Which options are most practical?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,466
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
I too have decided that around here at least I don't like dynamic cruise control. My LS460 doesn't have it, but our Kia Sedona van does and our Jeep Grand Cherokee before it did too. Issue is it leaves too much space, people sneak in in front of you and it keeps you falling back, and it doesn't get close enough to pressure drivers in front of you slower than you to get out of your way.
Only works well on wide open freeways, where you really don't need it anyways because they're wide open freeways.
My wife loves it though, I would never choose it as an option myself.
Only works well on wide open freeways, where you really don't need it anyways because they're wide open freeways.
My wife loves it though, I would never choose it as an option myself.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 60
From: CA
I like the more opulent touch of the semi-aniline leather and memory-enabled, climate-controlled, power, and lumbar massage back seats. The butterfly and power headrests are cool as well. So is the extra wood trim on the rear center vents. Since I almost never sit in the back, I don't use those options much, but somehow they add to the overall specialness of the car.
Inreally didn't purchase my LS460 for practical reasons, mostly just for the sense of enjoyment. My 1984 Celica GT-S Liftback and my LS460 are my favorite cars I've owned, but for different reasons.
Inreally didn't purchase my LS460 for practical reasons, mostly just for the sense of enjoyment. My 1984 Celica GT-S Liftback and my LS460 are my favorite cars I've owned, but for different reasons.
I use radar cruise only in highways and with the shortest distance setting, it's works perfectly.
Many here have/like to have semi-aniline leather. Just curious, what is so special about semi-aniline leather?. The reason for my question is my car came with that (even though I didn't specifically look for it), don't know what to appreciate of that interior
?????
Many here have/like to have semi-aniline leather. Just curious, what is so special about semi-aniline leather?. The reason for my question is my car came with that (even though I didn't specifically look for it), don't know what to appreciate of that interior
?????
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 207
From: Georgia
I didn't read all the replies, but wanted to mention ... how many times have you ever stuffed the trunk so full that the chill box would be an issue? Me? Never. But other people, what once ... twice? I don't find the missing space in the trunk to be an issue at all. JMHO.
Jason
Jason
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,466
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
Originally Posted by satiger
I use radar cruise only in highways and with the shortest distance setting, it's works perfectly.
Many here have/like to have semi-aniline leather. Just curious, what is so special about semi-aniline leather?. The reason for my question is my car came with that (even though I didn't specifically look for it), don't know what to appreciate of that interior ?????
Many here have/like to have semi-aniline leather. Just curious, what is so special about semi-aniline leather?. The reason for my question is my car came with that (even though I didn't specifically look for it), don't know what to appreciate of that interior
?????
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 117
From: Sacramento, CA
I didn't read all the replies, but wanted to mention ... how many times have you ever stuffed the trunk so full that the chill box would be an issue? Me? Never. But other people, what once ... twice? I don't find the missing space in the trunk to be an issue at all. JMHO.
Jason
Jason
Glad you enjoyed the quotes, satiger. To piggyback on Steve's reply, I also like the Semi-aniline leather upgrade because you get more leather on the doors instead of the base rubber/plastic. Really adds to the specialness and luxury of the car. It does annoy me a little bit that my wife has leather on her door armrest on her 2006 ES, yet my 2006 LS 430 does not. My LS 430 door armrest feels just like our previous Sienna.
Last edited by FatherTo1; Jan 26, 2017 at 02:56 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 300
From: Missouri
I didn't read all the replies, but wanted to mention ... how many times have you ever stuffed the trunk so full that the chill box would be an issue? Me? Never. But other people, what once ... twice? I don't find the missing space in the trunk to be an issue at all. JMHO.
Jason
Jason
I can assure you that the UltraLux trunk is indeed small, having owned a regular 2012 SWB previously. I have stuffed it to the gills with bags and suitcases, and what not, every time we travel to Iowa. I should remember to take a picture for you the next time. But the small trunk does force us to travel a bit light, which is a good thing!
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 117
From: Sacramento, CA
Ah yes, very true. I did notice that when perusing 2013+ cars for sale. Unfortunately, 2013+ is almost twice what we'd pay for a 2010 and don't feel it's twice the car. That said, 2013+ is beautiful inside and out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 117
From: Sacramento, CA
Although I have read it many times, I don't understand why everyone feels that the chill box option is hogging all the trunk space. Unlike the S-class cool box, which is actually refrigerated and sticks out oddly inside the trunk compartment, the LS cool box is just supplied with cold air from the rear AC unit, and the trunk itself has a normal appearance (unlike the S), albeit small. I thought a combination of the mechanisms for the reclining seats and the rear AC contributes to the smaller trunk.
I can assure you that the UltraLux trunk is indeed small, having owned a regular 2012 SWB previously. I have stuffed it to the gills with bags and suitcases, and what not, every time we travel to Iowa. I should remember to take a picture for you the next time. But the small trunk does force us to travel a bit light, which is a good thing!
I can assure you that the UltraLux trunk is indeed small, having owned a regular 2012 SWB previously. I have stuffed it to the gills with bags and suitcases, and what not, every time we travel to Iowa. I should remember to take a picture for you the next time. But the small trunk does force us to travel a bit light, which is a good thing!
On models with only Rear-reclining seats, I do not notice any reduction in trunk space and have measured it and tested with our jogging stroller situated in the back rectangular area. When models have the full rear seat upgrade with rear AC and chill box then you lose a noticeable amount of space. At least enough for it to be a concern for us. Although there's more interior space in the L, I don't necessarily always want to consider it as a backup trunk.
EDIT: You can imagine my utter glee when I read about the Tesla frunk!
EDIT 2: comotiger, maybe the trunk is shaped differently on your 2014 but the 2007/2008 LS 460Ls I've looked at all have an oddly shaped protrusion or bulge in the trunk when equipped with the rear AC. I understand 2009 got clever with packaging the hybrid battery to free up additional trunk space in the 600hL, I'm not sure if that also frees up trunk space with just the rear AC and if it eliminated the bulge.
EDIT: You can imagine my utter glee when I read about the Tesla frunk!
EDIT 2: comotiger, maybe the trunk is shaped differently on your 2014 but the 2007/2008 LS 460Ls I've looked at all have an oddly shaped protrusion or bulge in the trunk when equipped with the rear AC. I understand 2009 got clever with packaging the hybrid battery to free up additional trunk space in the 600hL, I'm not sure if that also frees up trunk space with just the rear AC and if it eliminated the bulge.
Last edited by FatherTo1; Jan 26, 2017 at 02:25 PM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,264
Likes: 481
From: MA
A funny story, when I got my new LS, I still had my '95 Infiniti Q45a. So one time in that car with the standard CC on I'm coming up on a car and I'm waiting for the car to slow down. Then I suddenly realize, oh, I'm in the wrong car, I'd better hit the brake!
Last edited by Nospinzone; Jan 26, 2017 at 02:30 PM.
How about durability of the semi-aniline leather? I've been totally underwhelmed with the durability of Lexus (Toyota) leather. My 1999 RX300 had to have both front seat cushion and seat back covers replaced before the original 4 year warranty expired due to creasing and eventually cracking of the leather. I also find it quite inconsistent. My LS460 seats looks excellent after 10 years but every other one I have seen has deep creases and/or cracks throughout the seating surfaces. This is true of most every other used Lexus (2-3 years or older) I've seen. I don't think any of the commercial cleaners or conditioners change this either. Domestic cars don't seem to have this problem although I don't think they will be as carefully lavished and pampered as an LS!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,466
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
How about durability of the semi-aniline leather? I've been totally underwhelmed with the durability of Lexus (Toyota) leather. My 1999 RX300 had to have both front seat cushion and seat back covers replaced before the original 4 year warranty expired due to creasing and eventually cracking of the leather. I also find it quite inconsistent. My LS460 seats looks excellent after 10 years but every other one I have seen has deep creases and/or cracks throughout the seating surfaces. This is true of most every other used Lexus (2-3 years or older) I've seen. I don't think any of the commercial cleaners or conditioners change this either. Domestic cars don't seem to have this problem although I don't think they will be as carefully lavished and pampered as an LS!
If I had it to do over again thats the one option I would have found, the semi-aniline leather.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 524
Likes: 39
From: Knoxville, Tennessee
Yes you can. I don't remember how, but when I first got my car I did try it out, and thought why would I ever use regular cruise control.
A funny story, when I got my new LS, I still had my '95 Infiniti Q45a. So one time in that car with the standard CC on I'm coming up on a car and I'm waiting for the car to slow down. Then I suddenly realize, oh, I'm in the wrong car, I'd better hit the brake!
A funny story, when I got my new LS, I still had my '95 Infiniti Q45a. So one time in that car with the standard CC on I'm coming up on a car and I'm waiting for the car to slow down. Then I suddenly realize, oh, I'm in the wrong car, I'd better hit the brake!