Lexus LS 460/LS 460L Styling Impressions

nvbanker

Everyone hopes it doesn't have I-drive. Everybody hoped the Mercedes wouldn't have I-drive - yet they just couldn't help themselves. Hopefully, Toyota has more self-control, but you know how they like to copy.....

nvbanker

At the risk of going off topic - you must be a Boston Legal fan??? As am I.....

lenscap

Did anyone else read the article in AutoWeek on the LF-Sh? They say the car is about 85% what the new LS will look like (the exhaust and grill will almost certainly change).

I love the way the article starts out: "It would not be a hardship to take a long, close look at this latest Lexus show car for all the same reasons it would not be a hardship to gaze upon a lithe supermodel. The LF-Sh is gorgeous."

rcf8000

Everybody seems to be gushing about the styling of the 2007 LS. Maybe I'm the first to say that it doesn't do anything for me. It wouldn't tempt me to trade my '05 for an '07.

designman

Boston Legal... extremely creative... FANTASTIC script writing... LMAO with every episode!

carlisimo

I do find that surprising. But hey, it's a complement to the current model.

I hope the grill doesn't change much.

It shouldn't need one for technical (air-feeding) reasons; from the very beginning, Lexus wanted to be a grill-free brand. The original SC300 followed that mantra, but on the LS, the design team reluctantly agreed to give the original model a big grill just to match other cars in its segment. It's time for Lexus to prove it's broken free.

lenscap

Lexus never wanted to be a grill-free brand. Someone in my family bought one of the very first LS 400s and they were given a large coffee table book on the development of the car. I still have the book. It clearly states Lexus felt a big grille was an important element and necessary to establish the brand. The grille was not added relunctantly but was part of the concepts from the very beginning.

Perhaps you're confusing Lexus with Infiniti. They were not fond of grilles and the original Q45 did not have one at all. And the original M30 had a very thin slot.

clam1

8 hours service requirement for loaner is a common practice for lexus dealer. Yet if you just have an oil change at lexus, like you did with your Lincoln, they will give you a loaner car as well.
If you haven't notice, Lexus always shows off Mark Levinson Audio with Jazz or Classical music. It's been tuned for those music and mostly for the rear seat enjoyment. You found it heavy on treble because those speaker are located in the front. Try to sit in the back and listen to the same song/music, you will find the huge difference.

carlisimo

Well... yeah... I don't think I'm totally off; Ichiro Suzuki, design team leader, felt that Lexus should build cars that specialized in aerodynamics. He penned the LS without a grille, but the marketing team felt that going grilleless was bad for a car whose credibility was starting from zero. So you're right, Lexus as a whole decided on the big grille, and I'm sure they convinced the designers without a fight. It just wasn't part of the original vision.

The concurrently-designed SC didn't have one, and neither have the latest concept cars. I do think we'll see less grille from now on.

ljflx

Smart move. The Infiniti without a grille was a total flop which is why the car was given a grille 2 years later.

nexuslexus

You know what I just noticed... I tihnk the LS looks alot ike the new avaolon... with the rap arounmd lights on he rear. P

Plaease exscuse any typos and such, as I do not have my glasses on and have such bad vision that I cant even see the screen.

jchan2

And now? Look at Infiniti.

Nice grilles on the G35 and M.

Is there ANY car out there that's still grille-less?

lexusi

Lol, if lexus thought that grillless is better and infiniti did it for a while, then audi is taking it to another dimension with that big ugly grillFULLL thing!

I think a car with a grill is more respectful, i mean that those cars without grills are always cheap, to understand this look at RR, and Bently

Lexus ROCKS

Lexusi

nvbanker

Thanks, Clam. Just tried that - I see what you're talking about the Subwoofer in the back works fine - doesn't seem to resonate in the car like I'm used to, but I see exactly what you mean. I know it's not mine malfunctioning, as I have tried several others since owning this one. They're all the same. I've been dissatisfied with the base on the system, but clearly hear the mid & treble ranges better than my other systems, so I see your point. Thanks again, I appreciate the info. It was very helpful. NV

feverhart

OK, nothing new on this site for a week now. So here is my 2 cents worth.

When news of the 2007 hybred LS broke, I was ready to be one of the first to put my name on the list. Now having driven my 2004 LS for over a year, I'm not so sure I'm ready to change. Since the '04, 05, and '06 are basically the same car and this car is the most satisfying and best car I have ever owned (including 4 LS's), it's going to take a lot to budge me now. If the 600h has AW drive, Bose suspension, and of course hybred technology--only that combo will do the trick. But the '04 LS will still remain our second car.

There's nothing like satisfaction to dull a can't wait anticipation.

ljflx

Feverhart - You are a very satisfied LS owner for sure - as am I - but here's my prediction for you. One stop in your local dealership in late 2006 plus one test ride and you'll change your mind immediately with or without the bose suspension, etc. I'm expecting painfully high demand for this car which means a possible wait and a definite long wait for the 600H, and zero price relief.

nvbanker

I think you're right - demand is clearly built up waiting. If the car is as promised, it will be 6 months at least before the feeding fenzy will lighten up, and then you may get a deal, but I doubt it. OTOH - lots of nice trades should be happening, and lots of recent LS-430s should become available!

idele

I got the press kit for the GS450h (see my post on GS450h section) and decided to put myself down as number 1 at the dealer. I'll be trading my current RX400h. The latter has put me completely in the hybrid camp for all future cars. Since I prefer sedans to crossovers and the hybrid technology is advanced by quite a bit in the GS450h I decided to trade after one year. That will give me an extra year to get an LS hybrid since I usually trade every two years.

nexuslexus

Do you purchase your cars... or lease? Or what?

jchan2

I was wondering that also.
And do you trade in your car, or privately sell it on eBay?

ljflx

You should be leasing if you change that often.

dennykrane

I went by my dealer this past Friday just to say hello, He told me the LS is on target for 2006 late summer (maybe Aug ) and that there are some already putting down a deposit for the first cars in.

He also said to expect the 2006 ES to arrive 1st. around Tax time (April). He mentioned they were selling the IS as fast as ther were unloading them.

In regards to the 2006 LS he figured that after they were out 4-5 months dealers would drop off straight retail and deal a bit. He still has no news on the interior or option packages or even if the photos we have been looking at are what we will have for 2007. They dont tell them very much.

Oh he did mention the GS hybrid is almost here.

HURRY UP AND WAIT !! DK

lexildy

I was amused by your post. I am falling into the same satisfaction mode as you are. I am currently driving my 4th LS, an '05 LS 430, and am finding it is the best LS I have ever owned. I too was salivating, only for me it was the upcoming LS 500. I am so in love with my current car that I am not sure I will be in a hurry to replace it.

idele

I always purchased until the RX400h. The finance guy at the dealer mentioned that they had a 2 year single pay lease plan that most of their customers trading every two years use. I asked him to break out the numbers and they semed very worthwhile doing especially with the big hit I was taking on the tradein of my 2003 Audi Allroad 2.7T. The value of my tradein was greater than the lease cost. I bought my first shares of Toyota stock with the money and they have risen quite a bit in value.
I just returned from a business trip to Paris. Toyota has a permanent company exhibit on the Champs-Elysees. The exhibits included their F1 car, the Endo and personal mobility vehicle concept cars, the new Yaris which has come to Canada and will come to the USA, and a Prius with big cutouts. The engine compartment cut open showed the 4 cylinder ICE transversely mounted connected to a big electric generator which is connected to a large electric motor. Hovering over the motor is a big control unit. One can see where the expense of hybrids lie.

nexuslexus

Is there a reason that you do this? Don't you take a beating each time you trade it?

I prefer to buy my cars outright and drive them for 4-5 years... sometimes even 6 (my lexus ES), before buying a new car. I usually don't trade in the car, but rather keep it as an additonal car (for a backup), so I then end up keeping it 8-10 years before dumping it- they tend to still work very well after 8-10 years if driven once a week.

lexusguy

The Accord and new Civic basically dont have grills.

idele

The costs of having problems with a car are large, especially the time to take care of problems. I find that trading every two years works for me and, fortunately for me, the costs are manageable. Actually Lexus service is geared to people like me and is unbeatable. Dealers like it because you are a regular customer and highly desired. For example, my tradein was valued at $1000 over what I could figure from the internet and was going to ask for, and I also got $1000 off MSRP; this at the introduction of the RX400h; no bargaining necessary.

syswei

from Japan has either forgotten about us or was never what he seemed in the first place. More likely the latter, I'm thinking.

jchan2

Agreed.

nexuslexus

I think we should disregard anyone who pops up and says they know something. They don't. No one will until detroit.

ljflx

The cars from Japan are extremely reliable. The posters on this board that say they are from Japan are not.

Syswei- you beat me to the punch on this one.

dennykrane

I noticed Lexus is pushing there December to Remember promotion now.

I wonder what kind of benefits the promotion has ??

Have any of you purchased a vehicle during Dec? I guess I might drop by my dealer next week and see what going on... Also I can ask about any new news of the 2007 ls.

nvbanker

It's real. You can buy lease a Lexus for a fraction of the normal payment during December usually. Buying, I don't know what the discount would be, but leasing is very favorable right now in Lexusland.

tgransinger

Hello,
Do you guys think that the value of this generation's LS will drop as the new 07s arrive?

ljflx

Really hard to say. You can look back to see how the 99 and 2000 fared when the 2001 was released. But the 2007 is a more pronounced departure vs its predecessor cars than was the 2001. At the same time the Lexus name is reaching higher and higher levels each week and the 2007 car is going to raise its prestige a lot higher. That will also play a role in raising residual values of the brand as a whole. But remember the LS already retains the highest percentage of MSRP in its class as a pre-owned car today.

lexusguy

Based on previous LS updates, I would say that older LS430s should continue to hold their value well. The IS300 still has strong residual value, and the IS350 is a pretty radical improvement there as well. Same with RX300 and RX330.

syswei

I think this will depend to an extent on how much the 07 moves up in price. MB seems to be providing a price umbrella with the new S (up 7% in Europe I believe).

jack27

December 9, 2005

Lexus to Stage World Premiere of All-new LS Flagship Luxury Sedan at
2006 North American International Auto Show

Tokyo, December 9, 2005 — Lexus announced today that it will stage the world premiere of its all-new, Lexus-brand LS flagship luxury sedan at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which is being held from January 8 to January 22*. Specific details of the new LS will be announced at the show during the Lexus press conference on Sunday, January 8 at 12:25 p.m.

Arriving late next year, the fourth-generation Lexus LS will set impressive new standards in design, styling, engineering, safety and performance.

mikeroch

Hi all,

Any idea/consensus as to what the price increase might be expected to be for the 2007s?

Thanks

jrock65

2006 Base MSRP: $57,220
2007 Base MSRP: $62,000

oac

jrock: where did you get the 2007 MSRP ? or is it just a speculation ?

nexuslexus

It would be my assumption that those numbers are speculation, as I highly doubt Lexus has released any numbers (and I certainly haven't received any numbers from Lexus directly).

As a heads up to everyone interested, I will be attending the NAIAS on January 8th, 2006, and would be more than happy to post a number of pictures I take of the LS on this forum.

I will not be attending until the evening (I will be flying back in from Boston that day), so my pictures and information will not be the fastest, and I will not be able to attend the press briefing, but I will try to take pictures of every aspect of the car.

hpowders

That would be terrific.
I am really looking forward to seeing the new LS.

ljflx

I'd say the next LS ranges from $64K to 75K in the model trims as we know them today. I doubt you'll be able to get the car without Nav and ML anymore so that would kill off the prices under $60K. The hybrid in LWB is the wild card - is it $75-85K or $85-100K??

tds1

Sadly, this is more than I can spend on a car, but excited to see the new release. Does anyone think the LS will be a clue as to the exterior styling of the new 2007 ES350? Seems like IS/GS are similar. Wonder if ES/LS will be similar...

jrock65

Pure speculation of course. And bad speculation at that, since I forgot that a lot of the options on the 2006 will likely be standard on the 2007.

The Modern Lux Package ($5000), Comfort Access ($1000) and 18" rims ($800) are likely to be standard.

That means a base price of more like $65,000.

dennykrane

Well with the Detroit auto show comming next mouth I hope to get another look at the 2007 LS. I have read that the LS will be on hand there. Maybe some one will have photos of the interior, and maybe some specs. on the rest of the car.

Wish I could get to the show but Its over 700 miles. And I cant leave Boston right now.

If all goes well and the interior is as good as past lexus's I really expect to purchase the 2007 by this time next year.

DK

callmedrfill

But I would be SHOCKED if the LS was less than $64k to start, and the LWB should be close to $70k.

Now that I think about it, in the Neiman Marcus X-Mas catalog, isn't the GS450h going for $65k?

I would think the LS would go over that, instead of fighting a stablemate for the same money, no?

The LS could go straight to 7-series territory!

I would price the Hybrid right on top of the S500, and see who blinks first.

DrFill

alpha01

"Now that I think about it, in the Neiman Marcus X-Mas catalog, isn't the GS450h going for $65k?"

Thats hardly competition for the LS- there are only 75 of those cars that will/have already been sold. The GS and LS are very different animals, having a slight overlap on pricing of the GS450h, IMO, will have little impact on either model.

~alpha

nexuslexus

Tis true.

The IS, for example, overlaps the ES on pricing, even though the ES is "higher" in the line up. They don't compete with eachother, just as the GS and LS don't compete with eachoter. Especially if the LS has AWD, because then the buyer wouldn't have the option of getting a GS450h with AWD, so the LS would be competing with the GS300AWD, which is not in its price range.