Scathing Review LS500h
04-06-18, 06:35 AM
#31
Instructor
While I was waiting for my Key Card to get programmed for my 2010 LS460L, I sat (once again) in the LS500 at my Lexus dealer's showroom. The LS500 is so different from the 2010 LS460L! Felt so much smaller, and the interior just seemed "busy" to me compared to the elegant simplicity and open feeling of the 2010! It's clearly a big step forward for Lexus in driver technology aids, and I think it's cool that Lexus isn't afraid to make bold styling statements, but it really doesn't resonate with me the way the older model LS460s do. Maybe I'm just getting old...
04-06-18, 06:44 AM
#32
Lexus Fanatic
While I was waiting for my Key Card to get programmed for my 2010 LS460L, I sat (once again) in the LS500 at my Lexus dealer's showroom. The LS500 is so different from the 2010 LS460L! Felt so much smaller, and the interior just seemed "busy" to me compared to the elegant simplicity and open feeling of the 2010! It's clearly a big step forward for Lexus in driver technology aids, and I think it's cool that Lexus isn't afraid to make bold styling statements, but it really doesn't resonate with me the way the older model LS460s do. Maybe I'm just getting old...
04-07-18, 11:59 AM
#33
Lexus Champion
Perhaps Lexus thinks the demographic who would buy a car like the LS460 is too small and dying off (literally), so they are trying to market to a younger market, and leaving their old market to the Mercedes S class and the like. I think they should have updated the LS460 with more current technology and stayed in that market. If you have a car that is 85% to 95% good as a similarly optioned S550, yet costs 60% of its price (just throwing out numbers), then people might flock to the value proposition, especially if that proposition has better reliability than the S class.
For those who lease a new car every three years, that might not matter as much. For those who want to own, the equation might differ.
For those who lease a new car every three years, that might not matter as much. For those who want to own, the equation might differ.
04-08-18, 10:02 AM
#34
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Sedans are dying.
They was an article that said FORD expects 90% of its production to be SUV / truck in 2020.
90% !!!!!
Every high end manufacturer (Bentley / RR / Porsches / Lamborghini ! / Jaguar etc.) that introduces a SUV - that model quickly becomes the top seller.
The LS sold almost 43,000 in the US in 1990...
Even 35,000 in 2007.....
But 4,000 in 2017
Spending R & D money for what has become a tiny niche market just doesn't make sense.
I love my LX 570 - but that is aten ELEVEN year old platform.
LEXUS should go all out and introduce a new 3 row Luxury SUV as it's flagship.
The idea of the Luxury Sedan is king of the brand is out of date.
Something on the order of the new Lincoln Navigator - and follow up with other Luxury SUV's.
The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on a new Navigator is the dealer / service experience.
They was an article that said FORD expects 90% of its production to be SUV / truck in 2020.
90% !!!!!
Every high end manufacturer (Bentley / RR / Porsches / Lamborghini ! / Jaguar etc.) that introduces a SUV - that model quickly becomes the top seller.
The LS sold almost 43,000 in the US in 1990...
Even 35,000 in 2007.....
But 4,000 in 2017
Spending R & D money for what has become a tiny niche market just doesn't make sense.
I love my LX 570 - but that is a
LEXUS should go all out and introduce a new 3 row Luxury SUV as it's flagship.
The idea of the Luxury Sedan is king of the brand is out of date.
Something on the order of the new Lincoln Navigator - and follow up with other Luxury SUV's.
The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on a new Navigator is the dealer / service experience.
Last edited by xfea; 04-08-18 at 10:06 AM.
04-08-18, 11:41 AM
#35
Trends come and go... Doesn't matter whether it's women's hem lines, kitchen designs, or restaurant menus. The public is fickle (and not very bright). Sedans aren't dying, they're just not in vogue at the moment. That will change as sure as the wind blows.
In case you hadn't noticed, Disco is back.
In case you hadn't noticed, Disco is back.
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aypues (06-17-18)
04-09-18, 07:20 AM
#37
Instructor
What you're describing has already been built - it's the Genesis G90. Not much "flocking" going on towards that car now, although it truly is a pretty remarkable value in the luxury car arena. A big part of that is the dealer experience provided by Hyundai/Genesis (still mostly is terrible). Lexus also does have a higher "brand perception" than Genesis, mostly due to how long and successful the Lexus line has been. Had Lexus gone the G90 route with the new LS, I personally think sales would have been much better, at least in the short term.
04-14-18, 05:43 AM
#38
Sedans are dying.
They was an article that said FORD expects 90% of its production to be SUV / truck in 2020.
90% !!!!!
Every high end manufacturer (Bentley / RR / Porsches / Lamborghini ! / Jaguar etc.) that introduces a SUV - that model quickly becomes the top seller.
The LS sold almost 43,000 in the US in 1990...
Even 35,000 in 2007.....
But 4,000 in 2017
Spending R & D money for what has become a tiny niche market just doesn't make sense.
I love my LX 570 - but that is aten ELEVEN year old platform.
LEXUS should go all out and introduce a new 3 row Luxury SUV as it's flagship.
The idea of the Luxury Sedan is king of the brand is out of date.
Something on the order of the new Lincoln Navigator - and follow up with other Luxury SUV's.
The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on a new Navigator is the dealer / service experience.
They was an article that said FORD expects 90% of its production to be SUV / truck in 2020.
90% !!!!!
Every high end manufacturer (Bentley / RR / Porsches / Lamborghini ! / Jaguar etc.) that introduces a SUV - that model quickly becomes the top seller.
The LS sold almost 43,000 in the US in 1990...
Even 35,000 in 2007.....
But 4,000 in 2017
Spending R & D money for what has become a tiny niche market just doesn't make sense.
I love my LX 570 - but that is a
LEXUS should go all out and introduce a new 3 row Luxury SUV as it's flagship.
The idea of the Luxury Sedan is king of the brand is out of date.
Something on the order of the new Lincoln Navigator - and follow up with other Luxury SUV's.
The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on a new Navigator is the dealer / service experience.
True, and the new Lexus UX looks like it got 10X the R&D as the LS500, but will probably make Lexus 10X the money in a week than the LS will in a year. I will get out of the mindset of the Luxury Sedan out of date eventually, or maybe not. Eventually some rendition of it will come back in style! Not everyone wants a huge SUV (But by statistics, most do). Huge jump in gas price won't help the large sedans either. Will have to be change in the consumer trend, AND car makers putting their all into this segment (which Lexus is clearly not doing).
Last edited by kellens; 04-14-18 at 05:50 AM.
04-14-18, 06:57 AM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
What you're describing has already been built - it's the Genesis G90. Not much "flocking" going on towards that car now, although it truly is a pretty remarkable value in the luxury car arena. A big part of that is the dealer experience provided by Hyundai/Genesis (still mostly is terrible). Lexus also does have a higher "brand perception" than Genesis, mostly due to how long and successful the Lexus line has been. Had Lexus gone the G90 route with the new LS, I personally think sales would have been much better, at least in the short term.
04-14-18, 02:59 PM
#40
Pole Position
It's too early to tell about sales. First couple of months will likely be a lot of pre-orders and the "gotta-have-it-first" loyalists.
My local dealership has had 11 LS500s listed on their website and not one has moved in over 2 weeks.
My local dealership has had 11 LS500s listed on their website and not one has moved in over 2 weeks.
04-14-18, 03:27 PM
#42
Pole Position
Looks like Lexus is already running a lease deal on the LS500. $899 a month for 36 months with $4999 down. Says it's regional offer. I don't keep up with lease deals, so I'm not sure if that is marketing bs, but I thought it was strange to see a special offer for the LS already on the banner page. Usually, the hot selling cars don't have offers for a while and the front page banner ads are for models they are trying to move.
Time will tell.
Time will tell.
04-14-18, 04:02 PM
#43
My dealership currently shows 5 in inventory on the website. They have only 2, and one is pre-sold and being picked up in 2 days.
04-14-18, 04:06 PM
#44
Looks like Lexus is already running a lease deal on the LS500. $899 a month for 36 months with $4999 down. Says it's regional offer. I don't keep up with lease deals, so I'm not sure if that is marketing bs, but I thought it was strange to see a special offer for the LS already on the banner page. Usually, the hot selling cars don't have offers for a while and the front page banner ads are for models they are trying to move.
Time will tell.
Time will tell.
04-14-18, 06:56 PM
#45
Pole Position
Don't let the website fool you. Lexus corporate uploads the cars to the website as soon as they are unloaded and scanned at the port. Mine docked at the port on March 28th, and it showed up on website on April 1st as available inventory. The car actually arrived at the dealership at 8pm on April 12th, and I was able to pick it up on the 13th.
My dealership currently shows 5 in inventory on the website. They have only 2, and one is pre-sold and being picked up in 2 days.
My dealership currently shows 5 in inventory on the website. They have only 2, and one is pre-sold and being picked up in 2 days.