As I've been hinting, I've moved on today from the LS460 to a 2011 Infiniti M56. (And believe it or not, jlawr, it has a black interior )

The things I'll miss most about the LS are the classy good looks, the comfort, the power-closing doors and trunk, the parking sensors front and rear, and the Park Hold. Love that Park Hold. And the great gas mileage, too - excellent for a heavy car and a big engine. And then there's the Lexus dealership treatment!

The things I won't miss are the front-window wind swish (even though I didn't have it as bad as some apparently did), the 19 days in the shop for a broken valve spring, the unbelievably bad voice recognition (Lexus, you've got to be able to do better than that), the slow lazy downshifts and over-revving of the engine after aggressive shifts, the inaccurate speedometer, and the so-so navigation system.

Overall, the LS is a really muscular-looking, powerful, comfortable car that moves you around in style, and is hard to beat in spite of its shortcomings.

To make things harder, Lexus offered me a 6-month pull-ahead on my lease, and I was really, really tempted. But I wanted something different, and the 2010 LS is virtually identical to the 2008. I just didn't want another 3 years of the same thing.

So I've gone for a sportier car this time - 420hp, 7-spd tranny, lots of lux features. I hope I enjoy it as much as the LS!

Thanks to all the great posters here for their good info and tolerance, and to Rominl, Gojirra, Encore and the other Mods and Admins. (Btw, I'm a Mod on the Infiniti forum at FA now, so I feel for you! ).

I enjoyed my time here! This smiley is called "hello", but I'll use it as a goodbye:



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How do you like the calm natural breezes the car makes, like in a forest?

 

ah mike, hate to see you go!

so how did you get out of the lease before it ends? the infiniti dealership bought out the car?

 

All the Best, Mike!

 

Good luck and congrats on getting something that makes you happy!

 

I checked out that M at the dealer the other day. It's a very aggressive looking, hot car with the new wheels they had on it in the showroom. I can see your attraction to it. Hope the Infinity board is as interesting at CL is, as that's a big part of the ownership experience, the camaraderie of a web forum.

Enjoy your new car. If not, maybe we'll see you back in 3-5 years after the next redesign.

 

Best of luck with the M56 Mike - nice car! Don't be a stranger

 

Actually, that's part of a package I didn't get. And honestly, I didn't want it. I'm hot-natured and I like air blowing right on me in the summer!

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Thanks, Rom. This is a good forum and I'll miss it.

As for the lease, I simply traded out of it ... the dealer handled the payoff with Lexus Financial just like he would with a financed car.

It helped that this dealership also owns some Lexus stores.

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Thanks, Burnaby. I have appreciated the wisdom you've shared here over the past few years.

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I'm not even quite sure what that feature is! What is it?

 

Thank you, Stever and Tee.

You never know ... I might be back one of these days.

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Thank you, Dave. You guys run a good shop here, and we appreciate you!

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that's sweet mike, i am glad things worked out smoothly for you

show us some pics!

 

I'm not a regular here in the LS460 but good luck to you

I would like to hear some more comparison on the M56 when you have more seat-time.

I love the interior, but the rear end hasn't grown on me yet