw one on the road yesterday. A very dark blue metallic in the Valencia, CA area. You can tell the car is longer compared to the model it's replacing. This one, however, has a much more aggressive look to the body. The back end looks great with those tail lights and I really like how the trunk lid has an integrated spoiler. Makes the car look sporty.

 

I think Lexus doesn't quite get the respect it deserves. Everyone steps on the brand for its lack of "prestige" when it comes to cars of this class and yes, it may not quite have the name of BMW or Mercedes-Benz, but c'mon, the company is what, 15 years old? It takes a bit of history and time. They were taking a sizeable chunk out of BMW/Benz sales very early on, which is quite an achievement. All that BMW and Benz has over Lexus is the overall design, and just barely nowadays. When it comes to pure luxury, Lexus has the upper hand IMO. Anytime I'm at a Lexus dealership and I step into a LS, there is a warm and cozy feeling that I can't quite get in the S or the 7 - there is something sterile about the German autos. Those of you who bag on Lexus because it doesn't give driving excitment like BMW, well, guess what, its because they never intended to. They cater to two totally different audiences. Lexus LS is more like a Benz. With the IS350 they show that they CAN do it if they wanted to.

Lexus is not kidding about its "relentless pursuit of perfection"! Mercedes needs to be careful...

 

it's still an unresponsive cushy toyota with nice leather and gadgets for saps

Lexus is great for those who care nothing about the qualities of a car which create passion for cars.. namely performance and refinement.

they do have the market cornered on reliability though

 

waiit... what exactly do they show w/ the IS350?

Becuase as far as I am aware the new 3 series, the B7 A4 and the soon to come C class all blow that car out of the water... just like the old IS.

I cannot think of one car that Lexus makes that I would consider better overall than a one of the competitors cars...

 

B7 A4 2.0T/3.2 blows the IS350 out of the water? I doubt it. Not the current C350 either. BMW is a different story. The new C-class better be able to, it's coming back into the game so much later - the E90, new IS, even the new G35s are running around already. Just waiting on Audi and Benz now - we'll see how that plays out. Nobody knows until then.

Whether you consider the Lexus better/worse then its competition depends on your own priorities. There isn't an overall. For example, I would take Lexus over Infiniti anyday, even if the Infiniti performs a bit better. Why? After owning an Infiniti, you notice the glaring lack of interior material quality, and the experience at the dealership (both sales and service) sucked a$$. Lexus fairs much better in those respects, which, to me matters. The next person might not care and rather have the better/more fun drive (STi/EVO owners come to mind...) I haven't driven the B7 A4, but I imagine the heavy front end doesn't make for better dynamic performance over the IS - but it definately has a better interior to be in. In which case I would take the IS though. It is all purely subjective, as they each have their own strenghts. But Lexus is becoming more and more competitive for sure.

 

I have to say, the short wheelbase L460 is a very nice car for $72K (with options).

I think comments about Lexus lacking prestige are bunk - noone at a country club thinks a Lexus owner can't afford a Merc or BMW, its all a matter of taste. I think Lexus sells so many cars because a lot of people aren't closet Formula 1 racers and care more about reliability and quiet/comfort.

 

Spot on. In the US at least, Lexus is absolutely on a par with BMW and Mercedes in terms of its market positioning and prestige - and in the US Lexus outsells both of them. It's down to choice. When I read some of the arrogant posts on here I often wonder why some posters are so insecure they feel the need to trash someone else's choices or a competitor's product. BMW, Lexus and Mercedes all make outstanding automobiles.

 

you can keep the lexus, ill still stick w/ my BMW. i dont like imitators