tex2670

It's a totally different marketplace than when Lexus was first introduced. Think about it--the BMW 3 Series sedan was still in its first generation. If you wanted a "sporty" car (that wasn't a sports car), you bought a coupe. Period. The original LS had 250 hp from a 4.0L V8; 2.0 4-bangers make that HP now.

SW17LS

You're making my point for me. It's about money. You could pick up an LS460 but you choose not to spend the money, if someone gave you one...you'd take it.

You're a little different too because you're into modding and the VIP scene and all of that. Most of us aren't.

my pops is no longer with us, but if he hadn't been retired when the LS460 came out, he would have upgraded.

chikoo

I fail to understand. The primary reason why we got a Lexus was for refinement in NVH and the status value.
Are you saying the new Lexus is no longer a refined luxurious vehicle?

EZZ

Newer is not always better but it TENDS to be better MOST of the time. Technology evolution plays into every single product and advances make newer things better most of the time. The current IS/GS is much better from a technology perspective especially the chassis. Little things like an actual backseat also make a difference. I tend to keep my cars for about 10 years so buying new makes sense for me. I've learned that keeping luxury cars past 100k isn't economically sensible for me...maintenance and other issues get expensive at that mileage so I get new. I could argue that the newness has an intrinsic value that cannot be quantified economically but its still there.

BTW, i get a new iPhone every year and I pay an average of $50...i just sell the old one to pay for the new one. I could argue thats the same thing...sure i'm out $50 but each new iphone is waaaay better than the last

mikez

A lot of my lexus owning friends have moved beyond Lexus and I am the only one left. I feel the current gen of Lexus no longer appeals to me

The styling is too bold and (to me only) ugly. The car's price point has increased to where there is not much difference from its competitors. It used to be Lexus would cost less and better built, now it cost about the same but better built.

Maybe I am getting old but I like my daily driver to be more of a sedated refine look. Right now it's just too in your face.

tex2670

Now I fail to understand: how does refinement in NVH = a "softmobile"? A sportier car that gives road feedback and is fun to drive can't be refined? Why can't Lexus offer some sporty cars, and some softmobiles, expanding its customer base and appeal?

EZZ

Exactly. Targeting only baby boomers is a doomed long-term strategy for auto manufacturers now (i.e. Lincoln, Caddy). Gotta go after the 30-50 year olds now and most seem to want a sportier variety. Infiniti's current demise is due to getting less sporty...should have stuck to edgy and sporty.

Even Caddy is now going after super sporty.

Mr Bond

I wish they could do the same to the engine deparment as they did with the design. Latest RX is the perfect example,: an updated 10 year old V6, no thanks. The 2.0T could be usable in many ways , but I am pretty sure that they wont let us have a CT 2.0T with a modern DSG gearbox or anything else that could be "funny" . I have driven Lexus for 15 years now but I think this is my last Lexus if nothing happens in a year or maybe 2. I like the new design but its not like that the competition is ugly and they offer what Lexus year after year refuses to give us in terms of engines, performance and gearboxes. Cars like LF-A or any other 300 000 dollar concept car with 600 hp that never will go in production are irrelevant here.

chikoo

Back then the best way for better NVH was a softer suspension. If the newer taut suspension still offers NVH refinement, it still appeals to me.

rudyH

https://books.google.com/books?id=DA...20man.&f=false

Jacket

It's always about money isn't it? I'm not sure how that's a point when it's a constant in everyone's life. We spend what we can afford to, and direct our funds to those things that are most meaningful to us.

And don't people hang out on car forums because they're into their cars: maintenance, changes, mods, upgrades, etc.? The people that don't give a **** probably aren't registered on the forum. It seems like this audience on CL should be "different" as compared to the Jones'.

One of the vehicles in my stable is a 1996 Land Cruiser. 159k miles. I took a near perfect Toyota utility vehicle, and I made it better to suit my needs, and enjoy exploring the west. Most of it has been rebuilt at least once, so I'm hoping for 15-20 more years. I might be one of the few to survive the apocalypse because I've got my Cruiser. Too bad it's not an LX so I can't show it off here....

So if someone offered me a 2015 Land Cruiser or LX, would I take it? Certainly - because it's worth something. Would I keep it, mod it and become enthusiastic about it? Maybe, or not. I might just sell it, pocket the $80k, and buy an old Supra. Or put an addition on my house. I dunno.

Anyway - probably straying from the point of this thread. Am I the target audience for "new Lexus." Maybe. I've given up on buying new cars because I don't see the value proposition in buying new, and I see my vehicles as hobbies as well as tools so I have different requirements. But I impact the resale value of cars because I'll pay more for a well preserved, used car. And this impacts new car sales since people will buy these cars new with the guarantee of a strong trade-in value. Toyota has largely become the #1 vehicle manufacturer because of this "guarantee."

I care as much about what you can't see in a vehicle as what you can. Lexus will lose me if they stop paying attention to that part.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

lol @ this thread... as a 'boomer' i was not into a 'softmobile' when i got my GS400 15 years ago, and i modded the shnide out of it. it was loud, fast, and still pretty comfortable. boomers are certainly older now, a lot of them retired, and a lot of them are less into cars i guess.

lexus absolutely has to attract a younger buyer, and more power to them if it's working. while sales are going up i see that happening mainly because of an expanding product line. either way, more power to lexus.

and the polarizing looks is at least generating 'buzz' - the worst thing in the market is to be ignored, and lexus frankly was invisible to a lot of potential buyers in the past.

i still think lexus has to do a much better job on advertising / marketing though - they seem all over the map, and their dealer ads that i see are mostly like the boring/bland past and awful.

meanwhile, mb and bmw (and audi) have stepped up their game enormously, plus new upstarts like hyundai, making a win win for consumers.

mmarshall

Being into cars, and/or being a regular forum member, doesn't necessarily mean being a fan of customizing, mods, upgrades. etc... There are certainly sub-forums here on CL (and a lot of discussion in Car Chat) on those topics....and members certainly use them. But a number of us are also on the more conservative side of the auto spectrum.......and, even if not a majority, are also not just some fringe group out in the wilderness.

mmarshall

I'd assume, then, that the reason you modded it was that the GS of 15 years ago, suspension and tire-wise, was somewhat "softer" then the GS of today. That's not to say that today's GS rides like a Honda S2000 (it doesn't)...but the difference is still noticeable.

This Boomer will probably be into cars (but not mods) till the day he passes away.

chikoo

^ don't worry MM. You will go out in a car