Saw my first LS500 in person...
#47
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (17)
I sat in a new LS500 F Sport for a few minutes. The interior is just perfect. Fit me like a glove. Everything was exactly where you want it to be. Not too huge. Just right.
I really wish Lexus stuck with the tradition sedan styling on it, especially on the side profile. It has that 1gen Panamera rear hump thing going which I don't care for. Not the ugliest thing I've ever seen but they had over a decade to design this thing and I think they could've done a better job. They should have played it more safe with a car that's so important to the image of the brand. It's their flagship. You want to experiment with styling, do it on the cheaper models, do it on the crappy NX, ES, etc. See how the customers like it. Don't make this kind of drastic love it or hate it styling on a sophisticated, mature vehicle.
Say what you want about the German cars, they got their styling on point. Their cars look good today, the following year, and twenty years later still have classic designs that age well. Lexus and pretty much all Japanese brands these days are making some of the ugliest cars on the road. Almost like it's a race for who has the ugliest car. Ie. 4Runner Limited, GX460, LX570 are all hideous, as is the new Accord, Avalon (front end), so on and so forth. I can list a hundred cars.
I really wish Lexus stuck with the tradition sedan styling on it, especially on the side profile. It has that 1gen Panamera rear hump thing going which I don't care for. Not the ugliest thing I've ever seen but they had over a decade to design this thing and I think they could've done a better job. They should have played it more safe with a car that's so important to the image of the brand. It's their flagship. You want to experiment with styling, do it on the cheaper models, do it on the crappy NX, ES, etc. See how the customers like it. Don't make this kind of drastic love it or hate it styling on a sophisticated, mature vehicle.
Say what you want about the German cars, they got their styling on point. Their cars look good today, the following year, and twenty years later still have classic designs that age well. Lexus and pretty much all Japanese brands these days are making some of the ugliest cars on the road. Almost like it's a race for who has the ugliest car. Ie. 4Runner Limited, GX460, LX570 are all hideous, as is the new Accord, Avalon (front end), so on and so forth. I can list a hundred cars.
#48
Lexus Fanatic
Maybe it's me, but I tried them on extended drives with a A6, and GTI, and all modes felt very similar. The biggest difference I could feel is the steering, from light, to artificially less light. That was always my opinion on the BMWs without adaptive suspensions, that the settings to say sport+ were really just masking how the vehicle would feel normally. Like taking a picture with a digital zoom if you will...
#49
Lexus Fanatic
I sat in a new LS500 F Sport for a few minutes. The interior is just perfect. Fit me like a glove. Everything was exactly where you want it to be. Not too huge. Just right.
I really wish Lexus stuck with the tradition sedan styling on it, especially on the side profile. It has that 1gen Panamera rear hump thing going which I don't care for. Not the ugliest thing I've ever seen but they had over a decade to design this thing and I think they could've done a better job. They should have played it more safe with a car that's so important to the image of the brand. It's their flagship. You want to experiment with styling, do it on the cheaper models, do it on the crappy NX, ES, etc. See how the customers like it. Don't make this kind of drastic love it or hate it styling on a sophisticated, mature vehicle.
Say what you want about the German cars, they got their styling on point. Their cars look good today, the following year, and twenty years later still have classic designs that age well. Lexus and pretty much all Japanese brands these days are making some of the ugliest cars on the road. Almost like it's a race for who has the ugliest car. Ie. 4Runner Limited, GX460, LX570 are all hideous, as is the new Accord, Avalon (front end), so on and so forth. I can list a hundred cars.
I really wish Lexus stuck with the tradition sedan styling on it, especially on the side profile. It has that 1gen Panamera rear hump thing going which I don't care for. Not the ugliest thing I've ever seen but they had over a decade to design this thing and I think they could've done a better job. They should have played it more safe with a car that's so important to the image of the brand. It's their flagship. You want to experiment with styling, do it on the cheaper models, do it on the crappy NX, ES, etc. See how the customers like it. Don't make this kind of drastic love it or hate it styling on a sophisticated, mature vehicle.
Say what you want about the German cars, they got their styling on point. Their cars look good today, the following year, and twenty years later still have classic designs that age well. Lexus and pretty much all Japanese brands these days are making some of the ugliest cars on the road. Almost like it's a race for who has the ugliest car. Ie. 4Runner Limited, GX460, LX570 are all hideous, as is the new Accord, Avalon (front end), so on and so forth. I can list a hundred cars.
#50
drives cars
Maybe it's me, but I tried them on extended drives with a A6, and GTI, and all modes felt very similar. The biggest difference I could feel is the steering, from light, to artificially less light. That was always my opinion on the BMWs without adaptive suspensions, that the settings to say sport+ were really just masking how the vehicle would feel normally. Like taking a picture with a digital zoom if you will...
And "normally" is an interesting term - consider that just about any car out there can change its version of "normal" through modifications and tuning, and "normal" then becomes immaterial.
#51
The LS looks better in person but with the right interior color-combo and the gorgeous reclining rear seats in top trims. Although I am a big fan/owner of F Sport-only Lexus cars, I would pass on the LS F Sport as the interior details like the aluminum trim and darker high-gloss wood don't exude the luxury for the price here in Canada ($110k ! ) Took some shots a couple weeks back and was left a bit disappointed. Rear seat and controls too unfortunately.
#52
drives cars
Also some of those buttons might be rubberized - maybe an owner can chime in on that.
I think you have a valid criticism, but definitely not one that stands on its own as a reason to not buy the LS.
#53
Lexus Fanatic
You also have to consider that both of those German sedans are significantly more expensive - the 7-series starts about $8,000 higher. What's more, it's not like they are putting cheap Toyota-Yaris-grade plastic in there. And what's even more () is that there simply aren't a ton of hard buttons. Surrounded by what buttons there are are metal, leather, soft-touch plastics, and wood.
Also some of those buttons might be rubberized - maybe an owner can chime in on that.
I think you have a valid criticism, but definitely not one that stands on its own as a reason to not buy the LS.
Also some of those buttons might be rubberized - maybe an owner can chime in on that.
I think you have a valid criticism, but definitely not one that stands on its own as a reason to not buy the LS.
My LS430 from that era is not that heavy, and has power window switches from a Corolla. I probably didn't spend enough time driving the LS500 to feel that the interior was cheap. But I do think Germans have been accused of being spartan in the old days, but not cheap.
#54
Moderator
iTrader: (16)
Maybe it's me, but I tried them on extended drives with a A6, and GTI, and all modes felt very similar. The biggest difference I could feel is the steering, from light, to artificially less light. That was always my opinion on the BMWs without adaptive suspensions, that the settings to say sport+ were really just masking how the vehicle would feel normally. Like taking a picture with a digital zoom if you will...
#55
Lexus Fanatic
As for buttons in the LS500, they're all high quality metallic flaked plastic, same as the S Class, etc. No real metal buttons there either, maybe a couple.
The LS500 is just as high quality inside as anything in the segment. I've driven them all dozens of times.
#56
Lexus Fanatic
They do amongst everyone I know.
As for buttons in the LS500, they're all high quality metallic flaked plastic, same as the S Class, etc. No real metal buttons there either, maybe a couple.
The LS500 is just as high quality inside as anything in the segment. I've driven them all dozens of times.
As for buttons in the LS500, they're all high quality metallic flaked plastic, same as the S Class, etc. No real metal buttons there either, maybe a couple.
The LS500 is just as high quality inside as anything in the segment. I've driven them all dozens of times.
#57
Lexus Fanatic
#58
Lexus Test Driver
i like the LS500. well, sort of. i honestly think its kind of a weird car but i commend lexus for breaking out of their shell a bit and being more stylish with the LS. looks more like an exotic now. the interior is to die for, but feels more like a mid size sedan instead of a full size one inside. fit and finish great, but i think the booty is a little big, tail lamps should be bigger, and theirs too many extra windows in the back. the autumn shimmer is one of my favorites too. dont see it much. love the big mean spindle grill and lights. looks way more aggressive then before. harder sharper body lines which is great and im an LS guy anyway, however the TT V6 is a deal breaker for me. i just cant love a V6 LS. yes its quick yes it feels great, but its just missing that.. feel.
ive had old LS's since i was a kid. the 400s are about used up and i hate the 430, so ill be making the jump to 460 in a few years once my 00 LS400 is done, but in 15 years, i dont want a 2018 V6 LS in my driveway.
ive had old LS's since i was a kid. the 400s are about used up and i hate the 430, so ill be making the jump to 460 in a few years once my 00 LS400 is done, but in 15 years, i dont want a 2018 V6 LS in my driveway.
#59
Lead Lap
the TT V6 is a deal breaker for me. i just cant love a V6 LS. yes its quick yes it feels great, but its just missing that.. feel.
ive had old LS's since i was a kid. the 400s are about used up and i hate the 430, so ill be making the jump to 460 in a few years once my 00 LS400 is done, but in 15 years, i dont want a 2018 V6 LS in my driveway.
ive had old LS's since i was a kid. the 400s are about used up and i hate the 430, so ill be making the jump to 460 in a few years once my 00 LS400 is done, but in 15 years, i dont want a 2018 V6 LS in my driveway.
idk how honda does it but one of the few redeeming qualities of the current MDX is how great that V6 sounds. best sounding V6 in the industry i'm tempted to say, it really screams at the high rpms. especially after the vtec kicks in yo.
#60
As for the buttons, what you touch is metal. How thick is the metal? Who knows and who cares. The feel of leather, metal, and real wood deliver a more premium feel imo. Look at my C43 console for example. It is simple and elegant, that is what I personally look for. I like that fact that my vent controls, toggle buttons, window switches, etc are all metal finished.
Last edited by TXgearhead; 11-10-18 at 05:13 PM.