The 5-series and 3-series seem completely unaffected by the move to electric steering sales wise. Moreover, the Bangle cars actually sold quite well...I don't think either of those moves have left a lasting effect on sales over at BMW.

 

Not every car is suitable for real performance version... I dont think RX is particularly... Hopefully they dont make 2015 RX much sportier (harsher/harder). It is best selling luxury SUV for a reason.

Q5 looks great, easily best looking SUV (and much better looking than RX), but its interior is nothing special, back is cramped (not much bigger than 2IS) and ride is harsh.

I would guess that NX would be something a lot more similar to Q5/X3 than 2015 RX. There is huge amount of growth possible in luxury SUV market for Lexus.

 

change ticks off people. i know many people despise the new direction. and Lexus knew that. I'm sure it was a tough decision for them, but IMO it's working. Lexus took that next step IMO because they didn't sit still.

 

Not sure where you are in MD, but here in NoVA, years ago, we used to have some of the best-surfaced roads in the country. Now, for of a number of reasons, they have become ragged and, if not with actual deep potholes, they are otherwise full of bumps, heaves/dips, and iregularities. Stll, they aren't as bad as in Michigan and parts of other states adjacent to the Great Lakes. Those roads are simply awful....I don't know how people can stand them every day. The car -magazines HQ'ed in Michigan (C&D, R&T, and AUTOMOBILE), constantly complain about them.

I know that. I reviewed a V6 version extensively. And I'm honest enough to give credit where it is due. The Chevy engineers gave the Impala a soft enough suspension to offset the harshness of the wheels/tires, a fast steering ratio for quick response, and a firm enough roll bar to reasonably control body-lean without harshness. Other companies, IMO, would be wise to follow suit.

I'm well-pleased with my current Verano, but the V6 Impala impressed me so much that it's in serious consideration as my next ride.

 

i can too, if i don't have a mortgage, 2 car payments, and crazy amount of student loans to pay.

 

Eating is overrated too lol

 

I just checked with my bank I can afford a LFA t-shirt!

 

i'm sure more than half of bimmer buyers are mom and dads who don't care about the sporty quality of the bimmers.

 

Yes, the Bangle cars admittedly sold better than expected at the time...but that was partly because, under the questionable outer-skin, BMW essentially kept the same superb chassis-dynamics. Underneath the surface-quirkiness, you still got a real BMW.

I (admittedly) haven't test-driven a new BMW with the electric steering myself, but, based on the comments of many who have, and the auto-mag reports/comparisons, they have taken a significant step downhill. You mention recent sales figures (which I'm sure are correct, and I have no reason to question them). But, in the long, run, these cars haven't been on the market long enough to demonstrate a lasting trend. I suspect that as the word gets out about the changes, the sales figures will flatten out.

 

That's fair. The reports from magazines and car enthusiasts alike are right- the steering is still very accurate, but the feel is largely gone. What remains to be seen is if that really matters to the average consumer. I highly doubt Mr. and Mrs. 528i were just clamoring to feel every pebble in the road.

I'm disappointed BMW took this route myself, but as EPS evolves I'm hopeful they'll be able to dial some feel back in without upsetting the isolationist luxury car buyers.

 

Lexus went so wrong because gone is quality, refinement and the pursuit of perfection:


And in is hip old people and loud obnoxious music.


"An entirely new pursuit" it says it right there in the commercial. The pursuit of failure.

 

Can't take this thread serious anymore….

 

100% disagree. marketing 101

here is a reason why it's ok to target younger demo

1. older people loves to be young, eh because they are old
2. older people are not influenced by marketing as much. they know skin deep lexus is a car for them, not for young because they will do more thorough research and make decision based on the experience at the dealer.
3. by targeting young LS has increased its target market by 100% and not losing the traditional target market of 50-65 year old affluent folks.
4. current marketing trend since the digital explosion - get younger, younger, and younger
5. curious case study of Kia soul - kia soul targets young pups. but you will see it is driven by moms alot.
6. by going after young demo - they might not be able to afford LS, but they will dream about affording LS one day.
7. think this way. they aren't really going after young. they are going after these 30 something who will turn 45 near future

 

The 2GR-FE in the RX does have Dual VVT-I (a very good engine in practise) but not very good on paper.

It just lacks DI (direct injection) found on IS350 which has 306HP

The thing is the RX engine is transversely mounted where as the IS350 is longitude mounted (RWD) so they cannot simply drop the 306HP engine in the RX.

 

I understand, I'm not a CVT fan either. Was merely pointing out that features that should be available on a vehicle such as the RX are not while they are on a less luxurious nameplate, not acceptable.

New baby and she felt the Pathfinder had better flexibility. Don't get me wrong, the RX is a nice vehicle with good standard features, but the competition is stiffer than ever, and the lack of options, powertrains, and some cheap plastics are unbefitting of a vehicle in this segment.