The "New" Lexus : are you no longer its target market?
#46
Lexus Test Driver
Just because old customers are becoming 60-70+ doesn't mean that the younger 30-40 year olds haven't aged. Yes the ES350 is softer than the IS, RC, and CT but why does it need a sport option on the dial or other sport attributes. I'm not a big fan of the new designs and where Lexus is heading. Just because other car manufacturers are pushing a sportier design, doesn't mean you have to follow it to. Lexus should have just stuck the ES/LS with the traditional soft/cushy ride and put make the GS/IS as sporty as they want. So to answer the original question, I don't fit in the target market that Lexus is currently going after.
I agree. Why make the whole damn lineup "sport"?. Been there done that. Rocked hard in my 20's- 30's and am not looking for that hard/firm sport ride. At least make ONE line up a comfortable option. Not for me to be honest. But luckily there are plenty of gently used options available to me to last me till my old age. Furthermore I hate followers. Why copy the Germans? Pathetic wanna be culture Lexus has become. They now follow? What happened to leading?
#47
Lexus Fanatic
I agree. Why make the whole damn lineup "sport"?. Been there done that. Rocked hard in my 20's- 30's and am not looking for that hard/firm sport ride. At least make ONE line up a comfortable option. Not for me to be honest. But luckily there are plenty of gently used options available to me to last me till my old age. Furthermore I hate followers. Why copy the Germans? Pathetic wanna be culture Lexus has become. They now follow? What happened to leading?
You need to drive them and try them before you write them off.
And Lexus has ALWAYS copied the germans. Their cars are more unique now than they ever have been before.
#48
All Lexus is trying to do is sell as many cars as they can, just like every other car manufacturer. It has little obligation to past owners when designing new cars. I have driven the new sport models and I think they're still great cars. I don't find them bone jarring or terribly loud. if and when when an RC Convertible comes out, I definitely want one. I might even step up to an F. I may wait a year or two until I can see how they are in the real world, but I want one. If I bought an SUV/Crossover right now, it would be the RX Hybrid. If I ever want a luxobarge again (said lovingly) the LS will be it. The German car companies will never see a dime from me again. Now, BMW motorcycles, that's different. That's my motorcycle marque for life.
#50
Lexus Test Driver
#51
Lead Lap
iTrader: (2)
Lexus hasn't built a car that appealed to me since 2006. The LS430 and 2GS were that last of the good ones, exuding class and just enough sportiness (GS) to keep me happy. They also were the last cars Lexus has built IMO that raised the bar in any way. Now, I can't think of anything novel they've done in almost a decade since. On top of that, the "value" factor has evaporated. My local Lexus dealership charges an arm and a leg for parts/service and I'm sorry, if I'm going to pay those prices for nitpicky little gremlins here and there I'll take a German car.
#52
I owned a Nightrod (I know....not a real Harley say many) and a few Ducatis. I've owned over 15 bikes in. my life of all makes. Nobody, nobody, nobody makes a better motorcycle today than BMW. Nobody! Unless I change my mind. No more motorcycle talk though. I got warned last time I went off topic. I apologize in advance.
#53
Lexus Fanatic
Lexus hasn't built a car that appealed to me since 2006. The LS430 and 2GS were that last of the good ones, exuding class and just enough sportiness (GS) to keep me happy. They also were the last cars Lexus has built IMO that raised the bar in any way. Now, I can't think of anything novel they've done in almost a decade since. On top of that, the "value" factor has evaporated. My local Lexus dealership charges an arm and a leg for parts/service and I'm sorry, if I'm going to pay those prices for nitpicky little gremlins here and there I'll take a German car.
My local Lexus dealership charges an arm and a leg for parts/service and I'm sorry, if I'm going to pay those prices for nitpicky little gremlins here and there I'll take a German car.
Last edited by mmarshall; 04-03-15 at 11:54 AM.
#54
Intermediate
Indeed. They assured a strong and consistent revenue stream to fuel their costs. I couldn't even reset my maintenance light on my old Audi (unless I bought a $400 computer). Dealer charged me to reset it for me. $400 to change a headlight bulb.
#56
Lexus Fanatic
I agree that Lexus quality had a rough patch between 2006-2012. As an owner of a 2013 Lexus GS and as someone who had older very high quality Lexus vehicles, the quality is back in a big way. My GS is every bit as high quality as my older Lexus cars were. My 2010 ES not as much.
#57
I find the Lexus marketing interesting. I have been looking at pics and video of the 16 RX and while styling is definitely appealing to a younger market, the interior pics show XM radio tuned to Classic Vinyl, and Bluetooth playing Baba O'Reilly by the Who and Gimme Shelter by the Rolling Stones.
#58
Lexus Test Driver
#59
All car companies' sales have taken off. Well, most anyway. Even Mitsubishi sales haven't been too shabby lately. Thanks to the low interest rate environment engineered by the world's central banks to reverse the effects of the global financial crisis of 2008, why wouldn't sales take off?