Is Lexus Becoming The Next Acura?
#121
Lexus Fanatic
I don't think it's that at all, the companies are just trying to appeal to what they perceive their customers desires are.
#122
Lexus Fanatic
Like I said, youth sells. People who are "older" (50s and 60s is a LOT younger now) want to feel young, not old.
Well, we can debate all day about who is considered young today, and who is old, and who "feels" young or old, but that doesn't necessarily determine where money is spent. Most people (though there are exceptions) probably reach their peak earning years (and, often car-spending years) in their 50s....usually the decade before retirement. (Note: I said in the decade BEFORE retirement....not IN retirement).
There is, however, at least some truth to the mid-life crisis theory of men from 45 to 55 being attracted to sports cars (or, like with one of my supervisors at the time, buying a restored 1968 Pontiac GTO convertible)...but, in general, it tends to be overblown.
#123
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
interesting point. i do agree bmw softened its mainstream models to rebutt the debate about lexus being smoother, quieter... modern mainstream bmws are VERY quiet and smooth now. but what bmw did was clever because besides the softening, they broadened their range considerably from the old days of 3,5,6,7,8 to now 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,i3,i8,x1,x3,x5,x6... crazy...! mercedes did something similar, and audi has broadened their range too. maybe they suspected toyota was unlikely to give lexus the funding to compete on all those fronts.
#124
Lexus Fanatic
I think the counter-counter argument to this is that many younger to middle-aged people feel it's pretty much ok to spend all of their income, thereby nullifying the effect of them making less than their parents. The number of people I see driving cars that cost $70k - $80k is just astonishing. Yeah, yeah--they lease. Fine. But I don't find it less mind boggling that they feel the "need" to have to have such luxury just because they have money lying around to spend it.
#125
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
haha, young/old it's all relative and people at any age do not always want to feel younger than they are. i have zero interest in owning a porsche 911 turbo even if someone gave me one. awesome car, just not for me. i got a miata in my 40s but don't want one now. i
#126
Lexus Fanatic
I felt the same way when I was young and in high-school/college.....I liked big American luxury cars in addition to the classic muscle cars of the age. Had a big Buick when I was 19, in a local community college....LOVED it. Unfortunately, just a few years later (mid-70s) started the eventual extinction of both....though at least some of muscle cars were to return between 2000 and 2010.
Which year ES300 did you own? I thought the 4Gen ES (which had both ES300 and 330 versions), except for some engine/transmission ECU quirks, was the best ES ever done...better than the 5 and 6Gen which followed it.
Last edited by mmarshall; 02-19-17 at 05:05 PM.
#127
I agree this should be exciting times for Lexus. But it took lexus 10+ years for Lexus to change their powertrain while competitors have been upgrading a lot more frequently. And to not have a V8 powered flagship car is a huge mistake in my opinion. They should offer both TTV6 and TTV8 in the LS to give consumers choices.
#128
Lexus Fanatic
I can remember when automotive turbos usually came from one of two sources, Mitsubishi and Garrett.....and when most superchargers came from Mcculloch. Mitsubishi, of course, sometimes played that up in their advertising....that they made the turbos for their own vehicles.
#129
Driver School Candidate
I am guessing that I am the only female in this thread, but I bought my Lexus after driving several models over the years, owned by others, but driven much by me, and guess what?
I love the naturally aspirated, non-interference 350 engine.
I adore the smooth good looks of my 2016 UW RC F-sport.
I love it's quiet luxury, fit and finish, reliability, and, yes its performance.
Plus it handles quite nicely on SoFla dry roads. (Wet stuff TBD.)
I am no 'racer' but I drove and rally-raced mucho sports cars many years ago, and still I crack 100 on occasion.
And tru, twice I actually tried to open a BMW thinking it was my 1998 Toyo Camry 6cyl zip-about!
Soooo, boys... I LOVE the spindle grille, cause you KNOW it's a Lexus.
I love the naturally aspirated, non-interference 350 engine.
I adore the smooth good looks of my 2016 UW RC F-sport.
I love it's quiet luxury, fit and finish, reliability, and, yes its performance.
Plus it handles quite nicely on SoFla dry roads. (Wet stuff TBD.)
I am no 'racer' but I drove and rally-raced mucho sports cars many years ago, and still I crack 100 on occasion.
And tru, twice I actually tried to open a BMW thinking it was my 1998 Toyo Camry 6cyl zip-about!
Soooo, boys... I LOVE the spindle grille, cause you KNOW it's a Lexus.
Last edited by tjarado; 02-20-17 at 08:17 PM.
#130
Lexus Champion
I am gueasing that I am the only female in this thread, but I bought my Lexus after driving several models over the years, and guess what?
I love the naturally aspirated, non-interference 350 engine.
I adore the smooth good looks of my 2016 UW RC F-sport.
I love it's quiet luxury, fit and finish, reliability, and, yes its performance.
It handles quite nicely on SoFla dry roads. Wet stuff TBD.
I am no 'racer' but I drove and rally-raced mucho sports cars many years ago, and still I crack 100 on occasion.
And tru, twice I actually tried to open a BMW thinking it was my 1998 Toyo Camry 6cyl zip-about!
Soooo, boys... I LOVE the spindle grille, cause you KNOW it's a Lexus!
I love the naturally aspirated, non-interference 350 engine.
I adore the smooth good looks of my 2016 UW RC F-sport.
I love it's quiet luxury, fit and finish, reliability, and, yes its performance.
It handles quite nicely on SoFla dry roads. Wet stuff TBD.
I am no 'racer' but I drove and rally-raced mucho sports cars many years ago, and still I crack 100 on occasion.
And tru, twice I actually tried to open a BMW thinking it was my 1998 Toyo Camry 6cyl zip-about!
Soooo, boys... I LOVE the spindle grille, cause you KNOW it's a Lexus!
#131
Lexus Fanatic
I felt the same way when I was young and in high-school/college.....I liked big American luxury cars in addition to the classic muscle cars of the age. Had a big Buick when I was 19, in a local community college....LOVED it. Unfortunately, just a few years later (mid-70s) started the eventual extinction of both....though at least some of muscle cars were to return between 2000 and 2010.
Which year ES300 did you own? I thought the 4Gen ES (which had both ES300 and 330 versions), except for some engine/transmission ECU quirks, was the best ES ever done...better than the 5 and 6Gen which followed it.
I
Which year ES300 did you own? I thought the 4Gen ES (which had both ES300 and 330 versions), except for some engine/transmission ECU quirks, was the best ES ever done...better than the 5 and 6Gen which followed it.
I
#132
Lexus Fanatic
The only real issue with that car, and its 3.0L V6, is to keep the oil changed. That engine is not forgiving of extended oil change intervals. They sludge and gel up, sometimes requiring expensive repairs or even a new short-block. The engine/transmission ECU in some versions of that-generation ES also had some throttle-by-wire quirks that affected response at low speeds....a factory re-flash update was supposed to address it, but it don't know how much effectiveness, if any, it had. Other than that, those cars are virtually bulletproof....and, IMO, a pleasure to sit in and drive. Overall, I consider it the best ES version ever done.
#133
Lexus Fanatic
I don't recall hearing of any engine sludge issues on the 4ES, that was an issue really on the 3 ES. There were some internal changes made to the engine with the introduction of the 4ES in 2002. But, oil changes have always been done, much less frequently now because she doesn't drive it much, synthetic oil and it has nearly 190,000 miles on it. Still runs great. It does have the finicky e-throttle.
It's a great car, but overall I liked my 2010 ES a lot more. It was a lot better looking IMHO, it drove better (still very smooth and quiet but a little more dynamic feeling, much more power), and it had some nice "Lexus" touches my 03 lacked, mostly a power tilt telescoping steering wheel.
The big plus for the 03 over the 10 was the interior which was much better. My 10 was the refresh 5ES which had a slightly better interior with additional wood trim, etc but overall the 4ES had the best ES interior from a material standpoint ever done I agree.
As a car though, gotta say the 2010 was an overall better car.
People give the ES a lot of crap, but if you want to buy into a well respected luxury brand, and you can only spend less than $50k, I'd much rather have an ES than a cramped, small 3 Series or C Class even if those cars are more proper premium platform cars.
It's a great car, but overall I liked my 2010 ES a lot more. It was a lot better looking IMHO, it drove better (still very smooth and quiet but a little more dynamic feeling, much more power), and it had some nice "Lexus" touches my 03 lacked, mostly a power tilt telescoping steering wheel.
The big plus for the 03 over the 10 was the interior which was much better. My 10 was the refresh 5ES which had a slightly better interior with additional wood trim, etc but overall the 4ES had the best ES interior from a material standpoint ever done I agree.
As a car though, gotta say the 2010 was an overall better car.
People give the ES a lot of crap, but if you want to buy into a well respected luxury brand, and you can only spend less than $50k, I'd much rather have an ES than a cramped, small 3 Series or C Class even if those cars are more proper premium platform cars.
Last edited by SW17LS; 02-21-17 at 05:35 AM.
#134
Lexus Fanatic
It's a great car, but overall I liked my 2010 ES a lot more. It was a lot better looking IMHO, it drove better (still very smooth and quiet but a little more dynamic feeling, much more power), and it had some nice "Lexus" touches my 03 lacked, mostly a power tilt telescoping steering wheel.
People give the ES a lot of crap, but if you want to buy into a well respected luxury brand, and you can only spend less than $50k, I'd much rather have an ES than a cramped, small 3 Series or C Class even if those cars are more proper premium platform cars.
#135
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by SW15LS
I don't recall hearing of any engine sludge issues on the 4ES, that was an issue really on the 3 ES. There were some internal changes made to the engine with the introduction of the 4ES in 2002. But, oil changes have always been done, much less frequently now because she doesn't drive it much, synthetic oil and it has nearly 190,000 miles on it. Still runs great. It does have the finicky e-throttle.
It's a great car, but overall I liked my 2010 ES a lot more. It was a lot better looking IMHO, it drove better (still very smooth and quiet but a little more dynamic feeling, much more power), and it had some nice "Lexus" touches my 03 lacked, mostly a power tilt telescoping steering wheel.
The big plus for the 03 over the 10 was the interior which was much better. My 10 was the refresh 5ES which had a slightly better interior with additional wood trim, etc but overall the 4ES had the best ES interior from a material standpoint ever done I agree.
As a car though, gotta say the 2010 was an overall better car.
People give the ES a lot of crap, but if you want to buy into a well respected luxury brand, and you can only spend less than $50k, I'd much rather have an ES than a cramped, small 3 Series or C Class even if those cars are more proper premium platform cars.
It's a great car, but overall I liked my 2010 ES a lot more. It was a lot better looking IMHO, it drove better (still very smooth and quiet but a little more dynamic feeling, much more power), and it had some nice "Lexus" touches my 03 lacked, mostly a power tilt telescoping steering wheel.
The big plus for the 03 over the 10 was the interior which was much better. My 10 was the refresh 5ES which had a slightly better interior with additional wood trim, etc but overall the 4ES had the best ES interior from a material standpoint ever done I agree.
As a car though, gotta say the 2010 was an overall better car.
People give the ES a lot of crap, but if you want to buy into a well respected luxury brand, and you can only spend less than $50k, I'd much rather have an ES than a cramped, small 3 Series or C Class even if those cars are more proper premium platform cars.