I'm heading for the dealership today to test drive, and hopefully buy, a 2010 LS 460 Sport - Black exterior (all interiors are black/saddle). They just got this one in and I haven't had a chance to drive the Sport version yet. They're hard to find (at least in Atlanta). I had an LS 430 that I turned in 3 years ago before gettting my current BMW 550i sport. I've looked hard at the 2010
MB E550 and wanted to drive the LS Sport before making a final decision.

A fully loaded E550 is basically the same price as the LS with the Sport and Comfort Package.

 

definitely let us know how it goes. i would love to hear some non-magazine reviews

 

Just got back from the dealership. I put down a deposit on the car and will be picking it up on Saturday. Timing is great as my 550i comes off lease tomorrow.

The car drives much tighter than the standard LS (which I test drove last week). It has adjustments for the suspension (sport/comfort) and for height (high/standard) that the standard LS 460 doesn't have. It also has paddle shifters on an all leather steering wheel. I drove it in the sport configuration and with the Power setting for the transmission.

Subjectively, the acceleration from a stop doesn't seem to be any different than the standard LS. The acceleration from a stop is markedly different than my 550i and much different as well than the E550 that I was considering. Those cars jump off the line when floored - particulary the
E550. The LS Sport moves pretty well but not nearly as quick. I expected it as it is I believe it is a heavier car with less toruque at higher RPM's.

I took it through a series of curves on an isolated road and that was where I really saw the difference vs. the standard model. While it is not a BMW sport (which holds the turns like it is on rails), it has MUCH less lean in the turns and has a much firmer feel. It also has much less front end drop when stopping suddenly. On the highway, the acceleration at speed was pretty good and the paddle shifters are fun.

Interestingly, the ride was still very comfortable over bumpy roads - certainly not harsh. The road noise was much less than my BMW - which I would expect.

The sport seats had more pronounced cushion and back rest bolsters and were supportive through the twisties.

I was somewhat concerned about my I-phone pairing with the car because the link on the web site didn't show the I-phone as an approved phone. There was no problem - it linked right away and transferred all 825 contacts.

They are shipping all of the Sport models with a comfort package that doesn't include the Levinson radio. I would have liked to have had the upgraded radio but you can't have everything. The other thing I would have liked to have was the laser cruise control as I really liked that in my BMW. I guess that is not available as an option on the SWB car.

All in all I fell in love with the car and am looking forward to getting back into a Lexus (this will be my third).

 

awesome, congrats on your upcoming new car

great review, seems like the sport version drives quite a bit different huh? that's good. did you try the pedal shift on down shift and rev matching? would like to hear opinions on how fast and smooth it is

 

LS is supreme! Congrats on the purchase!

 

Very nice! Congratulations - can't wait to see pictures.

Does the sport feel more connected to the road? I actually prefer the disconnected floating-on-a-couch feeling of the standard LS, so if that's the case, I may opt for the appearance package only.

Good luck!

 

Didn't try the pedal shift/rev matching. I figured I would wait until the car was mine and I didn't have a sales guy in the passenger seat.

Picking it up tomorrow as they said they could have it ready a day earlier.

 

Thanks. My opinion is that it definitely feels more connected to the road. Having said that, I didn't drive it in the "comfort" setting as I was more interested in the "sport". I honestly don't know how different the drive will be with the other setting. I will definitely try it after I pick up the car and give you an opinion.

 

^wow big day for you good luck sleeping haha congrats, please post pics of the interior as I have not seen saddle in the LS460...

 

Congratulations on the purchase

Did you ask if you could get the ML & laser cruise if you ordered the car? I think the lack of the ML would prohibit me from getting the car ($73,775, right?). I have configured an E550 with everything I would want (inc laser cruise) in the mid $60K range. Did they give you any discount?

Enjoy !!!

 

Just to nitpick it's radar cruise now, the laser system was on the LS 430. I do think they should've added the ML availability, but that reminds me of the options for the Touring pkg being somewhat limited as well. Bring on more customization and special orders please Lexus.

 

I hope Lexus introduces the "Lexus Select" program in North America!

 

I didn't ask about the ML because I wasn't ordering the car. I took it as it came equipped. They told me that all the Sport option equipped models (and there aren't many of them) are coming in with a Comfort Package that doesn't have the ML. I don't know for sure if you can get the ML if you ordered the car from scratch but when I went to the on-line "build your car" link, there's no way to configure the car with the Sport Option and any other Comfort Package that has the ML. I would have liked the ML but I'm not an audiophile so it wasn't a deal breakder for me. The sound of the standard sound system is okay - not particularly great but not terrible either (particulary coming out of my 550i with the Logic 7).

The MSRP for the car is $74,091 because it has some small package that includes trunk nets and other stuff. They gave me $3,000 off the sticker. I'm a pretty good negotiator but they weren't particularly wheeling and dealing on the car because there are so few of these avaialble. I know for a fact that there were 5 other people who had expressed interest in the car and were waiting to drive it if I didn't buy it.

Interesting about the E550 - I actually had one on order that had basically every option on it except for the 4-Matic and rear entertainment system. It listed for $74K. MB financial gave me such grief with the lease (it's a company car) that I finally threw up my hands and cancelled the order. After 3 weeks they were still waffling and I had to turn in my 550i today. Lexus Financial approved the lease in 30 minutes. The 2010 E550 is a very nice car with the re-design. Not as big as the LS but it drives really well - much better than the previous model design. The Drive Dynamic Multicountour driver's seat are a hoot - active air adjusted seat bolsters and a massage function. On the other hand MB treats you like they're doing you a favor by selling you a car. Definitely not the same experience as with Lexus.

Good luck whichever way you decide to go!

 

Which dealer did you pick it up from? Can't wait to see pics!

 

Picking it up today at about noon from Nalley Lexus in Roswell, Georgia.

I'll be sure to post some pictures!!