305Busa

Watching the British version of top gear and they are testing the Kia Cee'd. They were testing the "self parking" feature on the car and its what I would expect out of the LS. As you drive next to parking spaces, the car determines what spaces it can or can't fit into. Once it determines that it can fit, it reverses into the space (parallel) then you put the car into drive and it straighten it self out going foreword on its own.
Although this is a feature I've used a total of 3 times since I've owned the car, and all 3 times have been while showing someone that has asked to be shown, the feature of the Kia seems to be a little more up to par than the LS.

williakz

Good news! Your worries are over. Just buy a new 2013 LS and you'll have nothing to complain about. The automatic parking function (both parallel and side-by-side) have been omitted. You should sleep well tonight.

I8ABMR

I thought it was disappointing too. There is a low end Ford that can park itself as well. In the end with the way technology advances its going to make our recent luxury cars seem out dated.

Nospinzone

I've always thought of the self park as a parlor trick. The only times I've used it was at first to learn it, and then later to demo it to friends who wanted to see how it worked.

My problem is I live near Boston. I've timed how long it takes me to parallel park and the quickest it can be done is something like 12 seconds. In that time at least 3 other Boston drivers will be fighting over your space while you're still pushing the touch screen!

I8ABMR

I was discussing this with my father in law and feels like its the lamest feature to have on a car. I think its cool but in the end living in a place like Phoenix there really is no such thing as parallel parking. There are either spaces available or the streets are wide open and you can pull up to the side of the road and simply park

Luxofreak

For me this isn't a feature. It's a marketing gimmick. Anyone that can't parallel park shouldn't be driving in the first place.

lbintab

iTrader: (1)

I use it in mine all the time now since I'm blind in my right eye since August. It does help. Now you have to understand that the technology isn't new anymore. And yes many companies are now doing it better. But they can't say they've been doing it for a little over 6 years

305Busa

Wait, they took the feature out? I was at the dealer a few days ago and I've seen many 2013s but hadnt seen a LWB until then. The sticker price on this particular one was 99,395. It doesnt have that feature and it still almost 100k? I dont want the feature but for 100k, throw it in.

I always felt like it was a "parlor trick" as well and parking is plentyful here so I've only used it to show people when they ask but if Kia has it, Lexus needs to step up.
Maybe have all the wheels completely turn 90 degrees and the car slides in left to right or right to left.

williakz

Can't imagine why it's gone...

1sWt2GS

iTrader: (6)

Anyone have a video Of the ls parking in action?

nsaldanh

there's probably quite a few on YouTube from 2006.

LXurious

Its pretty useless and impractical in real world situations but when it works man is it a beauty to see a nicely modded LS back itself up with your hands out the sun roof as people stare in awe.

williakz

Mine worked great (2007 LS460 SWB RWD) in both parallel and side-by-side parking modes. The only problem I found was when the parking surface was not level. Touching the accelerator to back up a small incline or to go over a hump disabled the autopark function.

The best use I found for the feature was teaching my daughter how to parallel park. She would let the Lex do its thing a couple times to get a feel for when, where, and how much to make cuts. Then she would give it a try. After just a few sessions, she had it nailed, thanks to her "teacher" (NOT me!) When her driving test proctor required her to do a parallel park (using my wife's ES350), she nailed it perfectly the first time. Thanks, Lex!