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Comments
M
Why the continued MB bashing? Why not just be confident with the excellence of your Lexus and leave the MB people out of it.
I am very sure that I am going to be the brunt of a whole bunch of angry and ugly comments. I am not defending MB, just curious as to why the need to constantly knock another good car.
I think that it would be really nice if the 2003 LS430 came with a designo series because I am sort of in love with the espresso color with the brown interior. My friend has a S500 with that, and I have a neighbor who has a SC430, with saddle interior (i find saddle similar to the espresso interior).
But then, mercedes-lovers would begin accusing lexus of copying them again...
But the reality of it all is that Lexus vs. MB seems to have replaced BMW vs. MB. It's a bit like the coke vs. pepsi of the auto world and the moment the subject arises the posts get lively. Just look at the recent comparo lux board. The posts have died out since the last LEX-MB "discussion".
The preferences come down to style choices. I think Edmunds captured it very well if you read the lux sports car test. MB SL500 finishes first and SC430 second. Why - the testers will always prefer sport over luxury. But Lexus buyers prefer the luxury over sport. Better reliability and saving $20-30k are also rather important items. So the battle lines are drawn.
ljflx,
There is a difference between us/you/me arguing over this, as we've done in the past. Some of those topics were set up just for that. The thing in here and other Lexus boards is that Lexus folk have to knock MB for no good reason whenever mentioning their cars. If the Lexus is better there is no need to shout about or bash MB at every turn. You all constantly make little swipes/jokes in here about Mercedes, whether it be MB's not "starting" or whatever.
M
In many cases the Lexus is the better car and in others the MB is. You can't handle any swipe on an MB. And you read every liitle thing as a swipe. All flint350 did on the other board was jump in to correct something that was dead wrong. But he is justifying his purchase in your mind. MB is your baby - we all know that but you haven't put your money where your mouth is yet.
As ljflx correctly points out, I suppose you can't justify something you haven't yet done.
By the way, I had my first opportunity to take a good look at an E500 in the flesh. On the plus side, it has a beautiful exterior, much better than the (attractive) pictures I have seen on the web. As I have acknowledged in the past, I think that the MB exterior designer crew is a step or two ahead of Lexus in most cases. The car is small, however, (seems smaller than the last version) and the interior is, IMHO, just plain cheesy. Point in case: there are two round dials at the top of the center stack that are a shiney black plastic with a chrome-colored trim around the edge; looks like the wheels on a cheap plastic toy car my son might play with. In fact, the plastics are generally kind of shiney and cheap looking. Clearly not up to Lexus, Audi, or BMW stds, in my view.
My, I feel better having justified my purchase!
I looked at the MB S but liked the interior of the LS better. I also could not see how to justify the price differance. I have previously owned both a LS 400 and a MB S and liked the Lexus better. In addition the Lexus service was better.
I also looked at the new MB E500. Great looking exterior but I am a big guy and felt a little cramped in the E.
i guess I will keep my s-class until the new 2005 S430 comes out. based on several computer drawings and actual spy cars, it lookes quite impressive.
I would have really have considered the new E320 or E500 if only the interior design was better, and there was more space. its really tight in the back! For some reason, the materials on the new E-class seems to be cheaper looking than on the previous generation. I was at first not used to being seen all the plastics in a mercedes, but after the s-class experience, I am sort of used to it.
I also got the change to test drive a black 745Li yesterday. outside is absolutely avant-garde and fantastic, but I hate the design of the consol and idrive feature. The car feels like the previous generation giant S-class.
" MB is your baby - we all know that but you haven't put your money where your mouth is yet."
Soon my friend, soon.
nealm1,
See above. "Equating it's handling to a Buick" yep, the PRESS said that.
M
I would like some input on the Lexus extended warranty packages. Pro and cons. Are the quoted suggested prices negotiable?
One power window switch going out could be $500. And if you have a problem with the nav (which I also have) you could be looking at big bucks. It's very much a personal decision but I decided to go with it.
I haven't decided whether or not to get one for my UL yet.
BTW, I just have to add that I am enjoying the LS more each day--about 4 weeks now. Man, what an awesome car!
Yes, Lexus owners may make the statement that buying a Mercedes is not smart, just like you will make a statement about buying a Lexus is not smart. I would recommend taking your own advice, don't bash car brands if you don't want yours to get bashed.
M
Oh please, I just read post 701 on the 7-Series board and I have ask if you actually read the post yourself. There was nothing in that post that even comes close to what you and nealm1 and others have tried to imply about Benz owners. That post said nothing even remotely "bashing" about Lexus, all he did was question if any would want one. He didn't call anyone dumb or "not too smart" for buying a Lexus like you and others have done on the High End Luxury board.
M
Anyway this is really getting ridiculous. We should all just give in to you and say the cars you love are the greatest on the planet - no questions about it.
I've read your Lexus bashing posts, as well as Infiniti & Acura. Grow up. And if you can't take the Mercedes bashing, then bash stuff someplace where people will actually believe your hoopla.
I can't even begin to understand why a Mercedes lover & a Lexus hater would even post in a Lexus only topic. It looks to me like you just like to get into situations like this.
I also don't recall anyone saying a person who bought an MB was dumb. That would be a rather dumb statement to begin with considering MB prices and the earnings power you need to buy the cars. What I do remember was people like Nealm1 and I questioning the value issues of MB cars, particularly the E-class. I even said at one point that some of the buyers didn't know any better. That does not mean they are dumb. I've had many people in the LS400 and 430 over the years who were MB & BMW buyers and were amazed at the quality and ride of the car. Why? They were never in one before. They were the type of people I was referring to. Dumb? Not by any stretch of the imagination. Some of them make 7 figures and are among the smartest people I know. Some of them have since switched off to Lexus and aren't going back. Some of them have not. One even went back to Cadillac. Enough said about this.
maxhonda - Just for the record - he loves German cars in general but MB is his favorite.
About Infiniti and Acura, have you read anything from me that wasn't the truth? Yes or no. If you'd fix that problem I mentioned above you would know I have very, very little against Acura or Infiniti for the most part.
"I can't even begin to understand why a Mercedes lover & a Lexus hater would even post in a Lexus only topic."
Funny thing is , I keep getting mentioned in here.
ljflx,
Is that all you've got is "ughh" in that post? That's nothing compared to some of things I've read here and in the other luxury car topics from Lex owners. You're missing the point, Nealm1 has implied this over and over, and "questioned" their common sense. That poster asking if or why anyone would want one or saying "ughh" is a far cry from questioning one's common sense as to why they'd buy anything other than a Lexus.
M
You can call me anything you want, the most important thing is: I am happy with my decision (no matter it is Lexus, BMW, or MB).
They are all "excellent" cars with different "attitudes".
Just my humble opinions.
"Funny thing is , I keep getting mentioned in here. " How do you know you keep getting mentioned in here? Unless you troll the board you wouldn't know that would you? You should also think about something else, you get mentioned soo much because your posts are absolutely pointless, redundant, and one-sided. Now, you may go back to dreaming about that Benz you will never have.
stevestein, Merc1 has been discussing for years about buying a Mercedes on random boards. It has never materialized. Perhaps due to the stock market downturn?
We are here to talk about CARS and not each other. Please refrain from personal attacks here - that sort of message is way outside the boundaries of your Membership Agreement, which you may review by following the link under the Logout button on the left side of this page.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Thanks.
Pat
Sedans Host
As for the Lexus Link substituing for the Nav System: this is exactly what the On-Star people want to do over at GM. They want to put the On-Star on every vehicle and leave off the Nav. In reality the Lexus Link operators have to look up every thing you ask for and the answers can be rather slow. In addition, they don't know where the most important POIs (freeway rest areas) are. With time, as you populate your own nav database, your nav system will prove more and more useful. The Lexus link is good for the occasional question, but it is no substitute for the nav system.
Now, which of these will be available in 2004 and which will be later is anybody's guess. But if your choice is between 2003 and 2004, I would go with the latter. The least you could expect would be a 10-15 hp bump, a juicier suite of luxury options, some minor but distinctive sheet metal changes and maybe a spifier suspension.