Lately, I'm struggling...
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: NY
That is true, but that just tells you how much the badge means afterall. The Lexus badge is very very established, while Hundai's badge is still suffering from the old reputation.
With that being said, if you overlook the badge, theres just simply not a single reason to buy the ES over the Genesis, besides maybe the fact that Lexus dealerships generally provide better service than Hundai.
and not to be a smartass or anything, but if you overlook the badge for any product there's almost never a reason to buy the more expensive alternative. true story.
On the way home from a fishing trip this weekend I got to thinking about dunnojack's thread regarding the emerging direction that Lexus is taking, and it got me to thinking more about this thread. I am legitimately concerned about where things are heading- not just a cocked eye brow or perceived momentary lapse in judgement, but really thinking they might be headed the wrong way. I cruised back through the responses here and it seems that many people share the same sentiments, and unfortunately it looks like Lexus has continued their "forward march" into a direction that not many of us like. I'm not saying that they should alter course because ClubLexus says so, but rather just examining the facts.
I think the largest problem facing the company right now is design, both inside and out. We have seen BMW, Audi, Cadillac, Jaguar, and Mercedes all work endlessly on designing a sense of emotion and identity into their cars. Audi started with their prominent grille and then standardized LED headlights and tail lights, and they continue to evolve their interior design as well. BMW has changed their face and refined their outward image while challenging or creating new segments, Jaguar is reinvented, Acura is buck-toothed and we have seen similar shows of talent and ingenuity from the other luxury brands....except Lexus.
You could make the case that since Lexus design has stayed relatively consistent, albeit a bit flat, that is their strength and their personality. No surprises or big changes- we know what to expect from Lexus, right? Well, is that necessarily a good thing? I guess that some of you will make the case that consistency is as much a key virtue as the ability to change, but suspiciously, designs from Lexus and Toyota seem to have more in common lately than they have in the last few years. I don't need to pull pictures to prove my point as many of us have commented on it lately and know what I am speaking of.
My point is this: while Lexus made a big fuss four years ago about this new design direction called "L-Finesse", I think time has proven that this was largely a dud. In hindsight, the philosophy of this design language seems to be taking many of the pre-L-Finesse designs, flattening them out and rounding off the edges, then calling it a day. Sure, the front ends are a bit more swept back and the headlights a tad more rakish, but really...how different has L-Finesse actually turned out to be? In my eyes it has been a logical progression from the older models to new ones, and hardly anything that I would not have expected. It's all very predictable- probably too much so.
I might venture to say that it's time for Lexus to do some serious soul searching and really think about what the next generation of it's products should look like. In an age where everyone has a 3.5L V6 and near-400 horsepower V8, integrated exhaust pipes, and real time nav mated to some sort of interface, styling and design are becoming ever-more critical elements of differentiation in a car and I think that Lexus is quickly falling behind here. Part of my problem is that Lexus has no definitive design cue. Audi has their grille and LEDs, BMW has the halos and the twin kidney grille, Mercedes has their signature grille as well, Cadillac has Art and Science, Jaguar is now using mesh grilles combined with squinting projector headlights, and Lexus...well...I don't know. Yes they have the rhombus/trapezoid grille, but so do a slew of other companies. How unique is that? Not very, IMO. If you pulled off the emblem, the front end of a Lexus could belong to any other number of brands.
In a lot of ways I feel like Lexus only ever takes the standard Japanese design cues- feline and semi-oval headlights, tail lights horizontally arranged near the top of the trunk lid, conservative proportions- and then cleans them up to perfection. Yes, they look good and they're done right, but they also look a lot like Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and others. Hell, these days, a Nissan is a lot more unique looking than a Lexus. They need to advance past this stage of being designed as the "ultimate japanese styling exercise" and more like what a LEXUS should be or mean.
I looked at the teaser for the CT this morning and simply thought, "Hmmm...". Once you take the wheels down to a reasonable scale, tone down the contrast, add in a logical ride height, and really try to visualize what the production version will look like, I think there is a good chance that it could come out as bland as everything else in their stable. I guess we will see when it's revealed in a month.
Interiors have long been a Lexus core competency but this area also needs an overhaul. The company has historically relied heavily on plastics and while they do them better than many competitors, their dash bords and center consoles are quickly looking dated. Remote Touch seems to be an answer to this and also offers an element of simplicity in the RX, but the dash of the HS is as button-filled and plasticky as it ever could be. As I said above, the company needs to focus on defining how it should feel when you sit inside of a Lexus as opposed to a Mercedes, BMW, or equivalent. It needs to be unique and different. I think this concept is much further developed than that of their exterior design, but still needs to be evolved significantly.
I mentioned it in the very first post of this thread, but if Lexus' idea of a personal identity for interiors is anything like the flat and shapeless door panels as in the RX, ES, and HS, then I actually hope they stick to what they had before. I think that Lexus interiors should be three things: user friendly/simple, extremely high quality, and obviously plush/luxurious. Simple does not mean an expanse of flat, monotone vinyl (a la RX) but rather a pleasing and simple combination of accents, leather, stitching, and plastic. This can be done, trust me.
Toyota has said that the Prius will be the forbearer for their new design language, also known as "Vibrant Clarity" so I hope that leads Toyota and Lexus down very different paths from what they have been on together for the last few years. I don't mean to knock Lexus above when I state "the ultimate Japanese styling exercise" but when you look at the actual shapes of the details in their cars, they're not all that different from a host of other Japanese mainstream products. Yes, they get do the proportions and placement much better, but there needs to be more of a unique identity for Lexus IMO.
I would love to hear what others have to say regarding this.
I think the largest problem facing the company right now is design, both inside and out. We have seen BMW, Audi, Cadillac, Jaguar, and Mercedes all work endlessly on designing a sense of emotion and identity into their cars. Audi started with their prominent grille and then standardized LED headlights and tail lights, and they continue to evolve their interior design as well. BMW has changed their face and refined their outward image while challenging or creating new segments, Jaguar is reinvented, Acura is buck-toothed and we have seen similar shows of talent and ingenuity from the other luxury brands....except Lexus.
You could make the case that since Lexus design has stayed relatively consistent, albeit a bit flat, that is their strength and their personality. No surprises or big changes- we know what to expect from Lexus, right? Well, is that necessarily a good thing? I guess that some of you will make the case that consistency is as much a key virtue as the ability to change, but suspiciously, designs from Lexus and Toyota seem to have more in common lately than they have in the last few years. I don't need to pull pictures to prove my point as many of us have commented on it lately and know what I am speaking of.
My point is this: while Lexus made a big fuss four years ago about this new design direction called "L-Finesse", I think time has proven that this was largely a dud. In hindsight, the philosophy of this design language seems to be taking many of the pre-L-Finesse designs, flattening them out and rounding off the edges, then calling it a day. Sure, the front ends are a bit more swept back and the headlights a tad more rakish, but really...how different has L-Finesse actually turned out to be? In my eyes it has been a logical progression from the older models to new ones, and hardly anything that I would not have expected. It's all very predictable- probably too much so.
I might venture to say that it's time for Lexus to do some serious soul searching and really think about what the next generation of it's products should look like. In an age where everyone has a 3.5L V6 and near-400 horsepower V8, integrated exhaust pipes, and real time nav mated to some sort of interface, styling and design are becoming ever-more critical elements of differentiation in a car and I think that Lexus is quickly falling behind here. Part of my problem is that Lexus has no definitive design cue. Audi has their grille and LEDs, BMW has the halos and the twin kidney grille, Mercedes has their signature grille as well, Cadillac has Art and Science, Jaguar is now using mesh grilles combined with squinting projector headlights, and Lexus...well...I don't know. Yes they have the rhombus/trapezoid grille, but so do a slew of other companies. How unique is that? Not very, IMO. If you pulled off the emblem, the front end of a Lexus could belong to any other number of brands.
In a lot of ways I feel like Lexus only ever takes the standard Japanese design cues- feline and semi-oval headlights, tail lights horizontally arranged near the top of the trunk lid, conservative proportions- and then cleans them up to perfection. Yes, they look good and they're done right, but they also look a lot like Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and others. Hell, these days, a Nissan is a lot more unique looking than a Lexus. They need to advance past this stage of being designed as the "ultimate japanese styling exercise" and more like what a LEXUS should be or mean.
I looked at the teaser for the CT this morning and simply thought, "Hmmm...". Once you take the wheels down to a reasonable scale, tone down the contrast, add in a logical ride height, and really try to visualize what the production version will look like, I think there is a good chance that it could come out as bland as everything else in their stable. I guess we will see when it's revealed in a month.
Interiors have long been a Lexus core competency but this area also needs an overhaul. The company has historically relied heavily on plastics and while they do them better than many competitors, their dash bords and center consoles are quickly looking dated. Remote Touch seems to be an answer to this and also offers an element of simplicity in the RX, but the dash of the HS is as button-filled and plasticky as it ever could be. As I said above, the company needs to focus on defining how it should feel when you sit inside of a Lexus as opposed to a Mercedes, BMW, or equivalent. It needs to be unique and different. I think this concept is much further developed than that of their exterior design, but still needs to be evolved significantly.
I mentioned it in the very first post of this thread, but if Lexus' idea of a personal identity for interiors is anything like the flat and shapeless door panels as in the RX, ES, and HS, then I actually hope they stick to what they had before. I think that Lexus interiors should be three things: user friendly/simple, extremely high quality, and obviously plush/luxurious. Simple does not mean an expanse of flat, monotone vinyl (a la RX) but rather a pleasing and simple combination of accents, leather, stitching, and plastic. This can be done, trust me.
Toyota has said that the Prius will be the forbearer for their new design language, also known as "Vibrant Clarity" so I hope that leads Toyota and Lexus down very different paths from what they have been on together for the last few years. I don't mean to knock Lexus above when I state "the ultimate Japanese styling exercise" but when you look at the actual shapes of the details in their cars, they're not all that different from a host of other Japanese mainstream products. Yes, they get do the proportions and placement much better, but there needs to be more of a unique identity for Lexus IMO.
I would love to hear what others have to say regarding this.
Guest
Posts: n/a
On the way home from a fishing trip this weekend I got to thinking about dunnojack's thread regarding the emerging direction that Lexus is taking, and it got me to thinking more about this thread. I am legitimately concerned about where things are heading- not just a cocked eye brow or perceived momentary lapse in judgement, but really thinking they might be headed the wrong way. I cruised back through the responses here and it seems that many people share the same sentiments, and unfortunately it looks like Lexus has continued their "forward march" into a direction that not many of us like. I'm not saying that they should alter course because ClubLexus says so, but rather just examining the facts.
I think the largest problem facing the company right now is design, both inside and out. We have seen BMW, Audi, Cadillac, Jaguar, and Mercedes all work endlessly on designing a sense of emotion and identity into their cars. Audi started with their prominent grille and then standardized LED headlights and tail lights, and they continue to evolve their interior design as well. BMW has changed their face and refined their outward image while challenging or creating new segments, Jaguar is reinvented, Acura is buck-toothed and we have seen similar shows of talent and ingenuity from the other luxury brands....except Lexus.
You could make the case that since Lexus design has stayed relatively consistent, albeit a bit flat, that is their strength and their personality. No surprises or big changes- we know what to expect from Lexus, right? Well, is that necessarily a good thing? I guess that some of you will make the case that consistency is as much a key virtue as the ability to change, but suspiciously, designs from Lexus and Toyota seem to have more in common lately than they have in the last few years. I don't need to pull pictures to prove my point as many of us have commented on it lately and know what I am speaking of.
My point is this: while Lexus made a big fuss four years ago about this new design direction called "L-Finesse", I think time has proven that this was largely a dud. In hindsight, the philosophy of this design language seems to be taking many of the pre-L-Finesse designs, flattening them out and rounding off the edges, then calling it a day. Sure, the front ends are a bit more swept back and the headlights a tad more rakish, but really...how different has L-Finesse actually turned out to be? In my eyes it has been a logical progression from the older models to new ones, and hardly anything that I would not have expected. It's all very predictable- probably too much so.
I might venture to say that it's time for Lexus to do some serious soul searching and really think about what the next generation of it's products should look like. In an age where everyone has a 3.5L V6 and near-400 horsepower V8, integrated exhaust pipes, and real time nav mated to some sort of interface, styling and design are becoming ever-more critical elements of differentiation in a car and I think that Lexus is quickly falling behind here. Part of my problem is that Lexus has no definitive design cue. Audi has their grille and LEDs, BMW has the halos and the twin kidney grille, Mercedes has their signature grille as well, Cadillac has Art and Science, Jaguar is now using mesh grilles combined with squinting projector headlights, and Lexus...well...I don't know. Yes they have the rhombus/trapezoid grille, but so do a slew of other companies. How unique is that? Not very, IMO. If you pulled off the emblem, the front end of a Lexus could belong to any other number of brands.
In a lot of ways I feel like Lexus only ever takes the standard Japanese design cues- feline and semi-oval headlights, tail lights horizontally arranged near the top of the trunk lid, conservative proportions- and then cleans them up to perfection. Yes, they look good and they're done right, but they also look a lot like Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and others. Hell, these days, a Nissan is a lot more unique looking than a Lexus. They need to advance past this stage of being designed as the "ultimate japanese styling exercise" and more like what a LEXUS should be or mean.
I looked at the teaser for the CT this morning and simply thought, "Hmmm...". Once you take the wheels down to a reasonable scale, tone down the contrast, add in a logical ride height, and really try to visualize what the production version will look like, I think there is a good chance that it could come out as bland as everything else in their stable. I guess we will see when it's revealed in a month.
Interiors have long been a Lexus core competency but this area also needs an overhaul. The company has historically relied heavily on plastics and while they do them better than many competitors, their dash bords and center consoles are quickly looking dated. Remote Touch seems to be an answer to this and also offers an element of simplicity in the RX, but the dash of the HS is as button-filled and plasticky as it ever could be. As I said above, the company needs to focus on defining how it should feel when you sit inside of a Lexus as opposed to a Mercedes, BMW, or equivalent. It needs to be unique and different. I think this concept is much further developed than that of their exterior design, but still needs to be evolved significantly.
I mentioned it in the very first post of this thread, but if Lexus' idea of a personal identity for interiors is anything like the flat and shapeless door panels as in the RX, ES, and HS, then I actually hope they stick to what they had before. I think that Lexus interiors should be three things: user friendly/simple, extremely high quality, and obviously plush/luxurious. Simple does not mean an expanse of flat, monotone vinyl (a la RX) but rather a pleasing and simple combination of accents, leather, stitching, and plastic. This can be done, trust me.
Toyota has said that the Prius will be the forbearer for their new design language, also known as "Vibrant Clarity" so I hope that leads Toyota and Lexus down very different paths from what they have been on together for the last few years. I don't mean to knock Lexus above when I state "the ultimate Japanese styling exercise" but when you look at the actual shapes of the details in their cars, they're not all that different from a host of other Japanese mainstream products. Yes, they get do the proportions and placement much better, but there needs to be more of a unique identity for Lexus IMO.
I would love to hear what others have to say regarding this.
I think the largest problem facing the company right now is design, both inside and out. We have seen BMW, Audi, Cadillac, Jaguar, and Mercedes all work endlessly on designing a sense of emotion and identity into their cars. Audi started with their prominent grille and then standardized LED headlights and tail lights, and they continue to evolve their interior design as well. BMW has changed their face and refined their outward image while challenging or creating new segments, Jaguar is reinvented, Acura is buck-toothed and we have seen similar shows of talent and ingenuity from the other luxury brands....except Lexus.
You could make the case that since Lexus design has stayed relatively consistent, albeit a bit flat, that is their strength and their personality. No surprises or big changes- we know what to expect from Lexus, right? Well, is that necessarily a good thing? I guess that some of you will make the case that consistency is as much a key virtue as the ability to change, but suspiciously, designs from Lexus and Toyota seem to have more in common lately than they have in the last few years. I don't need to pull pictures to prove my point as many of us have commented on it lately and know what I am speaking of.
My point is this: while Lexus made a big fuss four years ago about this new design direction called "L-Finesse", I think time has proven that this was largely a dud. In hindsight, the philosophy of this design language seems to be taking many of the pre-L-Finesse designs, flattening them out and rounding off the edges, then calling it a day. Sure, the front ends are a bit more swept back and the headlights a tad more rakish, but really...how different has L-Finesse actually turned out to be? In my eyes it has been a logical progression from the older models to new ones, and hardly anything that I would not have expected. It's all very predictable- probably too much so.
I might venture to say that it's time for Lexus to do some serious soul searching and really think about what the next generation of it's products should look like. In an age where everyone has a 3.5L V6 and near-400 horsepower V8, integrated exhaust pipes, and real time nav mated to some sort of interface, styling and design are becoming ever-more critical elements of differentiation in a car and I think that Lexus is quickly falling behind here. Part of my problem is that Lexus has no definitive design cue. Audi has their grille and LEDs, BMW has the halos and the twin kidney grille, Mercedes has their signature grille as well, Cadillac has Art and Science, Jaguar is now using mesh grilles combined with squinting projector headlights, and Lexus...well...I don't know. Yes they have the rhombus/trapezoid grille, but so do a slew of other companies. How unique is that? Not very, IMO. If you pulled off the emblem, the front end of a Lexus could belong to any other number of brands.
In a lot of ways I feel like Lexus only ever takes the standard Japanese design cues- feline and semi-oval headlights, tail lights horizontally arranged near the top of the trunk lid, conservative proportions- and then cleans them up to perfection. Yes, they look good and they're done right, but they also look a lot like Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and others. Hell, these days, a Nissan is a lot more unique looking than a Lexus. They need to advance past this stage of being designed as the "ultimate japanese styling exercise" and more like what a LEXUS should be or mean.
I looked at the teaser for the CT this morning and simply thought, "Hmmm...". Once you take the wheels down to a reasonable scale, tone down the contrast, add in a logical ride height, and really try to visualize what the production version will look like, I think there is a good chance that it could come out as bland as everything else in their stable. I guess we will see when it's revealed in a month.
Interiors have long been a Lexus core competency but this area also needs an overhaul. The company has historically relied heavily on plastics and while they do them better than many competitors, their dash bords and center consoles are quickly looking dated. Remote Touch seems to be an answer to this and also offers an element of simplicity in the RX, but the dash of the HS is as button-filled and plasticky as it ever could be. As I said above, the company needs to focus on defining how it should feel when you sit inside of a Lexus as opposed to a Mercedes, BMW, or equivalent. It needs to be unique and different. I think this concept is much further developed than that of their exterior design, but still needs to be evolved significantly.
I mentioned it in the very first post of this thread, but if Lexus' idea of a personal identity for interiors is anything like the flat and shapeless door panels as in the RX, ES, and HS, then I actually hope they stick to what they had before. I think that Lexus interiors should be three things: user friendly/simple, extremely high quality, and obviously plush/luxurious. Simple does not mean an expanse of flat, monotone vinyl (a la RX) but rather a pleasing and simple combination of accents, leather, stitching, and plastic. This can be done, trust me.
Toyota has said that the Prius will be the forbearer for their new design language, also known as "Vibrant Clarity" so I hope that leads Toyota and Lexus down very different paths from what they have been on together for the last few years. I don't mean to knock Lexus above when I state "the ultimate Japanese styling exercise" but when you look at the actual shapes of the details in their cars, they're not all that different from a host of other Japanese mainstream products. Yes, they get do the proportions and placement much better, but there needs to be more of a unique identity for Lexus IMO.
I would love to hear what others have to say regarding this.
I don't know what more people want. Compared to the first gens, the current LS/RX are VERY styled. Lexus has listened. They cannot alienate loyal customers but they are trying to attract new ones. The IS is maybe the most styled vehicle in its segment and one of the most styled sedans around. Its so styled, rear seat room was compromised. L-finesse is not about in your face. For example the curve of the bumper on the 3GS is the same as the curve on the door panel. If you look at the new designs they are no longer slab sided but its hard to tell. If you look closely the sheetmetal curves from the windowline to the bottom of the door.
We have stated that the glory in Lexus design is not about being "in your face" but rather "God is in the details". Its one of the reasons Lexus cd has always been among/the lowest of cars produced.
I find beauty in knowing the cars have always had low drag. I like understated luxury. I also still love the 2GS and its may still be my favorite Lexus design. I've had to warm up to much everything else. I can appreciate the fact they haven't chased too many trends as a Lexus design can WITHSTAND THE TEST OF TIME. Thats important for those that keep their Lexus or want to buy an older one.
The other problem is well EVERYONE has awaken. Germans are styled like Asian cars. Hyundai and Jaguar have new good designs. Infiniti, Buick, Caddy all have style.
As for interiors again, it is L-finesse. There is a clear distinction between previous models and most 06+ models. Lexus interiors are no longer flat and straight but curved and styled. They do seem to have less wood trim than before/the competition but I don't see it as a deal breaker. Once the wood is done right and its REAL I'm fine. We are aware of the harder plastics but I'm assuming its b/c that is how you mold a stylish interior. Softer plastics can't do that. The new HS and RX give no indication of more wood coming. Maybe its to cut costs?
Bottom line I do not want Lexus to have one uniform face where they all look the damn same. As you all know I'm a gearhead and I find myself confusing cars and even names as of late. That rarely used to happen. I like the fact Lexus look different and the "L" symbol lets people know.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Seriously Lexus and style is funny.
ES 300 had quad headlamps in a curved lens BMW now uses 15 years later
SC 300/400 classic design
SC 430 may not be for everyone but you can't deny it has style
GS 300 was designed by an Italian firm
GS 300/430 used the SC 300/400 as influence and is very styled. Interior was the same. The short hood, deck, LWB, rounded roofline influenced all Nissan sedans at some point
IS 300 was very styled and introduced Altezzas to the world (that everyone now uses)
RX 300 created a whole new stylish segment. The interior design at the time was very different to what everyone offered. RX 330/350 etc are classy designs though the latter might be kind of blobby. It is styled. Kia Sorento clearly is a RX knock-off
IS 250/350/IS-F/IS-C all are styled. IS-C gains function of a usebable trunk but loses on looks b/c of it. IS-F has the odd quad exhausts now a Ferrari has. The only sedan with an airvent the length of the whole fender.
GX 470-styled but not a trendsetter
LS-never was very styled but the 98 and 04 refreshes gave it style. The new LS clearly influenced the 7 series today.
GS today clearly influenced the Jag XF.
HS-no comment
but no denying the in your face grill. Is that what people want?
LX- not very styled, sad it lost the quad headlamps
I've read over and over how Lexus isn't styled. So why do companies copy Lexus? Why do people buy yellow fogs in their non Lexus cars? Altezzas?
I am not saying Lexus is some great design house I just don't think Lexus gets the credit they deserve. Magazines say the same crap over and over about Lexus and it influences peoples minds that Lexus is just "Blah" no matter how they look, how they drive or how their interiors are.
ES 300 had quad headlamps in a curved lens BMW now uses 15 years later
SC 300/400 classic design
SC 430 may not be for everyone but you can't deny it has style
GS 300 was designed by an Italian firm
GS 300/430 used the SC 300/400 as influence and is very styled. Interior was the same. The short hood, deck, LWB, rounded roofline influenced all Nissan sedans at some point
IS 300 was very styled and introduced Altezzas to the world (that everyone now uses)
RX 300 created a whole new stylish segment. The interior design at the time was very different to what everyone offered. RX 330/350 etc are classy designs though the latter might be kind of blobby. It is styled. Kia Sorento clearly is a RX knock-off
IS 250/350/IS-F/IS-C all are styled. IS-C gains function of a usebable trunk but loses on looks b/c of it. IS-F has the odd quad exhausts now a Ferrari has. The only sedan with an airvent the length of the whole fender.
GX 470-styled but not a trendsetter
LS-never was very styled but the 98 and 04 refreshes gave it style. The new LS clearly influenced the 7 series today.
GS today clearly influenced the Jag XF.
HS-no comment
but no denying the in your face grill. Is that what people want? LX- not very styled, sad it lost the quad headlamps
I've read over and over how Lexus isn't styled. So why do companies copy Lexus? Why do people buy yellow fogs in their non Lexus cars? Altezzas?
I am not saying Lexus is some great design house
I just don't think Lexus gets the credit they deserve. Magazines say the same crap over and over about Lexus and it influences peoples minds that Lexus is just "Blah" no matter how they look, how they drive or how their interiors are.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
I'm not struggling too much with Lexus designs, and I do like the LS, IS, GS (in that order) very much from a styling standpoint. To a lessor extent I like the ES and dislike HS and RX styling.
But even Mercedes and BMW have some marginal designs in their lineup IMO, although I think Mercedes overall is doing a better job. Some of my favorites from these 2 German companies include the C-class, S-class, 3 series, ML, X5.
But even Mercedes and BMW have some marginal designs in their lineup IMO, although I think Mercedes overall is doing a better job. Some of my favorites from these 2 German companies include the C-class, S-class, 3 series, ML, X5.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I'm not struggling too much with Lexus designs, and I do like the LS, IS, GS (in that order) very much from a styling standpoint. To a lessor extent I like the ES and dislike HS and RX styling.
But even Mercedes and BMW have some marginal designs in their lineup IMO, although I think Mercedes overall is doing a better job. Some of my favorites from these 2 German companies include the C-class, S-class, 3 series, ML, X5.
But even Mercedes and BMW have some marginal designs in their lineup IMO, although I think Mercedes overall is doing a better job. Some of my favorites from these 2 German companies include the C-class, S-class, 3 series, ML, X5.
I simply cannot believe how the new C-class has grown on me, I love how it looks.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
. AMG body kit, staggered wheels lowered suspension (0.6")
. 3rd brake light integrated into rear shelf, nicely done
. Polished brightwork, just the right amount and good quality
. Headlight detailing is incredible, plus nice fogs too.
. Sightlines from drivers seat and hood height are perfect.
. True dual exhaust and it even has a nice exhaust note.
. Character lines on side are aggressive and well done.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 971
Likes: 1
From: PA-near Philly
Lexus has taken 2 steps forward & 3 steps back in design,power,interior,just stirring up emotions with L-bland or L-finesse. But they can turn the ship right with very stylish,powerful, & beautifully done interior on the new GS!!!! Kinda looking like a XF & CLS. It will probabally just look like a IS but Bigger.
It could be that Lexus is just using the same recipe for their cars & the competition has just all caught up to them. Please Akio Toyoda give us a GS sport sedan that is worthy of BMW550 sport package! Can''t wait.
Wishlist: Black/Pasionate Black w/ Red seats 2-tone piped. GS-F w/500 hp.
Thank You!!!
It could be that Lexus is just using the same recipe for their cars & the competition has just all caught up to them. Please Akio Toyoda give us a GS sport sedan that is worthy of BMW550 sport package! Can''t wait.
Wishlist: Black/Pasionate Black w/ Red seats 2-tone piped. GS-F w/500 hp.
Thank You!!!
Maybe I am just "outgrowing" Lexus. My hoping that the company will become somewhat revolutionary as opposed to evolutionary is probably a long shot pipedream. I don't know that a 22 year old soon-to-be college graduate is what they're gunning for anyway.
Truth be told, if another brand had the same quality/reliability of Lexus I would probably start to lean in that direction, but nobody does.
Even despite their boring designs they're still the best combination of luxury, quality, and reliability and for that reason I cannot quite leave. Performance and styling would round out my "top 5" with the aformentioned three characteristics, and I really cannot abandon those to go after something with more performance and style. I really don't like the stark and cold design of German interiors, even though I do love how they drive. I love the reliability, dependability, and quality of Lexus, even though I am starting to hate how they look.
Mike, your German quality rising vs. Japanese price rising thread is ringing a bell
Truth be told, if another brand had the same quality/reliability of Lexus I would probably start to lean in that direction, but nobody does.
Even despite their boring designs they're still the best combination of luxury, quality, and reliability and for that reason I cannot quite leave. Performance and styling would round out my "top 5" with the aformentioned three characteristics, and I really cannot abandon those to go after something with more performance and style. I really don't like the stark and cold design of German interiors, even though I do love how they drive. I love the reliability, dependability, and quality of Lexus, even though I am starting to hate how they look.
Mike, your German quality rising vs. Japanese price rising thread is ringing a bell
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I totally agree with the OP in fact its the reason I no longer have any Lexus products. I was once a very very loyal Lexus person, had multiple, even had two at once in my garage I literally was the face of Lexus amongst all my peers. Its been about two years now since I had a big L in my garage and don't plan on adding one anytime soon. I'm now completely turned off by Lexus for all the reasons mentioned in this thread and its very very disappointing because I always had Lexus products since 1991. I greatly miss Lexus of old they had that something special back then thats missing now, something about how this L-finesse is progressing just doesn't cut it with me so I've moved on. Now, Audi excites me, BMW M series (certain models), Maserati, the AMG line, these all give me new and exciting experiences along with somthing I never had before with Lexus and thats a perfect mix of true Sport and luxury and of course awesome options. The last Lexus related thing I can't seem to pull away from is this forum..
Last edited by Milla...; Aug 17, 2009 at 12:31 PM.
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I totally agree with the OP in fact its the reason I no longer have any Lexus products. I was once a very very loyal Lexus person, had multiple, even had two at once in my garage I literally was the face of Lexus amongst all my peers. Its been about two years now since I had a big L in my garage and don't plan on adding one anytime soon. I'm now completely turned off by Lexus for all the reasons mentioned in this thread and its very very disappointing because I always had Lexus products since 1991. I greatly miss Lexus of old they had that something special back then thats missing now, something about how this L-finesse is progressing just doesn't cut it with me so I've moved on. Now, Audi excites me, BMW M series (certain models), Maserati, the AMG line, these all give me new and exciting experiences along with somthing I never had before with Lexus and thats a perfect mix of true Sport and luxury and of course awesome options. The last Lexus related thing I can't seem to pull away from is this forum..
While I am thankful for the IS-F I do hope its the beginning of more F models to come. Milla what do you have now if you don't mind me asking?
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Acturally 1Sick I don't mind, I'm leasing a Quattropote S now something I've been looking at for about 3 years infact Liz tried to get me to pull the trigger back when I had the A8 so I finally did it at the top of the summer. Believe it or not, (I still can't) I've been driving the company Prius for the last year, well almost. I've been sooooo busy I haven't had the time to go car shopping during that time, its so nice to finally get out of that poky thing.
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Yeah if any future products from Lexus i.e. the F' series appeal to me I'll get one in a heart beat.
Acturally 1Sick I don't mind, I'm leasing a Quattropote S now something I've been looking at for about 3 years infact Liz tried to get me to pull the trigger back when I had the A8 so I finally did it at the top of the summer. Believe it or not, (I still can't) I've been driving the company Prius for the last year, well almost. I've been sooooo busy I haven't had the time to go car shopping during that time, its so nice to finally get out of that poky thing.
Acturally 1Sick I don't mind, I'm leasing a Quattropote S now something I've been looking at for about 3 years infact Liz tried to get me to pull the trigger back when I had the A8 so I finally did it at the top of the summer. Believe it or not, (I still can't) I've been driving the company Prius for the last year, well almost. I've been sooooo busy I haven't had the time to go car shopping during that time, its so nice to finally get out of that poky thing.