As others have said, Lexus does not have a "upper-crust" sedan in its arsenal. The LS430 is more of a S430/Jaguar XJ8 competitor, than S600/ 760. Also I really think Lexus reliability and timeless design, can actually hurt the brand. Those that do not know cars verywell, associate anything with "L" on it, as a Lexus. It could be a 92 beater, a pristine 98, or a brand new 2004. So people say things like "Everybody gotta Lex now" etc etc.

I have to be honest, as it stands, with 100k in my pocket I probably would be sniffing around a CL500 and getting aqainted with AutoCouture! LOL

But since I dont have that 100k, Lexus is quite simply the best deal going, I truly believe I will always own at least one Lexus product!

 

Yeah, that's a good point. Lexus' flagship model starts in the mid 50s and tops out in the low 70s... nowhere near what the other brands have cars running at (well except for Acura if you don't count the NSX... their flagship is even less expensive, but then again they have even less "VIP" status than lexus!) Furthermore, Lexus really doesn't have any performance models at all, nor do they have a factory-integrated modification company such as AMG (no TRD doesn't count unless they start installing giant brakes, tricked out suspension, and superchargers on lexus models from the factory as part of a special package.

Lastly... let's think back to Toyota here... remember, Lexus' parent company? They are inherently known for producing among the least exciting cars out there. Nobody is impressed when you tell them you're driving a Camry. Nobody gets excited when they're handed a Toyota Corolla rental car. That's not to say that nobody likes Toyota. That's far from the case. But the fact is that most people just don't get very excited about Toyota's offerings in terms of performance, features, looks, or driving dynamics when compared to other vehicles.

Lexus/Toyota as a whole is extremely successful at producing very quiet, comfortable, reliable, and economical cars. But performance, style, and driving dynamics are kind of an afterthought in almost all of their models.

In other words, Lexus is not failing. They are simply succeeding in a different sense than Mercedes and BMW are. And so far looking at the scorecard since 1990 or so... look to me like Lexus is making the right decisions.

 

very true, that's why i always hope that toyota will just make a v12 for the lexus. just to be a flagship. they wont' sell a lot, just lik ethhe s600 and the 760, but just to make the car to be put up there with others

 

Some points I think Lexus should take into consideration to keep up & elevate:

SUVs: Offer more rim & engine options, offer a high-performance model in the RX & GX. The LX nees to be re-designed and not look identical to the Land Cruiser, same as how the GX is far from looking like a 4Runner.

IS, GS, LS: Again, offer more engine choices and high-performance models across the board. They're already focusing on the car segment with the addition of body styles for the IS and the supposed $100K flagship.

ES: I think is fine how it is; that's why the IS is here!

SC: Here's where they could use some work. Compared to the SL-class, this car is so far behind in the design segment. The SL is so sexy all the way down to the rims (hint! ) A high-performance engine in the current car wouldn't match the body style. So, do a total re-design of the first-gen SC & keep the convertible as hard-top, then offer a performance model & more exterior options (rims, skirts). I know there are tons of aftermarket stuff out there, but some people are factory guys

 

Keep in mind market share and segment.

For the most part, Lexus targets buyers of $30k to $70k luxury cars, with it's ES, IS, GS, LS class cars.
They are competing with manufacturers like BMWs 3 and 5 series cars and Mercedes' C and E . Lexus is not trying to sell the majority of its cars to the over $70k luxury car buyers.

 

One point in my eyes is that Toyota is not after flashy and being a focal point. They produce a quality product meant for the masses to enjoy in a range of price points. The personality of the owners is the force behind the desire to show how nice their cars are...so in that essence, they want a flagship to be above the other manufacturers. So are we as owners trying to prove to others how these cars are?

The quality of these cars excels for the given price. For me, I know I'm driving a quality car that will be in my garage far longer than any of my neighbors or associates cars will. It is funny to watch some them have pissing matches, I'm not drawn to that game.

Deep down would I like to see a kick butt Lexus like we talk...yeah. But if they didn't do it, I wouldn't think any less of Toyota. A testament to Toyota is the '80 Celica that sits next to the LS in my garage.

 

Mercedes and BMW HAVE to advertise more today than they did a number of years ago. Worsening reliability on ALL of their products and the well-publicized screw-ups that Chris Bangle has done on the newer Bimmers have all but guaranteed their demise in the marketplace without extensive advertising and incentives. They know that they cannot compete with the Japanese luxury (VIP) nameplates...especially Lexus....on quality and price alone, so they are flooding the airwaves with advertising instead.

 

haha, one step at a time man. i hope so too, but it will take a while for lexus to get there i suppose

 

Commercialization and the average joe is killing the scene in a way, as they also help it to grow. With the increases in sales and choices we get more riceboys. Lexus isn't losing staus, the market is being diluted. I hope it stops one day.

 

I agree. I can't say that i am a true, BIG BALLER like most of you are, as i am 20 years old. But i do what i know is right, thanks to you guys/gals here. I hope it stops too!

John

 

It never will, soon the auto industry will be as overrun with people as clothing fashion.

 

well it's always the case. that's the sad side of the story

on the other hand i guess we all just have to step up and do the right things

 

Same here...


With the Exception of the Mercedes Vision CLS, simply beautiful!

 

Have to agree, that is a very nice car!!!
John

 

MB is LOSING money this yr.
The Maybach is a total failure.

VW now owns Bentley and is a doing rather poorly. They will never see the money invested in their Bentleys, Phaeton, Audi ever again.

Don't jump to the conclusion these cars are profitable, they are not.
Lexus knows how to make a profit. One-third of Toyota's quarterly billion dollar ++++ profits come straight from the Lexus channel.

btw, Edmunds.com is a worthless site. Only idiots visit it, nobody respects it. They have been saying how great VW/Audi is for yrs. Let's see how long these guys stay in business, or how soon they will have to beg the German govt to save them.