Good point...I had forgotten that the G80 (A.K.A. Hyundai Genesis) was still available at most Hyundai shops. Which makes sense, seeing as it was the same vehicle with the Hyundai badge on it. An interesting question (since it doesn't seem to be moving very much out of select Kia shops) is if the K900 will also move to the Genesis division. Genesis, of course, has rights to the vehicle if it wants, seeing that Kias are Hyundai products.

That's one reason, among others, why I do so many reviews and test-drives. With the exception of Mitsubishi, which does still have at least one or two shops left in suburban MD (and none left in NoVA) I can get to an outlet (or several outlets) for almost any mainstream brand, and even a few exotics, in reasonable driving distance. And VW of America headquarters itself is just a few miles away in Herndon.

You've got one advantage, though, in MD, that I don't have in VA (besides Mitsubishi LOL).....the Fitzgerald dealer-chain. I've always liked the Fitz way of doing business....and so has everyone I've ever shopped with at their stores.

 

The K900 would be superfluous at Genesis. Same issue there though, very few Kia dealers sell the K900

 

Yes, the landscape is a different time My comment about V8s was taken out of context. The new up coming TTV6 by Lexus is superior in both HP, TQ, and MPG than the outgoing 4.6 which dates back to 2006. All of the competition will be offering some sort of V6. Lexus must offer this to be competitive. As for the Genesis, V8, it really is a moot point. People are going to want to pay for this Lexus, and they will want to pay more for it than outgoing LS460 models.

 

People will pay more, but I think Rhanbler has a point about returning customers. They have to be careful, most LS460s are SWB models that stickered between 75-85k. As one of these customers myself I'm telling you, as Rhambler is and he's telling you, there's a limit to the amount more we'll pay. I'm an $80k customer, I'm not paying $95k. For $95k I will move on to another experience.

 

In this class of car there is very little difference in experience between an $80k car and a $95k car.

 

I disagree. $95k gets you a nicely loaded 740 or even a basic (which is well loaded) 750 or even a S550. Those cars are upgrades from the LS, both in the physical cars themselves and in prestige.

When's the last time you bought a car in this class? For me it was 20 months ago. If I'm spending $95k, I'm not in an LS, not even this new LS. Speaking from the armchair is one thing, but when it's your money your value judgements are different. Value is a huge part of the LS' appeal, always has been. The value of my LS is the overall biggest reason it's in my garage, which I think you'll find is true of most owners. $ for $ we'd all rather have an S Class or a 7 Series.

 

It depends on what makes you differentiate two kinds of cars in the same class. If you think that an 2017 740i is similiar to the current gen or even new gen LS, then thats your prerogative and no amount of option listing would change that. However for others it maybe slightly different. Choice of exotic materials (not saying RR standard, but better then Lexus can), individualized vehicle options, European delivery, self parking and more. Plus if you wait for the end of quarter sales push, certain vehicles make their cases more prominent.

 

I respectfully disagree. There is a lot of difference in size, prestige, engine, materials, etc. if you mean someone shopping for something $80k plus won't mind spending $90k plus, then they will go with the other prestige brands. I shopped at all ranges. For example, before the 2013 refresh, the interior of the LS was no better than any Toyota (with better materials) while everything was covered in leather for the Germans.

Just an example, but there are definitely tiers above $80K. I think the reasoning of why would I get the Lexus if the Germans are close in price also applies to the Genesis pricing. That is why the price will be key to me.

 

I agree 100%, as an LS owner myself.

 

A BMW 7 series and an S-Class are a tier higher than the Lexus LS460. The next gen LS500 will put Lexus in the same league as the S-class and 7 series.

 

I don't think it will. The LS will always be a step below those cars, a V6 only won't help that.

I'm a huge LS fan clearly and I'm telling you, I'm not going to pay the same price as I would for an S or 7.

 

Can you explain this a little more?

 

For those who are doubting a Lexus LS500 price increase.

Consider the following examples:
2008 LX570 $75K base price/2016 LX570 $89,880 base price
2007 LS460 $$61K base price/2016 LS460 $72.5K base price
2007 ES350 $33.8K base price/2016 ES350 $38.5K base price

 

2007 Base LS460 - $61,000
2007 Base LS460L - $71,000

2017 Base LS460 - $72,520
2017 Base LS460L - $78,820
2017 Base LS460L AWD - $82,305

2018 Base LS500 will be 1" longer than the current LS L. I'd expect the LS to be low $80K and the AWD to be about $3,500 more.

Also puts it right in line with BMW
$81,500 740i sDrive
$84,500 740i xDrive

 

Lexus has a tendency of over playing their hand on pricing. They seem to think they are on par with the Germans but can't seem to move their cars at the same price point. Look no further than the GSF and RCF; people don't expect to pay the same money for a Lexus as they would the Germans.