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Comments
It looks like a nifty feature.
I don't know if it will be the case with this feature, but sometimes the litigation-happy nature of the USA keeps certain innovations out of our country. With this one, possibly Toyota would be concerned about potential legal liability should a car back into a pedestrian.
how about buying it, do they give it for invoice price yet? or even less?
i know the inside sucks but its typical porsche, who knows,
why is audi chaning the front end? whats the point? is that all?
My 3yr lease on a 2001 740il with 39+k mi is about to expire. I can purchase the car for $38.8k, and I believe this price is good. I have had no problems with the car, just had new brakes installed, and love the car. I don't feel the need to buy an extended warranty to 100k mi, or pay the premium for a similar certified pre-owned model. Other than routine maintainance, are there any big ticket repairs I should expect in the next 3-5 years?
I would appreciate any input. Thanks.
another. Maybe you will have better luck but
my opinion would be to buy the ext. warranty.
I love the way my bimmer drives but it's
been driving me to the poor house. My next car
is gonna be a Lexus ES330. My dad's 97 ES300
with 95000 miles has been trouble free. good
luck
(22:54:39 Nov. 27, 2003)
Audi says shorter-wheelbase A8, performance variants likely on way to U.S.
The 2004 Audi A8 L will probably have some company soon. (Photo © 2003 Ingo Barenschee)
Don’t look for Audi to stand pat with its 2004 A8 L in the North American market. Though the company will offer only the long-wheelbase version of the luxury flagship, starting at $68,500 beginning in June, vice president Len Hunt says a less-expensive, shorter-wheelbase model will likely follow as a 2005 model.
After that, the plan isn’t as clear, but Hunt says Audi is discussing S8 or RS8 performance models for 2005 or 2006 featuring a twin-turbo V8, the 5.0-liter V10 shown in the Nuvolari concept in Geneva, or even a turbodiesel.
All three powerplants would take advantage of the high torque capacity (443 lb-ft) of the A8’s six-speed Tiptronic transmission. The A8 L’s 4.2-liter V8 produces 330 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque.
This web site has good reviews and great photography. I am really tempted to get a Jaguar. I wonder if the resale has improved?
Here is a link to an amusing Lexus LS review in the Detroit News:
http://info.detnews.com/autosconsumer/autoreviews/index.cfm?id=12- 235
Scott
Besides everything the reviewer said, one area that I must disagree with is the interior. Comparing the Can$92K (test car) XJ8 versus that of the LS430 are, imo, not even close in comparison; here I am giving the nod by a mile to the LS.
XJ8 interior
LS430 interior
The Lexus simply blows the Jag right out of the water ! Where the Jag looks old world, the Lex fits into 21st Century modern lux car. Everything about the interior of the Lex says luxury. I find the Jag seats not as plush as the LS, and certainly not ventilated (cooled) as with the LS430 UL.
Sadly, the spy photos suggest Mercedes is going the same route with something similar to idrive, but I'll keep hope alive until the new S is unveiled next year at Geneva.
Call me biased, but I've always regarded Mercedes' seat shaped design the best in the industry for obvious reasons. The BMW reminds me of the Pontiac Bonneville a relative of mine had back in the 80s'. It required 12 different buttons to adjust the seats, as opposed to just a simple seat shaped control like MB and now just about every other manufacturer uses, though only a few got the patent permission to use them on the doors. Infiniti tried to do this back in 1990 and got hauled into court for this and lost, but that's another story. But everyone uses the simply 2 bar control, seat cushion and seat back control whether or not it's on the side of the seat on the door, it's easier to use. There are variations on the theme, but I've seen nothing that works better. All those buttons and a rotary knob is just overkill for the sake of doing so. I did get comfortable in the 7, but it took way too much time to do so, compared to a simple 2-bar seat control.
BMW used to make fighter jet inspired "cockpits" that were relatively simple (for a Euro car) to operate. When I first drove the 7-Series I was shocked as to all the changes and more importantly I kept thinking "why".
I too like how the German brands don't give too many details about a new car before launch. The only thing is that most of us who follow Euro brands can kinda tell when something new is due especially when you look at the years any given car has been on the market. I can predict MB changes and new models better than the average dealer. For some reason they either don't know or always pretend not to know about something new. I suspect it's a little of both. One reason is to keep the older cars moving (S-Class for example) and then again they aren't privy to the info some of the mags get until months later.
M
LS interior
and another interior shot
M
"A Jag is the most beautfiul thing in the world to sit in while you wait on the tow truck".
Of course, I'd vote for the Lexus.
By the way what do you think of the Honda S-2000. Isn't that a potential car for you? It would have been on my short list if I were in your life stage.
I just happen to see the LS430's interior as overdone and trying too hard to look good. It uses wood for shock value, Audi does it more for a backdrop or a structural effect. Sure the LS' interior is higher quality materials than a regular Toyota but the presentation is the same, no style. Audi, to me has the smarter Nav setup, it's not this big gapping whole in the dash when not in use like in the LS and 7-Series.
M
The Honda S2000 - great car, just not for me. Me no want any more smallish sporty/sports cars. If I went that route again I'd get a 350Z. Me wants some luxury to go with the sport now.
Lexus has to hit a homer with the next GS, because their is a new E, 5, and soon A6, these cars rule that segment.
M
I think the next GS trumps the field. Lexus will be selling very few of the current cars once this next model is discovered.
M
Audi A8
LS430
Me like the Lexus. Cos I am biased since I own one. The Audi is nice, but not earth shattering. Stunning ? Puleazeee... The Lexus is truly luxurious and rich looking, while the Audi looks plain in comparison. The flip-up Nav screen looks much like a Lexus 1st -gen Nav. Nothing distinctive like the 4th-gen version on the 2004 LS. If you haven't seen one go take a look. Pictures don't do these justice.
And I did take out an A6 4.2 on a test drive last year while looking to buy a lux car. Didn't like it that much. Nope, Audi ain't on my radar in luxury car. Seems the US market agrees since the A8 is pretty much invisible in this class.
M
The console looks like an add-in, do they sell these as a bench front seat version and a column shift?
Having to reach the radio controls by going through the shift lever isn't very good ergonomics. The radio also appears to be titled upward for some odd reason - to catch dust or sunlight or both?
As an aside, having tachometers in cars with automatic transmissions is dumber than nails (Lexus, MB, etc. included). Who in the world would ever drive a car like this in such a way that how close you had the engine to the 'redline' ever mattered.
I'd much rather see the tach space give a display of surrounding traffic based on the radar or laser reflections from the emerging systems for automatically controlling the following distances under cruise control. You know, the "bogie at 3 oclock display." Plus it could show the radar and laser police speed detection systems at work. ... Must be the war making me think like this.
M
Merc1 - Those Toyota interiors are all about ease of functionality. No reason to stray from that standard in a Lexus.
This is a photo I took of the interior of the Ferrari Enzo. I really don't think that it is pretty or luxurious, but I'll bet it's a fun place to be.
Like I said, the Audi A8 ain't burning down dealers doors, are they ? The buying public speaks loudly on what they want and prefer, and the A8 ain't even close to its competitors. Maybe the interior ergonomics (besides the all aluminum body) have a role in its lack-luster sales performance ???
I test drove an 04 745i recently, and even the transmission controls are confusing. What is the purpose behind that? One can ignore the idrive and seat controls once you have the settings.
I looked at the Jag and the Audi. Both have nice interiors. I especially appreciate the elegant simplicity of the Jaguar.
http://www.lexus-axsel.ru/index.php?id_news=155
http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2003/tokyo/preview/lexus-c- oncepts/
Lexus just can't help but copy the styling of those German cars
Michael - merc1 is not a fan of Lexus designs and has said he thought they needed a breakout design to define themselves better. Lexus themselves have said this as well. This new concept which will go across the whole line is certainly that breakout. I'm sure some will love it and some will not. Personally I think the LS and LX (the only Lexus cars I've ever had) are classically styled and all the bashing in the world is not going to change that. Merc has bashed the Lexus designs but acknowledges their accomplishments at the same time. Whether he likes this new design concept is entirely up to him. All that matters is whether the car buyer likes it.
A true test is to take a look at some of the auto designs that still look good today. The E38 BMW 7 series, the first generation Q45 and the first and second generation Lexus LS class all still look clean and "new".
My 2 cents...
6 inches of snow down here in central Jersey already. Get ready up there in Ct. I think we're looking at a 12-18" snowfall, and here I was hoping this wouldn't be a winter like the last one. Glad I stayed home today.
I agree, it just doesn't make for anything special in a 60K+ car.
While some are already calling the Lexus concept a derivative design (Automobile Mag) I'll wait to see the actual car when it's shown sometime during 2004. The car being shown now is just a concept and a hint (usually 80 percent of the production car) of what the real thing will look like. Truth be told I think it's going to be real hard to come up with a look that doesn't borrow something from someone because between Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Mercedes all the different themes (sporty, classical, radical-BMW (mixed results), traditional) are all taken to a degree. That said, it doesn't appear that Lexus is continuing their old practices, as the concept is pretty radical for a Lexus.
Thanks for the credit in post #3628. I'm glad you can see that.
Copying seems to only be brought up at this point by those who can't accept the truth about certain Lexus designs up to this point, as no Benz fan mentioned it this time around.
scottphillip,
Yeah that is pretty ridiculous for 7-Series' seat and transmission controls to be that complicated. I've never ever had to have any controls "explained" to me in a German car before, ever..until I first sat in and drove the 760Li. I couldn't believe it.
M