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Comments
You gotta admit, it's funny that Germany's two cars most likely to pass inspection are Toyotas.
And that's no fluke, BTW. The Auris is the basis for our Lexus CT, which was the single most reliable car ranked by Consumer Reports.
A lot of those inspection data points might be useful if they included vehicle mileage. In Europe, Toyotas are often seen as pensioners cars, and might not be miled up like a diesel VW.
Prius only comes on way, though, so it's still #1.
Very positive review, he calls Entune the best so far (I love the concept of using your already-paid-for smart phone connection), but still has ideas on how to improve it. Please, please bring that to Subaru!
He also likes the 2GR V6 (same engine in my minivan), as much for its responsiveness as for the performance and economy. BTW, he was critical of the new DI 3.5l from Benz, for the opposite reason, here's that one for reference:
http://cnettv.cnet.com/2012-mercedes-slk-350/9742-1_53-50114255.html
Magic sky class is pretty sweet, though. :shades:
He even complements the Camry's handling (*gasp*), though not for a sporty target customer, obviously, just for its class.
He really didn't like the SLK at all.
I bet those do far fewer miles than any hybrid, though.
I have a cramped car, and you just can't use it as much as you think. Even though I take the roadster every time I can, I still put nearly double as many miles on the minivan. That's just life.
CR tested a 10-year old Prius and it pretty much performed like new. Hybrids didn't exist 22 years ago, but the batteries would likely be dead (though it will still run even with dead batteries).
Even though Consumer Reports lies!
They've also correctly reflected Subaru's issues. Early EJ257 engines got a batch of crank bearings that were bad, and they dinged them under the Engine category. Subaru replaced those and sure enough, scores improved dramatically.
Right now the Sienna is the only minivan with above average reliability. Vans are complex, lots of power sliding doors and power folding 3rd rows and backup cams and rear entertainment, so it's an accomplishment.
I still want to see better van choices. The new Sienna shows obvious signs of cost cutting with lots of hard plastics inside. The 8th seat isn't nearly as good as before, either. I hope the new Kia knocks it out of the park, if not I may just keep my old one forever.
Won't hurt that the new Camry, Prius V, and Yaris all were new to the list this year.
Here's some eye candy:
It's like having 2 screens side by side. More than a foot diagonally, industry best.
Here's Inside Line's review:
http://www.insideline.com/lexus/gs-350/2013/2013-lexus-gs-350-f-sport-full-test.- - html
Slalom speed was an impressive 69.7 mph.
535i did 64.9mph with the Dynamic Handling and Sport Packages. M37 did 63.1mph, M37s in 67.9 mph. E550 managed just 62.8 mph but they tested a base suspension. The E63 AMG did 68.8 mph.
You gotta admit, adding lightness works, plus all the work the F team did on the IS-F and LF-A have indeed paid dividends, as I predicted.
The Bimmer 535i Sport and Lexus GS F Sport are direct competitors, so:
0-60 in 5.9s 60-0 in 110ft 0.84 g of grip 64.9 mph slalom
0-60 in 5.8s 60-0 in 112ft 0.88 g of grip 69.7 mph slalom
Pretty even except the Lexus stands out in handling. Ironic, no?
Here's Autoweek's review, the conclusion sums it up well:
So, when you add performance bandwidth to a polished product such as the GS 350, allowing it to strafe a canyon road like a sports car as well as glide serenely to the office, it makes a fine argument for what the company has done here. All that's left to debate is the controversial new styling.
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111123/CARREVIEWS/111129963#ixzz1gjdpoFrt
I'd want to see those results duplicated.
"as I predicted."
Geez....
But really, it should be good with the hype and the time L has had to finally make it competent. Nearly 20 years of some overly soft midrange sedans, the last version being one of the most invisible in the class if not on the market. It's about time the car is actually remarkable for something.
Let's wait to see its sales volume next year. What's your prediction on it?
Consumer Reports also complained that the 5 has gone soft. Remember, that's the sport package, and yes it gets the aggressive/ugly bumper too.
I test drove a 535i, but on public roads, so I can't really comment much on the handling. For me, though, the forced induction sixes do not have the type of throttle responsiveness that BMW used to be known for.
I liked the 550GT with the V8, though. No lag on that one.
The Germans have had a strong hold in that segment, so it's nice to see a challenger shake things up a little. I really think BMW wants to pitch the 1 (soon 2) and 3 series as sporty, and let the 5 go soft. This could be a wake up call to improve at least the Sport package Bimmer.
Was the CR car definitely a sport package car? I remember there was a test out there that wasn't clear.
Sometimes, even in 2011, there is no replacement for displacement. 550GT will be a rare bird, I bet outnumbered by the lesser version by 20:1 at least.
BMW needs to remember it is sport luxury, in that order. MB is luxury sport, in that order. That's the tradition.
How would you classify Audi? 50/50? Just curious.
Too much engine, road and wind noise.
On that I agree all the way.
I'm sure the Germans were frustrated that Lexus was outselling them, and the volume was coming from the ES and RX. That may have convinced them to soften up suspensions for US tastes (and potholes).
In fact I wonder - are we really getting the same suspensions they get for Autobahn use? Or are ours dumbed down?
Excluding M and AMG vehicles, of course.
They definitely go for both, though.
I'm on the fence when it comes to the V. I would have designed it bigger.
For me the Prius C is the most appealing of the trio.
I'll respectfully disagree. The Phaeton was Piech's misguided attempt to get at least a little piece of MB/BMW business. It failed miserably here in North America but is still being sold in Germany. I think VW now knows where it should be focused.
At least some interesting cars came about.
Sell too many softies and that performance aura fades away.
I will say that commercially it will be a successful strategy, as long as the cars sold to younger folks remain sporty. I worry more about the whole FWD BMW thing.
Maybe those who lease base 3ers won't care about FWD - they seem to barely drive anyway around here. Seems like a dangerous way to maybe burn through brand equity though, I agree.
Spoken like a true capitalist! :P
Unless you are going to haul lots of pillows, I don't see any reason to make it bigger.
Pretty much agree with you there.
Must be space efficient inside, then. Kinda like the Honda Fit, a size class over-achiever?
Don't officially know what the scope of the concept is but I see a serious rival to the Mercedes SL here.
R&T's image quality was so horrific it's no surprise they immediately responded with better ones.
Looks a whole lot better than in R&T, too.
I'd move that contrasting strake from the front to behind the door, a la Audi's CF blade on the R8.
I'm also not crazy about the two-tone pillars, but overall the proportions are good.
I guess this is the successor to the SC? Wonder if it'll have a folding top. That looks more like a panoramic moonroof.
The side profile actually is pretty decent, but that front end, what are they smoking?
It's definitely a SC replacement, in my eyes. Since the old one was discontinued, women with multiple facelifts, and retired dentists, have nothing to buy unless they want to pony up for an SL.
Front end is all about the hour glass, and a concept will only emphasize that. The sides of the front bumper look far better on the cleaner images than they did in the grainy early images.
Styling is subjective, but R&T's cover calls it stunning. I'd wait to see it in person.
The R8 can look like an overpriced TT until you see it in person and get a better look at the proportions, then it looks great. I love the CF side blades so the roadster is dead to me, even though I like roadsters, go figure.
I'm not a big fan of the SL, the hard top looks "pin headed" and I'm allowed to say that because I feel the exact same way about my Miata. They make the hard tops small enough to fold up, but then the top half of the car looks too small for the bottom half. They look much better with the top down. Nobody takes photos of their MX-5 with the top up.
Actually, I'd say the same for the Lexus SC hardtop, it had the same issue. Edit: and the ugliest wheels ever to make production.
This coupe looks better. I'd still ditch the Saturn Ion multi-colored pillars, though.
I don't know if it is possible to design a retractable and have it look balanced. It all has to fit somewhere.
This is Lexus' spin(dle) on it.
I like the grille, but I don't like the "sport" bumpers with all the sharp edges. Same for the BMW M Sport bumper, though.
Definitely a challenge to design an elegant folding hard top.
I will agree "sport" bumpers and cladding in general is really becoming overplayed. It's like these guys are copying Pontiac, ca. 1993 :shades: I also don't like the vertical elements in the Lexus bumpers, fake aggression.
The only way to get a longer folding top is to have a long trunk - which can look even worse, or more folds, which is a technical danger. I think I will keep to fixed roof cars for now.