jainla

It was one of my earliest memories of the original LS400. I was on a test drive with a family friend when we drove through some mist or something; and the driver hits the wipers. I remember thinking WTF is that? It's pivoting as it swipes! It was a good yardstick of the thinking and attention to detail that went into that car.

I think that's entirely intentional. Many said that they thought the 2013 S Class moved a half-segment up when it was launched. In the 70's and early 80's the S class was priced closer to the RR and Bentleys of its day.

It's only been the last 20 years or so that the pricing has come down a little bit relative to everything else. The 1993 S600 was priced at $125k; which is about ~$250k in today's cash; which is right around the Bentley Continental pricing and and not too far away from base Ghost Pricing.

With the demise of Maybach as a separate brand MB has had to stretch the S Class range to cover the edge of the Ultra Luxury market; which is why I think we see the quilted leather, aromarizer, Magic Sky roof etc. now being offered in the upper trim levels. It also undoes the step downwards many perceived the S Class took in 2000 before the Maybach arrived. There are now 6 S Class body styles; which is more than there ever have been before; and the pricing goes up past 200k (500k for the pullman) which is a pretty amazing range when you think of it for a single nameplate.

The S Class cars are like Camrys in LA; in certain parts of town I keep reminding myself that it's a $100k car; they are like rats it seems. I do value the LS for its relative anonymity. Most people don't say 'wow' until they get inside.

Hopefully everybody else (Lexus included) steps up their game.

Dr. Jekyll

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the feedback bud! Greatly appreciated.

jasone36

[QUOTE= For all the years they built the SC430, they never updated anything in the car except for slight cosmetic changes.[/QUOTE]

Precisely why I purchased a 2002 SC430 and some people (non-enthusiasts) still think it's no more than 4 years old. A model year 2002 and model year 2010 SC430 are nearly identical... with very few differences. Super reliable too, which is very important for me.

situman

How does the NVH and overall solidity of the LS compare to the new 7 and S series? I'm looking to lease a CPO LS in about 2 years after the lease ends on my GS. Sure the tech is not up there, but I value construction quality and overall refinement more than fancy tech.

SW17LS

Very similar honestly. Surprisingly so given how old the LS chassis is vs them.

situman

Thanks surprised to hear that actually. Supposedly German construction is vault like way above anybody else. Hopefully in 2 years the '14 will drop to the low 40's or high 30's after the new model debuts! Poor folks like me can finally afford to lease one and experience flagship cars, even outdated ones!

SW17LS

I never was that impressed with the 7 or the S vs the LS, the LS is a very solid refined car. I was surprised that even the newer versions of those cars which I had not driven (deliberately) are very similar.

Driving them actually made me enjoy my LS even more.

Don't get me wrong, great cars and the technology is much better, interiors are better, but the driving experience is very similar.

comotiger

Genesis G90 will compete with the current LS for sales.
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/09/06/g...#slide-4019153

situman

This will end up competing wit the GS in a year or 2 as the new LS will likely move up in prestige and price.

SW17LS

It'll still compete with the LS, it's designed to be a great value. I look forward to driving one

roadfrog

That G90 will be on my shopping list one day. What a gorgeous car. Look at this shot of the interior:

SW17LS

Gotta try that picture again...

SW17LS

Check out the new site, www.genesis.com

Fully loaded, LWB V8 Ultimate AWD, same price as a base RWD LS460 SWB. $73k. ASTOUNDING value.

roadfrog

Tried again...Worked this time.

jasone36

Good value - YES!

But how many executives will want their high-end clients and business partners, which they're trying to impress, to be picked up in a Hyundai?