Discussion:
Motortrend 07 Lexus LS 460 Long Term Test Drive
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j***@hotmail.com
2008-08-05 07:14:41 UTC
Permalink
As we spent more time behind the LS's wheel, however, our admiration
shifted to dissatisfaction, back to the days of December 2007.
Complaints ranged from minor grumbles ("Side mirrors are too small")
to major grievances ("If you're a driver, you'll just find the whole
experience numb and uninvolving. There is no emotion to this car.
None"), all of which made us wish Lexus had produced more of a
driver's car than a curtailed limousine. "Too soft" and "floaty" were
common notebook entries, as was, "more wind noise than I expected." In
fact, at highway speed, the LS seemed to suffer from more wind clatter
than the lower-level GS 460. And lest we forget, the LS's gimmicky
Advanced Parking Guidance system -- you know, the one in which the car
parks itself -- was deemed clever when trying to impress friends, but
frustrating to use ("I've tried it twice and it's either scared me a
little or just refused to work at all") and unrealistic in purpose
("The real-life practicality of this feature is non-existent").

From the logbook

"When dodging in and out of traffic, the LS 460's relatively loose
steering and softened suspension made me feel quite detached from the
road."
- Mike Suggett

"I never thought eight gears were necessary until I had them, and then
I realized that more is merrier, more is smoother, more is luxury --
especially when Lexus is doing the engineering."
- Brian Vance

"My mileage for the round trip to Arizona was 25 mpg and the range is
simply extraordinary -- it appears to be about 530 miles on the
highway."
- Kim Reynolds

"The eight-speed auto noticeably hunts between ratios if you drive it
in power mode. It's not smooth, and if you come off the gas, then get
back on it lightly, you can fool the transmission into making an
unseemly thump."
- Angus MacKenzie


Full article at:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/112_0809_2007_lexus_ls460_verdict/index.html
j***@hotmail.com
2008-08-05 07:17:34 UTC
Permalink
Sounds like a Buick?
Post by j***@hotmail.com
As we spent more time behind the LS's wheel, however, our admiration
shifted to dissatisfaction, back to the days of December 2007.
Complaints ranged from minor grumbles ("Side mirrors are too small")
to major grievances ("If you're a driver, you'll just find the whole
experience numb and uninvolving. There is no emotion to this car.
None"), all of which made us wish Lexus had produced more of a
driver's car than a curtailed limousine. "Too soft" and "floaty" were
common notebook entries, as was, "more wind noise than I expected." In
fact, at highway speed, the LS seemed to suffer from more wind clatter
than the lower-level GS 460. And lest we forget, the LS's gimmicky
Advanced Parking Guidance system -- you know, the one in which the car
parks itself -- was deemed clever when trying to impress friends, but
frustrating to use ("I've tried it twice and it's either scared me a
little or just refused to work at all") and unrealistic in purpose
("The real-life practicality of this feature is non-existent").
From the logbook
"When dodging in and out of traffic, the LS 460's relatively loose
steering and softened suspension made me feel quite detached from the
road."
- Mike Suggett
"I never thought eight gears were necessary until I had them, and then
I realized that more is merrier, more is smoother, more is luxury --
especially when Lexus is doing the engineering."
- Brian Vance
"My mileage for the round trip to Arizona was 25 mpg and the range is
simply extraordinary -- it appears to be about 530 miles on the
highway."
- Kim Reynolds
"The eight-speed auto noticeably hunts between ratios if you drive it
in power mode. It's not smooth, and if you come off the gas, then get
back on it lightly, you can fool the transmission into making an
unseemly thump."
- Angus MacKenzie
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/112_0809_2007_lexus_ls460...
stuart
2008-08-08 16:18:19 UTC
Permalink
Buick is far better....
<***@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:2bffa527-9ea5-4e5c-9d6d-***@q5g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
Sounds like a Buick?
Post by j***@hotmail.com
As we spent more time behind the LS's wheel, however, our admiration
shifted to dissatisfaction, back to the days of December 2007.
Complaints ranged from minor grumbles ("Side mirrors are too small")
to major grievances ("If you're a driver, you'll just find the whole
experience numb and uninvolving. There is no emotion to this car.
None"), all of which made us wish Lexus had produced more of a
driver's car than a curtailed limousine. "Too soft" and "floaty" were
common notebook entries, as was, "more wind noise than I expected." In
fact, at highway speed, the LS seemed to suffer from more wind clatter
than the lower-level GS 460. And lest we forget, the LS's gimmicky
Advanced Parking Guidance system -- you know, the one in which the car
parks itself -- was deemed clever when trying to impress friends, but
frustrating to use ("I've tried it twice and it's either scared me a
little or just refused to work at all") and unrealistic in purpose
("The real-life practicality of this feature is non-existent").
From the logbook
"When dodging in and out of traffic, the LS 460's relatively loose
steering and softened suspension made me feel quite detached from the
road."
- Mike Suggett
"I never thought eight gears were necessary until I had them, and then
I realized that more is merrier, more is smoother, more is luxury --
especially when Lexus is doing the engineering."
- Brian Vance
"My mileage for the round trip to Arizona was 25 mpg and the range is
simply extraordinary -- it appears to be about 530 miles on the
highway."
- Kim Reynolds
"The eight-speed auto noticeably hunts between ratios if you drive it
in power mode. It's not smooth, and if you come off the gas, then get
back on it lightly, you can fool the transmission into making an
unseemly thump."
- Angus MacKenzie
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/112_0809_2007_lexus_ls460...
Wayne
2008-08-08 19:21:46 UTC
Permalink
stuart wrote:

PLEASE explain why Buick is BETTER!!!

Buick is far better....
Post by j***@hotmail.com
Sounds like a Buick?
Post by j***@hotmail.com
As we spent more time behind the LS's wheel, however, our admiration
shifted to dissatisfaction, back to the days of December 2007.
Complaints ranged from minor grumbles ("Side mirrors are too small")
to major grievances ("If you're a driver, you'll just find the whole
experience numb and uninvolving. There is no emotion to this car.
None"), all of which made us wish Lexus had produced more of a
driver's car than a curtailed limousine. "Too soft" and "floaty" were
common notebook entries, as was, "more wind noise than I expected." In
fact, at highway speed, the LS seemed to suffer from more wind clatter
than the lower-level GS 460. And lest we forget, the LS's gimmicky
Advanced Parking Guidance system -- you know, the one in which the car
parks itself -- was deemed clever when trying to impress friends, but
frustrating to use ("I've tried it twice and it's either scared me a
little or just refused to work at all") and unrealistic in purpose
("The real-life practicality of this feature is non-existent").
From the logbook
"When dodging in and out of traffic, the LS 460's relatively loose
steering and softened suspension made me feel quite detached from the
road."
- Mike Suggett
"I never thought eight gears were necessary until I had them, and then
I realized that more is merrier, more is smoother, more is luxury --
especially when Lexus is doing the engineering."
- Brian Vance
"My mileage for the round trip to Arizona was 25 mpg and the range is
simply extraordinary -- it appears to be about 530 miles on the
highway."
- Kim Reynolds
"The eight-speed auto noticeably hunts between ratios if you drive it
in power mode. It's not smooth, and if you come off the gas, then get
back on it lightly, you can fool the transmission into making an
unseemly thump."
- Angus MacKenzie
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/112_0809_2007_lexus_ls460...
stuart
2008-08-15 23:41:32 UTC
Permalink
Drive one and you will see. Lucerne is superb...
Post by Wayne
PLEASE explain why Buick is BETTER!!!
Buick is far better....
Post by j***@hotmail.com
Sounds like a Buick?
Post by j***@hotmail.com
As we spent more time behind the LS's wheel, however, our admiration
shifted to dissatisfaction, back to the days of December 2007.
Complaints ranged from minor grumbles ("Side mirrors are too small")
to major grievances ("If you're a driver, you'll just find the whole
experience numb and uninvolving. There is no emotion to this car.
None"), all of which made us wish Lexus had produced more of a
driver's car than a curtailed limousine. "Too soft" and "floaty" were
common notebook entries, as was, "more wind noise than I expected." In
fact, at highway speed, the LS seemed to suffer from more wind clatter
than the lower-level GS 460. And lest we forget, the LS's gimmicky
Advanced Parking Guidance system -- you know, the one in which the car
parks itself -- was deemed clever when trying to impress friends, but
frustrating to use ("I've tried it twice and it's either scared me a
little or just refused to work at all") and unrealistic in purpose
("The real-life practicality of this feature is non-existent").
From the logbook
"When dodging in and out of traffic, the LS 460's relatively loose
steering and softened suspension made me feel quite detached from the
road."
- Mike Suggett
"I never thought eight gears were necessary until I had them, and then
I realized that more is merrier, more is smoother, more is luxury --
especially when Lexus is doing the engineering."
- Brian Vance
"My mileage for the round trip to Arizona was 25 mpg and the range is
simply extraordinary -- it appears to be about 530 miles on the
highway."
- Kim Reynolds
"The eight-speed auto noticeably hunts between ratios if you drive it
in power mode. It's not smooth, and if you come off the gas, then get
back on it lightly, you can fool the transmission into making an
unseemly thump."
- Angus MacKenzie
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/112_0809_2007_lexus_ls460...
j***@hotmail.com
2008-08-17 19:04:09 UTC
Permalink
Yeah, Motortrend was right, that's precisely the impression I got
driving the LS. Nice car but no soul. No wonder Lexus July car sales
was down 27.2%.

But then, Toyota designed the Lexus line with American boat ride in
mind:

"Americans prize comfort, reliability and attentive service -- the
hallmarks of the Lexus brand. The Japanese revere heritage. Europeans
want innovation above all, says Christoph Stürmer, Frankfurt, Germany-
based auto analyst for Global Insight and co-author of the book
'Premium Power' about the German luxury car industry."
Post by j***@hotmail.com
("If you're a driver, you'll just find the whole
experience numb and uninvolving. There is no emotion to this car.
None"), all of which made us wish Lexus had produced more of a
driver's car than a curtailed limousine. "Too soft" and "floaty" were
common notebook entries
, as was, "more wind noise than I expected." In
Post by j***@hotmail.com
fact, at highway speed, the LS seemed to suffer from more wind clatter
than the lower-level GS 460. And lest we forget, the LS's gimmicky
Advanced Parking Guidance system -- you know, the one in which the car
parks itself -- was deemed clever when trying to impress friends, but
frustrating to use ("I've tried it twice and it's either scared me a
little or just refused to work at all") and unrealistic in purpose
("The real-life practicality of this feature is non-existent").
DaveW
2008-08-17 19:49:53 UTC
Permalink
Post by j***@hotmail.com
Yeah, Motortrend was right, that's precisely the impression I got
driving the LS. Nice car but no soul. No wonder Lexus July car sales
was down 27.2%.
Thanks for all your objective input here, john.

By the way, what do you drive?

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