Drove my first LS460 today: Very disappointed
06-11-11, 10:20 PM
#46
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+1. The tomblike silence and isolation from the harsh world are a PLUS to many LS owners like me. And I've had first, third and now fourth generation LSs. Each generation has been better than the previous. Also my 2009 is a short wheel base AWD car that comes with the air suspension. That being said I STILL can't feel a damn ounce of difference between SPORT and COMFORT modes and think the switch is a dummy switch for psychological faking out of the driver. The power of suggestion.
06-11-11, 10:32 PM
#47
Pole Position
BTW, the NAV is the biggest disappointment of the car. Too frigging cumbersome. I can live with the lockout-while-driving thing, but why can't it just have a super intuitive "navigate to" button like the $35 TOMTOM app in my iPhone ?
06-12-11, 03:33 PM
#48
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I've been in a few of German cars. Audi S4, A4, A5, BMW 335i, 535xi, 135i, M3, Mercedes C300, C350, etc.
BMW and Audi are the same story. Crappy interior. BMW is the worst by far. No LED lighting, no back up camera, no air-conditioned seats, no touchscreen NAV, sound system is mediocre at best when compared to the Mark Levinson package, more road noise, crappier reliability, more expensive maintenance, horrible resale value, I mean the list goes on and on. You have to spend nearly $60,000 on a German car to even come close to comparing to the bang for buck you get in a Lexus IS, GS, or LS. The one thing BMW, Mercedes, and Audi have going for them is looks.. but like a relationship, it takes more than looks to get the job done.
BMW and Audi are the same story. Crappy interior. BMW is the worst by far. No LED lighting, no back up camera, no air-conditioned seats, no touchscreen NAV, sound system is mediocre at best when compared to the Mark Levinson package, more road noise, crappier reliability, more expensive maintenance, horrible resale value, I mean the list goes on and on. You have to spend nearly $60,000 on a German car to even come close to comparing to the bang for buck you get in a Lexus IS, GS, or LS. The one thing BMW, Mercedes, and Audi have going for them is looks.. but like a relationship, it takes more than looks to get the job done.
06-12-11, 04:37 PM
#49
Pole Position
LOL. The reason that people buy Lexus is because they are NOT BMWs and vice versa. I have known plenty of people out looking for a luxury sport sedan that never even gave Lexus a thought. Similarly, plenty of people looking for luxo highway cruisers went straight to their Lexus dealer. In many respects you are comparing apples and oranges. Some people like to "drive" their cars, and others like to be transported in them. Neither is "right" or "wrong", just different things that people want.
+1. Exactly. I do NOT enjoy "feeling the road"! THIS IS THE RUST BELT!! The LESS I feel the road, the better!
06-12-11, 05:40 PM
#50
Take it in for service and have them check it. There is a world of difference between sport and comfort modes in my '10 460L. I can even feel a difference between normal and comfort modes.
06-12-11, 05:43 PM
#51
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It's me, not the car. I couldn't feel it in my old LS430. Or on my brothers GX.
06-13-11, 07:43 AM
#52
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Thanks for all of the info guys, interesting reading and commentary. I drove the SWB LS non sport and love it! Frankly, I like to be coddled as I approach the big 5-0 this summer and the SWB is great without the float. I have owned 8 MB and 4 BMWs and no longer "need" stiffness (although my S430, 300SEL 6.3, and Bavaria had great rides and were not stiff). I do need reliability and the Europeans just break too often. Were it not for that, an '08 A8 would be in serious contention.
I don't need to drive the sport LS given how well the regular drove.
RWD cars just drive better- As good as the Avalon is with many Lexus like features, buttery ride (with no float), buttery light but accurate steering, whisper quiet inside, it just does not "feel" like an LS (or Genesis or S class). I wish I could put my finger on what makes the difference- it is a mystery.
Anyhoo, it looks like a SWB 2008 LS is the ticket- once I pull the trigger, I'll post.
I don't need to drive the sport LS given how well the regular drove.
RWD cars just drive better- As good as the Avalon is with many Lexus like features, buttery ride (with no float), buttery light but accurate steering, whisper quiet inside, it just does not "feel" like an LS (or Genesis or S class). I wish I could put my finger on what makes the difference- it is a mystery.
Anyhoo, it looks like a SWB 2008 LS is the ticket- once I pull the trigger, I'll post.
06-13-11, 08:36 AM
#53
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Good analysis. I've owned 7 MBs and 4 Audis...never a month without some problem. Lexus is exactly the opposite
06-13-11, 09:46 AM
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I have never owned an Audi but my 1980 Citroen CX Diesel was very reliable as was my '85 Peugeot 505 Diesel which is rather shocking. These days, I avoid European cars.
06-13-11, 11:47 AM
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I got the 2011 LS 460L with the standard suspension and standard wheels to maintain good road feel without any float while also not having a harsher ride from lower profile tires. The L just affords nearly 5 extra inches of rear seat leg room which is great for trips to the beach condo and chauffeuring friends and family around town. Lots of luxury features come standard on the L.
One thing I dearly love and use almost all the time is the radar cruise control. Love it! It's an optional extra that has to be factory ordered but well worth the wait. That feature also comes with the pre-collision braking system that has worked a few times to help avoid some accidents. One time, a Canadian goose was crossing the road in front of me at night and I didn't see it right away but my car did. An alarm sounded, the seat belts tightened, and the brakes were applied before I knew what was happening. The goose was fine.
The L is a big, heavy car but I love the way it handles. Yes, the understeer makes it less nimble in the turns but I have no trouble making the car go where I want at speed. It's really a great car!
One thing I dearly love and use almost all the time is the radar cruise control. Love it! It's an optional extra that has to be factory ordered but well worth the wait. That feature also comes with the pre-collision braking system that has worked a few times to help avoid some accidents. One time, a Canadian goose was crossing the road in front of me at night and I didn't see it right away but my car did. An alarm sounded, the seat belts tightened, and the brakes were applied before I knew what was happening. The goose was fine.
The L is a big, heavy car but I love the way it handles. Yes, the understeer makes it less nimble in the turns but I have no trouble making the car go where I want at speed. It's really a great car!
06-13-11, 12:48 PM
#56
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I got the 2011 LS 460L with the standard suspension and standard wheels to maintain good road feel without any float while also not having a harsher ride from lower profile tires. The L just affords nearly 5 extra inches of rear seat leg room which is great for trips to the beach condo and chauffeuring friends and family around town. Lots of luxury features come standard on the L.
One thing I dearly love and use almost all the time is the radar cruise control. Love it! It's an optional extra that has to be factory ordered but well worth the wait. That feature also comes with the pre-collision braking system that has worked a few times to help avoid some accidents. One time, a Canadian goose was crossing the road in front of me at night and I didn't see it right away but my car did. An alarm sounded, the seat belts tightened, and the brakes were applied before I knew what was happening. The goose was fine.
The L is a big, heavy car but I love the way it handles. Yes, the understeer makes it less nimble in the turns but I have no trouble making the car go where I want at speed. It's really a great car!
One thing I dearly love and use almost all the time is the radar cruise control. Love it! It's an optional extra that has to be factory ordered but well worth the wait. That feature also comes with the pre-collision braking system that has worked a few times to help avoid some accidents. One time, a Canadian goose was crossing the road in front of me at night and I didn't see it right away but my car did. An alarm sounded, the seat belts tightened, and the brakes were applied before I knew what was happening. The goose was fine.
The L is a big, heavy car but I love the way it handles. Yes, the understeer makes it less nimble in the turns but I have no trouble making the car go where I want at speed. It's really a great car!
06-13-11, 01:22 PM
#57
Pole Position
Unfortunately I have to agree about the rear hump. We take my wife's RX330 generally when someone needs to ride in the back. The flat floor on that otherwise smaller vehicle is a big plus
