mmarshall

If he admitted quality-lapses, how could the media have simply trumped it up?.......though I do agree with you that that particular issue was overblown some, and definitely not as serious as the image being painted. Though i want to be careful not to be a monday Morning quarterback, even with that well-publicized State Trooper case in CA with the ES, my guess is that he could have simply put the car in neutral, and didn't.


i agree with you that the original LS, LS430, and SC400 were superb cars....among the best Lexus has ever done. Yet, that is generally what some Lexus fans, today, are looking back on as "boring", "ho-hum", "Grandpa/Grandma".....that Lexus products have to have spindle-grilles, aggressive styling, and ride/handle like sports-sedans and sport-coupes if they are going to sell today.

chromedome

"...that Lexus products have to have spindle-grilles, aggressive styling, and ride/handle like sports-sedans and sport-coupes if they are going to sell today."

And you would be right. BMW and Mercedes are targeting younger affluent buyers with smaller cars like the new C and CLA, now Lexus are doing the same. They can't rely on the older demographic solely when they need to sell cars globally. That said, I know some 50-60 year olds who love the new RX design so I think Lexus are doing a good job

For me, Lexus cars are known for their ride comfort so they shouldn't sacrifice that for handling. BMW are moving in the opposite direction from handling to comfort. It would be strange if Lexus became more like the enthusiast-oriented BMW of the past.

dseag2

Yes, they are incredible milestones for Lexus. Although the looks can be polarizing, the GS F Sport has received accolades from the experts. Also, the RC350 F Sport, well, look at this video...


Better to drive than the BMW 4 Series. Says a lot. Lexus set out to make fun-to-drive cars and they have delivered.

rudyH

I think the new GS is beautiful. I drove an early RC F and it was incredible. The RC is a better drive than the Mercedes SL. Now many won't believe that but I stand by the statement. I'm waiting for the RC convertible and hope they keep the chassis rigidity. They blew the chassis on the SC430 unfortunately but I think the RC will get more attention in these competitive times. I hope so anyway.

EZZ

Stupid me. I meant 3rd gen TL vs 4th gen TL. Big difference in sales. Responding on mobile phones is harder than PCs. Haha

mmarshall

In general, though, that's the way Lexus is going, though they do have a couple of relatively smooth riding models left.....chiefly the LS, with the GS somewhat less-so. The ES was once what I'd call a smooth-riding car, but, now, IMO, also less-so....though I wouldn't cal it harsh by any means.

With BMW, in the past, it wasn't so much a question of comfort vs. handling, since BMW (And, to a lesser-extent, Mercedes) had some of the world's best chassis/steering/suspension engineers working for them, and ranked among those uncommon vehicles that could combine both....even with the Optional Sport Packages. Today, though, Mercedes seems to have kept its chassis-engineerring capability, while some BMWs are losing their edge. One of the factors at BMW seems to have been the recent shift to electric power steering.....the engineers just can't seem to dial in the same tactile-steering feel (you could almost steer an older BMW blindfolded) that they had with the former, superb hydraulic steering units.

T0ked

iTrader: (2)

Test drove the the RCF and F Sport the other day. Loved the drive. Made me reminisce about my old SC3. It's a bit tight in the interior for me, though. I hope Lexus releases a larger coupe in the near future.

rudyH

A lot of cars are tight these days. A lot have small seats to make the interiors LOOK roomier. Silly. I always liked the IS but it was just too narrow inside for me. The RC is tight, but it was pretty comfortable once I settled in. We get used to things eventually.

chromedome

I would say Mercedes are on a roll with fresh and polarizing styling, yet managing to combine comfort and performance. I think they've successfully shed their old-rich-businessman image and their cars are more appealing to a larger set of consumers. Lexus are following their lead with edgier designs, although their suspension tuning seems to be biased towards perfect Japanese roads. I prefer reading UK car reviews because the roads there can get pretty bad; a Lexus that's good for UK roads would be good for the rest of the world.

markneups

Strange--- I like the new commercials but am disgusted with the design that lost all the beautiful sculpture of the RX. Now it looks like something Salvador Doli,would have designed, and we all know he was not wrapped to tight.
X

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

say what you want about lexus and the rx, but do NOT diss Salvador Dali. he was a genius. and his wife a PR and marketing genius.

Kelmin

I too hope they release a large coupe.


Interesting point about UK reviews, never considered this point.
I also tend to agree about Mercedes' new design language.
They're striking, and they are managing to shed the old-rich-guy image, and creating some fantastic designs.

While my wife and I are squarely in the Lexus target age range.
The design speaks to us.
Commercials... LOL
I don't really care for them, their marketing can do what they like to try to make the vehicles appealing.

I just think they have to be careful with how boldly they design the vehicle.

I say this, because I worked for a certain manufacturer at one point in time, that "bangled up" the 7 series design, and yet also produced the stunningly unique Z4 design.
With all due respect to Mr Bangle, he was both a genius, and also slightly too unique with some design aspects, and the fan base & market erupted, sometimes with quite negative effect.

But we eventually got used to it, because other auto manufacturers started releasing their own designs, with slices, and chunks, large rumps, and slashes in their body work... even to this day.

The Mrs and I love the NX (hence why we bought one)
But I'm not necessarily in love with the 2016 RX... yet. (Its growing on me.)
Will reserve any final opinions until its actually released of course.
I rather like the way the current 3RX looks, and know it'll age very gracefully.

To each his/or her own.

JTMav

The biggest challenge Lexus(and all other manufacurers) are facing is the decline in interest by younger people in cars in general. With the highest debt burden of any previous generation they look at cars as out of reach and/or an expense they cant justify. It will be intersting to see how that plays out, whether its temporary. I know at my age(63) I have been a car guy since I was a kid. Used to spend as much time under the hood as in the drivers seat. Lot of kids are opting for a different experience, ZipCar for example.
YMMV
JTMav

aypues

no. that will be the new SC500!!!
https://lexusenthusiast.com/2015/04/...but-next-year/

markneups

I can see a mid year design change coming. Sales are going to fall flat. That should get the design leader fired. That goes for the entire line of Lexus and Toyota. That Camry is unlyyyyyyyy as is the highlander.