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Comments
Glad you like the car. It just gets better and better and that large trunk can handle Wegmans.
The brochure description of the options in the Custom and Ultra is accurate (although I'm not sure if you must also get special perforated leather for the cooled seats at an additional cost on the Custom or if it's included). The main difference is the back seat stuff. Going from memory, the Ultra may also add air variable suspension and include Lexus link. I just dug up the book -see pg 61 of the LS brochure for all the info on Custom and Ultra packages. I got a base car with Nav/ML. Customs are very, very rare. I believe an earlier post said only 30-odd were coming into the northeast this year.
I got the standard 16" wheels and year round tires. This combination with the base suspension is very comfortable, yet doesn't isolate you from the road. A salesperson or someone else with a little more knowledge about tires could tell you how the summer tires would affect the ride.
The two features I couldn't get on the base model that I really wanted were the laser cruise control and park assist. The rest of the Custom & Ultra features were not as important to me. You need to look at the different trim levels and decide what makes sense for you. If you have your heart set on a Custom in a particular color you may very well have to wait until 2002. One feature of the Ultra I didn't like was that the separate a/c for the rear compartment took up some of the trunk space.
Hope this helped - feel free to ask any other questions. If you haven't done so yet I'd be sure to go to a dealer and check the cars out. Ray Catena (Rt 35, Ocean Township) has a large selection in their showroom and in their separate storage area next to the service center, which is across the road. As of last week they had a black cherry, I saw it when I got my 1000 mi service.
I can state the trunk can handle both Wegman's and Costco simultaneously, with a dose of Target thrown in!
I called several dealers and several car upholsterers and they all tell me those airbag visor labels CANNOT be removed without damage. (If anyone knows differently please let us know!)
Your power should be retained for a minute or so (or until you open a door) once you've turned off the ignition. Maybe you have to leave the key in; I don't recall, but I know I have retained power after shutting off the engine.
There is not much information regarding Lexus link advanced features and I don't think much of it. I like the basic service because if you're in an accident and your airbags deploy they will call an ambulance/police for you if you don't respond to their call to you. That safety feature alone is worth the $200.00 or so annual fee.
Enjoy your car!
Off topic, but I saw an article in USA Today wherein they dissected several series finales. They basically agreed with us that our fav. show's finale was weak, but implied it was a lead-in for next year's SERIES finale.
Anyone using a Valentine ONe??? Suggestions on installation and wiring. This being my 2nd request, if no one can help, I'll be forced to go off in a Snit. And we all know, no decent, self respecting Lexus owner would be seen in a Snit.
They're nearly as trouble prone as an S430.
I put the sensor at the top on the windshield just to the right of the rain sensor. You will have to modify the clip to fit between the glass and the headliner. Route the wire (hidden under the headliner) down the A pillar (between glass and molding) and under the glove compartment and attach a modular wire coupler. to this attach a short piece of modular wire to the remote which is inserted in the outlet in center console. I got some wire same color as the ecru. and of the total wiring only 3" is visable which is the piece that goes from under the console molding to the remote.
Hope this helps. Of couse you can always have it hard wired but I didn't have the specs for that. Incidently the detector is practically invisible from the outside.
I was getting 18+ for the first month; then it has recently dropped...is this high-priced gas no good?
By the way when I brought my car in for service I asked them for touch-up paint for both the silver and the pine. I don't have a need for it as yet and hope I never will but its good to have around just in case. They only had the silver on hand but today in the mail I received the pine - a full two business days later. Lexus service is the best. Incidentally their touch-up paint seems like a perfect match should the need arise.
Lastly - the LS430 is catching on bigtime. In doing those deals I've maintained relationships with many very wealthy people and they are buying both the LS and the SC430 these days. Let's hope the pricepoint holds. The reliability of the car is amazing and that is what is winning the people over plus it has gained a lot in status.
Sopranos - When the old guy didn't have a heart attack I next expected the Russians to break in and start shooting. Bad ending but still a great show and the best continuous acting by so many varied characters I've ever seen. You'd think they filmed all the episodes in one shoot.
Did you make that trip to 17?
Heading down on 17 around Sullivan's Island (just North of Charleston)on the 9th. Hope you are well...give 'em hell on the other boards!!
I still check over there just to see you shake them up...
The Q45 has historically been discounted by large amounts just to keep inventory moving because of very low demand for the product.
The BMW 7-series probably didn't have discounts for some of the 1995 model year, but I remember even in late 1995, the BMW 740 had lease incentives to move product. Of course, the discount wasn't nowhere near as large as what Infiniti gives out on Q45's.
Where the difference lies is that BMW dealers have discounted the 7-series every year to keep demand with supply. Whereas, Infiniti has to give huge discounts just to move the Q45 off of lots.
ljflx, sadly, I do need the touch-up paint, but at least in an inconspicuous area. During my trip to Pittsburgh via the "lovely" Pa. Tpke, I got a rock on the front just below the grill. It chipped the paint completely in approx a 1/4" little circle. Must have been a direct hit! God was I angry. Hope I can come up with the black cherry paint since it's a little more rare.
I still read the other 3 boards as well, just to watch the incongruity of it all. While they lavish themselves with praise, they complain of things (newest one I recall) like their S Class key has stopped working and the poor guy doesn't know if the car is locked or unlocked. Now, those are problems to complain about. While we (lucky and informed) Lexus buyers have to settle for things like computer mileage readouts and coins rattling in the coin box due to the damned quiet ride! BTW, my mileage readout situation (for wbwynn) is like that of ljflx. And when I refuel, I check the "tank average" against the gallons bought/miles driven - and it is always right on. I mean to the tenth of a mile. The other readouts are based, I think, on current driving condition (speed vs. throttle input vs. uphill, coasting, etc).
trentpa - tested my retained power this morning and I have it to play the radio or maneuver the windows etc. regardless of whether I shut the car completely off or just shut it off one notch below the aux. power. When your door was open you should have been getting a chime sound inside to remind you that you had somehing wrong. I know that every now and then I fail to release my emergency brake and that chime sounds the moment I put the car in gear. My lights shutoff in about 30 seconds or so and I know Lexus can re-program this to anything you want (that was the case with the 98 car at least) but I would think the interior lights, not the headlights, would remain on if you failed to close the door. I'll see if it happens to me when I get home tonight.
I want to go check it out.
morg7 - there are two high-end boards in the comparison auto section and flint350 and I are also referring to the S-class board. Those who post on the S-class board seem to have more problems in 10 or so recent posts than in all 1200+ on this board. And if you go back in time you'll find some real amusing problems.
I'm referring to things such as the programming of door locks and the automatic headlights. I am quite surprised that from what you all are saying, you have to have the dealer program in these options for you. And, in the case of the door locks, not all dealers seem to know how to do it! I mean, to need the dealer to program in the time delay of your headlights shutting off seems rather rediculous on a car of this caliber. That's a standard feature you can get on a Buick by adjusting the time delay yourself with a dashboard control. A one second job.
Why would Toyota Motor Corp. leave simple stuff like that off? I had read where they did extensive research and obtained exhaustive feedback from existing LS400 owners when designing the "new" LS430. Can't believe these things never came up during that research if they are coming up now with such a small representation of LS owners on this board.
Anyway, I was reading on one of these Lexus boards how Toyota cuts corners to save money in areas such as the factory tires and suspension design. Perhaps the door lock and headlight programming issues fall into that category as well. Anyway, just a point of discussion. I am sure you are right about the Mercedes having much more serious issues. I know several present and former Mercedes owners who have had all kinds of problems.
I am curious if, with the new design of the LS with the '01 LS430, the average age of LS430 owners has risen from what it was with the previous model. In my observations, of ALL the LS430's I have seen on the road, they were being driven by a senior citizen. Literally, not 50 years old (I'm 38, so that ain't old to me anymore :>)), but senior citizens.
I recently went to the Motor Trend/Cadillac test drive where, among the Cads and Mercs and BMWs, there was an LS430. The LS430 seemed to appeal the most to the older people in the crowd. I mean, I really observed that. The oldest guy in the crowd was crooning over it.
Anyway, this is just a demographic observation. What do you guys think? I don't think it has anything to do with the price increase, since I see many younger folks driving even more expensive 740iL's and S500's, etc. I think even the Cadillac DeVille, especially the DTS model, appeals more to a younger set (at least in exterior design) than the LS430. I know it would to me.
I was at my dealer today and a guy in a new LS430 was in front of me checking in with his service advisor. He was probably around 60 years old I'd guess. Anyway I asked him how he liked his LS430 and he immediately beamed "this is the best investment I've ever made!" That's quite a statement about such a depreciating asset! :-)
(I think he was in for a problem with the Lexus Link by the way)
On a separate note - I sat in an SC430 today, and while the interior is nice and immediately familiar to any Lexus owner, I still can't fathom why they bothered putting in the COMPLETELY USELESS rear seats... yes I've heard the 'insurance' reason, but that makes no sense on a $60K car. Also, the trunk space is a joke - you could barely fit two grocery bags back there I'd guess!
Great looking car though!
I am aware the dealer will complete this task for free.
Mediabarron@qwest.net
I would say Lexus is cutting corners with tires or suspension when 1) Lexus uses double wishbone suspension all-around and 2) when that double wishbone gives a excellent ride and very good handling without resorting to electronic controls. WHen it comes to tires, if you notice just about every car make "cuts" corners. Lexus ES300's come with Michelin MXV4s, so do some BMW's as well as Honda's--an example.
As for time delay lights, what's the point of comparing a Buick to a Lexus LS430? A couple of lame-duck features on the Buick aren't going to make up for all the disadvantages of a Buick.
In 1991 there was NO other car in the class with the LS, NONE. Today life is much more confusing, difficult, the E430 is not quite up to par with the LS430 but it must be considered as a viable alternate choice. There is the Audi AWD, and the Jaguar AWD. While my choice still is, will be, the Lexus LS430.
I am reminded of a joke I heard just about the time Eastern airlines went under for good. It when something like this....
"Do you know that Eastern airlines is now one of the best rated airlines?"
"No, have they really improved that much?"
"No, but all of the other airlines have now degraded their service to Eastern's level!"
Opposite of the Lexus story, Lexus has raised the bar for everyone.
What I think you are seeing in age grouping is this, the older we get the less willing we are to take chances, move away from the proven path.
After ten years in the market the Lexus "path" is now well proven, so yes, you are undoubtedly seeing more "older" buyers in a Lexus.
Catherine Heins is looking for people to interview who have switched from American to Japanese cars in the past few years-- especially folks who wouldn't have given a Toyota or Honda the time of day in the 1970s.
She's a business reporter at the Yomiuri Shimbun, which is the biggest daily paper in Japan with a circulation of 14 million. They are writing a feature story about Japanese automakers' continuing success in expanding production in the U.S. and snatching market share from the Big Three even on their former home turf of light trucks.
If you fit this description and are willing to be interviewed, please call her directly at 212-582-5827 or e-mail her at catheins@yahoo.com. As always, you can contact me at jfallon@edmunds.com if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
As for the options/programming - a minor point, I think. I agree the Buick comparison is not a good one. You could find some little feature on nearly any car line that might be different or missing on a pricier car. Lexus does seem to listen more to its customer base than most, though. The fact that not every little, single item makes it into immediate production is to be expected. Remember, they "strive" for perfection, but in reality will never achieve it (as no one can). And the dealers don't have to program these features - they have the ability to change the way the features work. Such as when the doors lock or unlock. They have to choose a default to start with, but they allow change to suit the individual's taste. True enough, the light on/off issue could be addressed better, and probably will. But a minor point, as I said. If you read back on this board, you will see that the only complaints are extremely minor, like this, unlike the S Class and Bummer series.
Speaking of the S Class - ljflx, I couldn't take it, I posted!!! Someone made a comment regarding the sense of spending another $100k for all the problems being reported vs. the LS430 at only $70k or less. Thinking mightily of you and my own advice to stay silent, I threw caution to the wind and (politely) voiced an opinion! I guess I should have taken this morning's xanax dose a little earlier.
You and I have a lot in common (though I'd never have the guts to fly a plane) and you gotta love wbwynn. Have a great weekend.
Regarding the headlights staying on if the door is ajar; same problem if you pop the trunk - like when you return to your garage with a trunk full of groceries; the headlights stay on until you close the trunk, which motivates me to empty the groceries fast!
I am not suprised that many of you who are online here and posting on Edmunds are the "younger" buyers of the LS430. Interesting, Trentpa, that you used to own an Ultra (Buick). I got my dad to switch from a Park Avenue to an STS.
I am wondering if the LS430 has more leg room than the DeVille. (How the heck do they actually measure leg room anyway?) Seems kindof subjective. Regarding glove box space, no doubt the LS430 has increased its space in that area, but not all Lexus's can boast that...seems to me the guys over on the Lexus GS side have complained that their owner's manual won't fit in the glovebox.
I'm curious about trunk space, too. I know that that was a weak area of the prevous LS400 compared to its competitors. What is the capacity rating now? I saw the inside of an LS430 trunk at a car show. What is that box shaped hump protruding up from the floorboard toward the front of the trunk?
As for soundblocking out engine noise, I can't hear the engine itself on my '99 STS, but I can hear the pleasant exhaust rumble of the V8 when I open her up, and I like that! In fact, they quieted it down from the previous generation STS, and I miss it somewhat. Maybe you were referring to the exhaust note sound? I know that it is all but completely drowned out on the LS430. The car enthusiast writers in the auto mags. don't like that characteristic. They want to "hear" those horses running. Me too. The Lexus GS has a pretty good V8 exhaust note.
What do you guys who have the ultra luxury model really think of the "massaging" seats? To me, it is more of a vibrator than a kneeding massage action. Kind of like putting a quarter in the bed at a Motel 6, vs. one of those massaging chairs at the Brookstone store. Also, it does seem odd that they didn't focus on putting that type of technology in the front seats, where more people sit more often than in back.
Anyway, again I reiterate that these are merely observations as a car enthusiast.
Thanks, in advance for helping me out here!
I also am quite sure that the LS does not have the sort of trendy image that might draw younger drivers, but so what? I did not buy my car for others to admire; I bought it because it offered the best price-value relationship in the automotive world. I truely believe that. And no, the car is not the sleekest design on the road (I do think the S class is better looking), but I was eager to sacrifice that for (a) more headroom (b) more leg room and (c) less wind noise. You don't get the kind of drag coefficient the LS has by totally surrendering design control to the "artistes."
After about 3k miles, I can say without hesitation that the car has exceeded all of my lofty expectations. I just spent a week in a rented Crown Vic on a business trip, and it felt like a buckboard and sounded like a tractor by comparison. God, was I glad to get back to the LS.
1. About the image of drivers of LS are senior people. In Arizona, Cadillac is the truly senior people vehicle. When I went to a Cadillac dealer, I was the youngest customer. BMW, I am 44 already. My son and daughter said they would not drive the car if we bought a DeVille, becuase of the senior image. I don't see Lexas has that problem.
2. On top of the 3 yr/100k warranty, Lexas offered another 2 years extended warranty for $1400. Do you guys/girls think it's worthy? Can I buy warranty later? My Toyota 96 4Runner needs a new steering rack that costs me $1400 unexpectly. I have second thought on Toyota quality now.
3. My LS headlight is very bright and white. How can you tell if it's a HID or not?
Again, it's good to be here. Thanks.
Which brings me to the Demo profiles. No matter what car you are dealing with in the $60k+ range you are going to attract mostly 45+ buyers and more often than not 55+. In many cases those who are in the younger profile have better things to do with their money such as trading up in homes or saving to put their kids through college. And like someone else posted I don't see very many young people driving the 7 or the S (or the Q-45 for that matter) anyway.