Input on LS460 2008-2010 Purchase
05-19-15, 03:42 PM
#76
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
@Roadfrog: thanks for your thoughts about the paint/fabric protection and the wrap.
05-19-15, 04:02 PM
#77
Thanks! The drive home was really pleasurable. After it became dark, I noticed not all of the buttons on either side of the navigation screen were backlit. I doubt that should be the case. You'd think replacing the bulb(s) would fix the problem; instead I'm told that it's an integrated unit that would get completely replaced. The CPO plan seems to cover this (although I'm awaiting confirmation of that), in effect, saving me from a $10K+ repair.
@Roadfrog: thanks for your thoughts about the paint/fabric protection and the wrap.
@Roadfrog: thanks for your thoughts about the paint/fabric protection and the wrap.
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the drive home though!
05-20-15, 12:23 AM
#79
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
The buttons that aren't backlit or only partially backlit are:
CLIMATE - partial
AUDIO
PASSENGER
DEST
INFO/PHONE
ETA:
It appears that there is no illumination on the turn signal/headlight stalk nor the windshield stalk. This might be normal, however. Further, the driver and passenger seat belt adjustment switches don't seem backlit, either. Finally, the lock/unlock and power window switches have just "point lighting" so you know there's a switch, but its icon isn't lit. I like the lighting in the door handle wells.
CLIMATE - partial
AUDIO
PASSENGER
DEST
INFO/PHONE
ETA:
It appears that there is no illumination on the turn signal/headlight stalk nor the windshield stalk. This might be normal, however. Further, the driver and passenger seat belt adjustment switches don't seem backlit, either. Finally, the lock/unlock and power window switches have just "point lighting" so you know there's a switch, but its icon isn't lit. I like the lighting in the door handle wells.
Last edited by Gbp; 05-20-15 at 03:20 AM.
05-20-15, 03:35 AM
#80
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Another driving note -- really a complaint. I hoped the the wider interior than our other car has would mean seating 3 people in back would be more roomy and comfortable. Alas, everyone in back was just as uncomfortable as in our old car. The raised "hump" in the middle contributed to that, as the middle rear passenger's legs would straddle the hump, reducing the lateral foot room of the other two passengers and creating a posture that reduces lateral seat space.
Seems to me that using this car as a 5-seater for any real distance comfortably would require a young child in the middle or sides. I'm not sure yet if a full-sized adult could ever get comfortable in the middle position. Perhaps the LWB would make a difference.but I believe it's the same width as the SWB.
Seems to me that using this car as a 5-seater for any real distance comfortably would require a young child in the middle or sides. I'm not sure yet if a full-sized adult could ever get comfortable in the middle position. Perhaps the LWB would make a difference.but I believe it's the same width as the SWB.
05-20-15, 06:23 AM
#81
The buttons that aren't backlit or only partially backlit are:
CLIMATE - partial
AUDIO
PASSENGER
DEST
INFO/PHONE
ETA:
It appears that there is no illumination on the turn signal/headlight stalk nor the windshield stalk. This might be normal, however. Further, the driver and passenger seat belt adjustment switches don't seem backlit, either. Finally, the lock/unlock and power window switches have just "point lighting" so you know there's a switch, but its icon isn't lit. I like the lighting in the door handle wells.
CLIMATE - partial
AUDIO
PASSENGER
DEST
INFO/PHONE
ETA:
It appears that there is no illumination on the turn signal/headlight stalk nor the windshield stalk. This might be normal, however. Further, the driver and passenger seat belt adjustment switches don't seem backlit, either. Finally, the lock/unlock and power window switches have just "point lighting" so you know there's a switch, but its icon isn't lit. I like the lighting in the door handle wells.
Signal/headlight and widshield stalks don't light up. The seatbelt adjustments also sadly don't light up. And lock/unlock and power window switches don't fully light up other than the "dot" like light.
If you're coming from a luxury German car, the stuff that lights up in the LS are definitely underwhelming. I mean in my A6 everything, and I mean everything, that is a button and/or looks like it should light up clearly lights up. Even some stuff you don't expect to light up light up. My A6 is an '05 and it has proper ambient lighting that is shockingly missing in the LS. Kind of sucks but you get used to it.
Another driving note -- really a complaint. I hoped the the wider interior than our other car has would mean seating 3 people in back would be more roomy and comfortable. Alas, everyone in back was just as uncomfortable as in our old car. The raised "hump" in the middle contributed to that, as the middle rear passenger's legs would straddle the hump, reducing the lateral foot room of the other two passengers and creating a posture that reduces lateral seat space.
Seems to me that using this car as a 5-seater for any real distance comfortably would require a young child in the middle or sides. I'm not sure yet if a full-sized adult could ever get comfortable in the middle position. Perhaps the LWB would make a difference.but I believe it's the same width as the SWB.
Seems to me that using this car as a 5-seater for any real distance comfortably would require a young child in the middle or sides. I'm not sure yet if a full-sized adult could ever get comfortable in the middle position. Perhaps the LWB would make a difference.but I believe it's the same width as the SWB.
05-20-15, 08:16 AM
#82
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
The vehicle I'm comparing the LS460 against is our 2004 Passat GLX. When we bought it new, it came with almost everything standard that you'd have pay for as an option in its main competitors, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, even in their kuxury versions -- if the options were even available.
The Passat was by no means a luxury car, but it was an upscale VW. I looked at the 2012 Audi A6 as an alternative to the LS460, but despite its tech features, such as the NAV system's integration with Google Maps, Internet hotspot connectivity, and the Innovation package, I was concerned about long-term reliability, front seat comfort, ease of front and especially rear access, and some definitely non-luxury touches, such as the cargo nets on the back of the front seats. Our Passat had pockets instead of those ugly nets.
To me, the LS460 conveys luxury with a more stream-lined design that hints of sportiness. The A6 is almost the opposite: a very sporty looking and driving car with some luxury touches. I was looking for the more luxury-like experience and the superior reliability of the LS460. My mechanic, who specializes in foreign cars, especially German ones, has an LS430, says the LS460 is one of the best built luxury cars today, and said that most mechanics wouldn't disagree with that assessment.
So, the LS460 is lacking in a few features one would expect, including better interior lighting. When I look at the my newly-acquired 2010 LS460, with its Matador Red exterior and parchment leather interior/walnut wood interior, I think to myself: "This is the best birthday gift I've ever had!" Given the orice, it's probably the last birthday gift I'll ever receive.
The Passat was by no means a luxury car, but it was an upscale VW. I looked at the 2012 Audi A6 as an alternative to the LS460, but despite its tech features, such as the NAV system's integration with Google Maps, Internet hotspot connectivity, and the Innovation package, I was concerned about long-term reliability, front seat comfort, ease of front and especially rear access, and some definitely non-luxury touches, such as the cargo nets on the back of the front seats. Our Passat had pockets instead of those ugly nets.
To me, the LS460 conveys luxury with a more stream-lined design that hints of sportiness. The A6 is almost the opposite: a very sporty looking and driving car with some luxury touches. I was looking for the more luxury-like experience and the superior reliability of the LS460. My mechanic, who specializes in foreign cars, especially German ones, has an LS430, says the LS460 is one of the best built luxury cars today, and said that most mechanics wouldn't disagree with that assessment.
So, the LS460 is lacking in a few features one would expect, including better interior lighting. When I look at the my newly-acquired 2010 LS460, with its Matador Red exterior and parchment leather interior/walnut wood interior, I think to myself: "This is the best birthday gift I've ever had!" Given the orice, it's probably the last birthday gift I'll ever receive.
05-20-15, 08:50 AM
#83
The vehicle I'm comparing the LS460 against is our 2004 Passat GLX. When we bought it new, it came with almost everything standard that you'd have pay for as an option in its main competitors, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, even in their kuxury versions -- if the options were even available.
The Passat was by no means a luxury car, but it was an upscale VW. I looked at the 2012 Audi A6 as an alternative to the LS460, but despite its tech features, such as the NAV system's integration with Google Maps, Internet hotspot connectivity, and the Innovation package, I was concerned about long-term reliability, front seat comfort, ease of front and especially rear access, and some definitely non-luxury touches, such as the cargo nets on the back of the front seats. Our Passat had pockets instead of those ugly nets.
To me, the LS460 conveys luxury with a more stream-lined design that hints of sportiness. The A6 is almost the opposite: a very sporty looking and driving car with some luxury touches. I was looking for the more luxury-like experience and the superior reliability of the LS460. My mechanic, who specializes in foreign cars, especially German ones, has an LS430, says the LS460 is one of the best built luxury cars today, and said that most mechanics wouldn't disagree with that assessment.
So, the LS460 is lacking in a few features one would expect, including better interior lighting. When I look at the my newly-acquired 2010 LS460, with its Matador Red exterior and parchment leather interior/walnut wood interior, I think to myself: "This is the best birthday gift I've ever had!" Given the orice, it's probably the last birthday gift I'll ever receive.
The Passat was by no means a luxury car, but it was an upscale VW. I looked at the 2012 Audi A6 as an alternative to the LS460, but despite its tech features, such as the NAV system's integration with Google Maps, Internet hotspot connectivity, and the Innovation package, I was concerned about long-term reliability, front seat comfort, ease of front and especially rear access, and some definitely non-luxury touches, such as the cargo nets on the back of the front seats. Our Passat had pockets instead of those ugly nets.
To me, the LS460 conveys luxury with a more stream-lined design that hints of sportiness. The A6 is almost the opposite: a very sporty looking and driving car with some luxury touches. I was looking for the more luxury-like experience and the superior reliability of the LS460. My mechanic, who specializes in foreign cars, especially German ones, has an LS430, says the LS460 is one of the best built luxury cars today, and said that most mechanics wouldn't disagree with that assessment.
So, the LS460 is lacking in a few features one would expect, including better interior lighting. When I look at the my newly-acquired 2010 LS460, with its Matador Red exterior and parchment leather interior/walnut wood interior, I think to myself: "This is the best birthday gift I've ever had!" Given the orice, it's probably the last birthday gift I'll ever receive.
The Lexus is low tech compared to the competition but that's a good thing. When I buy anything of value these days above the consumer level it generally doesn't have bells and whistles, it's purposely built where it counts in the sum of it's parts.
05-20-15, 09:06 AM
#84
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
One of the many things that keep the Lexus reliable is not having lighted switches and some of the other accouterments that are there to wow the customer only to fail at a later point in time and cost a fortune.
The Lexus is low tech compared to the competition but that's a good thing. When I buy anything of value these days above the consumer level it generally doesn't have bells and whistles, it's purposely built where it counts in the sum of it's parts.
The Lexus is low tech compared to the competition but that's a good thing. When I buy anything of value these days above the consumer level it generally doesn't have bells and whistles, it's purposely built where it counts in the sum of it's parts.
I'm more concerned about the effect on reliability of Lexus options like air suspension and AWD. Since my climate doesn't require the latter, and I don't care about the former, some potential future maintenance expenses have been averted.
Last edited by Gbp; 05-20-15 at 09:46 AM.
05-20-15, 09:14 AM
#85
The vehicle I'm comparing the LS460 against is our 2004 Passat GLX. When we bought it new, it came with almost everything standard that you'd have pay for as an option in its main competitors, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, even in their kuxury versions -- if the options were even available.
The Passat was by no means a luxury car, but it was an upscale VW. I looked at the 2012 Audi A6 as an alternative to the LS460, but despite its tech features, such as the NAV system's integration with Google Maps, Internet hotspot connectivity, and the Innovation package, I was concerned about long-term reliability, front seat comfort, ease of front and especially rear access, and some definitely non-luxury touches, such as the cargo nets on the back of the front seats. Our Passat had pockets instead of those ugly nets.
To me, the LS460 conveys luxury with a more stream-lined design that hints of sportiness. The A6 is almost the opposite: a very sporty looking and driving car with some luxury touches. I was looking for the more luxury-like experience and the superior reliability of the LS460. My mechanic, who specializes in foreign cars, especially German ones, has an LS430, says the LS460 is one of the best built luxury cars today, and said that most mechanics wouldn't disagree with that assessment.
So, the LS460 is lacking in a few features one would expect, including better interior lighting. When I look at the my newly-acquired 2010 LS460, with its Matador Red exterior and parchment leather interior/walnut wood interior, I think to myself: "This is the best birthday gift I've ever had!" Given the orice, it's probably the last birthday gift I'll ever receive.
The Passat was by no means a luxury car, but it was an upscale VW. I looked at the 2012 Audi A6 as an alternative to the LS460, but despite its tech features, such as the NAV system's integration with Google Maps, Internet hotspot connectivity, and the Innovation package, I was concerned about long-term reliability, front seat comfort, ease of front and especially rear access, and some definitely non-luxury touches, such as the cargo nets on the back of the front seats. Our Passat had pockets instead of those ugly nets.
To me, the LS460 conveys luxury with a more stream-lined design that hints of sportiness. The A6 is almost the opposite: a very sporty looking and driving car with some luxury touches. I was looking for the more luxury-like experience and the superior reliability of the LS460. My mechanic, who specializes in foreign cars, especially German ones, has an LS430, says the LS460 is one of the best built luxury cars today, and said that most mechanics wouldn't disagree with that assessment.
So, the LS460 is lacking in a few features one would expect, including better interior lighting. When I look at the my newly-acquired 2010 LS460, with its Matador Red exterior and parchment leather interior/walnut wood interior, I think to myself: "This is the best birthday gift I've ever had!" Given the orice, it's probably the last birthday gift I'll ever receive.
The quality/luxury of the LS far outpaces the A6 and in some aspects the A8. Although there are some things that just leave me scratching my head in the LS. Otherwise the car is leagues ahead of the A6.
One of the many things that keep the Lexus reliable is not having lighted switches and some of the other accouterments that are there to wow the customer only to fail at a later point in time and cost a fortune.
The Lexus is low tech compared to the competition but that's a good thing. When I buy anything of value these days above the consumer level it generally doesn't have bells and whistles, it's purposely built where it counts in the sum of it's parts.
The Lexus is low tech compared to the competition but that's a good thing. When I buy anything of value these days above the consumer level it generally doesn't have bells and whistles, it's purposely built where it counts in the sum of it's parts.
05-20-15, 10:07 AM
#86
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Yes, I also like the interior lighting up as I approach the car. And touching the driver's door only unlocks that door, whereas touching any other door unlocks all doors is pretty cool. No more messing around with a key fob to do those things. The same goes for opening the trunk.
Another feature I really like is the automatic headlight setting. That's new to me, as well as the headlight-off delay. Although there are higher tech cars out there, this has quite a number of these new-to-me features. I played part of a DVD the other night while parked in my driveway. It sounded great, I'm sure in part because of the ML system. I really need to get the Prestigious Society bypass so the front passenger can enjoy features like that while the car is in motion.
I'm just getting started with using it, but I find that the voice recognition system works pretty well. To my delight and despite what the product specialist said, the voice guidance does announce the upcoming street name to turn on, although it only gives the turn direction immediately before the turn. The single warning tone in advance of the turn and the double warning tone just before the turn are nice features. While not in the same class as using Google Maps for navigation, the cat's navigation is better than I thought it would be. Regardless, I like seeing the map on the large Nav screen.
Another feature I really like is the automatic headlight setting. That's new to me, as well as the headlight-off delay. Although there are higher tech cars out there, this has quite a number of these new-to-me features. I played part of a DVD the other night while parked in my driveway. It sounded great, I'm sure in part because of the ML system. I really need to get the Prestigious Society bypass so the front passenger can enjoy features like that while the car is in motion.
I'm just getting started with using it, but I find that the voice recognition system works pretty well. To my delight and despite what the product specialist said, the voice guidance does announce the upcoming street name to turn on, although it only gives the turn direction immediately before the turn. The single warning tone in advance of the turn and the double warning tone just before the turn are nice features. While not in the same class as using Google Maps for navigation, the cat's navigation is better than I thought it would be. Regardless, I like seeing the map on the large Nav screen.
05-20-15, 10:18 AM
#87
Yes, I also like the interior lighting up as I approach the car. And touching the driver's door only unlocks that door, whereas touching any other door unlocks all doors is pretty cool. No more messing around with a key fob to do those things. The same goes for opening the trunk.
Another feature I really like is the automatic headlight setting. That's new to me, as well as the headlight-off delay. Although there are higher tech cars out there, this has quite a number of these new-to-me features. I played part of a DVD the other night while parked in my driveway. It sounded great, I'm sure in part because of the ML system. I really need to get the Prestigious Society bypass so the front passenger can enjoy features like that while the car is in motion.
I'm just getting started with using it, but I find that the voice recognition system works pretty well. To my delight and despite what the product specialist said, the voice guidance does announce the upcoming street name to turn on, although it only gives the turn direction immediately before the turn. The single warning tone in advance of the turn and the double warning tone just before the turn are nice features. While not in the same class as using Google Maps for navigation, the cat's navigation is better than I thought it would be. Regardless, I like seeing the map on the large Nav screen.
Another feature I really like is the automatic headlight setting. That's new to me, as well as the headlight-off delay. Although there are higher tech cars out there, this has quite a number of these new-to-me features. I played part of a DVD the other night while parked in my driveway. It sounded great, I'm sure in part because of the ML system. I really need to get the Prestigious Society bypass so the front passenger can enjoy features like that while the car is in motion.
I'm just getting started with using it, but I find that the voice recognition system works pretty well. To my delight and despite what the product specialist said, the voice guidance does announce the upcoming street name to turn on, although it only gives the turn direction immediately before the turn. The single warning tone in advance of the turn and the double warning tone just before the turn are nice features. While not in the same class as using Google Maps for navigation, the cat's navigation is better than I thought it would be. Regardless, I like seeing the map on the large Nav screen.
The Auto headlights take too long to come on in my opinion and for some reason they don't automatically come on in the rain.. not sure if Lexus just doesn't have the feature implemented or what.The coming home lights are pretty nice although I wish they stayed on a bit longer. Also, does the car not have leaving home lights? When you press the unlock button on my A6 and it's dark, the lights (in my case fog lights) come on. I do believe I should be able to change these settings using Carista
DVD playback is awesome! It actually sounds pretty good. I wish it had Blu-Ray since my collection of DVD's is very thin.
Your navigation actually pronounces street names? That's nice. The only thing my car is able to pronounce is Interstates only and maybe highways? like MN36, etc.. And that's about it.
05-20-15, 03:22 PM
#88
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
The ability to play Blu-Rays would be great for the reason you mention: we too have quite a few of them compared with DVD's. Too bad Mark Levinson doesn't offer s unit to replace the DVD player with a Blu-Ray player for the LS460.
I believe street names were added to voice guidance as part of the 2010 LS460 navigation refresh.
I believe street names were added to voice guidance as part of the 2010 LS460 navigation refresh.
06-10-15, 11:26 AM
#90
Lexus Fanatic
Very nice!
