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Comments
It's not true that XM is owned by ClearChannel. At one point, CC was an investor, but I think they own less than 3% of XM now, if that. I've visited the XM HQ in DC. It's really state-of-the-art, but all the employees have a blast. For me, I'd rather have MLB and XMPR. I can't give two hoots for Howard Stern. But, to each her own, and if Sirius gets better, I can get a Sirius-style MyFi.
Back to the GS. Lexi300 do you feel the base sound system has high quality sound? I can not believe how much better the base sound system is in the new GS300 when compared to the base sound system in the RX330 I had. Maybe it's the subs or the GS has better insulation or is more confined then the RX. Whatever, I enjoy the sound system much more in the GS then I did in my RX. Given the hot weather we have been having, I love the ventilated seats too!!!! Only thing I wish I had in my GS is the auto wipers. Mine did not come with them. I guess it was an option that did not come in the package in our region. I had them in the RX and liked them. I just thought they would have been standard.
I mostly listen to XM, and -- as good as it is -- it is still not CD quality. So I don't think a highly upgraded sound system would help me much.
I am very satisfied with the base sound system when I play XM from the MyFi over it, using a tape adapter, even when I listen to XM Classics.
One annoyance, though: I wish everyone would put an aux jack in the center console like BMW does on at least some of their models. Between iPods, satellite radios, and whatever is coming next, it would be very nice not to have the clutter (and potential noise) of a tape adapter.
Who listens to cassettes anymore, anyway?
The ventillated seats are awesome. Truly awesome. Mine did come with the auto wipers; I've used them already and was very happy with the setting as I drove through different amounts of rain. Mine also came with a compact spare, as well as run-flats (it's an AWD).
Enjoy!
Thanks
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0505_risingsun/index.html
PS the dealer told me after I got it, that it had Dynamic Radar Cruise Control on it but I didn’t get Pre-Collision Safety, is he right that I can have Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with out PCS? Or do you need PCS?
I have a decision to make and would like to get a survey from your personal opinion.
I am stumbling on 2 cars to buy, Lexus GS vs Infinity M series. I personally love the Lexus’ quality, reliability and style more than Infiniti, but the Infiniti is not far off from those regards. As for the price, I have problem with the Lexus. GS price is seemed higher than the M, where M price can be negotiable better & GS is pretty firmed. As far as the performance, the M is a winner which has more power than the GS. Even James Healey (car Test Drive on Usatoday.com) agrees that the M is better and more satisfactory.
So from what I see, Infiniti is the bang for the buck. What are your reasons for buying the GS over the M?
All comments are most welcome
TIA
WantmyGS
Lexus GS300 w/ ML Nav Package, Moonroof, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Parking Assist, Ventilated Seats, Spoiler, Power Rear SunShade = MSRP of $50,215 and Invoice of $42,542 (thats how Nav is packaged in Houston).
Infiniti M35 w/ Journey, Nav, and Full Size Spare = MSRP of $45,740 and Invoice of $41,795. (these are the options I want).
I am well aware of Lexus' reputation for customer service (enough folks on this board have touted it); but I suppose for double the markup over Infiniti the customer service SHOULD be better - your paying for it.
In my opinion, the M35X feels bigger inside, and feels more solid (not that the Lexus feels shoddy by any means). However, the Infiniti is a five speed whereas the Lexus is a six speed. The engine noise in the Infiniti bothers me a bit - at 70 MPH it is as 3000 RPMs, where most cars are around 2000 or 2500. I haven't decided yet if it bothers me enough to cross the M off my list, though.
The GS has run-flat tires, which (to me) makes the ride harsher. Sure, I could replace them with regular all seasons once the run-flats wear out (which will be quick since they will only last 15K or 20K miles), but it is still an issue. The GS feels a little smaller inside, and in my opinion the M has a better interior. The GS does have a touch screen, though, which is very nice. It also has auto-lock doors and rain sensing wipers. Sure, those aren't Big Deals, but they do get added to the GS "pro" list and Infiniti's "con" list.
The GS is more expensive - no doubt about it - but based on the last line in your post, it seems you want to be talked into the GS and have valid reasons instead of just "WantmyGS". Makes sense, but look at it this way: picture yourself five years from now in the Infiniti, driving down the highway, and you see a GS. How would you feel? Do the same in reverse (the thinking, not the driving). How would you feel? I think that will give you the answer you want.
Also, you should test drive one, then IMMEDIATLY test drive the other. Later that night, see which one you think about more.
Problem solved.
You get what you pay for friends, there is indeed a reason for the larger markup- and it works both ways- when you go trade in your M35 and your GS, you'll get paid for the markup believe me...
JP
Alas money is an object and the Lexus premium may or may not be worth it. I absolutely do not want to ride on a "feather blanket" however I do desire a quiet ride. Both the GS and the M are sexy curvacious vehicles w/o a hint of boxiness to them (looks like the same designer had a hand in them both). Resale value has not been proven for either yet, however residuals are very strong for the M and I suspect that it will do very well.
In virtually ALL comparison tests the M has won over both the GS and the RL so that it cannot be said that the M is not a worthy competitor to the GS. The intent of my original post was to solicit some insight into why there is such a high Premium on the Lexus. Both cars are excellent, both are well built and reliable, so should I pay a Premium for one over the other?
Put it another way; since a Premium is absolutely NOT justified on the vehicle mechanics alone (as evidenced by virtually all reviews) is Lexus "name" and "customer service" worth the Premium (which is undeniably why it is there)? This is a serious question; is the Lexus name and service ALONE worth a $4000 Premium? :confuse: You may get what you pay for, but is it worth it?
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Most of the "tests" primarily care about from reading the reviews is horespower, handling, performance- most of us daily drivers care about luxury, comfort, reliability, resale. Compare the plastic content in an infiniti interior and a lexus. Compare the wood quality too. Again, there is a reason for the Lexus costing more.
Sounds like its pretty subjective then. Again resale is an unknown in new models. I've sat in and driven both and I see no obvious quality differences. Do you have a link that quantifies a supposed plastic content difference? Is there a link that
I would love some credible hard evidence of superior interior parts to the tune of $4000 between these cars; from what I can gather from reviews, test drives, forums, etc - the only "substantial" differences are personal subjective preferences. And that is OK! Anyone buying a $40K+ car needs to prefer it over others.
But what I'm trying to get a grip on are objective differences to justify the Premium cost - and I can not do so.
PS: I really like them both (in different ways), but cost is a very real part of the decision formula and that is what I'm studying now.
I was wondering if anyone knew if or when Lexus would have a factory installed Sirius option available. I hear they have it available for some models but not the 06 GS300. If anyone has any information or any resources please post info...
Thanks!
I wasn't referring to you or your message, which is why my reply had a subject of "Re: [iwangs04]" instead of "Re: [msu79gt82]". As I said in my reply, the last line of his message was "WantmyGS", which is what I was talking about.
I agree about the noise issue - it's really bumming me out. If not for that I would have already pulled the trigger on an M35X.
I agree also about the Lexus name/customer service adding on the additional $$$. Here's a test I should try: offer Infiniti $4K over sticker, with the condition that they bend over backwards for me. I'll bet they'll agree.
I agree, I have nothing but respect and admiration for Lexus. And that's exactly what I'm pursuing and debating right now. Is the Lexus materially/quantitatively worth a double mark-up over the competition? and IF NOT is the Lexus name/prestige worth such a high premium? We're talking $4000 extra for very comparably equipped cars.
airlinephoto, I dont quite get the Honda, Toyota thing though. The Accord EX-V6 and Camry XLE are both nice cars, I would consider them on pretty equal footing in that regard. An Altima 3.5SE or Legacy GT on the other hand dont carry as much badge value as the big H or T, but they offer other qualities, much as an Infiniti does to a Lexus.
Preparing myself for a "wow, I coulda had a V8 moment"
The QX65 truck on the showroom floor loaded up was nice though.
I for one didn't like the M35 (I didn't drive the M45). It looked and felt to me much like the 95 Maxima I used to have both in power and handling (yes, I know, it is a completely different design-but that's what it reminded me of). I particularly didn't like the dash at all (and that alone was enough of a reason to get the GS), and while the interior is nice, the GS seemed overall a nicer design and a bit better interior materials. Driving the M just didn't seem that much different than any other car in everyday city traffic to me.
In the end, it came down to this: I liked the dealer better than the Infiniti dealer I'd have to deal with; I like the design of the GS better, both inside and out, particularly the fit and finish of the GS, and having owned both Toyota's and Nissans, Toyotas over the years seem to have a slight edge in build quality over Nissan in my experience which means there should be fewer problems later, although there likely wouldn't be that much difference between the two.
But all of these factors are subjective. There is no way to objectively quantify any of the reasons I picked the GS over the M. While yes, the M is a bit faster, maybe handles curves a bit better, and maybe stops a bit shorter, the GS on a day to day basis is still a pure joy to drive. Both cars are great vehicles, but to objectively quantify the reason to buy one over the other is impossible. In this level of vehicles, it's a completely subjective decision. I'm sure those who buy a M will have their own set of subjective reasons, equally valid as mine used to justify the GS over the M.
Good luck with your decision. You really can't go wrong either way. The question is, "Do you want a great car made by Nissan, or a great car made by Toyota?" Either way, you get a great car.
I would suggest taking the seats with you to the dealer and trying to see if it will work or not.
Thanks for your analysis and thoughts. I agree that it is a largely subjective decision regarding which car is the best one for me. But as I posted earlier when I started the cost line of thought is that since money is very much a factor in my decision it is not a question of which is the better car per se; but rather which is the better value.
BTW: I disagree with your final line - it doesn't matter to me WHO made the car, both are good reliable manufacturers. I am buying a car, not a corporation. The question is which is the better car for the money I'm spending.
There really is not a way to say which is a better buy because these are subjective traits. Objectively an Acura TL or RL is a much better buy for the money, since you can get either at invoice, and they both will get you there in pretty much the same comfort, quality and speed. I think for most people who pick a Lexus GS, value is not a priority. A fully dressed out RL, with all wheel, Navi, and pretty much all the bells and whistles can be had for about $46k, where a fully dressed Non navi rear wheel GS430 will set you back about 50k. If your decision is based soley on value, the RL wins over both the M and the GS for that matter.
For me, the extra 4k for the GS430 was worth every penny. Of course, after chunking down 50k, I'm doubtful anyone would admit otherwise!
So for me its which one I like the best for the money. I'm merely verbalizing my thoughts and listening to feedback. Thanks for helping. :shades:
The GS is just a pure pleasure to drive, day in and day out. For overall balance, I think it is superior to the M. But many of the same criteria that is important to others is not important to me, such as trunk space (I'll never use it) or interior dimensions (I'm 5'8"). For others, those may be important factors that would eliminate the GS from the list.
I'd suggest you drive one, several times, and then drive the other. Don't make any quick decision. Then do it again. Maybe several times. If you subjectively like the GS more than the M, then it is up to you whether it is worth the difference in price between the two. For me it was a no brainer, as I really didn't care for the M's at all, so the hard choice was between a GS300 or a GS430. Is the extra for the V8 worth it? You bet!
JP
I frequently valet park my car in a lot that closes. Ideally, they would lock the key in the car and I could open the door with the metal piece that seperates.
The book says if you put the key in the Glove Box, the system won't recognize the key and won't unlock doors - but it does. Anybody have any ideas?
Thanks
Does anyone know a way around this, or a way to enter phone numbers manually into the GS?
Thanks
Sorry.
Any ideas of a work around to get the numbers into the LEXUS phonebook???
I would not recommend the phone to anyone who wants to transfer phonebooks, files, photos, music clips, etc. I do not think it is a very good camera, either. But voice quality on the phone is great, and quality through the M's stereo is typical speakerphone quality. If that is all you need (in addition to Bluetooth), I would recommend it if Verizon is your carrier of choice.