Chicago Tribune Also Has Trouble Parking the LS460L

The Chicago Tribune said the self-park feature looked so promising.
Until they couldn't get it to park. After repeated attempts, they say, the car still ended up three feet from the curb and jutting out into traffic. It took them on average two or three tries to sucessfully parallel park the car. By that time mototists would be angry. To horizontally park, it was even more difficult according to them. You had to set the car up just right, in the perfect position, in order for the system to work. It was very difficult to find that perfect position.
Their advice is : "If you can't back into a parking space or parallel park with out doing damage to yourself or those around you, you should be taking cabs or buses".

Now they also said the car has so many gizmos and gadgets that they almost didn't have enough time to drive it. They said the interior was cozy and comfortable. When they drove it, they said the ride was very soft and the handling predictable, if not a bit slow and over assisted. Power was plenty, but they did not use it all. They did not like that the owners manual was about 12 pounds. They also liked that you did not need to keep foot on the brake to keep the vehicle from rolling forward at a stop light. Price as tested was $85,331

-Well said. The only thing that worries me is that if you don't have your foot on brake at a light, that means your brake lights aren't on, sending mixed messages to other drivers. I wouldn't want to be rear-ended!
So now we know that the self park system needs some work. Back to the drawing board, Lexus.

Storm9 - 11/26/2006 9:05:58 PM

+1 Boost

See thats why BMW did not release their parking system yet in the USA.

They know its not 99.9% perfect.

Mayb in the new 7er, they will have perfected it.

BUT BMW is a drivers car, so I am not sure how well the "The Ultimate Driving Machine" would go with a Self Driving Car.

chewy - 11/26/2006 9:11:14 PM

0 Boost

"They also liked that you did not need to keep foot on the brake to keep the vehicle from rolling forward at a stop light."

The VW Passat has had this feature for two years already.

mstangpny07 - 11/26/2006 9:12:58 PM

+2 Boost

I know other cars did, but Jim Majeta from the Tribune sure didn't.

EL34 - 11/26/2006 10:08:23 PM

+2 Boost

I guess this thingamajig is only for those that work for NASA.

BMW530i - 11/26/2006 10:37:45 PM

0 Boost

Maybe these journalists were dumbasses again like the last time?

TheDonII - 11/28/2006 12:39:25 AM

+2 Boost

My thoughts exactly.These must be some Dumbass journalists..Toyota tests their products over and over again before intoducing them into the market. In fact this technology have been availabe in Japan for years on the Toyota Prius which is very successful before it was introduced on the LS460 series.

jeffy210 - 11/26/2006 10:47:29 PM

-2 Boost

"They also liked that you did not need to keep foot on the brake to keep the vehicle from rolling forward at a stop light."

Okay, maybe i'm missing something here. Buy my '95 Camry already does that. it's called having the car idle at the right rpm...

Actually, it's been that way with my cars, idle is too high, i can sit without the brake on a hill, idle just right i can sit on level ground without the brake.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/26/2006 10:49:39 PM

0 Boost

Interesting. I wish I could read that C&D article that Bill posted so I could see why the LS came in last- could it be that it wasn't about the bias?

Obviously, the A8 is still among the best cars in the world to only be beaten by the S-Class. Go A8!

chewy - 11/27/2006 12:24:36 AM

+3 Boost

The scans links are in the comments. And automatic cars are supposed to go forward when you don't press any pedals that is why VW and Lexus have auto stop. You Camry must be in need of fixing.

IamEvilHomer - 11/27/2006 11:16:02 AM

0 Boost

this feature reminds me of the talking cars in the 80's
lots of flash and not that usefull

Rupert - 11/27/2006 12:21:47 PM

+1 Boost

ha!

EL34 - 11/27/2006 12:23:06 PM

+1 Boost

How do big rig drivers back an 18 wheeler into a tight spot without self-parking?

This device is like a crutch for lazy drivers that can't park a car.

How much is Lexus charging for this thing?

answer - 11/27/2006 2:02:06 PM

+3 Boost

My 12th grade English teacher never could figure out how our classroom VCR worked.

A lot of people hate Idrive from BMW. I like it a lot.

Not everyone has an ease of use of technology. Not sure if this is much of a "story".

jghill - 11/27/2006 2:20:20 PM

+3 Boost

When using the "brake hold" feature the brake lights stay on...

From experience I can tell you that proper positioning of the vehicle makes all the difference with the Advanced Parking Guidance. With a little practice (and ready the 12 pound manual) any driver can use the system with ease. I guess those journalists can't read...

Designer1 - 11/27/2006 4:16:51 PM

+3 Boost

This is a new system/technology Lexus WILL perfect it. At least its the FIRST one that had the guts to put it on the market, why? because it sure worked MUCH better than its competitors who feared to put it in their cars.

chewy - 11/27/2006 7:27:28 PM

-1 Boost

Actually, VW has the technology out on its Touran at basically the same time.

Rupert - 11/28/2006 1:40:16 PM

+1 Boost

the touran is on sale now in europe with self park.
i guess they win.

Rupert - 11/28/2006 5:07:13 PM

+1 Boost

that was actually on sale?
didn't know that

2JZSoarer - 11/27/2006 10:50:08 PM

+2 Boost

Damn it people read the instruction manual before attempting anything !!!

RefuG - 11/27/2006 11:35:08 PM

+1 Boost

This is tha worst feature EVER put on car, and I don't care which manufacterer came out wit it first.

To add, what if car fails to brake when approaching a stop light?


G

2JZSoarer - 11/28/2006 9:30:20 PM

+1 Boost

Everyone check out this video,to prove that self parking works on the LS460,when used correctly!!!

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1452255578