Lexus LS500/LS500h
09-20-17, 08:02 PM
#211
Lexus Champion
I suppose that it's a question of which buyers Lexus would like to look at its big flagship sedan. How old are they? What are their styling aesthetic tastes? Are they some sort of dedicated Toyota/Lexus buyers for this car?
With badge snob appeal, you see very few changes in terms of overall styling. But with a new entrant, you often see big changes or no changes. Here you have the LS as an example of how Lexus has been too tentative and then goes overboard. Almost binary.
The first LS400 and the legendary beast that rocked the Germans big time right through the late 90's and 2000. A better Benz. This car has aged better ironically then even the W140 and its stuffy box style.
The next one. This one is now legendary as one of the best LS's for its time and yet its styling just never quite said "I'm distinctly different". I'm a German alternative. Why does this car's back end scream late 90's E class or "Germanic"?
The next one. A much, much better automobile which I see regularly from my town's seniors who drive it to the local park, but so much Camry in the back end and a shame that it looks ok, but not great. Missed opportunity. Too low key.
Now you have the 5LS and its fantastic performance but rather Infiniti-like styling. It's going to sell on performance and price initially. That's just smart pricing on Lexus' part. Give people some luxury and value with amazing performance. But it won't sell on styling. No way.
With badge snob appeal, you see very few changes in terms of overall styling. But with a new entrant, you often see big changes or no changes. Here you have the LS as an example of how Lexus has been too tentative and then goes overboard. Almost binary.
The first LS400 and the legendary beast that rocked the Germans big time right through the late 90's and 2000. A better Benz. This car has aged better ironically then even the W140 and its stuffy box style.
The next one. This one is now legendary as one of the best LS's for its time and yet its styling just never quite said "I'm distinctly different". I'm a German alternative. Why does this car's back end scream late 90's E class or "Germanic"?
The next one. A much, much better automobile which I see regularly from my town's seniors who drive it to the local park, but so much Camry in the back end and a shame that it looks ok, but not great. Missed opportunity. Too low key.
Now you have the 5LS and its fantastic performance but rather Infiniti-like styling. It's going to sell on performance and price initially. That's just smart pricing on Lexus' part. Give people some luxury and value with amazing performance. But it won't sell on styling. No way.
09-20-17, 08:31 PM
#212
Lexus Champion
Maybe the 5GS will take some cues from that concept.
09-20-17, 08:33 PM
#213
Yes, very true - I wouldn't be surprized if the next gen 5GS makes amends and looks really hot!
09-20-17, 09:21 PM
#214
Lexus Fanatic
I gotta tell you...all of these comparison side shots to the S Class...I think I like the LS better...
09-21-17, 05:18 AM
#215
The funniest thing is that have been following both this forum and the one on Lexus enthusiast and one thing have noticed is that nobody is even mentioning the BMW 7series and Audi A8 so I think Its Safe to say Lexus is competing at the very top with the S-class.
09-21-17, 05:23 AM
#216
Lexus Fanatic
I'll be test driving this for sure, if I end up signing on the dotted line, I think I'll do irreparable harm to our finances (lol), so I will keep it in the back of my mind, no way no how am I leaving with the car. This thinking worked with BMW, for about 4 days. Life happens.
09-21-17, 05:32 AM
#217
Dysfunctional Veteran
If I buy one, I may have to sell it to the wife as literally the last car we will ever have to buy. The good news is, being a Lexus LS, it just might be.
09-21-17, 05:52 AM
#218
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
09-22-17, 04:21 AM
#224
The car was ok, checked all the boxes from the technology equipment perspective, but the actual implementation of the packages was so so when comparing to something like a Lexus GS. The service was horrible. I had an issue with the brake pedal since about the 9th months, and the shop could not (or didn't want to) fix it. I hope the new Genesis Division treats their customers better.
09-22-17, 05:26 AM
#225
Lexus Fanatic
I signed up for the Lexus Fast Track on the LS500, hopefully they'll have an event or something....the "only" Lexus event I have ever been invited to was in summer 2005 at Belmont Park on Long Island. My primary reason for attending was they brought 2006 BMW 330i's for back to back drives with the IS'. The lines to drive the 330i were super super long. I remember seeing the LS430s there and absolutely nobody was in line to drive them. So I did, and thought man what a nice car, for old people. I asked can I take it again? They said of course, because nobody at all was waiting. Go figure, today I am daily driving a LS430!