24723 messages,
Last post on Jan 28, 2013 at 6:55 PM
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Sedans Forum.
What is this discussion about?
Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ-Series, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Volkswagen Phaeton, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, Sedan
Let's try to define this forum as being limited to luxury performance vehicles where the mainstream version in a typical configuration has an MSRP of at least $60k.
A luxury vehicle with a base price of $59k qualifies because it would typically be bought with some additional equipment, bringing the MSRP over $60k.
Vehicles like the E, 5, A6, M, or GS, even if available in certain versions over $60k, don't qualify because they are cars from companies that have higher end cars in their lineups.
#13718 of 24723 Re: Looks like we've found a chink in Merc's armour? [callmedrfill]
by merc1
Feb 01, 2006 (6:09 am)
Having the Maybach and S-Class virtually share taillights, or the C-Class and S-Class of a generation ago, is not a good thing, as it says cost-cutting to the trained eye.
Yeah this is a good example. Now if this were true, why doesn't it mean the same thing for Lexus? Lexus is doing the same thing with design from model to model. Anyway, the cars you mention don't have the exact same taillights in the way they could be changed out from car to car like you suggest. Totally off there doc.
Sure Lexus' new designs are better than what they used to be, well except for the still awful looking (side view) GS, but they aren't up to Mercedes' outgoing S or current E-Class yet. Not by a long shot. The CLS flat out stomps holes in anything from Lexus.
Have you taken a good look the new ES? Nothing more than a collection of LS/IS cues with even more slab siddedness. But I guess you'd only mistake one Audi model for another, but not Lexus because they're still different enough from model to model right? Right.
A 1995 7-Series better looking than the 2000 S-Class? Ok. In AMG trim the outgoing S had no equals in styling until the current A8 came along.
The 5-Series I like also, but I wouldn't call it the sexiest sedan on the road. It is edgy, aggressive and mean looking in the BMW tradition with a much better rear than the 7-Series.
You've got that about the 92 S-Class way, way backwards, it was poorly done 2001 replica LS430 that was past its prime mimicing a car "designed in the 1980's" as you put it.
M
#13720 of 24723 You are not crazy Drfill!
by hpowders
Feb 01, 2006 (6:13 am)
The E60 is the boldest, sexiest, most aggressive looking luxury sedan on the market, IMNSHO.
The headlamps remind me of the eyes of exotic ancient Egyptian goddesses.
I've had my 545 now for 6 months and I still remain transfixed gazing at it every morning.
The "If You've Read This Far" Department:
On a side note unrelated to your post-how carefully some of us seem to be stroking each others' egos!
Gives me the creeps!
#13721 of 24723 Re: LS460 & S-Class [merc1]
by ljflx
Feb 01, 2006 (8:00 am)
Guess my opinion that the current S-class was the best styled in the current group was irrelevant and funny too. What is funny to me is your opinion. Reading thru the lines it's quite clear to me that you know the S took a wrong turn in styling but you keep trying to dress up your wording to make it sound otherwise.
"The complaint about MB/BMW/Audi/Jag making all their cars look alike will never be mentioned again because Lexus has no adopted a styling "theme" across their entire line"
Several of us have already said we are not happy about this - what more do you want.
"So what if the LS460 is a upsized, slab sided, duller version of the IS350."
Your opinion of course.
#13722 of 24723 Re: LS460 & S-Class [merc1]
by ljflx
Feb 01, 2006 (8:41 am)
"Normally I'd say that this is too funny to read a styling critique from anyone who prefers a Lexus when they've had to live without an inkling of "style" or "styling" with their ride of choice for years and years. Too funny. Everyone has their opinion on styling I guess, even those not used to seeing any."
As I read this closer I realize how personal an attack this is and how predjudiced your entire view is to a car buying decision. It's downright silly and foolish of you to think so one dimensionally. Do you have any clue of the type of house I live in, furniture that exists in it, clothes I buy, jewely I buy etc etc etc. While we are at it let's be clear that you drive a Japanese car and have yet to lay out a dime on the cars you profess to love so much. That is the most telling thing of all to me. When it was time to write a check - you put your wallet in a completely different place than where your mouth is.
#13723 of 24723 Re: LS460 & S-Class [ljflx]
by merc1
Feb 01, 2006 (8:46 am)
Guess my opinion that the current S-class was the best styled in the current group was irrelevant and funny too. What is funny to me is your opinion. Reading thru the lines it's quite clear to me that you know the S took a wrong turn in styling but you keep trying to dress up your wording to make it sound otherwise.
You couldn't say anything other than that previous S-Class was the best styled car in the class - anyone sighted could see that. My point was that anyone who even remotely thought any Lexus, especially the LS430 was a good looking car or a car with a "classic look" can't really talk about the new S-Class looking bad or taking a turn for the worse, when Lexus has done far worse - and it was accepted as being a "classic look". How hypocritical is that? My point.
Lexus fans convincing themselves that a car like the LS430 had a "classic" look when the look was anything but, is "dressing up" the wording. The new S is "ugly" according to you but the LS430 has a "classic look". That isn't biased? Right.
I'll give you that the new S-Class in base form isn't as good looking as the outgoing model but ugly it ain't and in AMG trim (just like the outgoing model) it is stunning. Thats my opinion.
M
#13724 of 24723 Re: LS460 & S-Class [ljflx]
by merc1
Feb 01, 2006 (8:51 am)
Sorry you took it so personal, but it was my opinion on the perspective being represented here. But this tired old "you can't talk about a car unless you own it" is just that tired, and irrelevant (on your part). I really couldn't care less what type of house, jewelry or anything else you buy/have. Your point about what I drive is equally silly because I haven't bought a car in years and your point would only be valid if I didn't buy a Mercedes next time I buy a car. Period.
M
#13725 of 24723 Re: LS460 & S-Class [merc1]
by hpowders
Feb 01, 2006 (9:39 am)
Merc1-You are not playing the game!
When dealing with the defensive-impaired, you must stroke gently, like one of the other articulate non -Lexus-loving posters does.
Anyone with any sense of logic knows that one does not have to own a car to write about it.
I recall someone here who has taken the ownership prerequisite point of view writing about Maserati, Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini! One of each in his garage?
A typical defense-mechanism for the insecure.
#13726 of 24723 to ljflx - good opinions and $$$
by tagman
Feb 01, 2006 (10:19 am)
merc1 said:
I really couldn't care less what type of house, jewelry or anything else you buy/have
TRUE!
ljflx - All the money in the world won't make your opinion any more credible than anyone else's. It just might get some more fanfare, but that's it. If you've really made a TRUE success of yourself, than you should already have learned that lesson in life. No reason to compromise yourself like that . . . especially since so many of your posts are more balanced and interesting. I often enjoy your "business" perspectives as well as your opinions.
As for the HELMS . . . sure, the cookie cutter styling is rampant. And, not too long after I had read that the next E-Class was going to be different than the new S-Class . . . last week I saw a spy photo of what is likely to be the new E-Class . . . and guess what? . . . it looks like it has borrowed a LOT from the styling cues of the new S-Class. Here we go again! I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
BTW, the X-Type Jag is history. One more model year perhaps, but then the ax, thank goodness. It is NOT an XJ! The S-Type DOES have different styling (although I hate it), and there is word of a radically different XJ possibly around 2009. IMO, the XJ has been an historical lesson and icon for gorgeous styling. They should have NEVER made the X-Type to cheapen it.
Also, IMO, the 5-Series BMW IS truly a beautiful automobile, from a design standpoint and performance standpoint. Few come close. It's a terrific "all-in one".
The new LS is an improvement, no doubt, and will represent itself well in the marketplace. There is no way that Lexus is the only company guilty of the "cookie-cutter-syndrome". I think the newest styling is somewhat "subdued", but it is now clearly adequate, and I think Lexus styling is "easy on the eye" in a certain sense because of that. It's a safe, and perhaps smart, place to be in the marketplace.
TagMan
#13727 of 24723 Re: to ljflx - good opinions and $$$ [tagman]
by ljflx
Feb 01, 2006 (11:01 am)
"All the money in the world won't make your opinion any more credible than anyone else's. It just might get some more fanfare, but that's it. If you've really made a TRUE success of yourself, than you should already have learned that lesson in life. No reason to compromise yourself like that . . . especially since so many of your posts are more balanced and interesting. I often enjoy your "business" perspectives as well as your opinions."
This has nothing to do with success. The point I was making was that you don't set yourself up as a God on styling, nor do you think someone else can't see great styling because you don't like the car the person chooses to buy. It's absurd. Preference for car styling is personal and is hardly universal. There's a lot more that goes into buying a car like one of these than styling anyway - which makes the point all the more silly.
Want to see what silly means - All this is happening because I said I didn't like the S styling. If you read back I never said anything bad about the car - and Hpowders fails to see merc1's defensiveness and inability to handle a comment he doesn't like.
Hpowders - give me a break! Your posts are getting worse and worse.