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Comments
$500 over invoice is a very aggressive price for a LS430 with Nav & Lev. I think the model you're describing has a MSRP around $61K, right?
Give Cory Williams a call at Lexus of Riverside (800/899-5398); he did the best deal a few months ago for my Lexus. I had checked 6-7 other dealers at that time.
Jeff
Wowser -My wife's Chevy Blazer has a loud chime that kicks in after the turn signal has been on for about a minute. I guess GM decided to put that feature in their cars.
Jflx - I haven't gotten a form from Lexus yet (other than the dealership delivery questionaire). You've had your car a few months longer, so I anticipate I'll get mine soon. I'll put in my suggestions and I'll second your as well. Since we're practically neighbors (from the perspective of a national board), when I see another Silver 430 I check it out to see if it could be you by looking for the park assist sensors(If memory serves you have a Silver/Ecru Ultra). If a Mystic Sea/Ecru honks at you it'll probably be me. To repeat from my earlier post the service department said the Lexus customer care 800# will also take your improvement suggestions.
Cruise control - I think we had a few posts a while back agreeing that it would be better to have a way to leave the cc on (not engaged, just on). This is one of the few cars that doesn't work that way. A downside of this is that the instrument panel "Cruise" indicator comes on when you turn the system on instead of when you're using it. One thing (of a very few)I saw in the S-class MB that I thought was an improvement over the Lexus was their cruise control display. They have a separate ring on the speedo that illuminates up to the cc set speed, so you can easily see that it's engaged and at what setting (in case you hit resume).
ljflx, you are right. The car is deceptively fast. You get up there in the big bucks ticket range pretty quick.
A couple of features I found that none of the 3 dealerships salespeople showed me are the tilting outside mirrors when the shifter is placed in reverse, and the opening of the windows and the sunroof with the key fob. Amazing car!!
They usually send the evaluation letter/form after you've had the car several months and had a chance to accumulate 4-5k miles. I find Lexus a very responsive company to suggestions but perhaps in collecting such data they want to make sure they are really getting the data from the owners/drivers of the car and not just anyone who can access a website.
I do think they should add an all wheel drive version and a stretch version. They'll need both, particularly the latter for the ultra-rich chaffeurred driven crowd. The LS430 is a more luxurious car for the driver than any S/7/A-8 as far as I'm concerned. For the rear seat space I know I can comfortably sit in the back, with the front seat set back as far as possible, and I'm 6 feet tall. But those with Chaffeurs need stretch leg room or at least think they do. Lexus has taken a step in that direction with the sophisticated stuff in the rear seats on the Ultra, but that's probably not enough to steal away customers from the German competition for that buyer segment.
thanks for the input for the cruise. any insight as to reprogramm the trans for quicker downshifts.
We stopped in at Wegmans yesterday. What a zoo! Give it a few weeks to calm down and to let the staff learn the ropes. We've gone to the one in Bridgewater several times when we were going to Flemington, and we really love it. They have great prepared foods, fresh breads and outrageous pastries. I always kidded my wife that I wanted to be buried in Balducci's (in the Village) - Wegmans could be a second choice.
nofeer - I don't know the particulars of the RX, but the seats in most SUVs are high off the ground and could be difficult to get into and out of. Take your mom to a Lexus dealer and have her see what is comfortable for her. Does she have a preference for a sedan or SUV? Does the car ever leave FL? That may determine the need for 4WD - snow or no snow.
Dave
Stevestein - Did Catena ever send you that houseplant? By the way my wife's "superior" car only has the nav/ml/link package. The Ultra was impossible to get when I was looking and though I found it tempting it would have been a waste for me. I need a car seat in the back and we put it in the middle for safety, so that would have covered up all that nice stuff.
flint350 - That S-Class board is becoming funnier than an Abbott & Costello movie.
I confirmed today with my sales rep at Lexus of Riverside, an Elite dealer, that he will do a deal in the area we are talking about if the credit history is not a problem (on a financed sale agreement) and the LS430 has at least Nav & Lev options (or more).
If you're in the LA area and looking to purchase soon, give Cory Williams a shot at 800/899-5398 and report back. No guarantees, of course, but I'd be surprised if you're disappointed -- I wasn't.
As for these price deals, maybe they exist, maybe they don't and maybe they're regionally driven. I don't know. Due to my long search and early placement on the original waiting list, I was "forced" to pay list price at the time. I did this grudgingly for my Ultra, but with the certain knowledge that, at that time, it was the only alternative unless I wanted to wait six months longer. Since I bought outright (no lease, paid cash) and plan to keep the car a good while, I figure a 5-6% discount costs me less than $50 a month and I got exactly the car I wanted. No waiting, no regrets, immediate gratification. The American Way! Now, how's that for rationalization? Maybe I belong on that S Class board more than I thought.
As for the cruise, I think one point missed is that the two systems (laser vs. normal) operate differently with different limits and cutoffs. We need to be clear on which system we are talking about.
I still wish I had a mute/unmute for the radio volume, but that's pretty small to complain about.
As for the prices - who knows and who cares. I just apply business logic and I've been with Lexus long enough to know they won't allow a dealer to get out of hand. They are a classy company. My sales guy at Ray Catena told me they only had one bad LS car back in the late 90's and Lexus immediately replaced it. I lease so discounts are less meaningful. Even if someone gets a $5k better price - what are we talking about in a lease -$2k plus interest - maybe $65-70 per month. Given I can tax deduct the lease it works out to 55-60% of that.
Flint - one thing I can't stand is rattles. I took my cd's and put them in the trunk because they would slide around in the glove bax. That's the only noise in the car. Neither of my previous LS 400's ever had a rattle nor would I expect the new car which has an even better body build to ever get one. The S with rattles, truck like bumps and the shake, rattles and rolls those guys are describing would drive me crazy. I hope they are enjoying their cornering around sharp curves. By the way I still haven't seen an S or a 7 take a curve any faster than I do. Now a Porsche - that's a different story.
Yes there is a custom model I have seen it and driven it. They are at this point rare and in some cases more expensive then the Ultra. If you want a Custom wait till 2002 model year.
My only further request is is that Lexus solves its Phone problem and incorporates a dual mode system and that it could be
retrofitted. In essence what a car, and how lucky we all are to be able to own one.
And ljflx, I agree. The rattles and squeeks and popcorn and dealer non-solutions would all drive me nuts. I can understand your moving the CD's, and I'm beginning to wonder about those coins in the coin box shifting position. Of course, in the S Class, I wouldn't have that problem - those troublesome noisy coin shifts would be covered up by all the rattling and squeeking. I, too, hope they are enjoying that soulful driving experience. And I, too, have yet to be passed in the curves by an S or a 7.
By the way, what did you think of the Soprano final episode?
As to noangerdoc...You must be in a big hurt to have disruptively called the So Bay dealer and challenge them as to the deals they are willing to make now! How naive to think they will confirm, to some poor sucker who overpaid, that they were cutting better deals with more sophisticated buyers.
Let's continue to collaborate and level the playing field!!
thanks again , guys!
Have a great trip.
Renny
The wheel audio controls have 3 buttons. The lowest one can be set to lower the volume to any preset volume that you wish including completely off. You then have to push the top button to restore the volume. Not a true mute but close to it.
As for cruise control, I have the laser, and it does resume from a more reduced speed. It will even reduce the speed itself, quite handily, then re-accelerate. All without driver intervention. Of course, once the "old lady" law suits start against Lexus because someone thought it didn't react enough to prevent an accident while the driver was mindlessly reaching in the back seat while on "autopilot", Lexus will probably be forced to drop it in the future. But, it sure works great for me and I'm glad I have it. Damn, what a fine car!
How about a discussion in the Lexus LS Owners Club? No guarantees that a Lexus rep will show up, but there's a chance it will be noticed there. Let me know!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
Watch yourself going through Pennsylvania - those cops are always hiding out at the bottom of the hills and given its Memorial day weekend I'm sure they'll be out there.
I couldn't understand the ending of the Soprano's. Best I could make of it was they were realizing what a bad life they had for themselves. For a while I thought the old man was going to have a heart attack when he was singing. I expected them to kill off Jackie Jr. - his part had run its course whereas Ralphie is still developing. But he died earlier in the episode than I thought.
Hosts - The S-class and M-class win a design award and the host on the S-class board (and I'm sure other MB boards)immediately posts it. Lexus wins the JD Power reliability award, by a very wide margin particularly over Mercedes, and a poster has to put it up. This is the bias I was alluding to last week. In my opinion it only hurts your independence. Either do it everywhere or don't do it at all. By the way anyone who gives the M-class a design award can't be taken seriously. The thing looks like it was sawed off in the back.
Mercedes is struggling to find the balance between cost management and perceived quality, not only on the M class, but even on the S class, as we know.
Toyota manages costs too, but they're better at hiding where the trade-offs are. For example, some of the suspension parts are welded in place which is cheaper, but if you bend them you're hosed - you can never align the car properly.
But they focus on paint, fit, tactile quality, appearance, and even smell. These are things that people really notice, and Toyota nails it there.
They also cuts costs by putting CRAPPY tires on from the factory in most cases.
I heard that 10 CD jewel cases can be stored in the door magazine rack in 2 stacks, side by side, of 5 each, snuggly with no rattles. Haven't tried it yet, though.
I haven't yet managed to get my Ultra in for service yet (I bought out of state, and closest dealer is 200 mile round trip). 2,400 miles on the car already. I've got my first long trip planned, about 2,000 miles round trip to Hilton Head. I'm looking forward to the time spent in the car with all those luxuries! If I get it serviced on the way back (from the dealer I purchased from) they can detail it and remove salt residue from the ocean. I hope I'm not making a mistake by dragging my feet on servicing.
By the way, I just finished filling in a new car survey with excellent marks. They sent me a dollar!
Out the door for a California buyer, you have to add sales tax, luxury tax, Dept Motor Vehicle first year registration, and about $50 in misc fees to the $54-55K base. About $60-61K when all is said and done.
I don't know the routine to fly in and drive one back to Texas, but I know the dealer can also arrange to ship the car to your address.
Email me at jeffmust@aol.com if you want more details.
Good luck - a friend of mine picked up his LS430 last night at this dealer and price and his wife (her vehicle) made me a cherry pie to celebrate - they saved $3000 compared to purchasing at their local dealer. That's a pretty expensive pie!
ljflx, I found the Sopranos finale a little disappointing. I also predicted the kid's demise, but thought it was early. I expected more at the end, just didn't get it. For a really impressive finale, you have to be a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan.
We're off for vacation, but will get serious when we return.
I know all about buying out of state; No problem other than gas prices!
Brought the pine car in for service today. They told me 7500 mile maintenance interval is fine particularly if you have lot of highway miles. If you do a lot of stop & go stick closer to 5k intervals. I ended up with 7100 miles at this service interval. By the way they store their cars for sale at the maintenance center which is in a separate place from the dealership for the first time this year. Reason - rapidly increasing Lexus sales. There were only 4 LS430's on the lot and the guy told me the car is still hot. Oh yeah - they also service Jags in this center at a ratio of about 1 to every 5 Lexus cars. However the Lexus cars outsell the Jags by about 10 to 1. So I guess the Jag is not so reliable. I know my former neighbor had the Van den Plas (if that's how you spell it) and couldn't wait to get out of his lease because he had so many problems with it. He went to the S-500 just before he moved. Poor guy.
Stevestein - went to Wegmans this evening. That store is incredible. It's bigger than some western towns. When you bring your car in for service let me know if you get an RX300 and if so what you think of it. I need a new SUV but that one is too small for me. Still its tempting because it rides and handles like a car and gets great gas mileage. I'm more likely to move up to the LX470 though because I really need something with 3 rows of seats. That truck rides very smooth - almost like the old LS400 except for those times when you hit a big bump.
2001 Control
LX-52-01 Lexus LS 430
with GPS 2001 Right of Radio
LS 430 w/o
GPS
Glad you chose the LS430 over the S-430? Sure glad I went with it over the S-500. I still can't get over that Wegman's. What a terrible weekend - I passed on a trip to Long Beach Island because of all the cold drizzle.
If you don't want to post then please email me at sanjayvinaik@msn.com
Thanks for your guidence.
explorer
TC lx470
MDX (check the board, long waits, dealer problems and quality issues-wind noise, clunks and mirror)
ML320
other option is a wagon, audi, volvo, even taurus has 3rd seats.
maybe next year the HL will have 3rd seat, maybe if rx300 is redisigned it will have 3rd seat and bigger.
If you don't want to post then please email me at sanjayvinaik@msn.com
Thanks for your guidence.
svinaik - Can't help you - doubt you can get the base car (almost all have the Lexus link) under $53-54k. The ml is always linked to the nav and will tack on at least $3500-4500. By the way if you go with the base car the stereo system is pretty good but far short of the ml. Try Ray Catena in Ocean (the town - not the county) but I know they are still moving the cars quickly. I would always buy/lease this car in area you live though all Lexus dealers must service the car as if they sold it.
My wife only has only had her car for a year, so I don't have to think too much about a replacement now. We bought that one and will probably keep it for a while.
We love Wegman's. We like to grab lunch when we go there (a little Sushi and salad). It truly is an experience!! Weather could have been better, but we got some nice sun time the last two days. It gave me the chance to get a bit of yard work done.
I'm leaving for Paris this Friday eve (10th anniversary trip), returning on Saturday and then will be off on a week-long business trip Sun. I'll be around the board for the next few days but then will be mostly out of the loop.