Am I crazy - or is a Lexus a good car - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TheDon · #16 06-21-2007, 01:57 PM

my vote is for crazy

POS · #17 06-21-2007, 02:10 PM

I don't like the appliance feeling that the Japanese cars offer, but there is one Japanese car that I could daily drive and be just fine with it - the Lexus LS. Wonderful car; reminds of the S-class from the 80s.

Hatterasguy · #18 06-22-2007, 12:41 AM

I have driven/ridden in a lot of Lexus(probably just about every model), they are no different then my old Camry was. Just a way to get from point A to B, but I'll admit in Lexus trim its a rather nice way to travel. Even the SC430 is lame compared to the SL500, it has no soul and is a totaly dull ride. European cars have souls, they break and leak oil, but when you stomp the go pedal and drive it hard into a corner they are very rewarding. Hustle an LS430 and its no different then a Camry, it just doesn't do it.

They are a nice car, but thats it, they are not ment to be envolving, they just are.

Gurkha · #19 06-22-2007, 12:45 AM

I have driven both the NSX and NSX-T, plenty of soul there, you can feel the late great Ayrton Senna's blood flowing in its' vein, so does the Honda S-2000.

By the way, MB and Lexus do one job well, that is luxury, in case one wants sporty luxury, BMW and Audi is the choice, compared to them, MB feels like a hog on black ice.

Hatterasguy · #20 06-22-2007, 12:49 AM

The NSX by itself is a great car, its super fast, handles like its on rails etc, etc. But compared to say a Ferrari 355, come on. Sure on a track they would probably be even, but rev that Ferrari V8 and its orgasmic. The Honda's engine is somewhat flat, and forced, it lacks passion.

Japanese cars lack the passion of their European counterparts.

Gurkha · #21 06-22-2007, 01:01 AM

You haven't driven the Mugen turbo version then, its a diffrenent beast, and trust me, not only will it whup the Ferrari, it would outlast it as well, best point with NSX is that they can also be a very decent daily driver as well.

tivoliman · #22 06-22-2007, 01:08 AM

We actually felt a little disloyal. But we did purchase the 2003 LS4300.

We have driven used Mercedes since 1986.

For about the same price we had a choice from a 2003 E Class and a 2003 LS430. I likened it to comparing the E class to the S class - so we picked the "S look alike" (LS430)

This will change things for me - my independent mechanic only works on Mercedes and BMW's; and the auto part stores have been specializing in German cars. I'll get to find out if FastLane sells Lexus parts.

I guess it was time for a change.

I will remain current with this site and the Mercedes Benz Club – as I have the others – and the W124 is great fun. (300E).

rickg · #23 06-22-2007, 04:12 AM

Didn't we just go down this path?

tivoliman · #24 09-11-2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Those LS430 Lexus sedans really do look like well massaged W140 sedans. They don't look quite as chiseled as the Mercedes, but to me they are very covetable, in fact the only Japanese cars that are.

They seem to be another case of taking a very good idea and making it better; no question about it, its derivative style flatters Mercedes very much.

But, they are near bulletproof in quality and durability, and their near horizontal depreciation reflects this. Good ones still can appear in the upper $30k range for sale. Not bad for a car that cost about $60k when new.

I doubt they would be as safe in a severe accident as a big Mercedes though, but other than that, they are just about as good a way to get from here to there while looking and feeling good as you could find.

To the original poster, I can't think of any real reason not to buy one, if you like it. They won't disappoint, and they look a lot nicer than the current ones, or even the original LS400. Big comfortable highway haulers always appealed to me, and this model is one of the very very best ones that has emerged in recent years.

Well we bought the 2003 LS430 - and are pleased.

"It is not a Mercedes" but it is a fine luxury automobile. I especially like that it is modeled after the Mercedes S Class.

Little things bug me, but the car is smooth. The buttons for the seat adjustments only work when the car is in Park. When driving down the road you can not select another predefined seat setting. The sun roof pops up and slides back, but to go from popped up to slid back is a two button operation. The passenger seat does not have seat memory.

The car does kick a#$, it only takes 5 quarts of oil, and the seat heaters do heat the lumbar (as the Mercedes do). I do anticipate trouble free driving. None so far with 3,000 mile recorded.

so the score stands (in my possession) Mercedes 3, Lexus 1; and the Mercedes are winning (that is better thought of).

OldPokey · #25 09-11-2007, 10:51 PM

My favorite car so far is my old 1987 RX-7 Turbo II. A blast to drive - but not at all reliable. It had been well cared for, but was really showing its age. Plus its apex seals were starting to wear, and the case bolts hadn't been retorqued when the clutch had been replaced last, so it would occasionally refuse to start because coolant would find its way past the big o-rings that sealed the water jacket. It was my daily driver, and after pulling a perfect 180 up a slight hill on 1/4" of snow as I traveled along at all of 15 MPH, I figured it would be better off as someone's weekend driver.

I'm just not excited by the Lexus/Infiniti/Acura offerings. They all seem to be good, solid cars with plenty of luxury touches and nice handling. But I could never justify the extra cost for all the electronic gimcrackery they are loaded down with.

Ara T. · #26 09-11-2007, 10:53 PM

Yeah Lexus has copied MB, who has copied BMW in the last 3 or 4 years. Which is not a good thing IMO.

Lexuses are great cars. They pretty much feel like an MB only they ride softer. German cars are always on the stiffer side (though not necessarily harsh) which means you can feel the road more, but if 90% of the luxury market does NOT want to feel the road, the Lexus is a better car. Lexus knows what most Americans like, and that's soft, smooth, quiet, light steering, highly boosted brakes.

I've driven a new ES350 which is based on a Camry and then drove a new Camry XLS (luxury model) and they did not feel in anyway similar, or look similar. The Camry is a total POS on the inside and is much louder and not as smooth. The 275 hp 3.5 V6 is a freakin' rocket. Has 100 more HP than MB's tiny 2.5 six cylinder, one extra liter, and still gets much better gas mileage around town and on the highway even with one less gear in the auto trans.

Hatterasguy · #27 09-11-2007, 11:01 PM

Lexus are fine cars, enjoy it!

I know a broker with an LS430 of about that vintage. Has a ton of miles on it, over 100k, but never gives any trouble.