AKoch

Hi guy,

never posted under this forum, as it has been ages since I sold my LS400 circa 94. I survived on an LX470 in the meantime.

Now considering trading in my audi for an LS600h 2010 that is for sale locally. Have not decided yet, researching the 600h now.

When can we expect the next gen LS platform redesign? If my memory serves me, these are on a 6-year cycle appx. So considering the platform came out in 2007, should we see something around 2013-2014?

Thanks!

cheez80

iTrader: (1)

yes, that sounds about right. there hasn't been any real concrete information yet. get the 600h though, it's a great car, and the price looks to be about right on those. it's very different from your RS4 but i love mine haha

Dema

Looks like better wait until autumn to get redesigned model

AKoch

I was thinking of used (2010 or so). With the TFT instrument cluster. But which already depreciated to a more acceptable pricing.

Yes, it is a VERY different vehicle from an RS4 I realize that. It is pretty much on the other extreme side of it. I like both, it is the reliability of the Audi (or absence of it) that is annoying.

Anyway, test drove the LS600h the other day and I think I'd like it. But I am very curious of what is your first hand experience with it, longer term.

cheez80

iTrader: (1)

well, to be honest, i've had a few annoyances and quirks with mine but i attribute that to my car being a super early build (july 2007) -- i still have weird rattles all over the place. otherwise, the major parts have been amazing. lexus really outdid themselves with the powertrain in this car...

AKoch

This was what picked up my interest in the 600h: the test drive. The power train felt outstanding, overall it felt refined (even by Lexus standards) and a pleasant place to be.

Did you find the long wheel base to be an annoyance in any way? Any other things that come to mind if it used as a daily driver?

Thank you for the responses guys!

cheez80

iTrader: (1)

it's a bit big -- i tend to shy away from street parking now when i go places and try to find garages, but the car is awesome. i picked it up because i have a 50 mile daily commute that's always bumper-to-bumper. the powertrain is ridiculously smooth -- the w221 hybrid and d3 a8 4.2 at home feel philistine in comparison. the germans do a way less floaty ride, though, but the sport suspension setting helps a little

AKoch

When I test drove it I did not feel the ride was completely disconnected as most reviews seem to suggest. Yes, there was a good degree of isolation (good thing as far as I'm concerned) but not disconnect (if this makes sense). I felt that I was always aware of what was going on with the chassis and the road and did not have to guess, or felt insecure or anything like this. Admittedly I did not push it with the sales guy in the back seat.

I tend to associate the "floaty" feeling with the suspension not tracking the road and not providing necessary directional control or stability: turns, slalom, breaking. In the case of the 600h I felt that it was big and heavy, but handled as a good large vehicle tuned for comfort. There was not much of a body wallowing, or acceleration/breaking nodding, stuff like this. In other words, I guess I am curious if you are happy with the ride/handling compromise or if you found that the ride float bothers you longer term?

Thanks!

cheez80

iTrader: (1)

i forget about it if i'm driving the lexus all week long, but after driving the benz i wish i had that kind of ride/sportiness compromise. the audi is way stiffer than either car and gets tiring to drive, i feel.

my 600h is also lowered quite a bit, so the floatiness is even more pronounced (especially on crests), but it's not too bad of a ride.

AKoch

thanks! Sounds like I need to check out an S550 once again. It also has a passable interior.

But to be honest with you if this is the handling I'm better off sticking with the RS4

cheez80

iTrader: (1)

of course, i love the rs4. my boss bought one in vegas and he and i drove it back to los angeles -- that was a fun drive haha

Nvbanker

Personally, I prefer the driving characteristics and handling of the S class myself - just not the down time and repair costs associated with that nice handling. My Lexus needs nothing but oil.....

FrankyBoy

I absolutely agree with you on your quote. I owned a 2006 CLS500 that was hella nice to look at and drive but the thousand dollar repairs bills and downtime associated with owner her took a toll on me and I ended up selling it. All of the Lexus's I've owned were pretty much problem free minus the regular services it needed. Bulletproof papi!

user 720202

I just got my third Lexus: first was a '95 GS300 Touring Edition, then an '02 LS430, which I recently traded for my "08 LS600hL. Red over beige leather, added chrome 19's, headlight and taillight trim, window tint, an interior wood-dash kit, BMW-style footrests, and a hidden Escort radar detector and laser shifter.
My wife drives it locally and doesn't have any problem with its size. Since I'm retired, we use it for trips and feel completely refreshed after 400-500 miles in a day. With the radar/laser detector, we cruise pretty fast (75-85, with 90 plus on flat, open country). We get about 22 mpg at those speeds, so don't expect a lot of extra economy from the hybrid. The dynamic cruise is best thing since sliced bread - you just have to learn to trust it. And the headlights are awesome.
My only real complaint about the hybrid drive is the space taken up by the battery pack. The trunk is way shorter and it compromises the car significantly. Of course, the extra room in the back seat allows us to put a lot of stuff back there, if necessary, but I don't like to do that. I thought about waiting for the new body style, but after seeing the GS grill, I don't think the next LS will be an improvement, except for newer technology.
BTW, I have also had four Mercedes over time: 65 230SL (in Germany), '66 230SL (which I brought back to US and restored), '68 250S, and a late model SL500. Lexus is more refined and has been trouble free.

adamls2

Do you have any pics of your SL's? I love those classic Sl's