Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans Lexus LS 460/460L Lexus LS 460/LS 460L Styling Impressions
3321 messages, Last post on Apr 22, 2007 at 12:29 PM
You are in the Lexus LS 460/460L Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
|
Replying to: oac (Aug 14, 2006 11:38 am) The market demographics, would likely not change all that much, however. Even with the German cars, which are better known for improved performance characteristics, the demographics are still very similar. It seems that we agree that the benefit of enhancing the performance in the LS would be to grab more of the market share from those seeking German cars. However, that would only apply to those consumers interested in German cars for those performance characteristics, because it needs to be clear here that many, if not most, of those looking to the German cars, are actually just looking at the luxury, style, and prestige factors more often than the performance factors. The performance attributes are a plus to those German marques that some are interested in, but many are not. If most luxury buyers were interested in enhanced handling characteristics, then the LS would not sell so well, but the proof here is that the LS does sell very well, and thus the primary needs of many luxury buyers are fulfilled with the LS. TagMan
|
|
|
Replying to: topspin628 (Aug 14, 2006 4:27 am) I do suspect that LExus will get ever closer to both BMW and Mercedes, probably Mercedes with the LS than ever before with this new version. The style is a hybrid between the S-Class nose and the 7 Series butt, with a Toyota smooth-over, but it's attractive. It'll probably drive more that way as well. Perhaps the perfect blend for a guy like me, who savors dependability and low maintenance costs. |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: tagman (Aug 14, 2006 12:07 pm) Let's remember how the LS was launched and one of the main reasons it succeeded. They under cut the competition significantly. My memory may be a bit off on this but it seems to me that in 89-90 when it was launched, an LS was about 35K and I'm thinking that a comparable S class was about 50K. So someone had to see about 40% more in handling, prestige etc to justify the Benz. If price were no object then the Benz would win for most. As for now, I think that it's true that most people don't buy a lux car strictly for handling and driving dynamics but once you've enjoyed that and have become used to that type of driving, it may be a bit harder to switch to the soft "american" ride. With a huge price difference and the many problems MB has had re the quality, that "trade off" is easier and hence the great success of Lexus. If MB improves it's quality and if Lexus doesn't maintain the price differential, I think that MB will be back in a big way. The LS still needs to be a "value play" in my estimation or they need to close the gap on the driving experience. I hope they go with both and if so I'd be happy to test drive the new LS. If not, I think that my next ride after my LS lease is over will be a Euro car, MB, BMW or maybe even Audi. |
|
|
Replying to: reality2 (Aug 13, 2006 8:24 pm) Yes, I have been to Europe and I see mostly tiny little "econo" audis, not the BIG ones...I couldn't care less about Europe, I just care about the car I will buy.
|
|
|
Replying to: atlas7 (Aug 14, 2006 2:14 pm) |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: nvbanker (Aug 14, 2006 2:16 pm) Those who are clamoring for value-pricing on this board can buy GS or even avalon, they do not need LS 460/460L at all. LS 460 should be reserved only for buyers who want the best of the best. Whether LS 460 has best of the best handling is a question, but in all other departments it is clearly superior. LS 460 should be priced head to head with Audi and BMW 7-series. Not even a penny less.
|
|
|
|
|
LS 460 does not need value pricing at all. That is toyota's department. LS must gun for the top dollar. Dr. Fill is right on the money, this relentless increase in market share can destroy Lexus image. In my opinion, Lexus should quickly do a mid-term re-haul of GS which has been a disaster and retire the ES 350 altogether. ES 350 is doing significant damage and contributing to the perception that lexus handling is sloppy.
|
|
|
Replying to: nvbanker (Aug 14, 2006 2:16 pm) Lexus took a step toward a tighter ride in 2001 and will take a larger step in 2007. The euro suspension - which was much more obtainable in the 2001-3 model years - was an excellent handler and surpassed the base S-class in handling to me and I drove both many times. The story I get from my dealer is the Euro buyers shopping Lexus wanted the Euro mated to a longer wheel base car so maybe we'll start seeing it again now that a LWB car is here or maybe the new car will be a lot tighter and not need that suspension. I also noted that Lexus is making this LS600HL in a 209" frame which makes it the longest car in the segment by 4". Someone at my dealership has ridden in it and says the ride is stunning with excellent handling. Supposedly Lexus increased the size of the HL to squeeze out that dream ride. We'll see. I am really looking forward to that car but my wife is a little intimidated by the thought of car a foot longer than the current car. Topspin - the initial LS had a $35K base but most models shipped here had options that put the car to $42-43K. The S at that time or just after Lexus came out was probably a $60-65K car.
|
|
|
|
|
Lexus has to dramatically cut down on its low-end vehicle lines and go up-market with LS and other higher end models. it must improve its vehicle mix to become more top heavy. I would say the vehicle lines should be Sedan: IS, GS and LS (with racing versions for each, ex: IS 500). Price them head to head with 3,5 and 7-series. SUV: RX, GX and LX (accelerate the new model introduction). Price them head to head with M-class, GL and Range Rover respectively. Hard Top Coupe Convertible: Have SC move up to compete with SL and may be a "GC" to compete with SLK. And remove all the stupid flab like ES 350 which is a blotch on entire Lexus line. besides ES is not relevant outside US. If Lexus hopes to compete with BMW and Benz, it better get its priorities straight and close its ears to value propagandists.
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Sedans Lexus LS 460/460L Lexus LS 460/LS 460L Styling Impressions
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Lexus LS 460
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
