Cars featuring IKEA interiors
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Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 126
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From: Washington
Cars featuring IKEA interiors
I am seeing several new cars coming out (e.g. Fuga, SC430) with wood trim that is either extremely light in color or is lacking any real "finish" ... and I can't stand them.
Is it just me or does anyone else think these interiors look like they're from IKEA?
They are NOT cheap (SC430 case in point) but I cannot get my head around a luxury car interior that has such cheap-looking wood/finish.
Maybe I'm old fashioned but I like to see rich stained wood trim in my luxury cars where you can see the grain. Or am I just showing my age?
Examples include SC430:-
Nissan FUGA:-
Even the BMW 745i wood looks kind of "unfinished":-
Compare those to LS430:-
Is it just me or does anyone else think these interiors look like they're from IKEA?
They are NOT cheap (SC430 case in point) but I cannot get my head around a luxury car interior that has such cheap-looking wood/finish.
Maybe I'm old fashioned but I like to see rich stained wood trim in my luxury cars where you can see the grain. Or am I just showing my age?
Examples include SC430:-
Nissan FUGA:-
Even the BMW 745i wood looks kind of "unfinished":-
Compare those to LS430:-
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,379
Likes: 24
From: Florida
I agree that the SC wood trim seems like the "odd" bunch out of all Lexus models as far as its appearance and finish. The color of the trim simply doesn't match well with the rest of the interior unfortunately. I'm sure a wood trim conversion kit could be the solution to the problem, but it would most likely be very costly.
On the other hand, the wood trim on the new LS and ES models fits perfectly hands-down, and makes it look like it belongs to the cars
On the other hand, the wood trim on the new LS and ES models fits perfectly hands-down, and makes it look like it belongs to the cars
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,084
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From: Washington
Sorry Off Topic here:
But those new 2003 ES' are big!!
I mean I drive a 90 LS400 and when Im side by side to that car it's almost the same size.
Am I imagining things or did the ES grow in size tremendously? And are they still FWD?
But those new 2003 ES' are big!!
I mean I drive a 90 LS400 and when Im side by side to that car it's almost the same size.Am I imagining things or did the ES grow in size tremendously? And are they still FWD?
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 750
Likes: 24
From: USA
1. the advantage to the light wood vs. the dark is the light does not show scratches as much as the dark wood. (Personally, I like the look of the dark wood but I like the scratch-free look of the light wood). It's personal preference.
2. I have a new 2004 ES330. It is still FWD and yes it is a pretty big car!
2. I have a new 2004 ES330. It is still FWD and yes it is a pretty big car!
One aspect to this acceptance is the tradition of dark woods from way back: walnut, mahogany, ebony...light woods seem to be reminescent of pine and other soft woods. There are some very nice tight grained light woods not commonly seen or used. My preference would be for the dark wood though.
Re ES: it does seem like a big car. Except for the IS, the others seem to grow a little bit each generation. Speaking of, what is the next gen for the IS?
Re ES: it does seem like a big car. Except for the IS, the others seem to grow a little bit each generation. Speaking of, what is the next gen for the IS?
Last edited by RA40; Mar 14, 2004 at 12:25 PM.
Mandingo I'm with you. But even dark wood interiors can be done badly, witness Escalade, Jaguars, etc. Reddish walnut though is a favorite of mine. The Acura Legend had fabulous walnut and I like the wood in my GS.
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,277
Likes: 354
From: Canada
Re: Cars featuring IKEA interiors
Originally posted by Mandingo
I am seeing several new cars coming out (e.g. Fuga, SC430) with wood trim that is either extremely light in color or is lacking any real "finish" ... and I can't stand them.
Is it just me or does anyone else think these interiors look like they're from IKEA?
They are NOT cheap (SC430 case in point) but I cannot get my head around a luxury car interior that has such cheap-looking wood/finish.
Maybe I'm old fashioned but I like to see rich stained wood trim in my luxury cars where you can see the grain. Or am I just showing my age?
I am seeing several new cars coming out (e.g. Fuga, SC430) with wood trim that is either extremely light in color or is lacking any real "finish" ... and I can't stand them.
Is it just me or does anyone else think these interiors look like they're from IKEA?
They are NOT cheap (SC430 case in point) but I cannot get my head around a luxury car interior that has such cheap-looking wood/finish.
Maybe I'm old fashioned but I like to see rich stained wood trim in my luxury cars where you can see the grain. Or am I just showing my age?
You can also see the pattern of the wood in the blonde maple in the SC430. It gives the interior of the car more color contrast, and a more modern & youthful look(some say feminine). I' ve seen some very expensive Italian/European furniture in this shade of color, whether one likes it is up to one's personal taste, but it is very far from cheap looking at all.
I have also heard people comment on the dark walnut trim you find in the SC & LS as looking like plastics the way they are polished, whether you agree or not is up to your personal taste. For me I like all the wood trims in Lexus cars(they are just different), with the exception of the grey maple wood in the LS430 UL with ecru, which was discontinued this year, that really looks like plastic to me.
BTW, I haven't examined the wood trim in the GS in detail myself, but according to Rominl(Henry), who just stained the wood trim of his GS400 black(see the thread in the GS forum), the wood trim in the GS is really plastic, not real wood at all.
Last edited by Gojirra99; Mar 14, 2004 at 02:01 PM.
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To Infinity and Beyond
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 101
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From: New York
I actually enjoy the new woods being offered these days. The lighter woods offer a different feel from the traditional wood used on most vehicles. My only wish would be for more cars to be offered in the smoke wood trim. oh man, i LOVE the black wood. I think it looks like marble. Very classy, imo. I wish these automakers would give customers the option to select from different wood trims as well as interior leather colors. I think it would help to personalize each vehicle to accomodate the owner's individual taste.
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To Infinity and Beyond
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: New York
Originally posted by ChronoJ1
Oh man,
the interior of the Nissa Fuga is abso-freakin-lutely GORGEOUS! Drool...
What's a FUGA anyways? Any pics?
Oh man,
the interior of the Nissa Fuga is abso-freakin-lutely GORGEOUS! Drool...
What's a FUGA anyways? Any pics?
To Infinity and Beyond
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: New York
Here's a great link to some pictures and information about the upcoming Fuga (M45):
http://www.carbc.com/Car-News-587.ht...6bf97b4239a929
http://www.carbc.com/Car-News-587.ht...6bf97b4239a929
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 509
Likes: 1
From: International
I have seen posted on the RX330 board a new wood kit. It uses what they call Lexus Orange Birdseye, which is the color we have been looking at on the RX330. This color must be Euro/Ikea as a lot of the European cars sold here in Mexico that are not sold in the U.S. have this color.
well for what it's worth, all wood trims on lexus are fake to begin with anyway. i took off wood from my gs4 and they are all plastic. and since they are just plastic, and that i am not a fan of wood myself at all, it's a good idea that people go out and play with the design. the blackwood would be a good example. i don't like the super pale wood too, but it's just color scheme design to me 