When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I really like the look of that car too. In fact, that look was the reason I wanted to get an LS.
I rarely see the model year/style LS that I have, but often see that style and it always looks very distinguished to me and even now, I glance at them while driving past one.
Actually, the newer body style is rare in my parts come to think of it. I've only driven past one that I can distinctly remember.
Last edited by Rhambler; Dec 26, 2015 at 04:06 AM.
2007-2009 I think is the best looking.
I don't like the mild update of lights that took place in 2010. 2013 version is not bad at all, but I think overall the statement of the car got lost a little.
Also the 4th generation is the first one that didn't look like a copy of an S class. 01-06 clearly looked like a w140, and 90-2000 like a smoothed out w126.
90-94 looked like its own thing, 95-00 looked like a updated w126 Mercedes and the Ls430 looked like a W140 from 01 all the was to 06. the Ls460 is the first LS that has really had its own identity. especially the 2013+, but I think the earlier ones from 07-09 had the coolest options like the self parking and HDD that they took away with the 2010 refresh. why they did idk. :/
I'd go 07-09, after that the nose seemed to get a bit pointy and it just didn't do it for me. I like the newer ones too...2013 to present. I find myself usually not liking refreshing in current body styles, it's almost as if they get refined, cheaper looking. But I do like the 2014 facelift and I love that interior.
I too prefer the 07-09 to the 10-12 car. I think the refresh that they did to the front and the rear did away with a lot of the fluidity of the 07-09. The 13-15 though I think is the best looking out of all of them. Interior wise the improvements to the 2013 are significant.
The changes from the 07-09 to the 10-12 are subtle? I can't really tell or don't know the differences. I think there are some threads on the topic with photos though.
Semi-OT: how do I know if my stereo had the HDD? I don't have ML. Was it only included with the ML system?
I hope they start making pretty cars again by the time I have to get rid of my 2010. I can't love a grill that looks like the piece of expanded metal I cook hamburgers on.
Subtle, yes, but I dint see why they had to make those changes, and they are not for the better. Newer lights look too Toyota like, and the amber strip is not helping. Nose is a bit pointy, and fog lights now make a happy face .
The grill on the 2013-2016 LS is not really any bigger than the grille on the previous LS versions. The only difference is that it connects through on the sides from the lower grill to the upper grill. Still has the same LS look grey slatted upper grill with 5-7 slats.
On the newer Lexus cars I agree, the grill is getting to be a little much. One reason I got the LS when I did.
Originally Posted by tbilisi79
Subtle, yes, but I dint see why they had to make those changes, and they are not for the better. Newer lights look too Toyota like, and the amber strip is not helping. Nose is a bit pointy, and fog lights now make a happy face .
Well, they always have to make changes to stay fresh, but overall I agree the 10-12 car doesn't flow as smoothly as the 07-09 car.
That 2010 front looks sharp and that's the image that created that envy, lol!
But I do like the look of my car. I like rear of my model better. The lights back there look better to me.
One nice thing about the refresh is that they are rare! I like that actually. My RL was rare. I could go days or even weeks without seeing one and use to feel funny when one actually pulled up next to me lol, because they were rare.
When I look at the photos of the beautiful, pre-Spindle Grill LS460's, I could cry. Between 1993 and 2011, I had EIGHT, brand new, fully loaded LS sedans as my daily drivers. They were all air suspension cars, and I loved them. When it came time for a 2013, I was so disgusted with the design, I jumped to a Mercedes S550. I'm on my second one now. I'd like to say I have never looked back, but I have.
The powers that be at Lexus have truly lost their minds. They built a huge, extremely loyal customer base, by catering to the more conservative set who wanted quiet, comfortable, affordable luxury vehicles with bullet proof reliability. But now they have thrown virtually all of those loyal customers--myself included--under the bus, by insisting on making all their cars look like something out of an anime horror film.
Can you even imagine the board meeting when it was decided to go in this direction: "I know, we'll design all our cars to appeal to the tattoo/body piercing set and go after BMW for the performance crown. Yeah, that's the ticket!" If that guy hasn't committed Hara-Kari yet, it can't be far off.
I miss being a Lexus customer, but I truly know that I never left Lexus, Lexus left me.
