I have noticed that with L-Finesse, Lexus has relocated the side view mirrors from the little nook right before the window glass, to the sheetmetal on the door.

Ex:

















I first noticed this the other day when I had my RX 350 loaner and I was standing there looking at the side of the car, trying to figure what was "off" to me about it. I finally realized that the way that the side view mirror is mounted obstructs the main character line that runs under the windows. IMO, it would look a lot better if it was relocated to the window "crease" like the old RX.

Somehow the GS and LX managed to get through L-Finesse with the side mirrors still mounted in the crease, but all of the others have been relocated to the door sheetmetal.

Personally I prefer for them to be mounted in the crease as it leaves the sides of the car smooth and without any clutter. I wonder why Lexus has some models side mounted, and some window mounted.

What is your preference?

 

i also prefer it to the window like before

the LS is the only car that i am ok with the new design probably coz' of the size. the rx i notice it a bit weird, and the IS to me is very weird

 

Whichever gives you a better range of view...

 

The RX is especially weird to me- they placed the mount for the mirror directly in the middle of that character line. It looks like an afterthought

 

I agree, mounting style is less important.

 

Doesn't really matter to me, though I have not owned a car with the dumbo ears yet...In driving loaners, they seem pretty functional..

 

Yes it is, but the whole pregnant roller skate, station wagon on stilts, weak chin, high CG look is a bit of an afterthought too.

 

yes. as long as they're not dumbo sized, its fine

 

Before the window but I like a good range of motion so I can see a nice wide field so that I don't have a blind spot (I really don't care about the vertical bit as much)

 

problem with the IS mirrors (since the debut of the car) is that they are so big in proportion to the size of the car. always looks like mickey mouse ears to me

and that's also why they look relatively ok on the LS since the car is much bigger

 

I prefer them mounted to the door - I hate the ones on some of the Mercedes that look like they are bolted directly to the car with no extension at all - and I read somewhere that mirrors mounted to the door are quieter or more aero than ones mounted near the A-pillar

 

I too noticed this. The original RX300 also had them mounted on the door, so lexus has done 1st gen (door), 2nd gen (window), 3rd gen (door). I think it has to do with what is "hip" in the automotive world, like a trend. I dont like or dislike one more than the other

 

Doesn't matter for me. What's more important to me are LED turn signal indicators/blinkers in the mirrors

 

I too read that it was for Aero efficiency. Helps quiet the air buffeting or the like.

I also first remember noticing this type of design on the doors of Corvettes, Supras and RX-7's. I'm sure there are more