Is the LS 460 fun to drive??
12-31-06, 06:10 PM
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Is the LS 460 fun to drive??
I have not had the opportunity to test one yet, but I am guessing the answer from most of you owners is a resounding YES! Somehow, though, it seems the car critics that write all the reviews out on the web do not think a car that prides itself on isolating the occupants from road noise and harshness can possibly be fun to drive. Check out these excerpts from the edmunds.com review:
Our test car accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, an admirable figure but slower than the 5.4 seconds claimed by the factory. We couldn't match the claimed quarter-mile time of 13.8 seconds either — 14.2 seconds was our best run.
Far more important was the V8's utter lack of obvious effort, even when it was recording performance numbers on par with the larger V8 of the Mercedes-Benz. So seamlessly and effortlessly is the power delivered, however, that putting the pedal down is about as thrilling as watching the Golf Channel.
While we value its comfort, impeccable build quality and expected reliability, what we love most about cars is driving them, and the LS 460 falls just short of delivering the snappy, precise control of the road we covet most. If we were somehow penalized to give up our driver license, we can think of few other cars in which we'd rather be the passenger.
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Golf Channel? One thing that attracts me most to any Lexus is the impeccable jewel like drive trains. I have accelerated in cars from 0-60 in 5-6 seconds more times than I can remember. Not once, was I reminded of watching the Golf Channel, no matter how refined the car in question was. My understanding is that the new 4.6 V8 sounds really sweet running to redline. I don’t know, perhaps headers and exhaust cut outs would appease these guys.
The second comment was a nice back handed complement of the comfort of the car. Am I screwed up or just getting old (51)? I have a 2005 GTO that is a blast to drive, yet I also enjoy driving our RX 330. I will go out on a limb here and bet that when I finally test drive the 460, the Golf Channel will not come to mind as I watch the speedo needle rip around the dial like a Toledo weigh scale and listen to the muted roar of the velvety V8. Now of course I might want to turn off the stability control and do some drifting in the car, but that would just be to scare the salesman.
Anyway, I hope the rest of you poor LS 460 owners are not too bored when you are forced to drive them.
Our test car accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, an admirable figure but slower than the 5.4 seconds claimed by the factory. We couldn't match the claimed quarter-mile time of 13.8 seconds either — 14.2 seconds was our best run.
Far more important was the V8's utter lack of obvious effort, even when it was recording performance numbers on par with the larger V8 of the Mercedes-Benz. So seamlessly and effortlessly is the power delivered, however, that putting the pedal down is about as thrilling as watching the Golf Channel.
While we value its comfort, impeccable build quality and expected reliability, what we love most about cars is driving them, and the LS 460 falls just short of delivering the snappy, precise control of the road we covet most. If we were somehow penalized to give up our driver license, we can think of few other cars in which we'd rather be the passenger.
-----------
Golf Channel? One thing that attracts me most to any Lexus is the impeccable jewel like drive trains. I have accelerated in cars from 0-60 in 5-6 seconds more times than I can remember. Not once, was I reminded of watching the Golf Channel, no matter how refined the car in question was. My understanding is that the new 4.6 V8 sounds really sweet running to redline. I don’t know, perhaps headers and exhaust cut outs would appease these guys.
The second comment was a nice back handed complement of the comfort of the car. Am I screwed up or just getting old (51)? I have a 2005 GTO that is a blast to drive, yet I also enjoy driving our RX 330. I will go out on a limb here and bet that when I finally test drive the 460, the Golf Channel will not come to mind as I watch the speedo needle rip around the dial like a Toledo weigh scale and listen to the muted roar of the velvety V8. Now of course I might want to turn off the stability control and do some drifting in the car, but that would just be to scare the salesman.
Anyway, I hope the rest of you poor LS 460 owners are not too bored when you are forced to drive them.
01-01-07, 05:51 PM
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Relatively speaking most all large luxo barges are not fun to drive. A BMW 7 maybe slightly sportier but anyone looking for sport in 4500lbs car that is over 200 inches long is looking in the wrong place. Most are rarely pushed to their limits at all, ever.
Lexus figured that out and the LS is firm in the middle ground between sport and plush. The LS 460 maybe the sportiest LS but it is no 911.
Lexus figured that out and the LS is firm in the middle ground between sport and plush. The LS 460 maybe the sportiest LS but it is no 911.
01-01-07, 07:01 PM
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I've driven the 460 and found it fun to drive. Who cares about a .4 second differential between Lexus' claims and that of thee article's authors? I'm not going to attempt to go from 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds anyway and most people who buy these cars aren't gonna do it either. I think the authors are spilling sour grapes.
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