Johnhav430

This impression seems to form when I'm away from the car and drive something else for half a week to a week. It seems as if the doors on the LS have too little resistance, and open quite easily. Definitely on the front doors, not sure about the rears.

I then try to analyze it, and say, is there too little effort, or is it just that they open and shut so smoothly? Can't decide. But wish there were a tad more effort--this would be nice when it's windy, etc.

To contrast, one of my Maxima's rear doors, requires way too much effort (was not like that new), no matter how I tried to lube the slider and hinges, with various lubricants....

2KHarrier

Would you rather have them open like a 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass, where the door weighs 331 pounds and sags when you pull it open?

They open that way because the engineers designed them to open smoothly, and with little effort. I think it's part of the Lexus Quality Mantra?

My parents had a 1997 E320 and the hinges would continually freeze up on that car. Years ago I had a 190E 2.6 and it was the same thing. Frozen hinges. The door just didn't close smoothly, unless you really walloped it. So much for Mercedes Quality..

FatherTo1

Ah, the Olds Cutlass, I remember exactly what you're talking about, 2K.

To John, my wife's 06 ES doors feel heavier to open than our 06 LS, but the 06 LS doors feel heavier to open when compared to a '13 LS we almost purchased last month. The '13 LS doors felt almost too light.. The door still felt solid but maybe uses more lighter-yet-stronger high-strength steel...just a guess.

Johnhav430

Interesting....esp. that newer is getting lighter....not complaining, but I actually thought when I got back to my car that something was wrong...it does have a pleasantly solid thud upon closing.

I don't remember the doors per se, but on my first job one of the managers had a two door Cutlass and I rode in it. It had nice rims (probably 14's) that were keyed to the color of the car, probably from the late 80's as this was the early 90's....

Jabberwock

I don't know how many countless times I have asked people riding in my car to please not slam the doors when they get out. Because of their lifelong experience with typical car doors, most folks are unable to comprehend how to use a car door that swings and closes as smoothly and easily as the doors on the LS430.

jayclapp

I aslo have a cringe when people slam my car doors shut, especially since I have the electric closure and they really don't need any help!

Atomsplitr

Soft Close doors FTW!

Tom57

I totally relate to this, especially with the soft closer doors. I expect something in the door will be broken after a gut-wrenching, full-out slam.

Johnhav430

I actually like soft close doors, the only exception being more expensive actuators (double I believe). I didn't give it any thought with a coworker's '16 5 series which has them. I didn't let the car close the door because I wasn't thinking about it, but I didn't slam the front pass door either, why would I? imho slamming has nothing to do with the car and how it's equipped, but more on what type of person is riding. Many folks have no "sympathy" for vehicles. To them it's just a block of iron or aluminum that costs $x/mo.

I had my own test for women. When we just dating. I would let them drive my '98 Maxima 5-spd (if they couldn't that's an automatic fail). My current wife and I were at a stoplight (not married yet), and I said, "That's cool, you don't have your foot on the clutch."

"Why," she asked? "My dad taught me not to never ride the clutch?"

Good answer.

tallcaguy

Just great engineering when a heavy door opens and closes so easily. I've got the stock version. The soft close must be pretty cool. Lexus pursuit of excellence.