The LS 430 is a 4.3 litre engine, the LS 460 is a 4.6 litre engine, but the LS 600hL is a 5.0 litre engine, not a 6.0. So why did they choose this designation? Isn't the obvious answer that Lexus wants to position it against the S600?
The LS 430 is a 4.3 litre engine, the LS 460 is a 4.6 litre engine, but the LS 600hL is a 5.0 litre engine, not a 6.0. So why did they choose this designation? Isn't the obvious answer that Lexus wants to position it against the S600?
garyh1 - Perhaps the traditional badging has historically been based upon displacement, but times have changed, and since this engine is married to electric motors, it makes the overall powerplant more than just that 5.0 liter engine itself, and logically the 600 designation refers to the "sum" of all power components, ICE and electric combined.
To have used a 500 designation would have been to neglect the added power from the elecric motors. I think the 600 designation is therefore a good choice, regardless of what Mercedes does.
Gary, good point. Let me extend it further: Why did Lexus not put in the 4.6L + Hybrid in the 600hL ? They created a new 5L V8 not currently in ANY Lexus car exclusively (for now) in the 600hL. So YES, it must be for going against the big boys with a twist: to expand the volume beyond the pitiful low volume sales of the S600/760iL/A8 W12... If Lexus can price this car right (appears they do if under $100K) and produce this car in sufficient quantity, AND it meets those awesome specs in luxury and performance, then they'd meet their target fairly easily.
Like tagman, I do think the 600hL is a car to beat, and it will be a great one in Lexus' drive to even greater sales in the NA market. Can Lexus replicate the success formula in Europe and Asia ? This is the key question...
And gary: your use of the word "litre" betrays you a tad... Here in the US, we use "liter"... Hmmmm ! do I sense some British or Euro tinge to your writing style ?
That the S550 is their target, and you can attack it on two fronts:
1. Value
2. Power + Value
The 380HP LS460 seems to be ready to match an S550, power to power, feature to feature, wheelbase to wheelbase, and may one up it in style, yet cost $20-25k less, similarly equipped.
The LS600h can be priced right on top of the S550 ($90's), while providing more power, more standard features, and more economy, plus a hint of exclusivity with a Hybrid powertrain.
If you shop both Lexus and Benz dealers, the Lexus dealer can show you how one Lexus is a much better value, and how another Lexus makes the S550 a poor investment, if not obsolete.
Why go over there, pay the same money (or more), and get less power, eat more gas, and pay extra for features you get standard in a 600h?
Maybe Lexus also doesn't see much of a market for an LS priced over $100k, when you will see plenty on the street sold for under $75k. Stretching one model $40-50k, maybe they don't see a "Business case" for that.
I don't see any car from Lexus becoming MORe opulent than a 600h, unless the seats will actually be made out of adjustable Cocoa Butter!
BTW, my C&D quotes a 4.2 0-60 time this month for the S600, with 16 MPG.
I see the 600h getting just under 5 seconds, with 21-22 MPG, while staying approx. $40k under the S600s $143k price tag.
Like tagman, I do think the 600hL is a car to beat, and it will be a great one in Lexus' drive to even greater sales in the NA market. Can Lexus replicate the success formula in Europe and Asia ? This is the key question...
Yes . . . key question. My opinion:
Replication of U.S. formula won't work.
Very different markets. Different formula required.
To have used a 500 designation would have been to neglect the added power from the electric motors. I think the 600 designation is therefore a good choice, regardless of what Mercedes does.
But, it's a winner either way, isn't it?
Agreed that "LS 500hL" would have understated the value of the electric motor, but there are lots of numbers above 500 that could have been used. I still think that Lexus didn't miss the significance of the number 600 in the MB lineup when they made their choice.
Is it a winner? I will be able to answer that more definitively after (a) it has been driven by someone who can report if its driving dynamics are good enough to compete in the upper reaches of this class, (b) we find out whether all of its electronics are as reliable as previous Lexi have been, (c) it is priced reasonably attractively, and (d) how much trunk space is lost to batteries - and will the limited life of the batteries themselves ruin resale value.
To me, I would be happy with a LS 460 if only it was available with AWD. But the good news is that my wonderful wife just told me this week that if I want the next new car, she will be willing to take my current '05 LS430. Now the question is, do I really want to be a two LS family? And do I want another car without AWD, or spend a lot of extra money for a car (LS600hL) that is larger and more powerful than I need, just to get AWD.
Who knows, maybe I'll wait for an MB S450 4matic to come out - if I can get beyond the ugly butt and wheel flares. But only if I can be convinced that it is reasonably reliable.
Agreed that "LS 500hL" would have understated the value of the electric motor, but there are lots of numbers above 500 that could have been used. I still think that Lexus didn't miss the significance of the number 600 in the MB lineup when they made their choice.
You are correct when you suggest that Lexus did not miss the significance, and going beyond the engine displacement for the product designation is also very logical in this vehicle's case.
Sounds like you really must have that AWD!!!!
If you've already got a sedan in the family, why not go with a coupe or something else?
And gary: your use of the word "litre" betrays you a tad... Here in the US, we use "liter"... Hmmmm ! do I sense some British or Euro tinge to your writing style ?
No, I'm just originally from exotic upstate New York. I first wrote "liter", but it looked too much like a size of soft drink bottle. "Litre" looked more correct, since it is really European in derivation (remember when US engines were measured in "cubic inches"?).
I just hate to be stuck in the snow the few times a year it happens in this area (DC).
If you've already got a sedan in the family, why not go with a coupe or something else?
Well, 2 reasons really: (1) I have a bad back (failed surgery), and unfortunately no longer can get comfortable in a low slung sporty car - maybe a Cayenne would work for me, but a big SUV never has appealed to me; and (2) I carry business associates in my back seat, and need room and easy access for them. My LS is meeting both of those needs beautifully, but I agree with merc1 that the styling of the current LS is unexciting (to put it politely). The '07 seems to be a big improvement in that regard.
As some of you may remember (I asked for expert guidance at the LS board....), I was trying to buy the last LS430 at an MSRP discount since LS will switch to the Lexus brand with the LS460 (currently in Japan LS430 sports the proleteriat Toyota badge) - I told my dealer that come a 15% discount from MSRP and I would put the cash on the table. Well, he came back to me yesterday to tell me that Toyota has more or less stopped production of LS430, so no discounts would be available. I countered him with "surely this is not possible since they need to make something on the production line" logic - to which he said that the LS460 demand was beyond Toyota's expectation so production lines are being ramped for that.
Dont know if this is indeed true, but just for information...at least the LS430 end of line discount strategy is not working here...
we'd like to introduce the LS 600h L: the luxury hybrid that boasts a powerful 4.6-liter, 405-horsepower[1] V8 engine.
??? I guess the marketing folk should be running their stuff through engineering before sending things out. I assume they meant to say the ICE portion of the 600hL is a 5-liter 405hp unit.
"...to which he said that the LS460 demand was beyond Toyota's expectation so production lines are being ramped for that..."
Ouch !!! There goes any thought of a discount off MSRP for the LS460 for the foreseeable future. I hope Lexus doesn't try to take advantage and load up these 460 twins in the higher price brackets... Unfortunately we will not know the final pricing until a few days before release. Looks like the 460/600hL are winners long before they arrive on our shores.
Toyota/Lexus must be minting $$$ these days... Good for them.
Has anyone tracked when they announced hybrid GS pricing vs the cars availability date? That probably gives us the timetable with the three LS models.
OAC - some LS ultras were selling $5k+ over sticker in 2001 when they were initially released. It's probably going to happen again with the LS460L and the hybrid unless production is way up. The good news in the silver lining there is they are gearing up for a high production output. That's the music to my ears in that exchange.
"Toyota/Lexus must be minting $$$ these days... Good for them."
Great earnings report, increased dividend and pushing $200bln now in market cap. Just look at the change since late last year when Dewey was arguing DCX was the better stock purchase. Remember that? On the flip side though I was dead wrong on Microsoft though I think it's still a good LT play and the market badly over-reacted to investment related expenses. The key there was strong revenue growth of a behemoth but the market looked at the expense line instead. As an entrepeneur I'd parlay strong revenue growth into future product too if I was at Microsoft's lifestage. The big difference though between a manufacturer and a software developer is that it's much easier for the mfr to capitalize those costs, thereby hiding them from view in the P&L.
Let's get some discussion started again guys ;-). I keep looking over here and there is nothing new. OK, here is a question. Does anyone know yet what type of fuel the LS600HL will burn? It would be nice if it can at least take 10% ethanol.
I think this is the car to buy if you are looking for luxury and power at a resonable price compared to benz and bmw.the lexus has a history of flawless performance day in and day out but if you look at the facts bmw and benz do have there problems. i was at a party and i saw a womon in a bmw 745i and it had a rattle to it.i couldent see myself buyin anything else but the lex am i right ?
I bought a 2006 750Li this feb. because i really couldnt wait that long for the ls600hL or the ls 460L to come out. im just wondering what u would suggest, the ls600hL or the new S600 from mb because im still planning on getting another luxury vehicle but i want my next one to be ultra luxury so can some one tell me which one i should get. Im going to also keep my 750Li. By the way, bmw is an excellent ride.
IMHO, If you have a 750Li, the LS and S have little to offer you. They are all in the same class. Even if you spend $200K on the S65, you still get the same $86K car with lots more power. I do not have that kind of money but if I did (some day I will), I'd be a lot more daring and go for a Bentley, AM, Ferrari, or Lambo. Now you are talking head and shoulders above the BMWs, MBs, and Lexuses which are ordinary cars even at $200K! My personal favorites regardless of price are Lambo Murcielago Spyder and Porsche Carrera GT.
personally i would be in the ls 600hl.its a great car with the new 8 speed transmision and i think it is going to be the talk of the world of cars because they have stepped on a level that noone has witnessed before and the s600 is a great car too but they have been there and done that but now the lexus is stepping up and taking the spot light away. the lex would be my car to buy :shades:
You said "ultra luxury", and you already have "luxury". That moves you to a different category, IMO. Check out Bentley Continental (there's a gorgeous new convertible, too), Maybach, etc.
I am considering both. You seem to be an Audi fan. Do you own one? The interior material quality of A8 is superior to any in its class. Lexus ergonomics is the best period. But Lexus missed the mark in the interior of the new LS. As an owner of two LS models 1993 and 2004, I was expecting something different not the same old thing. Going with Audi is a big departure for me as my last 4 cars have been Lexuses. I almost bought an S4 (6 Speed M) instead of my current LS. No regrets because the S4 was way too small for me. But now it is hard to pass on the S8.
Didn't mention the Audi is superior at sitting in the repair also, but that's Merc1's forte describing how all of a sudden these new german cars are quality cured. The new LS 600 will trounce anything the Euro. has-beens can muster up. VW is a dead duck here and Audi is a mere pin dot in sales last time I checked. Never even saw an A8 on road. How did Lexus miss the mark it's low rent like Mercedes or what? Every surface is lined with fine leather like a $100K car should have.
"All of a sudden these new german (sic) cars are quality cured. The new LS 600 will trounce anything the Euro has-beens can muster up."
Another laughable, pathetic post based purely on biased opinion and pure speculation with no basis in recent facts. And by the way, how many MB's and BMW's have you seen stuck on the side of the road within the last 3 years? Quality control is up dramatically. Why are MB and BMW sales way up? People would have to be pretty stupid to sink all that money in such poorly put together vehicles according to your scenario. Or, more likely, they know something that you apparently don't know.
Lexus wishes it has the international prestige the "Euro has-beens" like BMW and MB have been able to muster.
sorry i got back to u so late but ill consider the bently FLYING SPUR. I went to newport beach over the weekend and checked out the bently dealership. I already saw one at $210000 fully loaded with about everything there is and its silver on the outside. I love that car. The only thing is the price of it. I think i can get 2 ls600hs with that but the bently takes you to a whole next level. And considering that its about $50000 on top of the mb s600. I think that i will purchase the bently next next week right before i go to china for a 2 month vacation. I am going to lease the bently with $40000 down.
personally i dont consider that fkying spur for me becuase its wayyy out of the catagory of what im considering and its too pricy for buyers. i dont see me buying that and then im sittin in it wonderin why the hell i bought this and i could have gottin the same car basically for lessssssssssssssssssssss. but i see were you are comming from its a nice car but woow the money is to steap. :sick:
I just got my bentley and its a excellent ride. It had everything all the way to the 4 seat package. All im missing is the dvd entertainment in the back seat and i wouldve added it if i didnt lease the vehicle. But the car is excellent and well worth the money. If I didnt have 4 cars already, i wouldve gotten the ls600hl too when it came out. But i would definitely recommend the ls to my friends and relatives.
Many people who buy Lexus cannot afford Mercedes-Benz or BMW. Lexus is much less in cost. People like to buy a Mercedes or BMW for the name to show that they can afford something expensive like that. I would rather get a Lexus. Lexus is not all the way, but I still like it.
One would almost doubt the credibility of one who couldn't even write in at least a half-way decent manner and can't even spell the name of the car he is bragging about, "Bentley."
The mentality of the people you described above resembles most BMW or Mercedes-Benz buyers in Europe who would buy anything (maybe even trash) as long as it makes them more exclusive. Fortunately, this is the U.S., and most people who buy luxury cars here actually buy them because they are comfortable, reliable, etc... I too would buy Lexus because in my opinion, it offers the most bang for the buck. Besides, like most Americans, exclusivity is not a requirement for me, which is why the Lexus LS outsells the S class 3 to 1.
you can sprinkle a good dose of status on many buyers of BMW's, MB's and Lexus' in the good ol' USA too. A Honda Accord EX-6 is comfortable and reliable. Won't see too many at the Country Club, though.
I traded in my GMC Yukon for the LS 430 about five years ago. I tried the ES 330 and I could not get in without bumping my head and going thru contortions. The LS430 is very easy to enter and comfortable in many ways. I tried to sit in a GS 430 recently and experienced the same as the ES. I feel the 2007 LS 460 will every bit as easy to enter with same or better comfort.
Being 6'2", most airline and car seats are a nightmare for me. The best front legroom and seat comfort I ever found belonged to the BMW X5, but when I found out the gas mileage, I turned it down. "Settled" for the 545-not as much legroom but the comfort seats are truly that.
I also tried the GS 430 last summer and couldn't find a comfortable seating position. In addition, my right leg kept hitting the console. Then when I saw the "trunk", I was outta there!
I am looking forward to driving an LS 460 this Fall and of course will be paying close attention to the legroom and seat comfort.
FYI...Visited the Lexus dealer yesterday, got on the list for a new LS460, he says they will show up late September. Also, the GS430 is dead, no more. All of the 430 engines are being used to fill the remaining LS430 cars. The 2 GS offerings will be the GS350, will get the IS 350 engine and the GS450h...He was doubtful that there would be a GS460.
Went biking this morning. Saw a 2007 Camry in gray parked in the driveway. Couldn't take my eyes off it. Huge improvement in looks. The car actually looks expensive.
Makes me even more eager to see the new LS 460. A shame they can't have one in the showroom just to see and sit in. Of course if they did that, they would have a tough time getting rid of the leftover 2006's.
What does everyone think, do you think it will compare well to 7 series, a8 and s class? i personally think fit and finish is better in lexus than any european cars and the materials are almost spot on minus a few cheap touches. i think lexus may have totally hit the nail on the head with this new car. i can totally see an amg like suped version down the pipeline also
I spoke with my dealer yesterday and he mentioned that Lexus is sponsoring a sales meeting in mid-June, which might answer some pricing and/or option questions.
The projected numbers here in Japan is much higher than those... Y12Million, translates to about $110K roughly. Certainly lots more than in the 80s ! Even if there was a price uplift in Japan market, certainly not $30K more than a US version !!!! Personally, I'd not hold my breath for an LS600hL under $100K. We are talking about the largest, longest and most loaded LS vehicle out there.... And as you rightly noted, Len, the demand is there, so why would Lexus literally give it away if priced in the 80s when they can sell everyone they bring here in the 90s and beyond ? Guess we'll see soon enough.
OAC - pricing needs to be set for the long-term not just the initial peek interest. There's no doubt that Lexus looks at pricing thru long-term eyes. The other key variable is production quota. If this is a small lot production of 2K units or less than I'd say it's a $100-115K car. If it's intended for larger volume (and my guess is that it will iniatiate at 5K units and go higher from there) than the price will be in the range I was told. You said somewhere else that the S was higher priced in Japan. This is probably due to import taxes. I'd expect that the S550 and LS600HL will be similar in price here. Given Lexus allows for a more stripped car (though that may not be the case with this car) I'd still think a low 80's to low 100's (the latter being fully loaded car for the chaffeured crowd) will be the norm. It's possible the car may start right at the S550 base also.
BTW - I was told the car will now hit the US in January (probably late January) rather than March because demand is sky high here. I also read that somewhere too. See if you can find out. It's quite possible that the car is released to the American market before the Japanese market.
The other thing to look at is how do the current cars price out. Is the LS more expensive in Japan than here? If I remember right there is a $20K difference which could be due to taxes as well. Pricing is also set to market per capita ratios so it could also be purchasing power differentials.
A little off topic... but does anyone know which (if any) car companies offer 12 month leases. I need a short term car to last until the LS600hL comes out.
Comments
garyh1 - Perhaps the traditional badging has historically been based upon displacement, but times have changed, and since this engine is married to electric motors, it makes the overall powerplant more than just that 5.0 liter engine itself, and logically the 600 designation refers to the "sum" of all power components, ICE and electric combined.
To have used a 500 designation would have been to neglect the added power from the elecric motors. I think the 600 designation is therefore a good choice, regardless of what Mercedes does.
But, it's a winner either way, isn't it?
TagMan
Like tagman, I do think the 600hL is a car to beat, and it will be a great one in Lexus' drive to even greater sales in the NA market. Can Lexus replicate the success formula in Europe and Asia ? This is the key question...
And gary: your use of the word "litre" betrays you a tad... Here in the US, we use "liter"... Hmmmm ! do I sense some British or Euro tinge to your writing style ?
1. Value
2. Power + Value
The 380HP LS460 seems to be ready to match an S550, power to power, feature to feature, wheelbase to wheelbase, and may one up it in style, yet cost $20-25k less, similarly equipped.
The LS600h can be priced right on top of the S550 ($90's), while providing more power, more standard features, and more economy, plus a hint of exclusivity with a Hybrid powertrain.
If you shop both Lexus and Benz dealers, the Lexus dealer can show you how one Lexus is a much better value, and how another Lexus makes the S550 a poor investment, if not obsolete.
Why go over there, pay the same money (or more), and get less power, eat more gas, and pay extra for features you get standard in a 600h?
Maybe Lexus also doesn't see much of a market for an LS priced over $100k, when you will see plenty on the street sold for under $75k. Stretching one model $40-50k, maybe they don't see a "Business case" for that.
I don't see any car from Lexus becoming MORe opulent than a 600h, unless the seats will actually be made out of adjustable Cocoa Butter!
BTW, my C&D quotes a 4.2 0-60 time this month for the S600, with 16 MPG.
I see the 600h getting just under 5 seconds, with 21-22 MPG, while staying approx. $40k under the S600s $143k price tag.
Time will reveal.
DrFill
Yes . . . key question. My opinion:
Replication of U.S. formula won't work.
Very different markets. Different formula required.
TagMan
But, it's a winner either way, isn't it?
Agreed that "LS 500hL" would have understated the value of the electric motor, but there are lots of numbers above 500 that could have been used. I still think that Lexus didn't miss the significance of the number 600 in the MB lineup when they made their choice.
Is it a winner? I will be able to answer that more definitively after (a) it has been driven by someone who can report if its driving dynamics are good enough to compete in the upper reaches of this class, (b) we find out whether all of its electronics are as reliable as previous Lexi have been, (c) it is priced reasonably attractively, and (d) how much trunk space is lost to batteries - and will the limited life of the batteries themselves ruin resale value.
To me, I would be happy with a LS 460 if only it was available with AWD. But the good news is that my wonderful wife just told me this week that if I want the next new car, she will be willing to take my current '05 LS430. Now the question is, do I really want to be a two LS family? And do I want another car without AWD, or spend a lot of extra money for a car (LS600hL) that is larger and more powerful than I need, just to get AWD.
Who knows, maybe I'll wait for an MB S450 4matic to come out - if I can get beyond the ugly butt and wheel flares. But only if I can be convinced that it is reasonably reliable.
You are correct when you suggest that Lexus did not miss the significance, and going beyond the engine displacement for the product designation is also very logical in this vehicle's case.
Sounds like you really must have that AWD!!!!
If you've already got a sedan in the family, why not go with a coupe or something else?
TagMan
No, I'm just originally from exotic upstate New York. I first wrote "liter", but it looked too much like a size of soft drink bottle. "Litre" looked more correct, since it is really European in derivation (remember when US engines were measured in "cubic inches"?).
Sorry if it came off as "putting on airs"!
I just hate to be stuck in the snow the few times a year it happens in this area (DC).
If you've already got a sedan in the family, why not go with a coupe or something else?
Well, 2 reasons really: (1) I have a bad back (failed surgery), and unfortunately no longer can get comfortable in a low slung sporty car - maybe a Cayenne would work for me, but a big SUV never has appealed to me; and (2) I carry business associates in my back seat, and need room and easy access for them. My LS is meeting both of those needs beautifully, but I agree with merc1 that the styling of the current LS is unexciting (to put it politely). The '07 seems to be a big improvement in that regard.
As some of you may remember (I asked for expert guidance at the LS board....), I was trying to buy the last LS430 at an MSRP discount since LS will switch to the Lexus brand with the LS460 (currently in Japan LS430 sports the proleteriat Toyota badge) - I told my dealer that come a 15% discount from MSRP and I would put the cash on the table.
Well, he came back to me yesterday to tell me that Toyota has more or less stopped production of LS430, so no discounts would be available. I countered him with "surely this is not possible since they need to make something on the production line" logic - to which he said that the LS460 demand was beyond Toyota's expectation so production lines are being ramped for that.
Dont know if this is indeed true, but just for information...at least the LS430 end of line discount strategy is not working here...
??? I guess the marketing folk should be running their stuff through engineering before sending things out. I assume they meant to say the ICE portion of the 600hL is a 5-liter 405hp unit.
Ouch !!! There goes any thought of a discount off MSRP for the LS460 for the foreseeable future. I hope Lexus doesn't try to take advantage and load up these 460 twins in the higher price brackets... Unfortunately we will not know the final pricing until a few days before release. Looks like the 460/600hL are winners long before they arrive on our shores.
Toyota/Lexus must be minting $$$ these days... Good for them.
OAC - some LS ultras were selling $5k+ over sticker in 2001 when they were initially released. It's probably going to happen again with the LS460L and the hybrid unless production is way up. The good news in the silver lining there is they are gearing up for a high production output. That's the music to my ears in that exchange.
"Toyota/Lexus must be minting $$$ these days... Good for them."
Great earnings report, increased dividend and pushing $200bln now in market cap. Just look at the change since late last year when Dewey was arguing DCX was the better stock purchase. Remember that? On the flip side though I was dead wrong on Microsoft though I think it's still a good LT play and the market badly over-reacted to investment related expenses. The key there was strong revenue growth of a behemoth but the market looked at the expense line instead. As an entrepeneur I'd parlay strong revenue growth into future product too if I was at Microsoft's lifestage. The big difference though between a manufacturer and a software developer is that it's much easier for the mfr to capitalize those costs, thereby hiding them from view in the P&L.
True fact: A recent and very interesting survey indicated that women who drive BMW's have better sex lives than those that drive other makes.
That makes me wonder if you heard the rattle from inside or outside the car? :P
TagMan
TagMan
Another laughable, pathetic post based purely on biased opinion and pure speculation with no basis in recent facts.
And by the way, how many MB's and BMW's have you seen stuck on the side of the road within the last 3 years? Quality control is up dramatically.
Why are MB and BMW sales way up? People would have to be pretty stupid to sink all that money in such poorly put together vehicles according to your scenario.
Or, more likely, they know something that you apparently don't know.
Lexus wishes it has the international prestige the "Euro has-beens" like BMW and MB have been able to muster.
I must have gotten on the Bentley page by mistake.
One would figure that if one discussed a vehicle, one would at least spell the name of the vehicle correctly.
But that's just me.
DrFill
See ya at the dealers for the test drive.
More crumpets, anyone?
Just my 2 cents.
A Honda Accord EX-6 is comfortable and reliable.
Won't see too many at the Country Club, though.
The best front legroom and seat comfort I ever found belonged to the BMW X5, but when I found out the gas mileage, I turned it down. "Settled" for the 545-not as much legroom but the comfort seats are truly that.
I also tried the GS 430 last summer and couldn't find a comfortable seating position. In addition, my right leg kept hitting the console. Then when I saw the "trunk", I was outta there!
I am looking forward to driving an LS 460 this Fall and of course will be paying close attention to the legroom and seat comfort.
Went biking this morning. Saw a 2007 Camry in gray parked in the driveway. Couldn't take my eyes off it. Huge improvement in looks. The car actually looks expensive.
Makes me even more eager to see the new LS 460. A shame they can't have one in the showroom just to see and sit in. Of course if they did that, they would have a tough time getting rid of the leftover 2006's.
Base $82K
Popular options $87K or so
Loaded with everything including pre-collision, limo rear seat/dvd etc - just over $100K.
Let's see - but demand is sky high for this car and MSRP may not matter.
BTW - I was told the car will now hit the US in January (probably late January) rather than March because demand is sky high here. I also read that somewhere too. See if you can find out. It's quite possible that the car is released to the American market before the Japanese market.
The other thing to look at is how do the current cars price out. Is the LS more expensive in Japan than here? If I remember right there is a $20K difference which could be due to taxes as well. Pricing is also set to market per capita ratios so it could also be purchasing power differentials.