you only quoted half his post - the first omitted half showing he was talking about engine/handling lacking in the RX, not lexus in general.

the rx is definitely due for redesign/upgrades.

 

Lexus is focusing more than ever on hybrids :-).

and germans caught up due to 2 natural disasters and 1 media witch hunt that never had anything to do with lexus.

 

This is where Lexus went wrong.



/end sarcasm


GO Lexus!

 

Was it only few months ago when articles of cancelling F program showed up and most of the people here were convinced that Lexus wont do Fs again? That lasted until we so those cars testing on the ring... wasnt that far ago.

 

Respectfully......I have to disagree. The RX, even in its Third-Generation, sells mainly because it has basically remained true to its roots. A lot of people liked the original (it was an excellent vehicle, deserving to be a smash hit).....and they like the present one. Screw it up, and they might not like the next one. Lexus can't afford to lose sales from such a popular (and excellent) vehicle.

Moral of the Story: Don't change horses in the middle of a stream.

 

Most Lexus buyers (and potential buyers), both in the past and present, probably don't care what their cars will do on the Nurburgring. They don't even drive aggressively on the street.

 

It's a Lexus, not a Buick. That's the whole point of this. Could have made the same argument about Cadillac, even moreso. Nobody's doubting their choices or direction now. Why do you think they developed the LFA? This is the direction.

 

Doesn't matter. The same principle applies to both. One does not usually buy ANY street car to drive like at Nurburgring. Most American jurisdictions don't allow that kind of driving.

The Cadillac CTS-V (actually developed at Nurburgring, I might add), is probably the company's prime niche-vehcle. Its sales represent only a very tiny fraction of the company....even more so with the Lexus LF-A (That's why Paris Hilton's boyfriend made the news when he bought her that yellow one a couple of years ago)

We'll have to wait and see what the Cadillac ATS does, though...a potential buyer, of course, can pick one up for consideraby fewer $$$$$ than a CTS-V.

 

Doesn't matter. IMO, the same principle applies to both. One does not usually buy ANY street car to drive like at Nurburgring.....at least not on public roads. Most American jurisdictions don't allow that kind of driving.

The Cadillac CTS-V (actually developed at Nurburgring, I might add), is probably the company's prime niche-vehicle. Its sales represent only a very tiny fraction of the company....even more so with the Lexus LF-A (That's why Paris Hilton's boyfriend made the news when he bought her that yellow one a couple of years ago)

We'll have to wait and see what the Cadillac ATS does, though...a potential buyer, of course, can pick one up for considerably fewer $$$$$ than a CTS-V.

 

In turn I have to disagree. The RX needs better cabin materials, more luxury features and more powertrain options. It needs to evolve itself further into the midsize luxury crossover market. It also needs more sound deadening as the cabin lets in more road/tire/engine noise than the previous generation.

 

No, it doesn't. Lexus is a luxury carmaker that has decided they want to target a younger, more performance oriented consumer. Lexus and Buick are now targeting different consumers. They have in essence, left customers like you to Buick. Even Buick though, look at the performance oriented rumblings down in the model line. They need something to stand on when buyers like you are gone. Nobody lives forever, and nothing lasts forever.

Younger buyers may not drive a car around a race track, but handling, fun, enjoyment, a heritage that includes performance is important to us.

It doesn't matter that its a niche vehicle, it shows the direction of the brand. Find me a posh softly sprung Cadillac now. There isn't one, even the XTS. They have determined that consumer is not their future and abandoned them. Lexus is doing the same. Get used to it.

And with considerably less performance. Again, I absolutely do not comprehend your point. Thats like saying "Why buy an M5 when you can buy a 325?" What?!?

I also disagree about the RX as Hoovey does above. Markets are not static, consumer desire and demand shifts and changes. When the RX came out, all the way up until around when the current gen RX came out, 5 passenger SUVs were mainstream. Now, thats changing. When you look at all the newer entrants that are doing really well, the MDX, the QX60/JX35, the Explorer, the Durango even, the Mercedes GL which sells very well despite its really high pricing, the X5 now being three row. Consumers want three row flexibility. Look at how few two row SUVs there are now that aren't a size class below the RX. The Grand Cherokee is one...the 4Runner...I think thats all. Even the Range Rover Sport now comes with three rows!

You act as if what is popular in 1998 will always be. Thats not the case. Lexus as a company needs to anticipate shifts in the market and make adjustments to remain competitive. This is why I would be shocked if the next gen RX did not have a third row option. It seems to me that you are always stuck in the past instead of looking towards the future. 1998 is over. 2005 is over. 2010 is over. Its 2014 and we are talking about what the brand will be in 2016...2018...its obviously not going to be the sort of carmaker it was.

If you want to look at what happens to luxury carmakers who refuse to adapt...look at Lincoln. If Lexus kept selling cars like a 1998 LS400 (which was a great car, I had one) in 2014...that would be Lexus. Some 70 year olds would buy them...but all the rest of us would have moved on. Where would they be when the 70 year olds died...or stopped buying new cars due to age? They would have closed their dealer and moved into small corners of Toyota showrooms just like Lincoln has at Ford stores.

Change is the only constant in life.

 

i wasn't saying they should turn it into a sports car. and of course i know what made the original one great, i owned one.

this.

the competition has caught up and gone past. the rx continues to sell well though due to reputation (well deserved) and it's still pretty good overall, and true to its mission. but as hoovey says, it just doesn't seem very luxurious any longer.

 

Not to my eyes and ears, it doesn't. I've driven both present and past versions. IMO, it is already the most richly-appointed and quietest-riding SUV in its class, with the most refined powertrain. Lexus did a great job with it. THAT's why it sells.

 

I would hope not. We've got too many sport-oriented vehicles on the market now as it is. The real problem, nowadays, is finding NON-sport-oriented vehicles, especially in suspension/tires.


Depends on how you define "luxury". if you define it (as I do) by quietness, a smooth ride, rich interior trim, and a refined powertrain, the RX clearly excels. In fact, I came very close to buying one when I got my Outback...but, for my particular needs, the last-generation Outback was almost as nice at a much lower price.

 

Quietest riding sure. Most refined power train? Maybe. Most richly appointed? If you think that you haven't sat in the other vehicles in this range. The RX is pretty nice, but there are much nicer vehicles in terms of interior quality and finish in this price range nowadays.

Then you are better served by Buick. Lexus' direction no longer targets you as a buyer and thats okay. Not every brand has to appeal to everybody.