That's where my opinion differs from some of the others here. For a number of reasons, I found the Lexus products of that period (and even more so, before about 2006 or so), considerably more appealing than they are today. What you call "boring" I found appealing...and vice-versa.

 

The sales started to decline at some point...they declined because consumers and the media perception was that they were boring...they were becoming irrelevant..think of it this way, you wouldn't be talking about Lexus on this forum if Lexus was not relevant to you....they clearly cause a reaction from you whether good or bad...worst thing would be boring, stale and dull.....

 

Instead of starting a new thread. Figured I would just add it heard. Saw this last night. Never knew they made a non nav version for the LS460 What a great interior design for that era.

 

They declined because they were not built as solidly, nor as comfortable to drive, after the 2000s. Lately, they have picked up again, but that's because a lot of people today simply don't remember better days or no longer care.

I joined the CL forum in 2003, when I had my 2001 Lexus IS300...a vehicle that, IMO, though not perfect by any means, and having a few flaws, was significantly more solidly-built than the IS generations that replaced it.

 

They don’t look awkward in the same way the RX did. Their overhangs aren’t too long, and their wheelbases are long vs short like they were on the RX.

Toyota/Lexus FWD vehicles used to have really short wheelbases and long front overhangs. They still do, but not to the same extent.

Very rare, and really only 07s and 08s could be had without nav.

 

^^^^^ Although I'd prefer round ***** for fan-speed and heat/temperature-control instead of rocker-switches, in general, that is a well-done panel. Certainly better than navigating through endless video-screen menus.

 

Yeah. Interesting stuff. No 4-zone. but I think most other features were present. I don't know how I feel about the interior design from an aging perspective. Seemed like there were more bits and parts here and there than the generations preceding them.

 

I personally prefer that generation LS with the nav screen, I do the LS430 as well. It’s apparent they were designed for the nav screen and were adapted for use without it, vs the LS400 which was designed without it and adapted for use with it.

 

Absolutely. No doubt about it. The nav screen design was so much nicer

 

the current RXL has a shorter wheelbase than a camry. #holyoverhang

 

Yeah the overhangs are really noticeable especially on the RXL.

The RXL is 11" longer than my X3 but the X3's wheelbase is 3" longer than the Lexus.

 

So what's wrong with overhangs? Looks to me like maybe a complaint in search of a problem.

 

Other than an ungainly look, nothing I guess.

 

Long overhangs look ungainly, they also make it easier to scuff the front and rear bumpers, and shorter wheelbases also degrade ride quality.

Long front overhangs are one of the reasons I dislike FWD cars.

 

No issues with overhangs. Never understood the obsession. Looking at some pics, I think a car looks awful when the front overhang is shorter than the rear. Rather have them match.