Lexus LS460L vs Kia K900
#61
Lexus Test Driver
I've actually seen 2 K900's on the road. One at a car wash, and my first thought was wow thats a big Optima, then i saw the K900 badge and thought wow someone actually bought one.
The second one was on the highway and as I was coming up to pass it, I said wow that is a big *** Optima.
The second one was on the highway and as I was coming up to pass it, I said wow that is a big *** Optima.
#62
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by Stereorob
I own a 1995 LS and a 2003 Kia product. its a Kia Spectra, and its absolutely dreadful. then again, that's like comparing a 1982 Cressida to a new LS...
#63
Moderator
I recently drove one and it was impressive. But the lack of Bluelink type Telematics and no power rear door sunshades on a car of that caliber was disappointing. It drove very nice
#64
Pole Position
they are nice as long they are not in my garage Only Lexus allowed
#65
now heres an interesting topic.. the Kia K900. first question about this oddball is has anybody actually SEEN one?! I sure as hell haven't. im thinking this car will go the way of the Volkswagen phaeton, which was an amazing car but people couldn't get past spending 7 series prices on a VW. it was a car that left such a small footprint here in the states most people don't even know what the heck they are! although I do remember seeing one once in a blue moon in traffic around town going on ten years ago when they first came out. that car lasted, what? 2 years and was killed off? people just wont spend 60 something thousand dollars on a Kia, its just not going to happen. as far as the Hyndai Equus goes, they have sold some of them, and although I do see them in traffic from time to time, and although they are fairly nice cars I don't see too many of them. I actually got to spend quite a bit of seat time in a Equus back when I was a salesman cause I took one in on a trade and had to drive it almost 100 miles back to the dealership and took my sweet time with it. infact I spent almost the whole day with it getting to know it really well just cause I was very curious about all its features and how it handled. don't get me wrong, its a nice car, but A its seriously lacking an identity. it looks like a 2006 Ls430 banged a 2008 Azera and this was its child. seriously wtf. it looked dated already when it came out. B, the Equus has lots of toys, but not even close to as refined as an LS460. they seriously cheaped out on interior bits, and although it has some guts on the street, its pretty spineless on the highway with merging power.
the Kia K900 is more of a curiosity to me than anything else. and honestly I like the way it looks more than the Equus. it has its own identity and looks really really nice in pictures, but ive never had my hands on once which is surprising cause I work at a luxury dealership and get all kinds of interesting things in on trade.
one thing about Hyundai / Kia vehicles that's a little unsettling is that they don't seem to have much of a lifespan. ive seen 2010-2012 Sonatas, Elantras, Optimas, Azeras, Genesis and Equus show up in the trade lot that at 50k miles already felt more wore out and tired than my 20+ year old, 200k mile Ls400. kind of surprising for a company that is hell bent on being a Luxury brand. suspensions already sinking, rubber gaskets already deteriorating, electrical problems, bits of trim falling off etc. very very disappointing..
the Kia K900 is more of a curiosity to me than anything else. and honestly I like the way it looks more than the Equus. it has its own identity and looks really really nice in pictures, but ive never had my hands on once which is surprising cause I work at a luxury dealership and get all kinds of interesting things in on trade.
one thing about Hyundai / Kia vehicles that's a little unsettling is that they don't seem to have much of a lifespan. ive seen 2010-2012 Sonatas, Elantras, Optimas, Azeras, Genesis and Equus show up in the trade lot that at 50k miles already felt more wore out and tired than my 20+ year old, 200k mile Ls400. kind of surprising for a company that is hell bent on being a Luxury brand. suspensions already sinking, rubber gaskets already deteriorating, electrical problems, bits of trim falling off etc. very very disappointing..
That's the problem with Korean cars, they just dont age gracefully like the lexus does. Actually to be honest, the Pre fitted1,2 and 3UZ fitted lexus's age better then the non UZ fitted ones.
#66
Lexus Test Driver
they not only don't age gracefully like lexus cosmetically, but they fall apart mechanically too! whens the last time you saw a 2003 optima or sonata on the road? they just don't hold up and the ones that have look absolutely god awful. I know they are hell bent on being a luxury car, but I just don't ever see it happening
#67
Lexus Fanatic
they not only don't age gracefully like lexus cosmetically, but they fall apart mechanically too! whens the last time you saw a 2003 optima or sonata on the road? they just don't hold up and the ones that have look absolutely god awful. I know they are hell bent on being a luxury car, but I just don't ever see it happening
Like I said, our Kia Sedona is almost a year in and 10k miles, and its aging very well. The interior shows no wear, exterior paint is very good quality, no wear and very little chipping. No rattles or squeaks of any kind.
So far, I'm very impressed and would certainly buy another Kia/Hyundai product.
BTW, I have good friends who have an 04 Sonata that has been great and has aged just fine.
#68
Bought this EQUUS, August 2014 ($57K out the door) Currently covered 122,500 miles.
I've had no service issues. Costing me $0.03/mile in maintenance, which included :
2 alignments
1 wheel bearing - hit a curb
13 oil changes
60K & 90K services
8 tires.
Car's still on original brake pads & rotors.
Everything works as it should.
I even bought a 2015 model also.
I do like the LS460, having owned 3 LS430's in the past.
I've had no service issues. Costing me $0.03/mile in maintenance, which included :
2 alignments
1 wheel bearing - hit a curb
13 oil changes
60K & 90K services
8 tires.
Car's still on original brake pads & rotors.
Everything works as it should.
I even bought a 2015 model also.
I do like the LS460, having owned 3 LS430's in the past.
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The Ikon (06-30-20)
#69
Bought this EQUUS, August 2014 ($57K out the door) Currently covered 122,500 miles.
I've had no service issues. Costing me $0.03/mile in maintenance, which included :
2 alignments
1 wheel bearing - hit a curb
13 oil changes
60K & 90K services
8 tires.
Car's still on original brake pads & rotors.
Everything works as it should.
I even bought a 2015 model also.
I do like the LS460, having owned 3 LS430's in the past.
I've had no service issues. Costing me $0.03/mile in maintenance, which included :
2 alignments
1 wheel bearing - hit a curb
13 oil changes
60K & 90K services
8 tires.
Car's still on original brake pads & rotors.
Everything works as it should.
I even bought a 2015 model also.
I do like the LS460, having owned 3 LS430's in the past.
#70
My 2006 LS430 covered 360,000 +/- miles & cost me $25,000 in maintenance (over 8 years) - $0.07/mile.
I traded it in for the EQUUS above.
Air suspension repairs @ the dealership, drove up the maintenance cost, on the LS430.
I later learned to replace air struts myself, with used parts.
I traded it in for the EQUUS above.
Air suspension repairs @ the dealership, drove up the maintenance cost, on the LS430.
I later learned to replace air struts myself, with used parts.
#72
Lexus Fanatic
they not only don't age gracefully like lexus cosmetically, but they fall apart mechanically too
Read more: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...#ixzz42hxMPQJe
Read more: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...#ixzz42hxMPQJe
These cars are not your Father's Hyundai Pony.
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The Ikon (06-30-20)
#73
Pole Position
Thanks for sharing.
Very interesting thread. I guess because I would consider myself sort of an expert here. I say that never, except in this case.
I spent 5 years working as a Design Engineer for Toyota. I worked in Ann Arbor, MI. I even spent some time working on the 480N, which is the RX 330. I think it was called RX 330. We went by the prototype codes. It was the first Lexus built in North America. Built at TMMC, Canada.
I loved working for Toyota. I loved their products. From the entry level Echo (at that time) to the flagship Lexus LS. I bought a couple vehicles while there. A 2000 Toyota 4Runner. It was the best vehicle I think I've ever owned. 5 speed, 3.4 Liter I think it was. Great vehicle. I sold it with like 98k miles. I never touched the brakes or tires. Yes, it was on the original Michelins. They wore even, stayed balanced, the front end stay in good alignement. Yes, the tires were in need of replacement, but my argument was that I would rather the new owner choose the tires they wanted, instead of me. Sold it for $14k, in 2006. I paid a skosh under $20k. It was on a 1 year lease from a coworker, that got turned back in and I tagged it. Loved it. I cried when we sold it. We had our 3rd son, and 2 in car seats, one in a booster, and it just wasn't working out. Bought a Honda Odyssey ever since. It's a good tool, but I miss the 4Runner.
I also bought a 2004 Corolla, I still have it, and it has 180k miles and running like a champ. 5 speed, the wife is currently using it and PILING on the miles. It is a great car, and I don't mind leaving the LS in the garage and driving the Corolla. Wind noise like hell though.
The wife was not happy in Michigan (I was), so I took job with the Hyundai Tech Center across town because they were going to relocate me down to Montgomery Alabama to work as their design engineer interface there. Without going into any detail on that experience let me say this:
I have purchased zero Hyundai products. I just purchased my LS. I have no plan to purchase any Hyundai products. Hyundai owns Kia. Hyundai purchased Kia in 1999. Chairman Chung subsequently assigned his son to head Kia. Did I mention I have never purchased a Hyundai vehicle? I was also provided a company car, which was either a Hyundai or a Kia.
Based on my experience working at the plant, driving the company vehicles, sort of training with the Hyundai engineers, including in their huge and highly advanced technical center, in Namyang, South Korea ... I elected NOT to purchase any Hyundai vehicles. I don't know if I've mentioned that or not.
I have a patent with Toyota, I have a patent with Hyundai. And I have a patent with my current employer (not automotive). Many of the things being mentioned on here about Hyundai are wrong, but I'm going to let it go ... at least for now.
I left Toyota with 9 years engineering experience. After 7 years of experience with Hyundai, I left there with a total of 2 years of engineering experience. I went back to entry-level.
I have been working very hard the past 3 years at my current job, and have also been undergoing shock therapy to put the 7 years of Hyundai out of my mind. I just admitted to my closest friend (who escaped Hyundai after only 4 years) that I believe I have learned how to work hard and think like an engineer again. I cannot forget those traumatic 7 years of my life, but I can say it no longer negatively affects my daily work attitude. Thanks to the shock therapy and whiskey.
I'll say I LOVED working with Toyota, and the Japanese. They ARE #1 not because they are great engineers (which they are great / outstanding engineers), but my opinion is because they are ABSOLUTELY TOP NOTCH BUSINESS engineers. Their business is to sell cars. So they are 100% committed to making a product that a customer will be proud of, and will want another. They are 100% committed to not waste time, energy or money on ANYTHING else. I'll leave it at that, because from the day I turned in my notice, my heart has been broken. I did it to make the wife happy. I won't make that mistake again.
7milesout
I spent 5 years working as a Design Engineer for Toyota. I worked in Ann Arbor, MI. I even spent some time working on the 480N, which is the RX 330. I think it was called RX 330. We went by the prototype codes. It was the first Lexus built in North America. Built at TMMC, Canada.
I loved working for Toyota. I loved their products. From the entry level Echo (at that time) to the flagship Lexus LS. I bought a couple vehicles while there. A 2000 Toyota 4Runner. It was the best vehicle I think I've ever owned. 5 speed, 3.4 Liter I think it was. Great vehicle. I sold it with like 98k miles. I never touched the brakes or tires. Yes, it was on the original Michelins. They wore even, stayed balanced, the front end stay in good alignement. Yes, the tires were in need of replacement, but my argument was that I would rather the new owner choose the tires they wanted, instead of me. Sold it for $14k, in 2006. I paid a skosh under $20k. It was on a 1 year lease from a coworker, that got turned back in and I tagged it. Loved it. I cried when we sold it. We had our 3rd son, and 2 in car seats, one in a booster, and it just wasn't working out. Bought a Honda Odyssey ever since. It's a good tool, but I miss the 4Runner.
I also bought a 2004 Corolla, I still have it, and it has 180k miles and running like a champ. 5 speed, the wife is currently using it and PILING on the miles. It is a great car, and I don't mind leaving the LS in the garage and driving the Corolla. Wind noise like hell though.
The wife was not happy in Michigan (I was), so I took job with the Hyundai Tech Center across town because they were going to relocate me down to Montgomery Alabama to work as their design engineer interface there. Without going into any detail on that experience let me say this:
I have purchased zero Hyundai products. I just purchased my LS. I have no plan to purchase any Hyundai products. Hyundai owns Kia. Hyundai purchased Kia in 1999. Chairman Chung subsequently assigned his son to head Kia. Did I mention I have never purchased a Hyundai vehicle? I was also provided a company car, which was either a Hyundai or a Kia.
Based on my experience working at the plant, driving the company vehicles, sort of training with the Hyundai engineers, including in their huge and highly advanced technical center, in Namyang, South Korea ... I elected NOT to purchase any Hyundai vehicles. I don't know if I've mentioned that or not.
I have a patent with Toyota, I have a patent with Hyundai. And I have a patent with my current employer (not automotive). Many of the things being mentioned on here about Hyundai are wrong, but I'm going to let it go ... at least for now.
I left Toyota with 9 years engineering experience. After 7 years of experience with Hyundai, I left there with a total of 2 years of engineering experience. I went back to entry-level.
I have been working very hard the past 3 years at my current job, and have also been undergoing shock therapy to put the 7 years of Hyundai out of my mind. I just admitted to my closest friend (who escaped Hyundai after only 4 years) that I believe I have learned how to work hard and think like an engineer again. I cannot forget those traumatic 7 years of my life, but I can say it no longer negatively affects my daily work attitude. Thanks to the shock therapy and whiskey.
I'll say I LOVED working with Toyota, and the Japanese. They ARE #1 not because they are great engineers (which they are great / outstanding engineers), but my opinion is because they are ABSOLUTELY TOP NOTCH BUSINESS engineers. Their business is to sell cars. So they are 100% committed to making a product that a customer will be proud of, and will want another. They are 100% committed to not waste time, energy or money on ANYTHING else. I'll leave it at that, because from the day I turned in my notice, my heart has been broken. I did it to make the wife happy. I won't make that mistake again.
7milesout
#74
Lexus Fanatic
I'm just saying, I've owned a bunch of Toyota/Lexus products in my life, I also now own a Kia. I'm used to quality, and I know and understand quality in a vehicle. The Kia has exceeded my expectations. I'm 10k miles in now, not a rattle, no looseness, the interior shows zero wear, seat leather is very high quality, exterior paint and trim is very high quality. Will it be as reliable over time as a Toyota? We'll see. From an entry level quality standpoint its better than what Toyota has been putting out over the last few years by a mile, they're improving though.
I would 100% buy a Kia/Hyundai again.
I have a coworker with a Hyundai SantaFe, he's had a persistent rattle with the panoramic sunroof. I've been VERY impressed by Hyundai's commitment to make his vehicle right, they're in the process of replacing the entire roof now. No argument, no obfuscation, no "they're all that way" like you see here from Lexus every day. Nothing but "We're so sorry sir, we will make your car right whatever it takes". Thats impressive to me.
I would 100% buy a Kia/Hyundai again.
I have a coworker with a Hyundai SantaFe, he's had a persistent rattle with the panoramic sunroof. I've been VERY impressed by Hyundai's commitment to make his vehicle right, they're in the process of replacing the entire roof now. No argument, no obfuscation, no "they're all that way" like you see here from Lexus every day. Nothing but "We're so sorry sir, we will make your car right whatever it takes". Thats impressive to me.
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The Ikon (06-30-20)
#75
Lexus Champion
***side-note, I test drove a 2015 K900 and I’m seriously thinking about getting one or its brother the 2014 Equus... It’s a great used luxo car option for $15K with around 50k miles
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roadfrog (07-06-20)