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Originally Posted by GTO  Came back with an after-thought : Does Lexus have good diesels? I see more diesel badges in new Benz' and BMW's than petrol. |
I am 99.9% sure that they 0 diesel models in the US - and this is in the past 5 years - Maybe its different in Europe \ Japan? Even the LX470 /GX470 were petrol V8's that gave between 16 and 18 MPG. Lexus's focus seems to be on hybrids - case in point the RX400h or LS600h
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Originally Posted by V-16 I will differ slightly here. Both cars are excellent in quality, fit and finish, no doubt about that.
If we compare the two they are almost similar in every aspect except the star value.
I am a big fan of the star, more so of the BMW in recent times but the Lexus just keeps on amazing me.
Firstly one thing is clear. When one indulges in the purchase of any of these two cars, he/she is buying a luxury car and not a sports car or one would have bought the SL or other versions, or to satisfy dual hunger modes, the AMG spec S class.
When one enters the cabin of any of these two sedans, the feeling is of immense plushness. Crank the engine and they are both super quiet. The Lexus takes the cake in insulation. Step on the gas and the Lexus moves like a powerful cat leaping out of its barricade...and that too very silently. The Lexus can be mistaken for an electrical car, It is so silent.
IMHO the Lexus is as good as its German sibling. The only difference is the countries they are manufactured in. In no way is it inferior to the Mercedes S Class. If the price is right, it could turn out to be an S Class beater here as it was in the US of A in its earlier days. |
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Originally Posted by GTO V16, I dont think anyone meant that the LS460 is inferior to the S! But the difference is in the level of driver-orientedness. The numbers you post have no telling on the handling, steering precision, body roll etc. of the LS460, which really aren't in the same league as that of the S / 7. |
Hey Gogi Bhai - GTO has already posted what I was about to say - numbers really don't give you a fair inclination of how the car feels. The LS is a great car, no doubt but it just doesnt feel as powerful as the S in terms of delivery - And the cornering can get scary in the LS. That was one of the reasons why we rejected the car even though it was in our price range.
What the LS has going for it over the S is:
a) Pricing - IIRC, it was $69K and was pretty much loaded. Equally spec'd S was touching $90K plus! I don't think the star should command a 20% to 30% markup.
b) NVH - If you like to be cocooned in pure silence, I don't think anything can beat the LS - It is eerily silent.
c) Comfortable Interiors - The S is nice but the LS just ante's up the ball game - get the L edition with the rear club class seats and you think you are flying BA Business and not in a car!
d) Controls - I dislike COMAND \ idrive \ MMI - The LS has kept it simple - buttons laid out nicely - it also appeals more to the older demographic the car caters to.
e) Fantastic A.S.S. - I have never seen any car company take as good care of the customer as the Lexus folk. I have dropped of our GX470 in the US for service at 10:30pm and picked it up next morning on my way to work! Now that is service!
But on all other counts, I think the S beats the LS flat out.
And I don't know how much of a dent the LS has put in the 550's sales - MB Dealer in Greenwich had a 5 to 10 week wait on the 550 - no discounts whatsoever. And they thought that the S450 would not be out for a while so clearly they were being able to move near $100K cars with ease. The Lexus dealer however offered the car for delivery right away.