Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Lexus LS, 2007-2015

[Railton]

There was a guy at the office that drove a V12 BMW 7 series who traded it in on an R Spec.
Railton

[wing]

Told ya

[Jaeger]

Yeah. It's holy s#!t fast.

[pi314]

So... did you sign on the dotted line?

[dirtyjeffer]

that's funny...i thought we weren't supposed to talk about Hyundais in a Lexus thread. 

[mixmanmash]

that's funny...i thought we weren't supposed to talk about Hyundais in a Lexus thread. 

Hey, you're back!  I thought you said you were done with this forum.  Regardless, welcome back.

[mixmanmash]

Yeah. It's holy s#!t fast.

Awesome.  But was it a "Rocket-Powered Sofa?"  That's a description my friend used to describe a 2005 S600 V12 Bi-Turbo.

[dirtyjeffer]

that's funny...i thought we weren't supposed to talk about Hyundais in a Lexus thread. 

Hey, you're back!  I thought you said you were done with this forum.  Regardless, welcome back.

as frustrating as it can be, it's hard to stay away from what you love.

[Fobroader]

Yeah. It's holy s#!t fast.

Awesome.  But was it a "Rocket-Powered Sofa?"  That's a description my friend used to describe a 2005 S600 V12 Bi-Turbo.

A friend of mines dad had one of those. Merging onto the 401 with that was an eye opening experience, I've never been in something so soft, cushy and quiet that felt like it had a nuclear reactor under the hood. We were touching 200km/h in not so much time....with his dad grinning like an idiot 

[rrocket]

that's funny...i thought we weren't supposed to talk about Hyundais in a Lexus thread. 

Hey, you're back!  I thought you said you were done with this forum.  Regardless, welcome back.

as frustrating as it can be, it's hard to stay away from what you love.

Yea...like I always say.  Pretend Autos.ca is your favorite bar.  On occasion, you're going to hear some stupid sh*t from someone who is drunk.  Ignore the drunk...but don't stop going to your favorite watering hole!   

[Jaeger]

Okay - some more detailed thoughts on the R-Spec.

Did I mention it was fast?  I mean, it's packing 70hp more than the 4.6 in the LS (AWD models are detuned to 354hp).  But the difference feels greater.  There's probably not more than a full second separating them in the 0-60 run, but the difference feels greater.  And that applies to part-throttle response and highway passing as well.

Part of that is down to how well the big Lexus disguises the way it builds speed - silently and effortlessly - like a magneto-propelled train.  But there is no question that the R-Spec is the clear hotrod of the group.  And at full throttle that big V8 sounds amazing!!  I don't doubt that the Lexus would sound just as nice if only the engineers would let it.  There are  bunch of YouTube clips featuring the R-Spec on full throttle runs.  Give a listen - it's pretty sweet.

And then there's the handling.  My butt-o-meter says the GS is the winner here, but the R-Spec is a clear and close second.  Very flat cornering.  Feels more nimble than the LS.  Not an M5 alternative but very far from a fast sofa.  I wouldn't even hang that label on the LS.  Now the ES - there' your sofa.  What WOULD have been even more surprising had I not rear then re-read James' review I how impressively quiet the R-Spec is at all times OTHER THAN full throttle.  At idle and when cruising I can't pick a winner between it and the LS.  Seriously.  A sound meter could tell the difference I'm sure, but my ears couldn't.

Exterior design is wholly subjective, but I would put the LS first, followed by the R-Spec then the GS.  Interestingly, both the LS and the R-Spec came in a stunning shade of silver that seemed to be glowing all the time.  Like how Audi used to do it.  Both designs I would call handsome and conservative.  They look like quality automobiles - the Lexus just moreso.

To be continued...

[rrocket]

I really liked this car.  But the interior was quite a step down from the Lexus.  It seemed to be the area that it lagged the furthest behind.

You have a tough choice to make!

[Jaeger]

There is one area where the Lexus is just miles ahead, though, and that is the interior.  And a good part of that is down to the colour choice - Hyundai declared that all R-Spec models must be rendered in a coal bin interior aesthetic.  The wood steering wheel looks like black plastic.  It's only when the sunlight hits it directly that you can see a lovely grain and the richest and darkest of dark brown colour.  Other than a few brushed aluminum bits, everything else is blackety-black-black-black. 

Beyond the darkness of it all, it won't surprise you to hear that the quality of the leather for the seats in the Lexus is noticeably superior.  And interior material quality in general goes to the LS.  Both cars have very pleasing and easy to use nav displays - large and clear.  The Lexus was twice the price new and that staggering difference is most evident in the interior.  But I can't help but pause and consider just how well Hyundai did with this car - and how impressively it stacks up in a straight comparison.  Particularly considering that Lexus has been refining this formula over 4 generations and several decades.

AUTOS.CA SHOULD DO A STRAIGHT UP COMPARISON BETWEEN THE CURRENT V8 GENESIS AND THE CURRENT LS 460 AWD.  SERIOUSLY.

To be continued...

[Jaeger]

The price difference was staggering new and remains so.  Asking price on the 2011 LS 460 AWD with 119,000km is $34k.  And I am here to tell you that is a LOT OF CAR FOR THE MONEY.  The asking on the R-Spec was $22k, but they dropped it down to $20k on the weekend.  So before any negotiating, that's a $14k dfference.  Or almost enough to buy the R-Spec AND Ron's sweet 2004 LS 430.  And the actual price disparity is likely to be even greater as they are SERIOUSLY motivated to move the Genesis.   Apparently, it's not easy to sell a RWD performance sedan in the heart of ski country.  Who new? 

So, fresh and grinning from my drive in the R-Spec, I stopped by and drove the LS again.  And yeah, the Genesis is just plain faster.  And the LS is just plain nicer.  $14k nicer?  That is what I have to sleep on now.

[Fobroader]

If you were talking about an 80s Lada Niva and the LS, sure, there might be $14k worth of niceties in the Lexus.....I just can't see the LS being worth remotely $14k nicer than a Genesis.

[rrocket]

Buy the Genesis.  If it's unreliable or the interior becomes a bummer, trade it in on a Lexus.  No reason why you can't get a Lexus later.

The interior was a letdown for me, however.  And to a lesser extent the unknown future reliability and it wasn't as easy to find parts.  The last part may not bother you since you're not a DIYer.

And Fob...I see Lexus with similar mileage to the Genny for $28K.  Is an LS460 worth $8k more?  Nicer interior/higher quality + peerless reliability + among best dealer experience in the business?  Is that worth $8k more?  I'd say it is.

[pi314]

The price difference was staggering new and remains so.  Asking price on the 2011 LS 460 AWD with 119,000km is $34k.  And I am here to tell you that is a LOT OF CAR FOR THE MONEY.  The asking on the R-Spec was $22k, but they dropped it down to $20k on the weekend.  So before any negotiating, that's a $14k dfference.  Or almost enough to buy the R-Spec AND Ron's sweet 2004 LS 430.  And the actual price disparity is likely to be even greater as they are SERIOUSLY motivated to move the Genesis.   Apparently, it's not easy to sell a RWD performance sedan in the heart of ski country.  Who new? 

So, fresh and grinning from my drive in the R-Spec, I stopped by and drove the LS again.  And yeah, the Genesis is just plain faster.  And the LS is just plain nicer.  $14k nicer?  That is what I have to sleep on now.

Get in line for Ron's LS

For 20k, that's an amazing rig.

[rrocket]

Get in line for Ron's LS

So if I'm ready to sell tomorrow, you have the cash ready to go?   

[Jaeger]

Get in line for Ron's LS

So if I'm ready to sell tomorrow, you have the cash ready to go?   

That's the question, isn't it.

Ron, I'm guessing that LS with similar mileage for $28k is older than 2011?

Forgot to add that the Genesis is under warranty until October - so any short term unpleasant surprises are covered.

[Jaeger]

If you were talking about an 80s Lada Niva and the LS, sure, there might be $14k worth of niceties in the Lexus.....I just can't see the LS being worth remotely $14k nicer than a Genesis.

The single biggest plus to me is AWD.