They are really nice though...

Haha, I did!

 

The cheapest gas near me is at a new Indian casino ‘travel center’. $3.89 for 91 octane which is $1.10 per gallon cheaper than the nearest Chevron. Diesel users are getting the worst as it’s a full dollar more per gallon than high test.

 

The Chevron alternative just might be worth the extra money, though. With its superb Techroline additive, it is arguably the best Tier-1 gas on the market, followed closely by Shell. We used to be able to get Chevron gas in the D.C. area, but they stopped selling here for some reason, and the former Chevron stations converted to the Liberty brand.

 

Yes, pricey indeed, but its competition from Ford and GM can also run six-figures in upper-trim levels,

 

Just refilled the old Jeep, $2.78 at the station near my shop for 87 and 3.45 for 91 (they don't have 93 and honestly I don't trust that "91" they do have.....)

 

I agree it’s probably better but a buck a gallon more is hard to swallow. My Lexus gets around 25 mpg and my bikes, 38-45. A four hour 200 mile afternoon motorcycle ride costs about $20 just for gas. I do add a lil SeaFoam to the gas so hopefully it helps to kept the system clean. One Chevron station near me turned into a Valero station and another turned into a Gulf station. First Gulf station I’ve ever seen in CA.??

 

Visiting with family and one of them just traded in their 2012 LS460 and got a 2023 A8L. He has been an LS owner since 1991 and has had several LS's. He cross-shopped against the LS500, S580, Bentley Flying Spur, and we tried to see the 2023 G90 in August but the dealership couldn't get any. On the LS500 he was driving the '22 but was going to order a '23 so it could have Car Play.

I drove the A8 and wow, what a beautiful ride - I didn't expect to hear and feel so little out of a German sedan. It's really incredible and the rear legroom is awesome, seemingly about the same as my 460L which always blows people away. The exterior styling is so understated compared to what the car feels like once you're inside, it's a real contrast. It drives "bigger" than my 460L, I suspect the hood is longer because the turning radius feels way different in the Audi.

I will say there are a few weird things about it - most notably how tiny the cup holders are. That is driving him crazy. He also doesn't like how complex the user interface is for accomplishing routine tasks - he made a comment that he probably should've stuck with Lexus - but I find the interface on the Audi to be more intuitive than what's in the LS500. The 2012 LS460 has an archaic and very simple interface and the reality is luxury cars just don't offer that level of simplicity anymore. Customization comes standard within the luxury line now, and that requires more menus and buttons to push.

 

2022 LS500 does have Car Play

 

Yeah I would pay an extra dollar a gallon for a name brand top tier gas over a no name station every time.

He's gone German now lol. The A8 is a wonderful car, its really a great option for a previous LS owner. My issue with the car now is that there is no V8 and the V6 is underpowered. Many of the high end options and finishes are now no longer available either. Have to go to the S8 to get those.

This idea that German sedans don't offer isolation and quietness just isnt true. All of the German cars are as quiet and isolated as the LS460 or moreso.

He will get used to the interface and once he does he will never want to go back to Lexus. It took me a slid 2 months and I'm 41...

 

Oh yes why pay more for premium vehicle and have to stop to think, "will 87 work?" And yes, some German cars are just as quiet and comfortable.

This is so true for me. I saw A8 and wonder why people would pay that much for it. Never sat inside one. Lol. I can understand how one feels about user interface in these cars. While I don't know Audis, I feel MB's is very complex and confusing. One cool thing about MB's system is it allows you to search. It will search the system as well as the Net. So when you don't remember how to get to certain things, you can always search. BMW's is less complex and easier to use IMO. But even so certain things need to be accessed through a few steps. Thankful they have the assignable buttons.

 

I didn't notice a feeling of lack of power with the V6 but I also wasn't getting on it too hard, merging on highway ramp, etc. I will drive it a few more times and put it through some paces. I was just shocked at how smooth and quiet it was. You're right though, my frame of reference of German cars was likely off due to most of my experience in MB, BMW and Audi being in smaller and sportier cars where you feel and hear way more than what I was used to in Lexus. But the flagship sedans are apparently in a class of their own.

I'm trying to help get some of the basics of the car setup for him - it does have a solid voice control function where you can change radio stations etc. using voice commands so that helps minimize the need to interact with the system manually. I'm 43 and consider myself somewhat tech savvy but there are certain things that just take time understanding how to navigate certain menus that don't feel intuitive in any of the new cars now.

 

The power is "fine", but it doesnt have the effortless power and thrust you get with a V8, or even the more powerful 6 options. Its only like 330 HP.

Yeah its going to take some time...

 

Agreed but even the 3.0 is decent and can hold its own, with a basic tune it exceeds anything Lexus offers. The D5 in general (non-S8) is very soft and quiet, the S8 is still sharp and feels small but the touch based interface on both really lacks tactile interaction.

If you get a high spec car they are unreal silent, mine measures quieter in all situations than my LS and much quieter than my "mid" spec 4.0 but you really have to ask yourself if it's worth it since the 4.0 was $115k sticker vs the 12 was $168k and that same price spread still exists on new Germans today.

If you want true effortlessness a 12 is king.

 

Even the S8 is very soft and quiet

 

Gas dropped low today near us, $3.08 for 93 octane......we refilled everything lol!