Luxury Lounge

Replying to: louiswei (May 02, 2008 11:35 am)

I am confident that the next GS is going to be a real 5-series fighter unlike the current gen.
 
You're probably right.
 
Given that the next ES will be moving to its own platform (no longer sharing with the Camry) Lexus can finally be more aggressively with the GS.
 
What has been stopping them since then? There is no model overlap; what does the Camry platform have to do with anything?
 
Both the ES and GS will be midsize RWD (also AWD for GS)
 
BIG no-no. If anything, it's the ES that should have AWD. A RWD ES will alienate all the people that have bought it over, and over, and over in the past. They buy their cars for the comfort and safety, not for the driving experience. Also, a RWD ES would serve no purpose in the lineup; IS and GS have the RWD markets covered and there is no room for one in between.
 
I agree with you about the LS. It looks like a true upscale sedan now, especially with the hybrid's wheels. If it came with AWD, I would definitely consider it.
 
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet

Replies to this message:
• louiswei (May 05, 2008 8:06 am)
  • circlew (May 05, 2008 8:44 am)
    • lexusguy (May 05, 2008 2:23 pm) and 1 more...
  • lexusguy (May 05, 2008 2:14 pm)
    • tayl0rd (May 15, 2008 9:40 am)
  • houdini1 (May 05, 2008 5:19 pm)

Replying to: tagman (May 02, 2008 9:57 pm)

I'm so glad you're not gone.
 
Thanks much for the comprehensive review. I hung onto every last word, of course. Sounds like a fantastic vehicle; now I'm beginning to imagine getting that as my next convertible instead of something more grandiose like your Porsche or a Jag. Good mileage, fantastic performance, somewhat useful rear seats (more useful than the 911 and XK, at least), reasonable price.
  
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet

Replying to: madrad (May 03, 2008 6:46 am)

Replying to: houdini1 (May 03, 2008 7:59 am)

Replies to this message:
• esf (May 04, 2008 7:04 pm)

Replying to: circlew (May 04, 2008 6:39 am)

The two are so different that it's hard to compare, but they are also quite similar. Here are their major differences that sets the M3 apart, IMO:
 
-M3's more upscale look
-Incredible V8
-Luxurious interior
-Rear seat space
-M suspension
-Adjustability
-Exclusivity (although you won't see a ridiculous amount of 1's either)
 
That's about it. Whether it's worth the $22,000 extra is your decision. I have personally gotten very excited about the prospect of a 1 Series over the past day because of Tag's review. A 135i convertible might be the perfect fit, as long as I have an Audi S6 on the side of course.
 
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet

Replying to: tagman (May 02, 2008 9:57 pm)

Replies to this message:
• circlew (May 05, 2008 2:58 am)
  • houdini1 (May 05, 2008 6:23 am)

Replying to: tx_buzzard (May 04, 2008 7:35 pm)

Replies to this message:
• houdini1 (May 05, 2008 6:23 am)

Replying to: circlew (May 05, 2008 2:58 am)

Ditto
 
Now about cars. There are some real bargains available on new and nearly new luxury cars now and probably more on the way. Car companies are hurting. All of them. Good time to find a bargain!!

Replying to: esf (May 03, 2008 3:20 pm)

Edmunds is the only publication that has compared the IS-F and RS4 directly
 
Does that matter to determine which one is faster?
 
The latest R&T has the IS F to be faster than the RS4 and I am pretty sure having 2 more cars compete in the comparo would not necessarily to make the RS4 any slower...
 
Oh and by the way, Edmunds is NOT the only source that has compared the IS F and RS4 directly:
 
Shoot Out - IS F vs RS4
 
Shootout - Beyond the Screen
 
Take a guess on who the winner is...
 
Lexus fans always seem to think that when Lexuses aren't picked as the best, the article simply must be biased...
 
All I was trying to say is that based on only objective performance results the IS F is simply better than the RS4. Simple as that. I have no problem with an Audi fan to add 100k subjective points to the RS4 to make it a winner but one just can't argue that it is a less performer.

Replies to this message:
• 2001gs430 (May 05, 2008 11:19 am)