S600 is *amazing*. Well the whole S-Class line's 'ABC' (active body control) is amazing for one, plus the S600 has nearly 400lb of torque - sub 6 second 0-60, built like a tank, looks great (bigger wheels/tires than S500) and kicks *$$.

We gotta be careful not to do here what some of the benzaholics do... criticize all that is not benz.

And to someone who said they'd take the trade and then just sell it, well that's not exactly what I had in mind.

On trades - I wouldn't take an M5 over my 'improved' GS400 though because I'm done with stick-shifts. I drove a co-workers HOT Mazda RX7 yesterday (Racing Harts, coilovers, GReddy intercoolers, exhaust and other toys...) and it confirmed my lack of interest in stick any more (I had 'em for 12 years though, but that was on nice quiet Pennsylvania roads). Didn't find it much faster than my GS by the way until the second turbo kicks in, certainly had no low end torque like all turbo cars, and didn't outhandle my GS much either!

 

i'd rather keep my lex thanx, whatever it doesn't have now, i can add later, i love the car, i love its looks, i love its sound, i love its interior, i just love the car, plus its potensial is huge, no i wouldn't trade it for anything

its hard to understand, maybe i'm just crazy

 

I have to say that MB's are great cars (we have owned 2) but LEXUS is far better. The interior of the MB's is for those who don't like the computerized look, as found in the LEXUS. Also, i think that the leather is much more comfortable and luxurious in the LEXUS than in the MB's. The only way i would ever let my dad get another Benz would be if LEXUS didn't stay around. Our two Benz's had tons of electrical problems and everything. I alos dont know what LEXUS has copied from MB except the LS430 may look a little like the new MB S-class in the rear but that is about it.

 

Let's be honest here, there are very few people in the world that can honestly say that they would never own a Mercedes Benz. And the reasons are usually emotional - if you know what I mean. Most of us, given our love of luxury and speed, are bound to one day owning a Benz. But for now, we're Lexus people, and proud of it!!

Another comment I'd like to make about the Benz/BMW/Lexus issue, is the interior. A lot of people seem to be making a big deal about the comparisons. Personally I find the interior of German cars very "spartan", and, please forgive the term, "germanic". Everything seems far too utilitarian - if that makes any sense. When shopping for my current car, and as you all know that BMW and Benz were all on the list, I found the German cars to be more functional, and less aesthetic. As a woman, the interior "beauty" was of more importance to me than it's "function". I was going to spend a lot of time in the car, and it had to please my eye!!! Personally, I think that is why BMW and Benz appeal more to men, than woman. But hey, this is just my opinion - don't shoot me for it!!!!

spinedoc: I thoroughly enjoyed your comments. I found them intelligent and well researched. Some people, however, were just not getting the point!!!!
I particularly enjoyed the Chrys..er..Benz part

C.

 

First, GS don't compete with the S class. They are different car. Seond, according to the newest Car & Driver mag., the S600 hits 0-60 in 5.4 seconds; 1/4 miles comes in 13.9 @ 103mph. And third, I will take the S600 over a GS 430 anyday.

I saw a S600 on the road. Both of us didn't intend to race, but the S600 cut off my GS 400 on the freeway. It was a very fast car.

 

I agree - and didn't mean to imply they were, but just as Benzaholics often say they'd NEVER consider a Lexus, it's equally crazy for a Lexus owner to say the same about Mercedes. Mercedes has introduced a lot of fabulous features and really was the quality benchmark for decades.

Although we share an interest in Lexus cars on this site, we must keep an open mind to all innovations, brands, etc.

 

Lexuslady, you have the same idea of what I am thinking about the BMW interiors ! except you put it in a better way. I would of said the interior looks depressing to me No wood , no nothing just BLACK.

Though one of my buddies have a clk430 and I like that alot. Benz's are pretty good, would I mind having one, of course not but I still choose lexus over it. Its just that MB have so many designs and car selection compared to lexus's. Though all lexus's are quality, and MB , most of their cars are quality but not all. ML320 i did not like at all. The interior looks like a ford taurus.

 

The ml 320 looks like a minivan on the outside too me. When i first got my car i was at the gas station and there was an ml 320 pumping gas too.

We came into the gas station to pay for the gas at the same time and the guy at the station just loved the way my lexus looked . I payed for the gas and he gave me a thumbs up.

He didn't say nothing to the guy in the ml 320 . Merceded guy last seen headed to the lexus dealer to trade in his minivan for a GS.

 

The ML series looks like a Rollerskate if you look carefully

Erick G

 

It's true that Mercedes has introduced alot of fabulous features, but a great car is not something put together with all these high tech gadgets but nothing much else. Remember, you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Mercedes has the heritage and all, but they keep on throwing in ABC, VSD, XYZ, XXX, whatever, and still, just the same old cars with new looks and newer toys to play with, but it doesn't mean that I would buy a car for the little things they offer.

Same thing with Cadillac DeVille. It's got the useless-except-for-blind-people-and-poor-vision-people-and-show-off-use night vision thing majigi, but I don't think anyone on this board will buy a Cadiwack DeVille for that toy. (I used to drive a Cadiwack and I know how POS those things are........... talk about the TOP NAME in the American auto industry.)

I always keep my mind open for other cars: In fact I've considered every other name brands like MB, BMW, Audi, etcetc. It might be true that BMW has great German engineering and provides the best handling cars, but what else? Yes Mercedes has the heritage and the gadgets, .......and?

It's just that for now, looking as a whole, nothing compares to Lexus. Even my most important factor when buying a car - aftermarket parts availability - Lexus won by a whole bunch. (Japanese cars rule.)

Just a few dollars to throw in,

 

Different strokes for different folks. Some don't care about bells and whistles, leather, etc. Some are accustomed to the way a German car drives and simply prefer it.

Others think they are too stiff. There isn't one car that satisfies every driver. I know a guy that teste drove a 540i 6, GS400, Mercedes, etc. and ended up with a '91 M5 with only 40k miles. He just enjoyed the visceral experience of the M5 (I like it too but of course there are times when I wouldn't mind the luxury of an LS400).

Most long time Mercedes owners like the "German" nature of the interior.

 

What a bit$h it must be to design cars. With a new style you gain 50% of the market and lose the 50% you had before. Just like the Mercedes seats, you know they are supposed to be good for your body, but they look so uncomfortable.

I tell my friend who has an M coupe that he has a total guy car. No one likes the way they look unless they like the performance. It is not a chic magnet, but guy valets constantly park his car up front on the curb for all to see.

I like the GS looks and I like how it makes other feel. When I look at how much I payed(even though it is company car it comes out of my commisions) I do not regret it. I would have regretted spending almost that much on say a 3 series, e320, or 528.
And Lexus owners are just so great I had to be one

 

There is something about an M Coupe. I have decided that it is the fact that it was built that way for one purpose -- to go fast. It is one of the purest sports cars out there short of a Porsche and it is much less $$$.

If they actually sell it with the new 3.2 liter M3 engine it will be one the best track cars around.

Yes, it is wierd looking and some say ugly but I don't think that is an issue when enjoying it on some backroad.

As for the LS v. E Mercedes. I was getting off the freeway and noticed an E class Mercedes. I thought I did. It was a new LS400. The shape is incredibly similar. Both very boring by the way.

 

I agree, the new LS430 was a dissapointment ... boring. Lexus needs some more aggression in their design studios. Maybe some WWF infusion from "The Rock" or something. As for the M Coupe, looks like a throwback based on the old WWII **** helmet to me. Essentially a road legal gocart. YOOOOGLY !

 

One thing really pissed me off the other day... One of my friend's cousins was telling me about how great their MBZ was and how they were thinking about buying a RX300 instead of a ML320 because it as the "Next best thing" but decided that Mercedes was better because Lexus is basically for people who can't afford a Mercedes...I then proceeded to tell her about the various MBZ's that we have owned (including a 300CE, S430, and C280) and how 2 of them were returned because they were lemons...This somehow coaxed her to tell about the two times her ML broke down on her right in the middle of the freeway and how expensive service was... That's when I broke out in a wide grin

-Chris Y.