Autoexpress: Lexus LS460 SE-L Reivew (3/5 Stars)

Bill submitted on 12/10/2006 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 6:22 AM
from: www.autoexpress.co.uk

Tags: Autoexpress: Lexus LS460 SE-L Reivew

Autoexpress: Lexus LS460 SE-L Reivew

Autoexpress: Lexus LS460 SE-L Reivew (3/5 Stars)

"The all-new model is the most advanced and luxurious example yet - and has the class-leading Mercedes S-Class firmly in its sights. We tried the range-topper on British roads to see if it hits the target.

From the outside, there's no mistaking the manufacturer's familiar look. However, the bold chrome grille and swept-back headlamps that sit so well on the firm's smaller models are less suited to the massive LS.

Smart details, such as the integrated exhaust pipes which form part of the rear bumper and the highly polished window trims, shout quality, but the overall effect is imposing rather than stylish. Inside, the cabin has every conceivable luxury - and a vast array of gadgets. These include a special diffuser above the rear passengers to recirculate the air and a camera that monitors the driver and warns of any obstacles ahead if your eyes stray from the road or you start nodding off.

Other groundbreaking safety features include a Honda-style Lane-Keep Assist set-up that prevents the car from drifting out of line on the motorway and emergency steering assistance, which sharpens the wheel's response to help the driver avoid a collision. There are also clever pre-crash systems designed to reduce the impact of both front and rear collisions.

The big LS can even park itself, thanks to a clever self-steering set-up which measures the size of a space before twirling the wheel - all you have to do is operate the pedals! Rear passengers, meanwhile, enjoy plenty of legroom and even get their own set of controls for the impressive 19-speaker stereo system. Electric reclining seats also boost comfort.

The Lexus has an all-new 375bhp 4.6 V8 engine and an eight-ratio auto - a world first. Engineers claim the new transmission optimises performance and fuel consumption, with combined economy of 25.4mpg and a claimed 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds.

"When it comes to luxury cars, heritage and image are everything - but try telling that to Lexus. The firm's flagship LS model only arrived in the UK in 1989, yet it has been snapping at the heels of the established German brands ever since.

Great refinement is another welcome by-product, and at motorway speeds wind noise is the only sound to disturb the peace, while the automatic air-suspension is in its element soaking up any bumps. However, it's less accomplished in town, struggling to cope with smaller potholes and imperfections.

Negatives include the grabby electro-hydraulic brakes and the lifeless steering. And then there's the price, because the flagship SE-L costs a whopping £71,000. Cheaper rivals can't match the LS's kit count, but that's still a daunting figure. Entry-level models start from £57,000, while the SE is £65,000. Importantly, the new LS is an evolution of the outgoing car, so it won't alienate loyal owners - the firm has already taken 200 deposits. Sales projections are modest, though, with around 525 conventional cars and a further 250 LS600h petrol-electric hybrids expected to find homes next year. That at least guarantees customers some exclusivity."

AT A Glance
The LS460 will be joined by the much anticipated LS600h hybrid next autumn. Unlike the standard petrol car, it will also be available in long-wheelbase guise, with prices from around £77,000.

First Opinion:
This new flagship is a technological marvel with an astonishing array of advanced and useful features. They join the traditional LS virtues of refinement and build quality – but just look at the hefty price! A bland interior and exterior – plus no diesel option and fears over residuals – mean that until the advanced hybrid arrives, the LS will trail behind rivals.

RATING: *** / *****
Engine: 4.6-litre V8, 375bhp/380PS
0-60mph: 5.7 seconds
Econ/CO2: 25.4mpg261g/km
Price: £71,000

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1995e34 - 12/10/2006 12:27:52 PM

+7 Boost

interesting european take on the new LS.

no deisel for europe is a death sentence.

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/10/2006 12:31:08 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Not a bad picture.

It will take me awhile to get used to that weird headlight shape, though.

I agree with what they said. Refined, but bland. It's nothing revolutionary- just an evolution of what the LS has always been.

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Bill - 12/10/2006 1:00:29 PM

+11 Boost

The last generation LS was horribly bland, this one at least looks classier.

audiot - 12/10/2006 1:18:02 PM

+1 Boost

EL34 - 12/10/2006 1:29:30 PM

0 Boost

Have you noticed on the new Japanese cars the shape of tail and head lights look like a diamond shape laying on one side?

EL34 - 12/10/2006 1:21:59 PM

-6 Boost

Notice the TV that hangs in the middle for the rear passengers, doesn't it hang in the way of the rearview mirror?

And doesn't the LS460 look a bit bloated?

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lexusis350 - 12/10/2006 5:34:04 PM

+1 Boost

Don't all TV screens block the review mirror?

IamEvilHomer - 12/11/2006 2:32:17 PM

+1 Boost

lexusis350 - 12/11/2006 9:59:47 PM

+1 Boost

Give me an example. And, it can't be after market screens, factory installed screens. And if you're talking about the headrest ones, I was talking about the drop down ones.

EL34 - 12/10/2006 1:25:52 PM

-7 Boost

Some things I don't like about the big LS460 is he dash looks like that of an upgraded 2000 Honda Accord and included is the cheap lookin' digital clock.

And what's up with the hidden engine?...I can't see the motor, why??

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lexusis350 - 12/10/2006 5:35:30 PM

+1 Boost

What you do is unscrew a couple of screws and pop the covers off if you want to see the engine. They do that to make a more elegant appearance. Every big luxury car brand does that. Even Mercedes, so don't criticize Lexus because they aren't the only ones that do that.

chewy - 12/10/2006 1:51:11 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Like I have said previously the Lexus LS460 hasd horrible brakes.

"Negatives include the grabby electro-hydraulic brakes and the lifeless steering."

At an autoshow I listened to a presentation of how safe the new LS was, how safety was Lexuses # 1 priority. Well, I guess braking is not. The Lexus LS 460 needs 209 feet to brake from 70 mph. This is 27 feet more than comparable vehicles. This is quite possibly the longest stopping distance of any passanger car on sale today. Just about every pickups beats it and so do econo boxes with drum brakes.

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chewy - 12/10/2006 2:01:24 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

BTW, I have seen it on the road a few times now. From the front each time it approached me Ithought it was the ES 350 (good looking Lexus) You also get the feeling that the lines are sleek and stylish. The rear really does look anonimous, the tail lights are as simple as you can get. The pipes are pretty nice. Overall, you just don't get the feeling like this has much road presence.

EL34 - 12/10/2006 2:06:52 PM

-10 Boost

The thing about the exhaust vents I don't like is like the engine cover, I can't see the frickin' things!!

EL34 - 12/10/2006 4:01:43 PM

-3 Boost

chewy, why do think Toyoda put such weak breaks in the LS460?, and the Jag could stop on a dime compared to the LS in that Car and Driver review.

JUGNU - 12/10/2006 2:14:16 PMView My AgentSpace

+6 Boost

"The Lexus has an all-new 375bhp 4.6 V8 engine and an eight-ratio auto - a world first. Engineers claim the new transmission optimises performance and fuel consumption, with combined economy of 25.4mpg and a claimed 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds."

Atleast 4-5 different Magazines have reported that 4.6 V8 of Lexus produces 380BHP (not 380PS)and not 375BHP as by autoexpress.
It will give ATLEAST 27 mpg and not 25.4mpg.
And 0-62 is 5.4 sec and not 5.7 sec.

From this para alone we can judje how worthy they r and there judgment.(especially shows how much they r biass and against Lexus)

Ohhh GOD....AUTOEXPRESS,Atleast post the actual no's.If no better u came out with.

Same way,they would have given marks(Stars)too.

JUGNU----->THE CARMAN

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chewy - 12/10/2006 3:03:42 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Nope, those are different ratings. HP can be rated differently, Lexus has rated the LS 460 @ only 375 hp [in whatever standard that British use]in Britain. The 5 horsepower did not dissapear but are just in different units and tested by different methods. The Milage is in Brtitish gallons (20% bigger gallons) for the COMBINED fuel economy. The EPA rates the LS 460 @ 22 mpg combined, which in bigger british gallons would come out to 26.4. The different British test gets a slightly different number, but in the same ball park. 0-62 is not the same thing as 0-60, it adds about a tenths at least or even two tenths. Also, not a single American magazine has been able to match Lexuse's very optimistic 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds. So before you start yelling bias, please learn some basic things.

Rupert - 12/10/2006 3:09:10 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

0-62, not 0-60. american timea are 0-60. i have seen the 5.7 sigure quoted many times, even on lexus' website.
i quote from their website:
Max. speed 155 mph / 250 kmh
Acceleration 0-62 mph/100kmh 5.7 secs
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Urban mpg (l/100km) 17.1 (16.5)
Extra urban mpg (l/100km) 35.8 (7.9)
Combined mpg (l/100km) 25.4 (11.1)
CO2 emissions, combined 261 g/km
BIK Tax band (06/07) 35%
Insurance group 18E
Max. output (kW/bhp@rpm) 280/375@6400

get your facts right jugnu, you are completely wrong.

chewy - 12/10/2006 3:14:49 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

You beat me Rupert, I was just about to give him a link to

http://www.lexus.co.uk/

if he didn't believe me. Of course the website itself is probably biased, because Lexus GB LTD doesn't really want to sell cars.

EL34 - 12/10/2006 2:17:35 PM

-3 Boost

All my whining aside, I wouldn't mind owning this Lexus, but I would rather have the Mercedes S-Class in Mocha Black and a Rosso Corsa Ferrari F430 Spyder.

Have any of you seen the new redesigned E-Class?...the front looks outstanding.

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lexusis350 - 12/10/2006 5:38:03 PM

0 Boost

If the E-Class looks good to you, then the LS could stop your heart with it's outstanding appearance. The E-Class sucks.

Bill - 12/10/2006 6:19:28 PM

0 Boost

The E-Class sucks huh? Please tell me what's so class leading about the Lexus GS then? Last time I checked, that car got poor fuel economy (GS300 is underpowered), had awful brakes and was extremely cramped on the inside.

E-Class? The E350 isn't underpowered and gets decent fuel economy. It's spacious and the brakes are good.

Looks more like the GS "sucks" to me...

S4cabriofoxone - 12/10/2006 9:23:57 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

The E-Class is the best car in its class.

The 5 Series is too sporty, the GS is too un-sporty, and the A6 simply doesn't outclass it in any respect.

The E-Class, especially with the no-cost Sport Package, is the best-looking car in its class, and the best compromise between ride comfort and handling, while being wrapped in an equally attractive interior that lives up to the Mercedes name quite nicely.

ToyotaLexus - 12/10/2006 2:35:41 PM

+4 Boost

A 2000 honda accord...where r u coming from EL34? the ls is beautiful from the inside and the outside. It's ONLY problem might be the braking IF the stats r correct because i don't think they can possibly release a car with this brake performance. Other than that, it's not a sports car to need that sharp of a steering wheel. Overall the LS is excellent and EL34 good point about the DVD screen and the rear view mirror. Never thought of that.

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EL34 - 12/10/2006 3:03:49 PM

-5 Boost

Look at the dash of the Lexus LS, it has that samevcolor on the lower part and darker on the upper part of the dash and I did say an upgraded dash, didn't I?...add a little steering wheel wood and a better CD player and there's not much difference than an Accord other than the dimensions and it has that cheap digital clock.

I like the dash in the S-Class better my self.

Rupert - 12/10/2006 3:11:55 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

and autoexpress have every reason to be worried. no diesel, thus poor mpg, very bad residual values (worst in class), and the terrible braking performance.

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EL34 - 12/10/2006 3:15:08 PM

-3 Boost

Let's be honest here about the LS460, it really should be compared to the E-Class and not the S-Class based on price.

I would like to see a comparison of the two cars, anyone else?

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chewy - 12/10/2006 3:20:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

No, the LS 460 is competition to the S Class. Same size, same general class.

EL34 - 12/10/2006 3:42:37 PM

-3 Boost

Oh, if that's the case then I would rather drive an E-Class than a funky GS because yesterday I parked next to a new 2007 driven by a hot chick and I was caught starring at her bumper.

lexusis350 - 12/10/2006 5:42:23 PM

+1 Boost

"Let's be honest here about the LS460, it really should be compared to the E-Class and not the S-Class based on price."

This point you just brought up is really the reason Lexus has been sucessful. Quality cars comparable to the expensive cars, for a lot cheaper. Believe me, the LS is comparable to the S-Class. In fact, the LS has features not available on the S-Class, like the self-parking feature, despite what people say, does work.

Rupert - 12/10/2006 5:49:50 PMView My AgentSpace

+6 Boost

DIESEL GS, RX AND LS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

they need them. look how many LS' Lexus expects to sell in the uk, around 500 regular 460s and 250 600hs next year. those figures are pretty poor. honestly, with a diesel, they'll double sales and porbably triple in the RX.

EL34 - 12/10/2006 10:38:22 PM

-3 Boost

Rupert, Lexus must be to lazy to build a decent diesel, besides they would fit it with a plastic shroud for no eyes to see.

AUDBMLEXMRC - 12/10/2006 3:21:23 PM

+6 Boost

""A bland interior and exterior ""

I've tested this car and belive me it's even fun to drive and you even have a very pleasant feedback in steering wheel.
Again another subjective test , not abjective. Some of european car testers would love to push down LEXUS to avoid the rivality with our brands as it happened in US. This review is absolutely exagerated on negative points as usual for a LEXUS when it's tested by us. The new LS is defenitely one the best car in this class not only for quality but also for handling. You will be very surprised when you test it your self. I had to write this because as a car tester in Switzerland i cannot accept this kind of articles with lot of lies. I'm absolutely not a LEXUS fun (just excellent cars fun) but for you, don't beleive 100% to this review. If this car was produced by our manufactures(AUD, BMW, MB) the article would be much more positve. What a pity!!
Just test it yourself, dirve it few 100 miles and judge.

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I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/10/2006 3:46:07 PM

+11 Boost

Thank you very much

Ive tried numerous times to tell people on this site not to take mag review verdicts as Gospel. they are are all subjective and opinions can be Bought/Influenced or Forced (Happens all the time and very few Reviewers try to oppose it as that would eliminate most if not all of the perks they currently enjoy)

If you think you like the design of a particular vehicle and wish to find out more about it, go test drive one or rent one for a week (Thats what I do) there are plenty of Prestige vehicle Rentals out there who get Vehicles prior to release dates and rent them out to clients at a premium or wait a couple of months after release and rent them at normal rates.

Thats the only way you would get to know how good a particular vehicle is or not.

(But i guess it is Easier & Cheaper to read a couple of shitty mags and go with the reviewers' verdict)

jaeggar - 12/10/2006 4:17:06 PM

+3 Boost

The E class is not in the same class as the LS.And it is only in dynamic appeal and universal prestige that cars like the S class and 7 series have an edge.The LS is on par with the S class in terms of safety and beats both in quality and reliability.And it comes with more standard equipment too.In everywhich way the LS stands as a serious and magnificent alternative to its european rivals.And the E class is surely not among.

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chewy - 12/10/2006 4:21:31 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Except the LS 460 has horrible braking.

EL34 - 12/10/2006 5:02:38 PM

-2 Boost

I think the S-Class has a better quality interior than the LS.

What say you, jaeggar?

lexusis350 - 12/10/2006 5:44:06 PM

+1 Boost

I don't know about jaeggar but the LS has better quality. It has leather standard, not leatherette. What luxury car doesn't have leather standard, that is really stupid.

EL34 - 12/10/2006 6:32:22 PM

-1 Boost

The S-Class has leatherette?...wow. that's a real eye blinker.

lexusis350 - 12/11/2006 12:55:13 AM

+3 Boost

I don't understand what you're saying. Are you telling me that leatherette is a good thing or what?

huu76 - 12/10/2006 7:12:31 PM

+3 Boost

Hefty price?

So does "more imposing rather than stylish" mean the Lexus design is too in your face?

Oh well, just one review of many.

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EL34 - 12/10/2006 7:44:53 PM

-3 Boost

You know, there's something about that engine cover that drives me crazy.

Ferrari uses clear plexi to showoff their engines and Lexus uses a big cover that looks nice, buy hide the engine.

I would imagine the dealer selling point would be, "you don't need to see the engine in a Lexus because it's so damn reliable", does that sound about right?

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huu76 - 12/10/2006 8:17:42 PM

+5 Boost

Huh? All the companies have engine covers that you can't see through. Making stuff up just so you can complain. How sad.

Take a look at those nifty opaque MB and BMW engine covers.
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/11741/2007-mercedes-benz-e550.html

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sewingmachine - 12/10/2006 9:40:35 PM

+1 Boost

my name is ed lone, my age is 34. y does lexus cover their engines unlike super exotics like ferrari. hmmmm, i dont think any other companys do that. whaaaaaaaaaat.

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EL34 - 12/10/2006 10:42:51 PM

-2 Boost

Darn, only 3 stars out 5.

EL34 - 12/10/2006 10:35:47 PM

-2 Boost

huu76, big difference between that MB and the full blown plastic shroud Lexus uses on the LS 460 engine.

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delan - 12/10/2006 10:45:40 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Somewhere. . . some village is searching for their idiot...

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JUGNU - 12/11/2006 4:47:21 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Chewy and rupert
More than 5 sources have claimed 0-60 of LS460 at 5.4 seconds.The one i remember now is edmunds and Windingroad.

Check:
'THe silent Rocket ALL new LS460'

JUGNU

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Rupert - 12/11/2006 12:49:00 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

but this is a british magazine, so the time of 5.7 is correct, as it is to 62 mph.

Rupert - 12/11/2006 12:50:41 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

and lexus' website says 5.7. remember, the european times are always different as they go to 62.5 mph/100kph. i'm not going to argue about the 5.4 time because i know nothing about that.

nybimmer - 12/11/2006 11:02:33 AM

0 Boost

Note to Lexus Engineering...
You can't go fast unless you can slow down. Lexus brakes are known to be terrible (and not just due to the flawed electro-hydraulic system that they copied from Mercedes which Mercedes later dumped).

The stopping distances for the LS460L in the latest Car & Driver comparison test were downright embarassing (and about as long as for a Chevy Suburban). The pedal feel in the GS450 is known to be non-existent too.

If you want to run with the big boys, you have to be able to stop with them too...across the board. BMW, Audi, and MB all have excellent all-around brake performance across their lines, not just on their 'performance' models AMG, M, etc.

Pls give the consumer better brakes.

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jaeggar - 12/11/2006 11:57:41 AM

+2 Boost

EL34,shouldnt the S class has better quality interior?After all it's more expensive.But i am yet to think so though.

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EL34 - 12/11/2006 1:05:16 PM

0 Boost

Why is it when I go to the Lexus website I can't build an LS460 without "Advanced Parking Guidance System"?

I don't want to spend $2,000 for this worthless device.

I also find these worthless, "Lexus Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control"

The only use cruise control if I'm driving from OC to Las Vegas and when I driv into traffic I always turn it off and take over.

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EL34 - 12/11/2006 1:06:46 PM

-1 Boost

The only time I use cruise control - is what it should have said.

lol

IamEvilHomer - 12/11/2006 2:34:01 PM

+3 Boost

I use the adaptive cruze all the time in traffic
it rocks (in my Audi)

EL34 - 12/11/2006 5:44:43 PM

-1 Boost

Why?...you would trust the car to stop if a car ran out in front of you?

1uberaudi - 12/11/2006 2:10:04 PM

-2 Boost

Toyota laughs all the way to the bank. Toyota is great at putting a Rolex wrapper on a Timex. I have been reading all about how Lexus is great, and I figure that these people do not grasp the concept of a drivers car. Unfortunately, Daimler Chrysler and Toyota are being ran by marketing execs not engineers. BMW is starting to drift in that direction. While, Audi has no intention of going in that direction. Have you seen an Audi ad lately? No. Word of mouth only and the company is growing faster than ever. Sales of Audi's worldwide are twice that of Lexus/Toyota. And another thing, Audi is an Audi everywhere in the world. A Lexus is a Toyota everwhere outside of the US. This is just some food for thought. One last thing, are they still using steel to make the body of the LS460/L?! Let's start high tech on the outside, before you go high tech on the inside.i.e.A8/L.

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1995e34 - 12/12/2006 6:32:58 PM

+1 Boost

i'd like to see aluminum on every model for this price

JUGNU - 12/11/2006 2:25:55 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

"Sales of Audi's worldwide are twice that of Lexus/Toyota."

"Audi is an Audi everywhere in the world. A Lexus is a Toyota everwhere outside of the US."

That ridiculous claims said everything about u.

JUGNU

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1uberaudi - 12/11/2006 2:34:21 PM

-1 Boost

Prove me wrong. You can't. Here's a kleenex.

1uberaudi - 12/11/2006 3:22:54 PM

0 Boost

No, I'm right. No mistake was made. Do some research and stop guessing. Audi had worldwide sales of 897,000 cars. Lexus is at 300,000 North American/400,000 worldwide. Skoda, VW, and Lamborghini(?)? are all seperate units. A VW here is not shared on the assembly line with an Audi. A Toyota Camry comes down the same assembly line as an ES350. Skoda has a seperate assembly line for its cars, and Lamborghini's are hand built ultra exclusive cars. So, yes, I have heard of Skoda, VW, and Lamborghini, but you have not.

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1uberaudi - 12/11/2006 4:12:28 PM

-1 Boost

The ES 350 is built in Tsutsumi, Japan, along with the Toyota Camry. Go to Wikipedia. Type in ES 350. Then type in Camry. I can't show you the factory, but I am sure there are pictures of it somewhere on the net. For people that do not understand the matrix. Lexus always brings out a redesign body/platform first that will be a preface for the new Camry, as you pointed out above. It has always been that way. I was not combining Toyota and Lexus sales above in worldwide, Audi does not compete with Toyota only Toyota/Rebadged Lexus. That is how I should of typed it. Ingolstadt only produces Audi's, no VW's or Skodas. Sorry, the Audi fans argument is right. Don't be frustrated, its not your fault. I understand Lexus has the Americans brainwashed. So does MB and BMW.

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/12/2006 12:18:46 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

" I understand Lexus has the Americans brainwashed. So does MB and BMW."

Hey, Mercedes and BMW are fantastic, also. I'm among the Audi fans- but we pretty much congregate with (most) of the BMW fans and the very few Mercedes fans to make the German car fans.

1uberaudi - 12/11/2006 4:46:21 PM

0 Boost

No, I do not think there is something wrong with the world's largest automotive market. It's great. I don't call 897,000 only Audi sales pale. They outsell rebadged Toyota/Lexus nearly three to one in WORLDWIDE SALES. Yes, Toyota has another assembly plant as you mentioned above in addition to the assembly plant I mentioned above. The Japanese Camry's however are built in Tsutsumi, Japan. Tahara, Aichi, Japan builds the LS460 and GS430. What is this about a "Euro-spec" IS?! My God, just go buy an A4 and save yourself from the ridicule.

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1970toyotamarc - 12/11/2006 5:57:44 PM

+1 Boost

No way should a vehicle this good get 3 out of 5 stars by anyone. Almost the entire article gushed about the innovative features, great performance and amazing luxury. Then, at the end, they qualified the review with some nasty subjective comments (perceived potential low resale, bland styling), complained that there was no diesel available and complained about the price (!!??).

Every article on the Lexus does this same pattern. Great review, throw in a couple negatives, then say it was a lousy car.

I just dont get why there is such hostility to the car. If it is as good as they indicated for the first 9/10ths of the article, it deserves at least 4, maybe 4.5 stars. (it got 10 out of 10 from CNET)

As for braking, this article called the brakes grabby, but said nothing about long stop distances. Only ONE publication has stated this, C&D. And that was on a pre-production model. So stop quoting bad stopping distances as scripture.

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1uberaudi - 12/11/2006 7:02:24 PM

+3 Boost

Lexus is not going to build a diesel. They only cater to the US market. The US market does not want a diesel in the car.

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huu76 - 12/11/2006 8:32:30 PM

+1 Boost

Hey Will,
Go check out the VW recall forum, I posted some links about the LS braking. With the sporty tires, the LS matched the S550 in braking (w/o the upgraded brake package). Another review I posted clearly stated the poor braking was due to the comfort oriented standard tires. Of course the German fans won't read it, it doesn't jive with their "crappy cars are better as long as they come from Europe" mentality.

Anyway, just thought you'd be interested in reading them.

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chewy - 12/11/2006 10:46:41 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Go to the same thread. I posted even more proff of Lexuses's bad braking. Why should the consumer be forced to buy better tires (no Lexus owner would ever do that) so their car stops better than a truck with drum brakes. I think that most won't upgrade to better tires. So Lexus has sacraficed performance, and most importanly SAFETY for some comfort. BTW, the brakes themselves have been discribed as grabby.

orvillecox - 12/11/2006 10:25:31 PM

0 Boost

Great at go, but no whoa !
It stops a full car length shorter than it's rivals and that could make for a spectacular crash.

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orvillecox - 12/11/2006 10:26:49 PM

+1 Boost

Should have said longer above.

EL34 - 12/11/2006 10:35:12 PM

+1 Boost

I give the Mercedes S-Class 1,000,000 stars.

Sorry, Lexus only gets 3 stars.

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/12/2006 12:21:36 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

As do I.

The 7 Series gets 2 stars, and the A8 gets 500,000 stars.

Dieter - 12/22/2006 9:26:02 AM

+1 Boost

has the class-leading Mercedes S-Class firmly in its sights? it is zilion miles away from it

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