Seeing how the Lexus designers have bobbed the trunk openings on the latest generation, I have this suspicion the next LS will have that same feature. The current LS430 is fine in that respect. As I ponder choices, the Q45/F50 has me curious and I'm wondering what some of your thoughts are between these two?

 

Ever look at the resale value of a Q45?

 

The resale value is a downer for sure. I haven't driven one in such a long time, I dunno how people like them compared to an LS.

Back around '97 I looked at one but it didn't fit in anyway so I couldn't imagine driving one. I couldn't adjust the seat to feel comfortable. fromthat aspect, there was no way I would want to drive this for 3-5 hours at a time so we just walked out.

My concern is that Lexus is going to make trunk access so small with the next generation, they may foil my plans for an LS. I'm beginning my preperations for an alternate.

 

The M45 is kinda interesting to me, but not the Q. Not sure how the trunk openings compare...

 

Q45 is a nice car. Yes, it does have bad resale but its great if you wanna buy used.

 

I'd go for the M45. Another thing to consider is the service. I've been very happy with Lexus, where as when I went in to look at the M45, they didn't even say hello to me.

 

M45 is a great car inside and out. That said ......Infiniti has a serious problem on their hands with its "flagship". I actually liked the current Q when it debuted back in '01 I believe. It has some great features. But its popularity definitely reflects its terrible resale value. Cheap to buy one.....hard to unload it when your tired of it. I'd stay away, as there are so many other alternatives out there.

 

Have you ever tested the M45? Nice body and super inside cabin features. . .but not very impressive on the performance side. . .more sporty than silky smooth and the auto. shift is, to my sense, abrupt (like the V8 Acura RL). . .stick with the LS if you want smooth AND better resale value.

 

I stopped by the Inifinity dealer today to take a look. Unfortunately they didn't have -any- Q45's on the lot. I sat in an M35 and while it represents newer technology, it didn't wow me as I hoped it would. The trunk opening is just liek the current gen Lexus...all short openings.

The curent Q45 chassis specs don't impress me. The main thing was trunk space and it is .2 cuft less than what I have now. I'm hoping for 15+ cuft. Gas milage is less and it weighs in 500#'s more. Yeah, it has a larger engine but that isn't as big selling point for my uses. The Y33 Cima chassis they used for a few years is a style I like but I dunno about that one. So far on paper, the Q is out.

As much as I tried to stay open, it is likely a UCF31 will be the next. Wife chimes in about the RX.

 

I know how you feel, after having the Lexus for so long, its very hard to find another car that will suit you the same or even better thats not offered by Lexus. Im also in the same boat as you, and thinking of a newer GS4, or 2001+ LS. Couldnt find anything from anywhere else that I would be interested in.

 

[QUOTE=mmccutchin]abrupt (like the V8 Acura RL)QUOTE]

Must be that top secret one Honda keeps locked in their vault

Regular mortals like the rest of us have to make due with the 3.5L V6 Acura RL

The Q45 seems to be the black eye of Infiniti

I agree when it first came out back in 01 I think the backup camera and the crazy looking headlights were impressive but for some reason this vehicle failed...

I think the quality of service you get at Infiniti which is crap played a small part...

When the M45 came out in 02-03 it was a flop....so they went back to drawing board and got it right with the current one which beats on the competition (BMW 5er, Audi A6, Acura RL) like there is no tomorrow. IT is blazing fast 1/4 mile is 14.1s and I've seen as low as 13.8s...

 

I remember reading an article in Road and Track that compared the Q45 and the LS430 - the LS was faster in the 1/4 mile even though it had 40 or so HP less than the Q.

 

The Q45 is 4,050 pounds and the LS is 3,990. (From the '05 brochures.) The info I have on the 1UZ variants is that they have better torque numbers where the Q has higher HP. I'll take a M35/45 out when I have some time but I'm not expecting much. Given what the GS offers in a familiar interface, it would get my pick in a heartbeat.

I was impressed with the cars that were at Taste of Lexus with AWD. When this system is integrated into the LS, it will be really interesting.

 

From my understanding, afte being a failure for 16 years, the Q45 will be no more after this generation. You can get a new one for 10k off list with NO issues whatsover.

I've driven them and so did some friends of mine and its nice but in our opinion, didn't warrent the asking price, nor was it better than any of the competiton. Its not a bad car at all, just not great.

Its so average, car magazines don't even include it in comparisons with the LS/S/7 etc. And when I have seen a recent Q45 review, its against cars like the 5/GS/etc where it still loses by a large margin.

Since resale is horrendous, it does make a very attractive used car for 25k, since it has most bells and whistles.

It seems you can get crazy lease deals on M35/45s as dealers are dearly fightned people are losing intrest in the car already, even with rave reviews.