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It seems so strange to me because when the 2001 LS 430 first came out, a lot of people on this board commented that they wished they could get all the Ultra Lux features except for the back seat stuff, but that Lexus didn't offer that choice. Then some months later they announced the Custom Lux and it was exactly what we had all been hoping for. And now they discontinue it again? Can anybody see any logic in that?
I do own a LS (our second one) and also live where it rains/snows quite a bit. However, I could never imagine mud guards/flaps on an LS or a Jag, S-Class, etc. Actually, I believe that Lexus needs to seriously improve the exterior looks of the LS and would not want to do anything to detract from the current model exterior. I am traveling overseas on business and can not wait to get home to see the new pictures/drawings of the MY07 LS in Automobile, Motor Trend, etc -- that you all have recent discussed. I am interested in the design of both the new LS and S-Class coming in 2006/7.
I like the dull exterior, others like the star...A conservative exterior that is not too flashy with an awesome interior to me is perfact.
I would ask you to go the Lexus owners club and search for Mud guards someone has posted his 01/02? with a full set of mud guards and I think they look just fine...But we are all different.
http://www.lexus.com/models/ls/specifications.html
The build your own models available may be restricted to vehicles deemed surplus inventory for a given area. AWD RXes inadvertantly shipped to FL for instance. Or maybe just slow moving factory "builds".
Hope this helps
Ron
suspension is a good option?? My dealer seems to infer that this is NOT a good option to have and that most of his spec car orders will not have this option. Sounds like customers have not been happy with the option.
Personally, I like a sporty suspension and am willing to give up a little bit of ride comfort for this.
Thoughts (pro's and con's)??
I'm sure you're right that luxury car buyers don't look at MPG. If any brand might be MPG conscious it would be Lexus, since many LS owners buy value. Some, like me want all the MPG we can get. We anxiously await a hybrid.
Gas - how much gas will you use in a year - 600-700 gallons, maybe a 1000 at most. I have a 14-15 cents price differential where I live. Is it worth it to save $100-150 a year on a car this expensive and risk hurting such a perfect engine? It's never smart to be penny wise and pound foolish unless you are forced into such a situation.
I think Lexus has a great service department but from my experience with a local dealer, they are still from the "old school" in terms of sales.
Fortunately, you buy the car you don't really have to deal with any other hassles again, so the trade off is worth it. But I haven't experienced the luxury aspect of the selling process as being up to par with the auto itself. They should really work on that.
I had it hooked up the Lexus system in 5 mins. The only problem I have had is in uploading the address book from the phone to the car. Working on that one.
I had the Bridgestone Turanza LS-H tires on my previous E320. They were as quiet as the Michelin MXV-4, better wet traction, but they flat-spot when parked overnight. The LS-V may not have this characteristic. However, I'd have to be assured that this problem is solved before I would buy another set.
As a quick aside, I clay-barred and Zainoed my Moonlight Pearl LS430. The results are extraordinary
I will probably look at the Dunlaps, expect the TireRack price to be about $135 each, go with the higher tire pressures, and expect 45,000-50,000 miles on the originals.
Can't wait to play with the options and its a nice step up from my '98 GS300.
Anyone posted the C-BEST settings file for the '04 LS yet?
Which speed ratings are your dunlop SP Sport 5000s?
Are you sure they are not recapitalizing the 4 month remaining lease principal portion into a new lease. Also is it good for either a new lease or purchase or only good for a lease? I've never received anything like that so I don't know the particulars of the offer. I was once told that they will sometimes down-convert 39 month leases to 36 months but that is only a 3 month exchange and that is always tied to a future lease renewal strategy.
Why not call Ray Catena and see what is going on?
-Pre-approval up to $900 lease/65K financed
-Waiver of remaining lease payments (but not return of already paid, so would want to end on monthly anniversary)
-Lease security deposit waiver
-$50 Lexus merchandise gift certificate
The salesman said it doesn't affect the price or financing. I believe the car (w/o taking diminished value into account) was worth a few thousand over the residual, so that may be a big factor.
The 2001 value has held up very well and generally exceeds the residual by a few thousand dollars. I checked all of that stuff a while back because we also thought of buying out the 2001 car. It was the only car that did so from the 2001 models that I was choosing from. The MB S and E class cars fell below residual buyouts by decent amounts and run well below LS430 percentages of original MSRP retained. The A8 is just plain abysmal in holding its value. Lexus may want the cars back because they have buyers of a big lot. Who knows.
The 2004 LS is fabulous if you go that route. But keep in mind there is a hybrid around the corner in 2006 or 2007 and a total re-design with it. So you may want to do only a lease.
Using batteries simply to SUPERCHARGE an already powerful V6 or V8 engine should never be considered "green".
Sizing the batteries, and the use thereof, to store and later make adequate use of power regained from regenerative braking is an absolutely excellent idea. Charging those same batteries with the ICE in order to later make use of them later to BOOST engine output results in a net loss of fuel economy just as is clearly shown by the poor Prius highway mileage.