Does anyone know when the next gen of lexus navigation system is coming? Telematics are very important to me, and I am now looking a successor to my 1999 GS that needs some expensive repairs.

I like the current GS series, but the requirement to use a switch to enable use of the navigation and other functions while in motion bugs me, esp when other products from competitors don't require it. I am hoping the next gen of GPS might fix this, so I'd probably be willing to do the repairs now, and upgrade when the 2009's come out. But if no improvements are coming, then I may go ahead and get another car now.

Also, is there any way to enable the onboard bluetooth handsfree to act like a normal bluetooth headset? When I played with internal vehicle hands-free at a dealer on the current model line, it wouldn't do that, with the car trying to do voice recognition instead of my phone, which has certain capabilities that I use and have customized. I don't like the idea of having to upload my contacts and keep my car in sync when my phone does it all already. I just want it to act like a headset - is that too much to ask? is any of this likely to change in the lexus line in 2009?

Phones and entertainment systems and nav have come a long way, but lexus seems to be clinging to an old model for this stuff.

thanks!

 

it doesn't seem that much will be changing in the up and coming 2009s. in 08 they redid a few cosmetics but basically its the same car

 

gen 5 came out in 07, i am not sure if gen 6 would be coming as soon as 09. plus you are talking about using nav while driving? man, knowing lexus, i wish that could happen but i don't know if it will happen that soon

 

have to agree on the nav lockout. they've taken a hard line on this issue that doesnt have anything to do with the age of the technology.

 

Sigh. I love lexus engineering in general, and I have never owned anything but a Toyota, but lexus is behind in the vehicle electronics dept.

It's not just this stupid nav lockout (Honda and acura don't do that), not just lack of passthru on the handsfree, but no HD radio, no USB attachments for MP3 playback, etc...

If I am going to pay a premium for for premium engineering, how come I have to settle for this mediocre telematic support?

 

in short, no difference. i have both cars and i don't see one being faster than the other or vise versa (at least not noticeably)