View Poll Results: Do you miss the "old" Lexus ways?
Voters: 57. You may not vote on this poll
Your thoughts on Lexus's new direction?
#16
Rookie
iTrader: (15)
I'm not head over heels on the styling, but I like the progress they've been making with their chassis. Most of the older Lexus can put you to sleep within minutes, but the current line-up has both plushy (IS250, LS460, GS350), and sportier cars (ISF and F-sports). There should be no reason to whine about how Lexus offers nothing sporty. This isn't 2006 anymore .
#17
Lexus Fanatic
Granted that the GS and IS are sport sedans already, but it seems out of place for the ES and LS, as they have traditionally been luxury and comfort oriented.
I can't help but reminisce about the past when I see the new LS/ES models. Back when Lexus was associated with soft/comfy/quiet.
I can't help but reminisce about the past when I see the new LS/ES models. Back when Lexus was associated with soft/comfy/quiet.
I am glad to see Lexus no longer being seen as an "old person's car"
The addition of the F sport in 2013 has left me wondering if Lexus will ever aim to create the most refined luxury sedan ever again in the future. Or if it will now be constantly chasing the game of sport....
I am sure I am not the only one. Your thoughts?
I am sure I am not the only one. Your thoughts?
This is a real problem for me when people call me up or E-Mail and ask me........ "Mike, can you recommend an reasonably affordable new car with a really nice, smooth ride? Seems like everything I try out is just so stiff nowadays". And, unfortunately, more often than not, I either have to sit there stone-faced or simply recommend that they buy a used model...back when vehicles rode more smoothly.
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-17-13 at 08:34 PM.
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
The fact is Lexus is tons sportier and only REAL enthusiasts know, not hobbits that post on the Internet most who never post any car they own let alone attend an event.
Lexus has FAILED getting this message across and that is their fault. Not sure why they had events for less sporty cars for people to try themselves and not the offerings today.
They are about to waste the LFA.. A car that is simply one of the all time greats by having one other Model in the IS F while the Germans churn out high performances models every week.
Lexus has FAILED getting this message across and that is their fault. Not sure why they had events for less sporty cars for people to try themselves and not the offerings today.
They are about to waste the LFA.. A car that is simply one of the all time greats by having one other Model in the IS F while the Germans churn out high performances models every week.
#19
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (5)
I like the direction. Lexus is grabbing attention from all over now and they don't have the "old people" designation anymore. They are attracting new buyers, and attention (good or bad opinions). Like said before, the f sport is just a package, its not like you have to get it. I like every model that is out and they are continuing their pursuit to be the best cars in the world. Awards are piling in and the defining characteristics of Lexus are still strong in my opinion.
#22
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Going sporty does not mean not being "refined". In my opinion Lexus is going for a balance of both. In fact the recent GS and LS F-sport is a testament to this.
However, my main concern is this: when you add sport, you inherently take away refinement. Unfortunately that is the way physics work, right? No way in heck will anyone see the raw Bugatti Veyron as refined. I am just a little disappointed that the LS is gearing towards the sporty area now. As I said earlier, the IS and GS were meant for it, so I am not too worked up over them.
#23
Lexus Test Driver
Even the non-air suspension LS is excellent. I've gotten to put some miles on an LS460 and the only way I think the LS460 is in any way worse than my LS430 in terms of comfort/isolation is that the brake pedal is way grabbier at the first touch. That's it. It bests my 430 in every other aspect.
Very true, as Car and Driver have said in the past that BMW's 3 series has an almost perfect balance in its segment.
However, my main concern is this: when you add sport, you inherently take away refinement. Unfortunately that is the way physics work, right? No way in heck will anyone see the raw Bugatti Veyron as refined. I am just a little disappointed that the LS is gearing towards the sporty area now. As I said earlier, the IS and GS were meant for it, so I am not too worked up over them.
However, my main concern is this: when you add sport, you inherently take away refinement. Unfortunately that is the way physics work, right? No way in heck will anyone see the raw Bugatti Veyron as refined. I am just a little disappointed that the LS is gearing towards the sporty area now. As I said earlier, the IS and GS were meant for it, so I am not too worked up over them.
Ignoring what the rest of the LS models bring to the table is a huge disservice to the lineup, especially considering how few F-Sport versions actually get made/sold.
#24
#25
Lead Lap
iTrader: (3)
I like the new direction, but I have hard time understanding their strategy?
Its obvious that Lexus is going for younger more sport-oriented buyers this time. However, at the same time they drop the V8 and continue to equip cars with 7 years old engines. Now, I'm not saying the engine in the GS / IS is bad, but +3hp increase ?
I was super excited when I first heard about the F devision, but lately it seems that it has not been producing much, compared to the past 4 years. I would love to see more true F sport cars, more F parts. The GS was out for more than a year now, and we still waiting for parts. I just hope that they are super busy working on at least 3 new F cars and not just sitting around and drinking sake all day!
Its obvious that Lexus is going for younger more sport-oriented buyers this time. However, at the same time they drop the V8 and continue to equip cars with 7 years old engines. Now, I'm not saying the engine in the GS / IS is bad, but +3hp increase ?
I was super excited when I first heard about the F devision, but lately it seems that it has not been producing much, compared to the past 4 years. I would love to see more true F sport cars, more F parts. The GS was out for more than a year now, and we still waiting for parts. I just hope that they are super busy working on at least 3 new F cars and not just sitting around and drinking sake all day!
Last edited by SNiiP3R; 03-18-13 at 07:20 AM.
#27
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I don't understand why you keep insisting that the addition of an LS 460 F-Sport somehow demonstrates that the LS is going sporty. Like the IS F, it is but one single low-production niche version of a model.
Ignoring what the rest of the LS models bring to the table is a huge disservice to the lineup, especially considering how few F-Sport versions actually get made/sold.
Ignoring what the rest of the LS models bring to the table is a huge disservice to the lineup, especially considering how few F-Sport versions actually get made/sold.
That is not the point I am trying to bring up. I am talking about the fact that the LS is no longer FOCUSED, in my opinion, on providing sole comfort/luxury. The 2013s may be the most comfortable models yet (I will admit I do not know, as I have never driven ANY LS. No shame in admitting ignorance). But it seems to me that when someone splits development time into both sport (F sport package) and providing refinement (the rest of the lineup), neither can fully achieve greatness.
Let's say I want to become a master at painting or cooking. If I spend time working on both skills I might be great at them both, but can I really be the tops in either? Time spent on 1 is time wasted on the other. See where I am going?
Now again, I have never proclaimed to know everything. Personally, I have never owned the new Lexus models, but I like the brand itself. That is why I am here, and why a lot of others are here as well. The reason I made this thread was to see how many people agree with my way of thinking regarding the move towards sport, and to learn more. This is a forum isn't it?
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Don't have the old-person's designation "anymore"? They never did. That was just another inaccurate auto-press stereotype. Comfort and refinement in an car knows no boundaries between old and young.
#29
Lexus Fanatic
No one is arguing that...or, at least, I'm not. But, on the other hand, many just-as-real Lexus enthusiasts bought the brand for years for their refinement, and didn't really want just pure sport.
When I bought my Lexus IS300, for example, I got what I thought was a version with an excellent ride/handling balance of both sport and refinement. It had 16" wheels and 55-series all-season tires....which were a no-cost option from the standard 17" wheels and 45-series summer-only HP tires. Lexus, foolishly IMO, dropped that 16", 55-series option from the 2Gen model, despite adding AWD on the 250 model.
When I bought my Lexus IS300, for example, I got what I thought was a version with an excellent ride/handling balance of both sport and refinement. It had 16" wheels and 55-series all-season tires....which were a no-cost option from the standard 17" wheels and 45-series summer-only HP tires. Lexus, foolishly IMO, dropped that 16", 55-series option from the 2Gen model, despite adding AWD on the 250 model.
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-18-13 at 12:39 PM.
#30
Lexus Champion
I don't think the automotive press has too much influence on the typical ES/LS buyers, so it will take the new updated models to bring the younger buyers into the brand.