After surfing around a bit a looking into what makes a site like clublexus tick, here are my intial and anecdotal observations for you perusal and amusement:
1.) Threads regarding MB vs. Lexus seem to center around the percieved prestige (and the quality of life that they impress upon others) of the brands, rather than performance or depreciation/overall value. Next to no DIY'ers seem present. You would also extrapolate from responses that Benz-owners (W140 and W220 owners in particular), spend half the year in a poor-excuse-for-a-loaner while their car's getting worked on in the shop at extortionate shop rates. This, from all the reports I've read, has
some truth to it.
2.) Most threads on any model (except the LS and RX forums) are very tuner-orientend and dare I say, have a distinctly 'rice-boy' feel. In particular, suspension upgrades to take the softness away from the handling charateristics. Lots of large chrome-wheels being shown-off as well.
3.) They _are_ passionate about their cars (which I always commend), but I had a hard time finding many intelligent responses as to WHY other than "cuz it's a sweet ride" - no John Shellenburg's, Tracy's, Larry Bible's, or Tcane's (or numerous other gifted writers I'm forgetting) that I've found yet.
Seriously, 'cuz' is used more times than you'd think for such an upscale marque and what one would think are 'upper-crust' owners (Not that internet-speak isn't seen here, but 'cuz'? Come on, there are places where you do reveal your IQ by diluting your online grammer to single syllable grunts and snorts)
Overall a very well-run site and dedicated to it's fanbase. But overall I get the impression that there's some soul missing. Kinda like the cars themselves. Lexus have always been 'isolation chambers' (albiet
nice ones), with distinctly appliance like feel to them and somewhat bland in feel (design ripoffs aside) when compared to MB's. No offense intened to any Lexus owners - they do make a fine product and they are to be applauded for their quality and reliability, but this is afterall a Mercedes-Benz forum
...and I'm just glad to be a part of such a refined, discerning group (well, most of the time) of individuals here
Regards,
- Ryan