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Glad you agree with me on the 3 Series. They have always been BMW's best-performing vehicles.
The 545i has a lot of power and for its size nothing handles better. The 335i, however, will run rings around the 545i and I look forward to leasing it or a 335d if it becomes available by next summer.
I was in Calgary for a few days and I thought it was a beautiful, clean, youthful city. Loved the indoor olympic-training facility with its gorgeous hockey rink.
LOL.
Well.... Will it finally have fold-flat third-row seats? Or is that still beyond Lexus engineer's pursuit of perfection?
TagMan
I had a similar surprise this week. Our LX is in the shop for some minor paint repair and our loaner is a "new" 2006 GS300 AWD. I guess they just kept it as a loaner as it has never been titled.
My wife loves the thing, and really, it is not that bad a car. Seems a little short on head room but it is quiet and comfortable, has a good steering feel, and is rock solid. I do not like the brake feel (mushy,then grabs) or the fact that it seems to hesitate just a little when you get on it.
With a little encouragement from me one like it could be in our garage. Well, we only have 2 cars and we do have a 3 car garage. :shades:
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I tried to google, yahoo and about.com your question with no success. I am no engineer but all I know it that this spark ignition process is the one single novelty (direct fuel injection and turbocharging are not exactly novel) that makes the gasoline powered Diesotto get diesel-like fuel efficiency.
But I must say Honda is outsizing itself out of the mid-level sized market with its new Accord. Now you got a Civic and a oversized Accord--there's too much of a huge gap between these two vehicles.
Also did you notice the pricing. The base i4Accord will sell for $2K more than the i4 Camry MSRP. For the non-luxury lounge customer is it worth that much? IMO I think Honda is outsizing and overpricing the Accord out of its market.
The FX was introduced for '03, and received a refresh for '06. The exterior updates were so minimal that its nearly impossible to tell the new one apart from the old one, but the interior is much improved. A new FX will probably appear as an '09. In the "world's ugliest" competition, in my opinion both the Cayenne and the X6 have a big leg up on the FX.
Certainly wouldn't be the first time Honda has priced it self out of the market, and then had to backpedal. They did it with the Ridgleline, and Acura went way overboard with the RL. The idea of paying $50K for that is just laughable.
Oh but the M35x is soooo much better. If you simply must have a GS, get the 350. The short lived 245hp 3.0L was for the most part gutless. You may also want to check out the S80, very similar driving experience to the GS, but quicker with the V8 and more comfortable.
BTW the reason that they aren't fold-into the floor is that Lexus wants to keep true off-road capability, which limits the available space to do something like that.
I've had an LX470 since 2000 and no one has ever complained about being queasy because of the ride in the second row. A few kids though have complained about the ride in the 3rd row.
BTW tagman, is the Q7 a possibility?
The interior quality is first rate and the car feels very substantial. As for the drive, it was very smooth and quiet but it's a car that I'd rather be driven in than drive. It felt a bit heavy to me and wasn't fun to drive. It's one serious machine and I think they did a great job but it's not for me. I prefer the way the Jag XJ handled and drove.
It felt a bit sportier and was much lighter. The MB was like driving a limo. I also took a long spin in the LS 460. They did a great job on the body and I think everything is a half notch up from my LS 430 but they are still quite similar. Interesting that the salesman kept stressing that the "entire car is different" and that "nothing's the same as the last model." I got the idea that this was drilled into him as part of the speech. Maybe too many people feel that they are similar to the last model and therefore balk at paying 30% more (at least that's what the lease deal works out as). I mean, the last model is the epitome of smooth and quiet. How much smoother and quieter can it be? They aren't going for road feel. I would say that the brakes felt more responsive, the car felt a bit quicker, the ML stereo was a bit more powerful and the seats were more comfortable. And I like the new body style. But it's still evolution not revolution. They really over sold it when the marketing dept said that this intro would be as important as the first introduction of the LS400. They would be better off under-promising and over-delivering.
They did the same thing with the "5 killing" GS. Lexus has been over-hyping a lot lately. Infiniti never even mentioned the 5 series, they let the M speak for itself.
How much smoother and quieter can it be?
Bigger is not always better. And apparently based on your above description BIG is not what you want. Ride and luxury is what defines these big cars. If you want "road feel" than definitely you are looking at the wrong place.
A smaller vehicle is what makes a car more agile and fun to drive. Choose the sport option for a BMW 5 series and if thats too humble for you than a BMW M5 or a Audi RS6.
What about the overpriced hybrid Accord? The reasonably priced hybrid Camry made mincemeat out of that model. Or remember the renowned CRX that was one hot model among sport minded young people? What did they replace that with? A Del Sol :sick:
But the above is nothing compared to the Accord.
The Accord is Honda's most important model in this continent. Overpricing and oversizing their most successful model is far more incomprehensible than overpricing lower volume models like an RL, hybrid Accord or the Ridgeline.
What on earth is Honda thinking?
They aren't exactly the same thing. The HAH was supposed to be like the GS450h, a "performance hybrid" at the top of the range. Unsurprisingly, buyers didn't gel with the idea of paying near TL money for a car a few 10ths faster to 60 than the standard V6 that got about two more mpg. Much like the GS450h, it just made no sense.
The new Accord is a bit of a question mark. I'm not sure how it will do in the market. Being able to compete with the Sonata\Azera, Altima\Maxima, and Camry\Avalon all at the same time could end up working very well for them, even before the diesel Accord shows.
I can't comment on the comparison to the Camry 4-banger but Honda did cut out the bottom of the line 'VP' from the new line up but the prices are only a couple hundred above the last iteration's equivalent model.
If they over-charged, they will certainly pay in that segment of the market.
IMO this does not look too impressive.
BMW AG was already upset over what it says is a Chinese copy of its top-selling X5, but sharing headlines with its rival at Germany's premiere auto show has the Munich-based automaker feeling downright uncomfortable.
BMW filed suit this week against Chinese car maker Shuanghuan Automobile to prohibit it from selling its new model — dubbed the CEO, a sport utility the German company claims too closely models the X5.
Undaunted, the Chinese company's European importer brought the SUV to the Frankfurt auto show.
"China is here, and we are here at the fair," said Karl Schloessl, chief executive of China Automobile, which plans to import and sell the car in Europe. He said the car was designed independently.
"We do not deny. We do not admit," he told AP Television News. "One gets inspiration from every SUV, no matter whether it is Japanese, Chinese, German or French. When you look at a car today, no matter from which perspective, you will always discover similarities, even at the wheels."
Shuanghuan maintains that the CEO bears no resemblance to the X5, either in style or price.
The X5's starting price in Europe is €59,000 (US$81,560), while the CEO's base model will sell for €25,900 (US$35,800).
"The issue directly concerning BMW is that there is a Chinese carmaker trying to copy the side and rear view of the previous generation of our X5 model," BMW spokesman Wieland Bruch said, adding that while a close inspection would reveal any differences, a first impression would not.
link title
Not exactly fold-flat but Lexus engineers had figured out a way around it. Like houdini said, don't forget this is a fully capable off-roading SUV unlike many other CUVs these days.
LS:
GS:
ES:
IS:
SC:
GX:
Current LX:
RX:
I suppose so, but I have to be honest, since I'm still hoping for keeping the Acura MDX and getting the BMW 335i, I'm not going to talk about the Q7, unless she brings it up.
TagMan
Apparently the R8 is far too good for these type of drivers. A driver education class or a tamed ego would be very helpful before driving the R8.
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The Tagman Fleet:
Porsche Carrera
BMW 335i
VW GTI
Acura MDX.
Sounds perfect to me.
Perhaps, but how many owners are really going to use the LX's off-road abilities? 1%? Porsche is dumping all of the Cayenne's off-road abilities on the next one because nobody actually wanted that. How much weight could the LX drop, and how much could fuel economy improve if instead of just using the 4Runner and TLC again, Lexus actually built their own full-sizer?
Cayenne from the very beginning was a Crossover isn't it? Just like the X5 and MDX. Range Rover is still a real off-roading SUV last time I checked so I say kudos to Lexus by offering a real competitor.
The next RX will be based on the new Highlander, it'll have third-row seating and being a crossover.
Porsche Carrera
BMW 335i
VW GTI
Acura MDX.
Sounds perfect to me.
Gosh, when I took a look at the way you listed that, it sent a chill up my spine. I'll say a little prayer that it turns out that way... sounds perfect to me, too. Thanks!
TagMan
That series of pictures, looks like it was a rainy day, and the tire tread looked a little bald.....I was very sorry about your ticket, and as I drove the two hundred fifty miles yesterday, I thought frequently of your ticket and slowed down numerous times---Man they have crushed the spirit out of us Americans---I appreciate you sharing a poor part of your life, and by doing so you may have saved me getting one--as I have gotten too lax...Maybe you can get it reduced to a two pointer--then no insurance hit later...Tony
Thanks
It was as big, or bigger, than an Caddy SRX, and would fill the bill as a full-sized CUV, similar to the Mercedes GL.
I would have it replace the GX, and works as a larger RX. Then use the platform for this ACE concept Toyota wants to implement above the Highlander.
DrFill
Maybe 6-12 months ago Automotive News said it would be coming in Spring 2008, but there have been no rumors more recent than that. It is possible that Automotive News was wrong or that Lexus changed plans.
I have to disagree about the GS300 3.OL being gutless. For everyday normal driving it certainly seemed to have enough power. I am not into drag racing, etc. and, in general, I think the HP wars have passed beyond ridiculous.
A lot of people make fun of SUV buyers who never take their SUV off road. IMO huge engines in small cars are even worse...they never get used for anything but bragging rights.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Thanks. But please erase my ticket experience from your mind since it robs all enjoyment out of driving. As long as you dont have recorded traffic violations then do enjoy the great thrills of driving your Audi A8
In term of MSRP, the 328i is the most expensive car of the bunch. However, the sales rep blew me away with BMW's rental figures; for a 39 mths lease, the residual is set at almost 66% of MSRP, so for the deal I would be paying for roughly 33% of the car's MSRP at 3.9% lease rate. I don't know how many cars in this class would hold this residual in the real world, but this certainly made it an very attractive deal. Also, he was willing to knock about 2K off the miscellaneous up front fees and taxes.
So it looks like I am giving the BMW rental a try for the next 3 years. My questions for the the posters here are:
- Should I pay another $200/mth more to rent the 335i, considering this would be my daily driver and I don't like the hassle of swapping seasonal tires.
- Are there any specific negatives on the 3 series that I am not aware of, aside from the usual "not as reliable as Lexus" reputation.
They can also introduce it, and phase out the GX after another couple of years. :surprise:
The scent's gone cold on my end.
DrFill
My personal preference would be for a crossover larger than that, maybe based on the Sienna.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Should I pay another $200/mth more to rent the 335i, considering this would be my daily driver and I don't like the hassle of swapping seasonal tires.
The questions you should ask yourself are do you value straight line acceleration much and do you think you need a car that goes from 0 to 60 in 5 seconds? If both answers are no then the extra $200/month is not worth it for you. Both the 335i and 328i will handle the same and keep in mind the 328i is a lighter car. IMO I think 230HP is plenty for a daily driver unless you are a HP nut like me.
Are there any specific negatives on the 3 series that I am not aware of, aside from the usual "not as reliable as Lexus" reputation.
No, as matter of fact I think overall the 3-series is pretty reliable. You might run into more electrical problems with a 3-series than say an IS350/250 but that's about it.
The HPX is coming I think but not in a form of full-size CUV. The HPX is a 5-seater corssover so it will become Lexus' compact CUV to compete with X3, MDX and EX. The RX will then get a third-row seat and move upmarket a little to become a legit luxury midsize CUV.
I dont' know what Lexus have in mind for the GX. Personally I would just drop it. 3 SUVs/CUVs in the lineup is plenty IMO.
OTOH, I would probably save on gas, insurance, and tire wears with only 230hp on tap. Hopefully I will get one with no electrical gremlins... Keeping my fingers crossed,my first German car ever. :surprise:
There is a consensus that the V6 is disappointingly underpowered, probably due to Honda's new engine employing different numbers of cylinders for different situations.
As for me, a 3 Series diesel is at the top of my list for August to year end 2008. Achieving 40 mpg will save me at least $800 in fuel per year. Currently I get 20-21 mpg with the 545i.
Remember what Lexusguy and I have tried to tell you about the used XJs. They are your very best buy, no doubt about it. But if you want to go new, as I did, make sure you get a massive discount, and be prepared to eat the rest of the depreciation yourself... because you will.
Lastly, if you are comparing new car prices between several dealers... you will educate yourself quickly. Get the bottom line from each, and one of them will be the lowest, of course. That will tell you approximately what you can get the car for... in real life... as opposed to Edmunds or anyone else's website.
TagMan
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Lexus will need to bridge the gap from $50k (RX) to $70k (LX).
The GX is a good one, but it's time has passed.
DrFill
Not really.
LX is the ubber luxury SUV which has very few competitors. The only one I can come up is the Range Rover and MB GL-class. The future Lexus compact CUV and the bigger RX will be the volume seller for Lexus.
IMO, RX is going to replace the current GX with the new compact CUV takes over what the first gen RX used to be. Of course, that's given if Lexus is going to drop the GX.
Escalade and Benz GL. Infiniti FX (when it's redesigned). Navigator.
Unless they make the RX a $60k vehicle, loaded. I don't see that, but it's possible.
The RX is a franchise, and I wouldn't really mess with it too much. The most it should cost is low $50's, loaded.
I'd get a GL over the new LX. The RX needs a big CUV brother. I can't get around that fact. It should've happened with the HPX five years ago! Then the GL would be chasing Lexus, not the other way around. :sick:
It's not a major fax-paus, but they really should've capitalized on the RX by making a "Grand RX", or something along those lines. They'd have people lining up for a better RX!
Worked for Jeep.
I thought Lexus was trying to make more expensive vehicles anyway? I thought that was the new initiative.
DrFill