Lemoned a Lexus and bought...
09-25-2007 | 01:54 PM
#1
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Salem, NH USA
You read that right - I have a lemon 2006 Lexus GS300 AWD. In 2005 I narrowed the list to the GS, the 530xi, and the A6. The A6 was off the list quickly - just didn't really 'click' with me. I liked the 530xi, but after an hour test drive my back started to hurt (I have a bad back) so I crossed it off the list. The GS felt a little 'thin' and more like an appliance than a car, but I still sort of liked it. It was a first model year, but I figured that if anyone could do it right and would support me if I had problems, it was Lexus.
Three power steering failures later, I wrote them a letter saying that I wanted them to either buy back my car or replace it. Their letter back, while pleasant, basically ended with "... and the horse you rode in on."
I submitted the Lemon Law paperwork, and a week later they called saying that they would buy my car back from me as long as I ended the Lemon Law process. Fine. Whatever. Gimme my money.
SO... the search started again. Lexus was obviously out, so I started with the A6. A beautiful car, inside and out. I was hopeful and excited on the test drive... put the key in... put it in drive... and then it all went to hell.
Nothing was wrong with the car; it performed as it was designed to. I guess that was the problem.
The one piece I left out: I had previously tested the 535. It's amazing how much of a difference there is between the 535 and, well, everything else. The only way to describe it is how 'connected' you feel to both the car and the road. The drive is sporty without being harsh, and everything just feels right.
Put the order in for a 535i last Wednesday. Went into production the next day, and has an estimated completion date of Friday, 9/28. I'm sure that will slip, but I'm still happy. I was going to do a performance center delivery, but the best date I could get was 11/20! That would tack on about a month to the delivery, and I don't want to be driving back to New Hampshire that late in the year in a rear wheel drive car with performance tires (I got the sport package).
Now I'm off to research radar detectors (V1 probably) and laser diffusers.
Three power steering failures later, I wrote them a letter saying that I wanted them to either buy back my car or replace it. Their letter back, while pleasant, basically ended with "... and the horse you rode in on."
I submitted the Lemon Law paperwork, and a week later they called saying that they would buy my car back from me as long as I ended the Lemon Law process. Fine. Whatever. Gimme my money.
SO... the search started again. Lexus was obviously out, so I started with the A6. A beautiful car, inside and out. I was hopeful and excited on the test drive... put the key in... put it in drive... and then it all went to hell.
Nothing was wrong with the car; it performed as it was designed to. I guess that was the problem.
The one piece I left out: I had previously tested the 535. It's amazing how much of a difference there is between the 535 and, well, everything else. The only way to describe it is how 'connected' you feel to both the car and the road. The drive is sporty without being harsh, and everything just feels right.
Put the order in for a 535i last Wednesday. Went into production the next day, and has an estimated completion date of Friday, 9/28. I'm sure that will slip, but I'm still happy. I was going to do a performance center delivery, but the best date I could get was 11/20! That would tack on about a month to the delivery, and I don't want to be driving back to New Hampshire that late in the year in a rear wheel drive car with performance tires (I got the sport package).
Now I'm off to research radar detectors (V1 probably) and laser diffusers.
09-25-2007 | 02:02 PM
#2
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17,310
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From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Congrats and welcome to the E60 owner's "club" -- even if you did take a little longer to get here than others! 
Glad you finally saw the light and chose the best car of the bunch!
Glad you finally saw the light and chose the best car of the bunch!
09-25-2007 | 02:13 PM
#5
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,459
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From: Vancouver, BC , Canada
My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Welcome, great car, great forums !
Cheers
Cheers
09-25-2007 | 03:07 PM
#8
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,417
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From: Riverdale, New York
My Ride: 2008 535xi / Platinum Grey / Black leather / Step Auto / Sport / Premium / Cold weather / 18" wheels / Logic 7 / Comfort / ipod / Navigation / Fold Down Rear Seats / Rear Airbags / Sirius SAT / Spoiler / Extended Clear bra / Bluetooth. (Previously owned a 2002 sport 525I Loaded).
On order: 535xi Platnium Grey with Black interior, Step Auto, Sports package, Premium package, Cold weather package, 18" wheels, Logic 7, Comfort access, ipod adapt, Navigation, Sat radio, Rear spoiler, Extended Clear coat bra.
Good choice. 
09-25-2007 | 04:26 PM
#10
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 445
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From: Salem, NH USA
Originally Posted by ro11dice' post='474230' date='Sep 25 2007, 06:08 PM
"an hour test drive"...wow. i've never test drove a car that long. is that normal?
It's a good thing I did, since the standard 530 seats ended up killing my back. The seats in the 535 should be just fine, even though it may take a couple of weeks to fine tune all the adjustments.