Test drives -- LS460, GS350 compared to LS430

[usermel]

Originally Posted by KILLERGS4

I definitely like the LS460L better because of the power, size, and performance. However this car still has a lot of room for improvement, especially in the design element IMO (still haven't had the desire to test drive the car yet)...

I see room for improvement as well. I'm waiting for them to make the LS460/600 have the exterior reputation of the European makes! I truly am a Lexus loyal but, my one complaint is the exterior! Mainly the exterior of the LS. Interior wise its a great interior and the others such as gadgets and buttons are cool as well. What my Benz/BMW/Jag owner friends and I dont like about Lexus is the lack of exterior creativity! Funny thing is that most who Im friends with dont like Lexus (the LS460) for one reason only,exterior(some performance and lack of sporty ride)!!! I just cant trade up or buy a car I dont like the exterior of even though I did with my LS430 because of the reliability of Lexus only.

I'll just stick with the LS430 for now and see if there will be a change in 2011. Will I get a 2007-2009 in the future if no change comes in 2011? Maybe, because of the reliabilty of all the Lexus cars and that would be why I did do it and is why I have the LS430 I have now, relability! I buy Lexus as my luxury brand because of the reliability!L.G.N.M

[Jim_Chow]

On paper (not having driven the 460), from an engineering standpoint, I don't like the drive-by-wire steering introduced on the 460 over the traditional rack and pinion steering. It seems it doesn't improve performance and just leads to worse reliability, like the electronic brake booster over the traditional vacuum booster on Toyota/Lexus 4x4's. Some of those have failed, and the replacement part is $1.3K for the booster motor plus labor (and this is Toyota). The only reason I can think of the drive-by-wire steering is for the self parking option on the 460; can't do that w/ a traditional rack. IMHO, if one isn't skilled enough to parallel park, one shouldn't be on the road.

[AlexusAnja]

Originally Posted by RXSF

frankly, im not surprised by the responses by the 430 crowd here because we all know lexus drivers are the most loyal.

However, I would disagree that the 430 is better than the 460. Even if you can look past the updated design language of the 460 (both interior and exterior), you cannot look past the technological and engineering marvels that lexus has put into the 460. With that said, Im glad to here that the 430 drivers are still happy drivers, just goes to show that an old lexus is still one of the best on the road

I see the comparison as like comparing Kate Beckinsale to Scarlet Johanssen. Sure, Scarlet is new, better built, sexier in certain ways, but not without her faults, while Kate although older now, but she's still a very hot babe and can turn heads.

Personally, I'll take Kate as she's more classy beautiful instead of just "hubba hubba All BIG and there" gorgeous. Class doesn't fade... looks do.

[GHSER7]

nice review man.... Did your LS get fixed right this time?

[I6turbo]

Yes, doing fine, but still let me know if you guys get a flint/black '05 or '06 LS that is in outstanding condition, low miles, and either CL or UL. We might be interested....

Thanks for your help and courtesy last week -- I'll definitely recommend you to anyone I know looking for a new or used Lexus.

[GHSER7]

Good to hear that man. Yeah only one we have now is a Black '04 with 58k on it no nav. I'll keep an eye out for you though.

No prob with the courtesy, that's what I'm here for. It was nice talking to someone that actually knew about cars too. lol

[BNR34]

Yeah I6turbo know what's up