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  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Brad Pitt's contribution to the environment?

    link title
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    Nice to see one of my choices for the BMW 2020 lease making an appearance.

    I just have to remember not to light a match inside the vehicle when test driving it.

    On the other hand, that might be the only way iDrive ever makes it to heaven. ;)
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Again for the second consequetive year, Porsche takes the number one spot in the J.D. Power IQS. I finally get to brag a little. LOL.

    TagMan
  • brightness04brightness04 Member Posts: 3,148
    IMHO, the lack of a hybrid Sienna has a lot to do with Toyota being a marketing and profit-maximizing expert. At this point in time, Toyota probably does not want hybrid marketting message tainted with association with minivans. Also, given the limited supply of batteries, especially a couple years ago, it's far more profitable to use the same number of batteries in two GS450's or four Prius (Prii??) than in a single minivan.

    The mpg system we have here also factors hugely into marketting (minivan being an almost US-only product). 25mpg minivan just isn't all that exciting despite the reality that it can save far more fuel in a year over a regular 16mpg minivan than a Prius can possibly save over a Corolla or Camry, driving the same distance.

    When competition is more numerous, IMHO, MPV's and minivans are well-suited to have hybrid drive systems because the electric system can really power all the gadgets . . . finally a fridge in the car for all without having to get a HELC.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    finally a fridge in the car for all without having to get a HELC.

    Terrific!... I do prefer my beer nice and cold, especially when driving on those long family trips. ;)

    TagMan
  • 2001gs4302001gs430 Member Posts: 767
    LG, Tag, Dewey,

    You have a good point, but the LX570 won't be released until early (?) 2008.
    Also the current pricing model of the LX470 may not be there when the LX570 arrived. Consider this
    US LX470 = CAD 85K (landed in Toronto)
    Can LX470 = CAD 120K (purchased in Toronto).

    Obsolete Lexus? I don't think so just based on their reputation of reliability; Furthermore, the new 570 will cost more, so slightly used 470 will be highly sought after.

    Finally, if the pricing disparity continued when the new model arrived, then I will sell the 470 for close to what I paid and buy the new one. ;)
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Was it not recently proposed here that RWD cars are dangerous because of pollen and dust on the roads?
    Well here's definite proof. Look how dusty the roads are on this very short YouTube clip filmed somewhere in Europe:

    link title

    The person behind the steering wheel may have survived the crash but I think he may have recently died from overwhelming embarassment.
  • designmandesignman Member Posts: 2,129
    Well I have to respectfully disagree with some of my colleagues around here. If that type of SUV is what you want, I'd have no problem going for the 470. I like going deep into a platform's life cycle and if it comes up aces, proven with reliability and resale, end-of-model bargains are just that--great bargains. I did it with my 530. Good ol' models never get tired. They're as new as the day they were born, and in many cases better, especially when much of the auto industry is about redesigning the wheel.
  • 2001gs4302001gs430 Member Posts: 767
    Thanks Dman.
    Only if they put powered rear sliding doors on the 470, then I am in heaven. I drove the Sienna and the 470 back to back, and concluded that I am not ready for minivan.
  • bristol2bristol2 Member Posts: 736
    and concluded that I am not ready for minivan

    Good decision. I agree that you are right to go with proven and let the first year model bugs and extra expense work themselves out.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    I agree that you are right to go with proven and let the first year model bugs and extra expense work themselves out.

    BUGS? In a Lexus? Give me a break. There couldn't be enough, if any, to matter.

    The first year of the LX570 will be more than reliable enough, and the feature improvements over the 470 are like night and day. Recently, I posted an incredible introductory video on the LX570. If you saw it, you would NEVER consider almost any other SUV in the world. What a spectacular SUV!

    Heck, I'll even take a stab at it, if the Mercedes GL or Q7 don't come with a diesel soon enough.

    The LX570 will undoubtedly be one of the nicest SUVs to ever grace this planet.

    BUGS? LOL.

    TagMan
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Merc sent an e mail pointing out that Audi and Mercedes tied in the higher end cars....I hope he come back to the group....It is nice to experience the Audi, and I remember my days with a Porsche---very fondly---Those were the days for me...Tony
  • bristol2bristol2 Member Posts: 736
    Don't give them too much credit!

    There is no Toyota release of a comparable Land Cruiser scheduled (at least not one that I know of) so Lexus will be without the mother-ship on this one.

    Lest we forget... Toyota engine sludge, Avalon and Camry transmission issues, Tundra steering mechanism failures. It's been nice for Lexus to have Toyota handle all the user testing.

    I'm sure there will far less issues than most manufacturers have but first go-around is first go-around. Nothing is perfect on the initial iteration.
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Go figure!!!! Like sinking the boat at the port mouth :blush::blush::blush::blush:

    Jose
  • designmandesignman Member Posts: 2,129
    Good points, but I wouldn't be surprised if there will be at least a $15K swing in price between the newly priced model and old model with sayonara discount. Anyway, sounds like the LX570 can core a apple. Poor little LX470 ain't good fuh nuttin'. (Sorry, I just had to mix episodes. I know hpowders will appreciate that.)

    ;-)
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    I also say go for it. I have had my 2000 LX 460 for about 5 years now and it is virtually the same as the day I bought it.
    An amazing vehicle. You will love it.

    We don't drive it that much, about 10,000 miles per year or so but that is 50,000 care free miles so far. I may keep the darn thing another 5 years. Also, if times get hard I could live in it!! :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • blkhemiblkhemi Member Posts: 1,717
    I really, really need the good ol' Doctor Fill on this one.

    To my shock this morning, and to a few other for sure, I spilled a whole cup of Starbucks this morning reading the new Srategic Vision/J.D. Power report on quality for all automakers(sorry MINI and Isuzu).

    To make sure my eyes aren't still twisted, is that speaciality car maker Porsche with the top spot this time?

    Even more shocking, is that a domestic brand(Lincoln, #3) in the top 5 WITHOUT Toyota being in the top 5?

    Oh and this time, MBZ is not the laughing stock of the luxury rides. It's number 5 this time instead of something like 25. Toyota slipped way down to number 6, no doubt due to some major quality lapses that the company has never had to deal with before, more notable the steering failures of the Tundra and the transmission-related problems for the 3.5L equipped cars and SUV's, particularly the Camry and Avalon.

    Jaguar, who tied with Toyota for 6, is really starting to look like the best kept secret in the biz when it comes to reliability and quality in this class.

    It still interesting to see that Ford and both of it's domestic subsidiaries placed in the top ten. This says a lot about if the company puts priorities in order and run the company correctly, all else will follow as they do generally have dependable cars.

    What was unexpected was Acura, at number 17. I'm not sure if the brake problems and glitches with the RL's infotainment system has boosted this as the TL remains as solid as the ES in terms of quality and realibility. The new MDX is too new to get real feedback. The RDX has not been that great of a seller, particularly when a customer can walk down Car's Row and get an X3 for much similar money.

    Another shocker was Mazda. This from the company who had reliability as good as any Toyota has slipped way down to 34, behind Jeep and HUMMER. The 3 and 6 have been generally drama-free. And again, the CX's are too new to gauge real feedback.

    And of course, again not a shocker, Land Rover carried the bottom of the heap.

    I'm pretty sure there is a good reason as to why Lexus slips to Porsche, just as there's an equally good reason that Toyota fell behind two of the used-to-be worst brands, according to this report. This just proves no company is safe from being scrutinized in even the most bias report.

    As I've said before, you can't get really big, really fast, without some REALLY BIG problems.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    This type of competition is good for everybody including all of us. To show you how tight the competition was the report said that the difference between first place and last place, Land Rover, was less than one problem per vehicle.

    In the Powers dependability survey which measures problems after 3 years, Lexus has placed first for the last 12 years. So Dr. Fill can still hold his head high.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    To make sure my eyes aren't still twisted, is that speaciality car maker Porsche with the top spot this time?

    The fact that Porsche accomplished this two years in a row is impressive. Consistency is most important with these statistics. The ones who jump to the top ranks from the bottom in just one year are usually the fly by nighters and will end up in the trash heap next year.

    The two crowns go to Lexus and Honda for being consistently among the top year by year for decades in this survey.
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Again for the second consequetive year, Porsche takes the number one spot in the J.D. Power IQS. I finally get to brag a little. LOL

    Was that the main reason why you bought your Porsche ;)

    I never use Consumers Report or JD Powers as a purchasing guide. And I always buy either a first year model car or in the case of my BMW335i a car with a new engine. I like novelty when I purchase a car and I like old technology when I nostaligically keep my car for many years.

    I live on the edge and I wouldn't want to live any other way. Reliablity is such a redundant term in this day and age of the automotive industry (unless you own a Land Rover or a Lemon( French translation: Citroen)
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Was that the main reason why you bought your Porsche

    LOL. Not a chance.

    But it's just nice to know, AFTER the purchase, that there's a little icing on the cake.

    You might remember my rather intense posts of over a year ago, when I practically attacked the whole reliability argument, because it had gone way too far... much too much was being made of the reliability stats from JDP and CR.

    Merc and I and others were united in that major argument. Certainly, not a good idea to go through THAT again! ;)

    TagMan
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419

    BUGS? In a Lexus? Give me a break. There couldn't be enough, if any, to matter.


    Actually, the record for the '06 GS is pretty bad, far worse than the '03 GX470 which some around here have used as ammo to pick on Lexus. It's received a "fair" rating for electrical system(!) and "poor" for body integrity. Yes, a new Lexus gets a full black circle. Overall predicted reliability for the GS is rated average, no better than the 5 series or A6.

    It could be worse, the RL's scores are pretty awful, with two full blacks for the '05s and one for the '06, and overall mediocre scores in several important categories.

    While the ES and IS are up to the usual Lexus standards, Lexus can screw up, and they did with the GS.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    The 3 and 6 have been generally drama-free. And again, the CX's are too new to gauge real feedback.

    The 3 has done well, the 6, not so much. The 4-cyl 6s, which I believe are built in Japan, have done fairly well. The duratec V6 powered ones are built in Flat Rock MI though, and those haven't done well.
  • sysweisyswei Member Posts: 1,804
    To make sure my eyes aren't still twisted, is that speaciality car maker Porsche with the top spot this time?

    Not new. Porsche and Lexus also finished 1 - 2 in last year's IQS.

    I checked a few specific models and for mechanical quality within the MB line, the S and ML got top marks, while the GL and R are laggards. Well, good news for me because I was considering the S, and had assumed that the GL would be more of the same from the Alabama MB plant (namely, unreliable, though the ML seems to have broken out this time). Then again, it is really the VDS that I think is more meaningful than the IQS.
  • sysweisyswei Member Posts: 1,804
    Merc sent an e mail pointing out that Audi and Mercedes tied in the higher end cars....

    Maybe he should come back and explain what he means. The way that I see the press release, MB finished number 5, and Audi down at number 26.
  • designmandesignman Member Posts: 2,129
    He's talking about the Large Premium Car segment in which the A8 and S-Class tied for first, followed by the LS 460.
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    The S-Class ties with the Audi A8 (total) for having the fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 72 problems per 100 vehicles.

    Those are the words of the link you had provided yourself. So maybe Merc was referring specifically to the Audi A8. Also Merc was quite confident about the quality of the S Class almost a year ago when he discovered in various forums a lack of complaints about the new S Class. According to him these lack of MB S complaints had set a new new precedent for MB qualtiy.

    The Lexus LS460 is more problematical than the new MB S Class?

    This is definitely the dawn of a new era for MB quality or a return from yesteryear( my 83 MB 300D is proof of that). Despite the fact that I like living on the edge I would be scared to death from owning a Lexus LS600h. After warranty the potential repair and maintenance costs may even exceed the costs of repairing and maintaining my house. And believe me that aint cheap.

    Hey Designman you beat me to it regarding A8 qualtiy. Despite this I refuse to delete my post. ;)
  • designmandesignman Member Posts: 2,129
    Did you watch the Stanley Cup finals? Quack quack. ;-)
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Eeeeech,

    until this week I never thought the sound of a quack could make me feel this sad :cry:
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    So who won? AFLAC? :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • blkhemiblkhemi Member Posts: 1,717
    Yeah, that old Duratec 3.0L is giving pain in everything from the 6 to the X/S-Type Jag's. It's just an old design that is way past it's slaughter time.

    The 3.5L, even though wholly better than the 3.0, still can't cut the mustard like the Toyota 3.5L and the GM 3.6L. And these engines have proven reliability, having been around for a few years. The new Ford engine is just that new, with mostly '08 cars and SUV's getting it. Hopefully time will change things....
  • 2001gs4302001gs430 Member Posts: 767
    I just watched the video you mentioned. It does sound like the LX 570 would be very impressive. However, I am not the type to pay MSRP for a vehicle which would be what this vehicle sells for in 2008. Also, I need that LX right now.
    Hey, I could always trade it in a couple of years from now when the 570 is bug free. ;)
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Hey, I could always trade it in a couple of years from now when the 570 is bug free

    And dated ;)
  • designmandesignman Member Posts: 2,129
    Some notes for my cup-starved Canadian friend, not CanadIEN friend, mind you ;-)

    The Leafs, as you know, last won the cup in '67 in spite of finishing third in the old 6-team league. That was the year I graduated high school and I went to every home Ranger game at the old Madison Square Garden. It was also the year Bobby Orr made his debut and a year before I got my first car. Davey Keon of the Leafs won the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP in the playoffs. Tim Horton was also on that team.

    Those guys were nuts. Not only did the players not wear helmets, the goalies didn't wear masks except for Jacques Plante who was the innovator.

    Good luck next year Dewey!

    image

    That's Frank Mahovolich and Red Kelly with Dewey's cup. (It was mine in '94.)
    BTW Kelly once won the Lady Byng and Norris Trophy in the same year!

    image

    Here's Johnny Bower. Slap shot... boin-n-n-g, right off the coconut. "Stitch me up fast, Doc"
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Now, these pics really do remind us of the BMW 2002 of years past.

    image

    image

    image

    Sorry, hpowders, no one 6'2" or above is allowed. :cry:

    I'm 6'1", so I can get one if I want. LOL :shades:

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    This is a nice surprise... and coming this Fall...

    image

    image

    No... that's not me and the wife, in spite of all the rumors. Those aren't California plates... that's the dead giveaway. :blush::D

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Looks like we're talking 52 mpg, or more. Here's the little update story:

    link title

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    To be, or not to be?

    image

    TagMan
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    To be, or not to be?

    Very interesting. How old is that picture? Its quite a bit different from the C-XF concept.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    Looks like the same headlights as the 545i.

    I will just have to bear the loss of not fitting into the 1 Series.

    Doesn't it have a handle on the roof, in case you want to bring it into the house when it rains? :)
  • sysweisyswei Member Posts: 1,804
    He's talking about the Large Premium Car segment in which the A8 and S-Class tied for first, followed by the LS 460.

    Sorry, I misunderstood, thinking he meant high end brands rather than the large luxury sedan segment, and didn't look far enough down in the release.
  • sysweisyswei Member Posts: 1,804
    I've mentioned this many a time before, but anyone interested in seeing data for individual models can go to the main JDP page and select a specific new car. That's how I saw the unimpressive IQS for the Q7, GL, R.
  • designmandesignman Member Posts: 2,129
    It's being unearthed on June 15.

    Video

    Website
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    I do sense that I am not the only Maple Leaf fan in this forum. ;)

    Waiting for the Maple Leafs to win the Stanley Cup (fourth decade already) is like Waiting for Godot. At least while I am waiting I can still nourish myself with Tim Horton's great legacy of doughnuts and coffee.

    Oh well as I always say there is always next year. :sick:
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    It's got a humble and low profile look. In fact it does not look that impressive at all. It looks like a older BMW e46 coupe.

    An understated looking car with amazing driving dynamics. Combining the 1 series which is lighter than a e36 with a potent twin turbo 3.0l is a marriage made in heaven. That is exactly the kind of car I am looking for.

    Fortunately I am below 6'2 and I know I will never reach such height no matter how much calicium and vegetables I consume.
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Here's some memories for you.

    image
  • 2001gs4302001gs430 Member Posts: 767
    We can dream all we want, it's just not going to happen. Given how good those Ducks were, the Leafs has a long way to go. :lemon:
  • blkhemiblkhemi Member Posts: 1,717
    Even more delicious in Cab form.

    Unfortunately for sure this will push the envelope towards $80k in this form, making that Carrera Cab look really, really good.

    I'm thinking the S5 will come in convertible form. And when it hits our shores in RS5 trim late in '08 as an '09, it will be the car to be, using Audi's first application of direct injection and turbo on V8's for an estimated AMG like 500-550hp. But it all has a price....
  • blkhemiblkhemi Member Posts: 1,717
    I'm not sure about this one Tag. I like it in CX-F form much better.

    This vehicle looks very underdeveloped and I hope they don't plan on shipping it to the US in this form. It has an Altima-esque face that does not bode well with that grille.

    If Jag wants to be taken serious in the E/5/A6 class, they're going to have to get serious on this one. The CX-F was welcomed with rave reviews and the critics went crazy.

    Upgrade the 4.2L to direct injection/dual VVT to make at least 350hp and the Supercharged 4.2L needs to get much closer to 500hp to stay competitive. Then we'll have the makings of the Jag's that the Germans used to be scared of.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    This vehicle looks very underdeveloped and I hope they don't plan on shipping it to the US in this form. It has an Altima-esque face that does not bode well with that grille.

    I HATE that grill, and always have. It amazes me how so much time and money goes into the final production of a new model, only to adorn it with a wierd front grill.

    TagMan
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