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RX300 has Goodyear Integritys which are $50 tires. A switch to Michelins was night and day better for us.
GS4xx has Bridgestone Potenzas (17s) which are noisy and wear out fast. Yokohama and Dunlop make much better tires.
LS400 with Goodyear GAs is another example. Crappy tires.
As soon as I got my '98 LS400 I replaced the OEM's with Michelin Pilot HX MXM's. The increase in responsiveness was obvious. Ride was compromised slightly, but I thought it was a good trade-off. As for tread life, I just replaced them at 45K miles with an estimated 5K remaining. Not bad for a tire with a 140 tread wear rating!
Incidentally, I replaced them with Dunlop SP4000's. I was surprised that the handling feels virtually the same, except near the limits. The Dunlops are much quieter than the nearly worn-out Michelins. My conclusion is that the Dunlop is a more satisfactory tire, overall, than the Michelin MXM for the character of the Lexus. I have no idea about the tread life of the Dunlops. If you need the ultimate in handling, the MXM's help, but a 740i would probably be better. ;<}
I'm expecting my LS430 with Euro-tuned suspension in a few weeks.
He also told me that buying a package will not save any money. If you add up the individual options in a package it totals the price of the package. That will probably change in a couple of years, however.
So now I have my name on a list for the Ultra with 9 others ahead of me. I'm disappionted that I have to pay for all that back seat stuff that I won't use much, but I'd rather pay for an Ultra than have a Lexus that's missing some goodies that I wanted.
I may just wait for the 2002 model, but I'd have to spend about $1,000 on my 95 SC300--trunk cylinders need replaced, cracked tail light lens has condensation. I'm 500 miles away from 60,000 miles which may be an expensive maintenance, plus I get a lower Blue Book credit for low milage after 60,000. However, I have an 1,100 mile trip planned for May and wouldn't it be nice to drive a new LS430 rather than my old coupe...
Fact of the matter is no one really knows anything about the Custom package, so some sales people start to make up their own version.
Good luck with your leases. My business partner who got the lease deal I posted yesterday actually is getting the car from a New Hampshire dealer and having it driven to White Plains, NY. The guy will take his GS400 back. If you want any contact data let me know - I'll be glad to pass it on to you. By the way even though this is 2nd car I'm taking in 6 weeks my dealer had to make a copy of my registration from the milennium silver LS430 and fax it to Lexus Finance in order for the security deposit to be waived. So apparently it will not be easy for you to get that deposit waived and dealer has little if any influence on it.
Tires, I have Dunlop SP Sport 5000s on my LS400, they're quieter than the Sp Sport 4000s that came on the car, and they seem to have MUCH MUCH better treadwear. A lot more traction in the rain and snow too. Great tires and a steal at $80 a peice.
PS. I don't know if it was an ordered car or stock.
Good luck.
If you can have yours that fast, lucky you.
Look at the MB boards....the comments are relying on past tradition alone, and Lexus is putting them to shame in all catagories "for the money".
Why would I shell out $75-$80 for an S class with a dash that rattles, a Command system no one likes, mediocre audio system, etc. BTW...I don't work for Lexus or sell 'em, but I'm going to buy one after owning all the Germans in years past.
Keeps those comments and opinions coming...it's very healthy.
http://classifieds.yahoo.com/display/automobiles?cid=automobiles-0976513932-129565
The volume preset button on the steering wheel is to set a volume level that you can come back to whenever you push that button. It has nothing to do with powering the radio on or off. You can also set it at volume all the way down which makes it a mute button.
Unity was developed for race cars so that they wouldn't have to change tires so often. I even splurged and got the Z rated because I don't have to sacrifice tire wear. The car handles great, AND has a bit more cushy ride.
the imperial jade in my opinion wasnt that good.
Thanks for your support on the luxury board. I'm more and more convinced that there's a lot of inherited money over there and on the S-Class board and many wannabe's like Arcoates who btw drives an Olds. Many of those people don't seem like smart business people who made it on their own. What I find hard to believe is that they're upset that Lexus challenged their beloved S-Class and probably will rival its' stature in the near future. Its' already won the battle on the road.
I'm having a great time on these boards...hope I'm not being too harsh, but I know what MB, BMW, etc can do and I do respect them. BUT, as you have, I've driven the latest S Class more than once and remain sold on the LS (and don't want another 740)....the sheer quiet and isolation, improved handling, top interior layout (bar none), best reliability record, ...etc, is what I want. I certainly do not want to belittle those who have a need for the STAR or a jump in their personal self-esteem(I had to do this once too) ...fine, it's your $$. As a couple of old guys in their late 40s...we know better.
You just can't make a value-luxury statement any clearer than the LS430. Now, when the LS500 or LS600 V-12 comes out, we will have to put our heads together on how best to break our leases....cause you know we will!!
Have a great week...I'll let you know the final details of my purchase in about 10 days....I sure hope they have cancelled the submarine tests off the Florida coast!!
Bill
changes in design. This was a 2000 with 1010 miles which I bought for $49.2. Although more
than I had wanted to spend, it was too good to pass up. Beautiful car! The only thing it didn't
have which I wanted was a Nakamichi Sound System.
I was surprised to learn that they cannot put one
in; they are built in with the car. I have a good
sound system in my home and believe I can tell the
difference bet. mine & the Nakamichi in a friend's
'95 LS. Is there any way I can improve on the
Premium Sound System I have? Has anyone done so?
Obviously, this wasn't enough to prevent me from buying the car, but if I can upgrade....
I have a GS400 and may replace the factory speakers later this year. Still doing research though, to even find a place I feel I could trust. Certainly don't want to spend a lot to make it worse!
Both colors are great...it's a matter of dark vs. light!!
By the way I was at the dealership and the salesguy was telling me that MSRP is the price they will sell it at. Now 17% is too much especially when Mercedes has only 7% markup.
Is anybody having any luck in negotiating the price?