Lexus 350 vs Cadillac SRX.......
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 22
From: PA
RX 350 "ride"
Kan-o-z, I like what you said about being "seduced" by the handling on a test drive.
That's what happened to me in my '04 Maxima SE. I was so excited by the powertrain and handling of the car that I did not pick up on the relative ride harshness. It is something that I have come to severely regret. I even went so far as to unload the OEM 18" wheels/tires and get a cool SRS/Michelin 17" set from Tirerack, but it hardly made any difference. Coming off an '02 Cadillac STS lease, I should have known the Maxima would not ride as smoothly.
Anyway, I keep hearing about how great the "ride" is on the RX. You even describe it as "buttery smooth luxurious." I have not test driven one and do not doubt your assertion (I have only ever seen ONE negative comment about the RX ride in hundreds of messages on numerous boards), but I am puzzled as to why an SUV with such a short wheelbase rides so well.
Wheelbase length is not "be all/end all" indicator of ride quality (the Max is 110"), but generally the shorter the wheelbase, the worse the ride. I know the RX is based on the Camry platform, but it still boggles my mind that so many people (and Consumer Reports) mention the smooth ride of the RX.
Any opinions on that from you RX'ers?
That's what happened to me in my '04 Maxima SE. I was so excited by the powertrain and handling of the car that I did not pick up on the relative ride harshness. It is something that I have come to severely regret. I even went so far as to unload the OEM 18" wheels/tires and get a cool SRS/Michelin 17" set from Tirerack, but it hardly made any difference. Coming off an '02 Cadillac STS lease, I should have known the Maxima would not ride as smoothly.
Anyway, I keep hearing about how great the "ride" is on the RX. You even describe it as "buttery smooth luxurious." I have not test driven one and do not doubt your assertion (I have only ever seen ONE negative comment about the RX ride in hundreds of messages on numerous boards), but I am puzzled as to why an SUV with such a short wheelbase rides so well.
Wheelbase length is not "be all/end all" indicator of ride quality (the Max is 110"), but generally the shorter the wheelbase, the worse the ride. I know the RX is based on the Camry platform, but it still boggles my mind that so many people (and Consumer Reports) mention the smooth ride of the RX.
Any opinions on that from you RX'ers?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Kan-o-z, of course members here are usually gonna direct you to a Lexus
but I think a Caddy is a pretty Luxurious and reliable car. If you can even get a discount by a friend/family that works at GM, it would be even better.
Hope this helped and good luck Kan-o-z
but I think a Caddy is a pretty Luxurious and reliable car. If you can even get a discount by a friend/family that works at GM, it would be even better.
Hope this helped and good luck Kan-o-z
Guest
Posts: n/a
Kan-O Z,
I was beginning to think no one had ever even considered the Caddy, since my note was out there a week without any replys!
Thanks for your detailed and in depth response. Things I liked about the SRX were the styling, new interior, and the handling.(SRX drives like its on rails)
Like what was referenced by others, I live in southern NV and you see RX's about every block. Yes, the Lexus is by far the better deal, getting much more for the money and you would have to have a pretty good reason for buying a competitor. Maybe the new grill, colors, etc. of the '08 model will make a big difference, I'm gonna wait and see.
I was beginning to think no one had ever even considered the Caddy, since my note was out there a week without any replys!
Thanks for your detailed and in depth response. Things I liked about the SRX were the styling, new interior, and the handling.(SRX drives like its on rails)
Like what was referenced by others, I live in southern NV and you see RX's about every block. Yes, the Lexus is by far the better deal, getting much more for the money and you would have to have a pretty good reason for buying a competitor. Maybe the new grill, colors, etc. of the '08 model will make a big difference, I'm gonna wait and see.
Good luck. I think the revised SRX with the 20s looks better but the interior is IDENTICAL to the CTS, which is just not a good thing.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,283
Likes: 63
From: FL
RX Ride quality.
I've owned a lot of vehicles through my life and can easily say that the RX is the best touring vehicle I've ever owned. It doesn't handle corners like my MR2 but I don't expect it to.
The ride in the RX is smooth, quiet, comfortable, and controlled. It handles emergency maneuvers well and as I mentioned, I just test drove the STS and the RX drives much better, IMHO.
I suspect that a lot of this is subjective so you are best served by test driving these vehicles and see which best meets your needs.
Appearance concerns... I looked over several new Caddys at the dealer and they all had horrible orange peel. I was surprised to see such poor quality paint work. On one I could easily tell it had been repaired as it had a glass smooth spot in the middle of the drivers door. One smooth spot in a sea of orange peel.
I've owned a lot of vehicles through my life and can easily say that the RX is the best touring vehicle I've ever owned. It doesn't handle corners like my MR2 but I don't expect it to.
The ride in the RX is smooth, quiet, comfortable, and controlled. It handles emergency maneuvers well and as I mentioned, I just test drove the STS and the RX drives much better, IMHO.
I suspect that a lot of this is subjective so you are best served by test driving these vehicles and see which best meets your needs.
Appearance concerns... I looked over several new Caddys at the dealer and they all had horrible orange peel. I was surprised to see such poor quality paint work. On one I could easily tell it had been repaired as it had a glass smooth spot in the middle of the drivers door. One smooth spot in a sea of orange peel.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: VA
Kan-o-z, I like what you said about being "seduced" by the handling on a test drive.
That's what happened to me in my '04 Maxima SE. I was so excited by the powertrain and handling of the car that I did not pick up on the relative ride harshness. It is something that I have come to severely regret. I even went so far as to unload the OEM 18" wheels/tires and get a cool SRS/Michelin 17" set from Tirerack, but it hardly made any difference. Coming off an '02 Cadillac STS lease, I should have known the Maxima would not ride as smoothly.
Anyway, I keep hearing about how great the "ride" is on the RX. You even describe it as "buttery smooth luxurious." I have not test driven one and do not doubt your assertion (I have only ever seen ONE negative comment about the RX ride in hundreds of messages on numerous boards), but I am puzzled as to why an SUV with such a short wheelbase rides so well.
Wheelbase length is not "be all/end all" indicator of ride quality (the Max is 110"), but generally the shorter the wheelbase, the worse the ride. I know the RX is based on the Camry platform, but it still boggles my mind that so many people (and Consumer Reports) mention the smooth ride of the RX.
Any opinions on that from you RX'ers?
That's what happened to me in my '04 Maxima SE. I was so excited by the powertrain and handling of the car that I did not pick up on the relative ride harshness. It is something that I have come to severely regret. I even went so far as to unload the OEM 18" wheels/tires and get a cool SRS/Michelin 17" set from Tirerack, but it hardly made any difference. Coming off an '02 Cadillac STS lease, I should have known the Maxima would not ride as smoothly.
Anyway, I keep hearing about how great the "ride" is on the RX. You even describe it as "buttery smooth luxurious." I have not test driven one and do not doubt your assertion (I have only ever seen ONE negative comment about the RX ride in hundreds of messages on numerous boards), but I am puzzled as to why an SUV with such a short wheelbase rides so well.
Wheelbase length is not "be all/end all" indicator of ride quality (the Max is 110"), but generally the shorter the wheelbase, the worse the ride. I know the RX is based on the Camry platform, but it still boggles my mind that so many people (and Consumer Reports) mention the smooth ride of the RX.
Any opinions on that from you RX'ers?
We drove several SUVs out there before purchasing the RX350. We test drove the X5, Cayenne, FX, Murano and previously owned an Escape. I can easily say the RX hands down has a much smoother and luxurious ride than any of the above. I haven't looked up how the wheel bases compare between all of these but I assume they are relatively close to one another? I guess they got the suspension just right...not overly soft or floaty that you don't have enough control but not stiff either. Some think the RX rides a bit too soft but after getting accustomed to it, you will really start to appreciate it. The other good thing about the RX350 is the turning circle. Yeah it doesn't sound like a big deal but this thing can turn as sharp as any sedan and better than some. This makes for very easy parking and U-turns!
Kan-O-Z
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