arentz07

I think the absence of the V-8 is prompting some exaggerated reactions from 8-cylinder fans. If the interior of the LS isn't luxury then well I suppose the 7-series isn't a luxury car either.

situman

To be honest, Lexus will never reach tier 1 or be on equal footing in terms of prestige and cache with MB and BMW. For them to reach that level, they must absolutely build and design everything in house. As things are right now, the most they will reach is Audi level. Outside of the 3.5tt and 2.0t, all the engines are from the Toyota parts bin and all the platforms are modified Toyota platforms.

Johnhav430

Well said. I think we are in agreement and you will get this.

I have said that on a 2006 LS430, it is very disappointing to have cheap Corolla power window switches. To which people will respond, there is nothing cheap about them and my LS430 had the best power window switches I have ever experienced.

This is exactly what you refer to as the Toyota parts bin.

I will say, Lexus cheaped out in that wire running to the rain sensor on the 2006 LS430. Germans conceal things like that. And there will be a response that there's no wire running from the rain sensor in my LS430 and never has been (there is look closely).

It probably is true to a lesser extent today. But before, with German cars, you could choose a stripped, lesser model, and get the underpinnings of a more expensive car. Example, buy a 2007 BMW 328i, manual with sport package, that's it. You were in the $34k list price range, but got all the hardware such as doors, blah blah blah window switches, etc., of a $49k 335i. Opposite of the LS430 v. Corolla. What you won't get is genuine leather on the inside door panels, with the above 328i stripper. Heck, you didn't even get that on a 2006 LS430 that listed for $65k. Why? Because Lexus doesn't feel anyone would notice. And for the most part, it's true. But, it prevents them from membership in the top tier luxury class as well.

-J-P-L-

They are more upscale than ever. A $105,000+ LS500 isn't tier 1? What are you basing this opinion on?

Mercedes has cheapened their lineup with cars like the A-Class. Are they no longer tier 1?

Toys4RJill

Johnhav430

Have you driven a LS500? That would answer some of what you are asking.

situman

Well...Lexus was selling a $400k supercar at one point. So?

-J-P-L-

Exactly my point.

AJT123

My god, you and those window switches, lol. I don't know what you want them to be, and the actual switches themselves may be Toyota, but they're encased in absolutely beautiful Yamaha wood, every 430 used wood from the same tree so it would match. That's hardly like a Corolla.

I will look, but I've never ever noticed anything like that. IMO there's literally not one cheap thing in a 430, the interiors of those were/are amazing. And Lexus sweat the details. I picked up some friends from the airport and then drove back here in the sorta heavy rain rain, they were like, "Why don't you have to use your wipers much, did you RainX it?" No, it's a water repellant windshield (and the front 2 windows). They aren't "car people" and were shocked that they were riding in a 15 year old car. And they couldn't stop gushing about how smooth it is.

This may be true for cheaper Lexus models but an LSs underpinnings are serious, just as good as a German flagship's. It has some serious hardware to get the job done. LS could cruise at autobahn speeds all day long with any S Class or 7 series. 430 was the pinnacle of the overbuilt Lexus era, it definitely shows.

Johnhav430

The car mags used to say you get a base 328i, manual, with sport package, and you have one **** of a car for $34,xxx (even a GTI today doesn't really give you that stuff). Sport pkg on a 328 bumped the rims up by 1" and staggered the tires for around $1400 and sport seats with large side bolsters came along (I noticed even BMW now put this stuff into a package that costs a lot more, not a simple $1400 line item). That was the seriousness that German cars had at least in 2007, before they started selling FWD based vehicles here in the USA (think they always did in Canada). Well, I've probably never gotten beyond 90 mph in my LS430, but I don't think it could hang with a S or 7. I'm not just talking about the limiter. Those cars as big as they are have .82g skidpad numbers, just part of their dna.

I agree with those who say Lexus will never, ever, ever, be in the category of BMW and Mercedes Benz. And if they ever did get into that category? I would buy that Lexus if I could afford it.

edit just thought of this, isn't it true that generally speaking, Lexus vehicles drive slowly on the road? Like Cadillac? Jmo, demographic of the drivers, they tend to be older. I've looked in the lounge before at Lexus dealerships. this would likely be a major factor with the products that Lexus puts out.

AJT123

I've driven mine 125MPH for a 4 hour stretch before. Trust me, it can hang. I've driven/been in plenty of S-Classes and 7 Series. Skidpad numbers have nothing to do with directional stability at high speed. The car had the lowest drag of any production car at the time, trust me, LS430 swallows up miles at very very high speeds with the best of them.

LS430 was definitely an older demographic and it's sad that probably 90% of them have never gone beyond 90MPH, because the car feels better the faster you go, just like those German cars.

Here's an old Top Gear video with the guy driving a 98-00 LS 150MPH like it was nothing; go right to the 3 minute mark for that part.

RNM GS3

spwolf

Nobody seriously considers MB and BMW as same tier when it comes to being luxury brands. BMWs are sporty sure, but luxurious? I mean they never did anything that can match LC interior, and I doubt they will.

All 3 germans have really went down low with various crappy base interior FWD models, so it is pretty funny that you think Lexus is going further down.

Toys4RJill

Johnhav430

If a Lexus driver thinks their vehicle is top tier luxury, does it even matter? Again this is the scene out of American Psycho where they're comparing business cards. It's funny how the writers made up fonts and colors, pretty clever.