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Comments
I suggest you wait awhile. In a few months the variations will become alot greater. The build variations of a car are always less in the initial months. Its just the way it is for several reasons. One reason that build variations are kept down is to keep quality up in the initial months. And this is especially necessary because this LS is unlike either of the other 2 LS400s that preceded it. Second, car makers generally guess wrong when a car is first introduced. IN 1997, Lexus pumped too many AVS equipped ES300s and nobody wanted them, so they built less after a while. The GS400: everyone wanted HID lights, so after about 3 months, basically all GS400s started coming with HID lights. And remember what Lexus finds out today from customers will take about 3-4 months to get to dealers.
They do need to find better ways of finding out what people want, and its not just Lexus that needs to do it..
midnightcowboy,
5-6 car lengths for the cruise control. Whats wrong with that? You want to be tailgating a person in front of you? You do know for every 10mph, 1 -car length of space between you and the person in front of you?
Second, how is the laser cruise control going to prevent someone from cutting in front of you?
now the build quality, this is why myself and others are going to ls430. constant qlitches check the mb boards and better service. all kinds of electrical glitches. My partner could never get his voice actitvated phone to work after 4 tries. also the command system is confusing and too many buttons, small screen that's down low and difficult to view and use. try changing the a/c temp. ls430 has a separate button. interesting on the new E class the command system will be upgraded and changed. just wait
there are things on the ls430 that MB can't get. try to get the sonar parking its $1000 custom option ordering fee plus the charge for the parking assist. rear controls in the MB where? s has more legroom (barely)
but its your nickel.....check out the MB s class boards.
My dealer says that lexus started building--maple, nav/lev/lexus link in november and should be available on the lot by mid to late dec. but lexus site says i can't even "build" this combo--the lexus site lags behind.
but do you think you have another wood option other than that "grey" ecru wood. For the air conditioned seats you would think they needed perforated leather. well the only perforated leather in the brochure (like the ultra lux) is the grey wood--i hope not, let's hope lexus gives more choices, i bet alot of people complained about 1. limitation of options and 2. grey wood
I can't get the eurotuned suspension, but would like all season tires--what size are they, the brochure is comfusing. What is the standard tire and is it all season?
There is a DC outlet in the ashtray just to the right of the gear shift-- perfect place for the hands-free cellular phone and the remote for the Valentine radar detector (using dual DC outlet adapter).
I think there is confusion on the 17 inch tires available as an option with the ultra package. Even tho they are summer tires, the tread wear is that of the H speed rating and should last about 40,000 miles. The brochure only cautions about the limited tread wear of the 17 inch "W" rated tire on the sports package as being about 15,000 miles.
Fred
confused as ever. looked at a 2000 q anniversary
demo with 10,000 miles for $42,000 and have seen
1997 ls 400s with 25,000 mi. certified for $34,000.
i want to own it for 6 or more years and get
150,000 miles of hassle-free driving. don't care
about style, power- just want DEPENDABILITY. please
advise
I had the pleasure of seeing the LS 430 on display while attending the New England International Auto Show today in Boston. As expected, Lexus was positioned immediately adjacent to MB, both clearly competing head-to-head in the luxury car market.
Two LS 430's were on display at the show...a Parchment Ultra Lux and a Black Nav/Lev. The Ultra Lux was placed literally on a rotating pedestal under bright lights, and attracted a significant amount of attention.
Both of the 430's were beautiful. However, I've got to question the Parchment exterior (gorgeous) with an Ecru and ***GRAY*** wood interior? Was this wood some sort of bad joke? The Black Nav/Lev with the ivory interior and normal wood hues looked MUCH more attractive.
I've compared the MB S430 to the Lexus LS 430 very carefully...and it's no contest. MB had better cut the price on the S model about $10K or they're going to be sitting on quite an inventory. In the mean time Lexus had better find a replacement for the gray wood!
The Lexus rep at the show indicated that the vast majority of the Nav/Lev's were being shipped with the Euro-Tuned sport suspension which is contrary to what my local dealer has been telling me.
I want a Parchment/Ecru Nav/Lev with the Euro-Tuned suspension without the grey wood. I'm willing to wait for wood grain color found in nature.
Does anybody think Lexus will change the color of the wood with the Ecru color scheme?
Has anybody found a dealer willing to accept less that MSRP on a cash deal?
Thank You,
Jim
If I paid over $14K for the Ultra Lux option with Ecru I'd be extremely bummed-out about the gray wood.
The Golden Birds-eye maple is SO much more attractive!
For those that haven't seen the Parchment exterior...it beautiful.
Thanks,
Jim
I asked to test drive on of their LS 430's. He laughed and said they have none other than the two locked up this week at the show. He did offer that he'd take a $5K deposit on one for a two-month wait. LOL.
The salesman also stated that all the LS 430's they'd received with the Nav/Lev package had also arrived equipped with the Lexus Link option. FWIW.
The search goes on...
Jim
On the whole, however, this car is like a dream!
To edspider1, congratulations on our selection as well. We can start a mutual admiration society. I test drove the car the other day and was even more impressed than when I ordered it. It is a dream and I wish you many happy miles of safe driving.
Those of you who don't like the wood tints on the UL. Well, they aren't the greatest. Lexus is very responsive. A lot more so than Chrysler (aka MB). I'm sure that in 5 months or so, there will be some better choices. But do you really want to wait that long?
To Mr "I think I like the S Class". You are completely correct about styling. The S has more class (pun intended). The wood colors are natural. But I find the LS to be more comfortable and quieter. Also, the NAV is far more advanced than what's going into the S. The Lexus is more reliable than the S. After all the Japanese have more experience with electronic features than the Germans.
To noangerdoc, I could not tell if you took delivery or not. What colors did you choose?
to #214 I relooked and the short setting on the Laser control held the car about 8-9 car lengths at 50 mph. I had orginally said 5-6 and didn't indicate the speed. I still think this is too long to be useful.
to #218 Agree the golden Maple is the best. Therere was a eurotuned with chrome wheels and eru with golden maple.
to #218 the spec sheet I got from the delaer had air sus with the custom lux package
to #224 Th ultra ecru wood does not look good in person . It looks like polished grey formica.
A couple of weeks ago The internet contact in california was offering $2,000 off. My delaer has cars on the lot avaialble and is offering $1,500 discount. I think the price will drop dramatically on the utraluxes because people, nyself included, don't like purple and grey as the only wood choices.
However, the car is awesome and as soon as they get the color straightened out I will get the utlralux.
Thanks,
midnightcowboy
giff1
P.S. Had the car at 120+ early in the AM. The car is now eight years old and was rock solid
Check a local Auto glass place. One of those shops can probably get one before the dealer can.
I mentioned to the Lexus sales person that I was curious as to how the Euro-tuned version felt on very rough surfaces, with the country road which leads out of our neighborhood in mind. He said "let's drive over and see." I was absolutely astounded as how well the vehicle took the bumps...almost silent yet with enough feel to negotiate our tax-supported obstacle course.
The fit and finish on the car is beautiful. Lexus has left nothing undone. The 17" wheels and low-profile tires (a required option with the Euro-tuned suspension) give the car a mild MB "AMG" look...very attractive. The Golden Birds-Eye Maple wood trim is far more attractive than the Ecru Bird's Eye Maple in the Ultra Lux.
While doing 60 MPH on the expressway (OK, I'm an East Coaster) I stomped on the accelerator. I was astounded at how fast the speedo topped 80, and with virtually no discernible road or engine noise.
The Levinson radio is quite nice...but not astoundingly better than the stereo in my wife's LX 450 (which is a superb system). I suspect the standard stereo in the LS 430 is probably adequate for all but the most demanding audiophile.
The LS 430 NAV system is state-of-the-art...amazingly good at providing directions with enough warning so as to be useful. The Lexus Link is a neat feature as well...Lo-Jack no longer required!
After carefully comparing the LS 430 to the MB S430 I'm of the opinion that the LS 430 offers a comparable package at $10K less than its Teutonic counterpart.
I was really proud of myself. I almost made it out the door and home without buying the LS 430 today...as intended...almost. After thanking the sales person for his time and walking out the showroom door...we discused it for a few minutes and walked back in and put a deposit on a Parchment Nav/Lev Euro-Tune. Sadly, I paid full MSRP...I can't find anybody here in the Northeast that'll knock anything off the sticker price. Has anybody had any luck in that regard?
The wait is projected to be 1-2 months.
Bottom line: the LS 430 is a beautiful car at a rock-bottom price.
Anybody have any thoughts as to whether Lexus is going to increase the price on the LS 430 after the first of the year?
Thanks,
Jim
Oh, and the Tex. dealers also said something about a problem in getting the dark leathers for the ultras as well. So mostly, if not all, ecru leather for a while.
As far as the availability of specific cars goes.. it's not exactly ordering. We can "preference" cars, but right now, specifically ordering one is difficult. Basically, Lexus will produce X number of cars like this, X number like that, X number with this.. etc. Then we decide which color combos we want.
This is due to color difficulty (Interiors on non-ecru ULs) and initial production ramp-up.
As far as discounting goes.. I'm in Orlando, and occasionally other dealers in the state will try and steal a customer from us by quoting ridiculous numbers. I've tested most in the area and havent been able to get them to budge so far. Only car I was offered was $2K off a Midnight Pine/Black car with Moonroof and Heated seats only. Well, no kidding! Who wants that in FL!
Bill
My dealer presells his allotment as fast he learns what it is. In the Chicago area, if you haven't already gotten in line, you'll be waiting until next year.
If its true about the NAV supply shortage, better buy quick. You DON'T want an LS without Navigation.
You really can't compare to the s430. MB separates it's vehicles mostly by engine size, so is the s500 cost worth it? MB has some $$$$$ pressure.
I will admit the MB is more stylish but hey the interior of the ls is beyond approach....and that's where i'll be most of the time others can just look.
Sorry. The Loyalty rebate is gone for 2001 LS430s, as well as 2001 IS300s, and 2001 SC430s.
Bob
94 LS 400
00 RX 300
As for my conscience, I visited another local dealer in my area (about 30 miles from me vs. 10 for my "regular" dealer). I expressed an interest in a specific LS430 combo and he got back to me saying he could probably have it in December. My local dealer who has my deposit has been less optimistic. Actually, I only hear from him when I infrequently call with a specific question. He has offered no timetable at all. Maybe the new dealer is fudging to steal the business, but he seemed very sincere and accomodating - even offering a test drive immediately (my dealer hasn't yet gotten back to me on that). So, I am a little conflicted. I don't really mind waiting a little longer, but I have been just a little disappointed with the original salesman (3 or 4 specific annoyances). This is getting a little long, so I won't elaborate more, but I am tempted to say "go ahead" with the new guy and see what happens. I feel a little guilty, but....
I agree about the s500, it is classy, but it's got it's drawbacks, they really need to redo the dash and nav system. get an indash cd changer, bigger screen and more intuitive. bang for the buck= lexus. if you were to equip the s500 similar to the ls430 ( some options can't get on the MB) i wonder what the $$$$ difference is.
MB has a better lease residual than lexus so you're right it might to cheaper to lease a MB (i haven't checked $ for $ yet, since i wanted the interior of the lexus over the MB)
has anyone made this $$$ comparison option for option? Say base s430/s500 with ls430 similarly equiped?
If you owned a Lexus or Toyota before you bought the 2001 RX300, you should have gotten a Loyalty Rebate of $1K.
kelf,
I don't think you will be able to get either of the 2 cars you mentioned for anywhere near invoice. If Kiplinger can get you a LS430 for only a grand over cost, I think it would a bigger miracle than world peace ever happening!
Price fixing?
Perhaps.
Jim
Fred