Spoiled again! Once you have this option on the new Lexus LS, you won't want another car without it!

As I live day to day with my new daily driver (2007 Lexus LS460L), I keep getting more and more spoiled with almost everything it has to offer.

Two options in particular that I'm really digging on is the XM traffic-based navigation system with live updates and the radar based cruise control.

The Acura RL was the first car to offer the live traffic update nav system and now Lexus, Infiniti, BMW/MINI and others are now starting to offer it.

Once you have it, you won't want to go back...especially if your commute is in a dense traffic area like Southern California.

I got to experience the benefits firsthand the other day on my way to L.A. on the I-5. (See accompanying photo gallery of the system in action)

The nav system chimed in that it had updated traffic info and did I want to display it…so I said yes.

It then showed me the upcoming traffic slowdown and asked me if I wanted the system to route me around it and I did.

It then provided me with an alternative route which brought me around the slowdown and then got my back on the I-5 just past it, so I could continue on my merry way.

I estimate it saved me almost 45 minutes which is not too shabby.

Plus the radar cruise made it easy to take the numerous slowdowns and speed ups on the highway.

The more I drive the new LS, the more pleasurable it becomes!

Stay tuned for further updates of my experiences in the new Lexus LS!

I can't wait to test the Clear Channel version on the BMW's to see how it compares.

If you're thinking about buying a car with a navigation system we recommend you don't buy it unless it has integrated live traffic updates.

Be sure to ask your dealer if the car you are considering it offers the system.

You'll be sorry if you don't!

EL34 - 3/19/2007 9:09:08 PM

+1 Boost

The new Garmin nüvi 680 and Garmin StreetPilot c580 uses MSN Direct.

EL34 - 3/19/2007 9:12:41 PM

+2 Boost

In that first photo of the nav that accident on the freeway is in Watts and not to far from Compton.

Good place to have a nav!!!

answer - 3/19/2007 9:49:41 PM

+2 Boost

Sucks thinking about when most people have systems like this in their cars they will all being using the same alternate routes.

SupraNeverBack - 3/19/2007 10:18:39 PM

-2 Boost

Awesome! Could we say the best Navigation in the class?

tom333 - 3/19/2007 10:21:29 PM

-3 Boost

L- FINESSE or L-FLOP

That design of the LS is a proper joke and Toyota is doingso well. Oh well it's an LS.

answer - 3/20/2007 10:45:34 AM

+1 Boost

Poo poo to you sir.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/19/2007 10:22:04 PM

+4 Boost

Nice! Didn't know you traded your GS, 001.

Also, I thought you would've been touting self-park. Touché, AutoSpies.

I'm still into the A8/A8L for the wife... but if LS had AWD, it would be on our short list.

mitchatlexusofmarin - 3/20/2007 1:42:57 AM

-2 Boost

The 600HL is awd.....

S4cabriofoxone - 3/20/2007 4:44:59 PM

0 Boost

I'm not spending $100K+ on my wife's next car when mine was only $66K new (with tax).

$85K is my limit with her.

Will_ - 3/19/2007 10:22:24 PM

+3 Boost

I feel a negative comment complaining about the title and "AutoSpies Lexus bias" coming...

This is a great feature to have. I tried it out in an Acura RL once and it saved me a lot of hassle on I-95 driving to Florida once. It seems the only luxury automakers that do not have this are Audi and Mercedes. Get with the program!

markusck - 3/20/2007 9:41:26 AM

-3 Boost

Its not bias! Lexus is apparently the only manufacturer giving 001 long term drivers month after month, model after model! and if someone is giving you such a tremendous 'opportunity', of course you write nice things about the expreience. What? Give up free high end transport by pointing out a bunch of negatives? Please..

If the other manufacturers would start giving out free long term drivers, we would see some first hand 'reviews', from 001 instead of just links to other articles by other journalists or press releases. What do you expect him to do? Go and take test drives at a local dealer or just walk the mall parking lots asking owners their impressions?

When will the other manufacturers get with the 'program'? Don't they know this is how business is done? They are missing out on a great opportunity to get their marketing message out there.

mbz350 - 3/20/2007 12:28:46 AM

+2 Boost

You sure that the Acura was the first to offer traffic updates? If I remember right in 2001 the Merc Command would talk to other command on the same roads that you were on and would let you know through tele aid that traffic ahead was moving slow by . The feature is convenient but not a first.

raydata - 3/20/2007 1:11:42 AM

+1 Boost

Before I bought my 01 LS, the Nav system was the one option that I thought I needed least. But as it turned out, it was one of the options I used most. I can hardly wait to use the live XM-traffic updates and other features on the 600h L. Does anyone know if the "Rear Seat Upgrade Package" is available with the "Active Stabilizer Suspension System"? I get the impression that most could care less what features or feature combinations a LS comes with. But if someone knows, I'd appreciate knowing. Nice looking LS. That strawberry patch looks like one I frequented when I was in Ontario, CA (around Mountain Ave). I miss the left coast!

Matthew1 - 3/20/2007 3:42:38 AM

+1 Boost

Wow, ANOTHER Lexus long-termer!

Talk about a narrow scope!

smshnick - 3/20/2007 10:22:15 AM

+5 Boost

001...How about you separate autospies into two different websites... germanautospies.com and asianautospies.com. That'll solve everything.

rg12345 - 3/20/2007 11:06:50 AM

+4 Boost

That won't solve to much. The drivers (real drivers) will keep fighting over the Audi, BMW, Mercedes - alphabetically ordered :) - and everybody else will go with lexus is the king on the other site.

Just kidding. The idea is not that bad actually , let's try it.

Agent009 - 3/20/2007 11:59:05 AM

+4 Boost

Double the fun?

DiamondJim - 3/20/2007 1:01:18 PM

+1 Boost

double the reading

S4cabriofoxone - 3/20/2007 4:47:16 PM

-1 Boost

Nah, I like it this way. I'd rather read about ALL cars on one site. That's what makes this site more attractive than GermanCarFans.com, IMO.

It's also easier to type "autospies.com" in the search bar. (-;

rg12345 - 3/20/2007 11:03:44 AM

+7 Boost

Why would an agent show up with such things? I mean, they should be impartial, in all aspects of driving, cars and related; otherwise how can they be our moderators on the forums, how can they provide with decent good news that are not altered to show a car better than the other?

When was the last time I showed up to say "hey my car has this and that, what about your, eh?"

By the way, the sat nav is nothing new, I have the same options in my '05 car (it's a german car :) ). If traffic is heavy will route you around, it is very usefull (as the agent001 said) but is nothing new, so why place it as news?

As some other posted, anybody can buy a nav system that will do just that, so what is with all the fuss? Agent001: I would understand if that it's your own car (is it?), then you are affected and can't think clearly. At least in the first few months of driving it. Your car is the best car. But, as an Agent00x yo should be carefull with what u say or write, media is very strong this days. Look what people like u did to some poor guys like "LexusKing" and "Lexusmaniac", they don't see anything but lexus, sometimes they compare the lexus to other cars with pricetags that start at $200.000+. Crazy people I must say, you can't be like that.

smshnick - 3/20/2007 11:10:10 AM

+1 Boost

WWW.AUTOLEXUSISGREATSPIES.COM

Agent009 - 3/20/2007 12:05:13 PM

+5 Boost

So funny, I run off a few weeks and the commentary changes from we are a pro German site to now a pro Lexus site!

001 has a Lexus long term car, and I would expect you would see a few articles on the vehicle. Cant wait for that long term R8 to show up in MY driveway! (you listening 001?)

DiamondJim - 3/20/2007 1:08:17 PM

+2 Boost

THAT IS HILARIOUS! i remember that.

a few weeks ago you guys were all over 009 for loving BMW and the 3er review saying this site being pro german, now 001 has a Lexus and blasting him for being pro asian, can you guys make up your minds?

AMGC55 - 3/20/2007 12:42:32 PM

+2 Boost

i was looking at the pictures and I work right by where they were taken

S4cabriofoxone - 3/21/2007 11:50:09 AM

+1 Boost

S U B A R U