Dear 001,
I know that what I'm about to tell you is probably something you've heard a dozen times over from other fans of your website...and that is that you guys are absolutely right about your assessment of which vehicle manufacturers deserve to be referred to as purveyors of fine quality automobiles and which ones are simply crap peddlers living off a good name (albeit probably not for long) and perhaps some talented designers. Case in point Lexus vs. Mercedes.
I live in Beverly Hills, CA, where Lexus has always taken a back seat to the perceivably much more glamorous Mercedes Benz and BMW. To own a Lexus around here means to not have the kind of job and prestige that would otherwise have earned you a Mercedes or BMW. In other words, Lexus is the Boxster of Porches.
I had grown up believing in this bullcrap until I had the fortune of owning a vehicle by each of these manufacturers. I used to own a 1990 Mercedes Benz 300E - a car so unbelievable overpriced that it was more expensive to buy brand new in 1990 than a 2003 E Class is today. The acceleration was awful and don't even get me started on the accessories. I bought the car used with about 50,000 miles on it. I think the sunroof only worked once. The OEM brake light bulbs and OEM headlight lamps were constantly burning out. A/C? Forgetaboutit. Power seats? Gone in 60 seconds. Power windows? Well, 3 out of 4 worked well. Power Door Locks? Broke the first week. The list goes on and on and on and on. I haven't even gotten to the problems under the hood yet.
My point being, MBZ really dropped the ball back in the late 80's and never bothered to pick it up again. They simply thought they can make up for it by having a famous name, devoted following, an semi-monopoly on the luxury market, and (you gotta admit it) impressive styling.
When my power steering hose sprung a leak and I sprung 2 c-notes to fix it, I had finally had enough. I asked around as to what my alternatives were and I got 2 worthwhile suggestions: The BMW 5-series and the Lexus GS. My ex owned a brand new 525 and, aside from the fact that it brought back sad memories, I remember her always complaining that her car was in the dealer being repaired for some reason or another.
So I eventually ended up buying a 1998 GS300. Here's the catch - I had decided to give the 300E to my mother instead of selling it so I was rather short on dinero - so I bought my GS with 95,000 miles on it! I know what you're thinking....it wont last long. Well, then you couldn't be farther from the truth. I've since put about 5000 miles on it and it still drives like new. I know because for kicks I went to a local Lexus dealership and test drove a 2003. All the accessories work fine, and aside from having to replace the timing belt (a preventive measure) I haven't had any problems with the car. It's sooooo much better than the Benz, which I had bought with only half the mileage! I know. I know. You can't compare a 90 MBZ with a 98 Lex, but come on...the disparties are so huge they make the Grand Canyon look like a pothole.
I have friends who swear by Lexus. They own nothing but Lexuses (or is it Lexi?) and will never buy anything but Lexuses...and now I know why. Now all that's left is for Lexus to stray farther away from that Toyota-look and resemble more of the top European brands (With the exception of taking any stylistic cues from the new BMWs). Once they're able to do this, then they will undoubtedly become the juggernauts of the luxury industry and leave all the others in the dust which is probably where they belong for not having the common sense to combine style and elegance with a little thing called quality. It's amazing how we can send a man to the moon in a rocket ship, yet I was lucky if my Benz started up in the morning.
I have a feeling that the 2005 GS (and also the LS) will blow away the competition and give Lexus a much larger share of the Luxury market. So pay attention Wall Street! With Style AND quality...you can't go wrong. This is especially true since BMW's been shelling out it's new Ultra-Ugly line-up and MBZ has been testing the limits of JD Power's Crap-o-meter to see how crappy it can get without stinking up its good name for all eternity.
But enough of my bantering. I hope my story will be of use to any of your readers who are still deciding which luxury vehicle to go with. I think my opinion is crystal clear. I won't repeat it cause you'll start to think I'm a dealer or something.
Keep up the good work. Show Motortrend and Car & Driver who's boss!
Best Regards,
Mike F.
Beverly Hills, CA
email Herve at: LeRouxH@Autonation.com