Is it worth to pay premium for 8 speed or not?

Is it worth to pay premium for 8 speed or not?
Good day to all. I am a proud car fanatic who gets different cars every year and loose about 8-10k on upside downs...my girlfriend calls me stupid but life is too short to be driving same car for more than 12k miles. I've been stuck on Lexus for about 3 years. After getting a horrible service over at BMW, I fell in love with the service from Lexus. The car it self wasn't bad at all, rather, it was surprisingly reliable and confortable. Not as sexy as german cars, but in some way, more sophiscated than others. I drive LS430 now and just tired of driving such a quite car even though, I can keep up with 350z upto 65 mph, just tired of driving not SUPER SEXY car... I was at the Benz dealership to get the either Clk 550 or CLS 550 but that 8 speed thing with new LS460 is making me wait at least till I drive it for myself on Oct 20th when it gets to the dealer... from what I hear from GM over at the dealership, base price will go up almost 10k for LS... I would never pay 65k base model LS460 eventhough base MEANS a lots of things included in Lexus words including worlds first 8 speed ... would you???
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chewychewy - 9/26/2006 11:21:15 PM
+1 Boost
The initial driving reports say that the gearbox gets caught lost quite often. Also, it looks like Lexus hasn't been able to turn in the extra gears into acceleration, unlike the Mercedes 7 speed box.


S4cabriofoxS4cabriofox - 9/26/2006 11:26:19 PM
+1 Boost
Yes, the first gear is too tall. Why do you need a tall first gear with eight speeds?

I don't think this car is "super sexy". It's pretty staid. Powerful, but that doesn't make it hip. The S550 just has something that this doesn't.

From what you've shown there, I'd either go with the CLS or the CL (there is no CLK550, but the new CL will have the 5.5), but you should wait, too. I'm interested in seeing the LS on the road.


kart1kart1 - 9/26/2006 11:48:55 PM
+2 Boost
Go with the CLS it is most likely what you are looking for. Also 8 or 7 speed transmissions are little too much. SO in reality you are not losing much by going with the CLS or even a car with a 6 speed. 7 speed put MB on the top and asserted its position as the luxury car king. So in return Lexus had to beat it.


LexusKindaGuy12LexusKindaGuy12 - 9/26/2006 11:59:10 PM
+2 Boost
if your going for sexy-ness, the CLS is your way to go. I love lexus, but im sorry the CLS has to be the most beautiful car on the road. except the interior is a bit weird, and its a 4 seater.

from what i heard, chewy, the 8 speed transmission is not jumpy and constantly looking for the right gear. Its suppose to be smart and find the perfect one. gear finding is suppose to be low. you have to test drive it yourself to see.


awsomeaudiawsomeaudi - 9/27/2006 12:14:36 AM
0 Boost
?!!!?!!!! i thought the lexus Ls is not even out yet untill september 30th (i think) but your right the first gear is waaayyyyy too tall for my tastes but the cls has every thing, sexyness , speeedyness, luxuryness , and coupeness but i cant wait for the v-6 cls 350 to come over to our shores


LexusKindaGuy12LexusKindaGuy12 - 9/27/2006 1:36:45 AM
+2 Boost
lol am i missing something. The car will not be out in america for another month or so and yet people are claiming that the first gear is too tall for them. lol. we will never get the CLS350, if you live in america that is...just wont happen.


BMW530iBMW530i - 9/27/2006 7:37:29 AM
+1 Boost
I drive LS430 now and just tired of driving such a quite car even though, I can keep up with 350z upto 65 mph, just tired of driving not SUPER SEXY car... I was at the Benz dealership to get the either Clk 550 or CLS 550 but that 8 speed thing with new LS460 is making me wait at least till I drive it for myself on Oct 20th when it gets to the dealer... from what I hear from GM over at the dealership, base price will go up almost 10k for LS... I would never pay 65k base model LS460 eventhough base MEANS a lots of things included in Lexus words including worlds first 8 speed ... would you???
==========================================

1) Run-on sentences with no comma or period usage.

2) Poor English due to childish grammatical errors.

Sorry, you sound like a FAKE to me. Unless you just graduated middle school and have a rich dad who gives you an allowance of $50K a week...


M53RM53R - 9/27/2006 8:24:44 AM
+3 Boost
BMW530i

some ppl cant live if any1 made any spelling or grammer mistakes :P


mstangpny07mstangpny07 - 9/27/2006 8:28:52 AM
+2 Boost
530, calm down.
How do you know if he/she is a bad typer or had to type this in hurry?

8 gears is a bit unneeded. You should be fine with anything 6+.
Do you need to fit 3 in the backseat?
(I'm guessing not; because you mentioned two 4-seaters, but just checking.)


BMW530iBMW530i - 9/27/2006 9:10:31 AM
+2 Boost
Yes, fine, ok, I might have been to quick on this guy, but I am no spelling Nazi.

Still, when someone comes along and talks about how he owns these expensive luxury cars and "gets a new one every year because he essentially becomes -bored- with them" - while typing and spelling like a third grader, one does question what's going on. In my case, I'm a bit suspicious of this guy.

WJPark, I assume you're Korean?


00JT00JT - 9/28/2006 11:37:19 PM
+1 Boost
I agree, anyone that had enough time boasting about their wealth would also have enough time to spell check.


RupertRupert - 9/27/2006 11:57:14 AM
+1 Boost
cls.
definitely.


phantom330phantom330 - 9/27/2006 12:17:02 PM
+2 Boost
why are you worried about service if you only keep the car 12k miles? That doesn't make any sense. You wouldn't even have a BMW long enough to have the first service interval done.


wjpark722wjpark722 - 9/27/2006 1:53:15 PM
+2 Boost
S4cabriofox ---> Hi, just wanted to let you know, there is CLK 550... http://www.mbusa.com/models/main.do?modelCode=CLK550C
Will ---> I guess you got the modern luxury package... I have the basic one and I paid only 56k out the door(05')..lol
kart ---> I agree~~

BMW530i ---> 1. I don't have father. 2. I am Korean 3. I didn't know you needed to speak PERFECT english to be able to drive a nice car or make money... please don't insult me.

phantom330 ---> I know what you are saying... I had 328i and I had to change the entire A/C unit and bushings and also that was back in 01 when BMW didn't have the free service so I had to pay 4500...I get 3-4 serivces within 12k miles... it is very important to me that I get a nice loaner while I get my car serviced and washed everytime I visit dealership.

It's all about personal preferences I think... best car I TEST drove was E55 (older model with 369)...mmm


BMW530iBMW530i - 9/27/2006 2:11:14 PM
+2 Boost
BMW530i ---> 1. I don't have father. 2. I am Korean 3. I didn't know you needed to speak PERFECT english to be able to drive a nice car or make money... please don't insult me.
==========================================

It wasn't my intention to insult you. But you have to admit, your story, together with the English it was written in, would be enough to arouse suspicion.

My apologies. ;)


wjpark722wjpark722 - 9/27/2006 2:44:51 PM
+2 Boost
I admit...

apologize accepted. thank you.


1970toyotamarc1970toyotamarc - 9/27/2006 3:44:49 PM
+1 Boost
First of all, if you drive less than 12,000 miles before turning in cars, what are you doing with a car for 3 years. I call b.s. on this post from that point on. (I believe I actually agree with BMW530, on that point)

Second, you're not paying 10,000 for 8 speeds, but for a car that is superior in every way to the current one. What you will get with the 8th speed is better fule economy and performance delivery, worth at least a couple of those thousand, no?

Chewy, where's your source?
S4Cabrio, I believe only C&D came up with that conclusion. And no one, to my knowledge, has tested a production model. C&D's was likely pre-production, and everyone knows they favor BMW, anyway.


wjpark722wjpark722 - 9/27/2006 4:10:54 PM
+2 Boost
1970toyotamarc ---> First, I never said I drove same Lexus for 3 years... I had RX-GS-LS..do your own math if that make sense to you. Second, where is this comment coming from??? when did I say 10k just for 8 speed???

focus on leaving your own thoughts to make a good converation rather than an accusation.


lexusis350lexusis350 - 9/27/2006 5:35:48 PM
+1 Boost
"Not as sexy as german cars, but in some way, more sophiscated than others."
-------------------------------------------------------
That must mean that North Americans want sophistication over looking sexy. That's about all the German cars will give you in return.


bigslick83bigslick83 - 9/27/2006 8:30:42 PM
+1 Boost
is it just me? or does 1970toylex always make some obsurd comment, then get bashed on, then rebuttle etc, until he gets cornered and blogslapped in the face. then he runs and hides in another post hoping we all get amnesia i guess.


S4cabriofoxS4cabriofox - 9/27/2006 9:12:10 PM
+1 Boost
Will-

Are you serious? Your father got a loaded S550, and you still think the car on the top of the page is more desirable?

I just don't understand some people...

It's nice and all, but not a very exciting design... and the S-Class is just so beautiful... and then there's the XJ8...and the A8... but the LS?


S4cabriofoxS4cabriofox - 9/27/2006 9:17:02 PM
+3 Boost
wjpark-

I had no idea the CLK550 came out. It wasn't publicized at all! I heard about the E550, CL550, CLS550 and of course the S550, but I thought it was still CLK500.

I still think that with those choices, Benz is the best way to go. However, I haven't seen the new LS on the road, so I'm reserved for now. But if you're looking at an LS, how about an S-Class? Those do everything perfectly, and in style.


wjpark722wjpark722 - 9/27/2006 9:42:07 PM
+1 Boost
S4cabriofox ---> I got my LS430 last year for 725 a month lease with 7000 down(I had about 9000 upside down from my GS). one of my buddy has S550 and he paid 15000 down and paying 1750 a month lease... that's a huge payment shock for me. I know CLS550 or CLK550 will run me about 1000-1200 a month ofcourse depending on the special they run at the end of this year... I don't know if you saw the crazy special they had few months back.(E55 for 999 a month with like 6000 down!!!)


2JZSoarer2JZSoarer - 9/27/2006 9:52:07 PM
+1 Boost
German cars look sexy,until they break down and you have to call AAA,while a Lexus drives right passed you!


lexusis350lexusis350 - 9/27/2006 11:14:35 PM
+1 Boost
^Exactly^


XYZZXYZZ - 9/28/2006 3:57:23 AM
0 Boost
OR...

"I had 328i and I had to change the entire A/C unit and bushings and also that was back in 01 when BMW didn't have the free service so I had to pay 4500...I get 3-4 serivces within 12k miles..."


wjpark-- your experience was NOT a rarity. LEARN from it. as much as OTHERS get seduced by german cars for whatever SUBJECTIVE reasons, stay away from them if you don't want to waste more money and time.

you simply can not get a more reliable, trouble-free car than a Lexus.


XYZZXYZZ - 9/28/2006 6:14:20 AM
0 Boost
LS models are more ELEGANT than sexy.

if you want sexy, consider the GS450h. you also get something even smoother than the 8-speed: a Continuously Variable Transmission.


M53RM53R - 9/28/2006 7:41:12 AM
+1 Boost
ApexAlex.

Oh plz..... dont tell me that the GS is sexy.........
except if ur talkin about ur opinion ofcourse. AND wjpark's experience was a rarity but that doesnt mean that every german car u ll buy will the same issue. At least u feel like driving a car, not a boat......


RupertRupert - 9/28/2006 10:53:42 AM
+1 Boost
gs sexy? in the same way the joan rivers is i suppose....
as in yuk.
the gs is the weak link in lexus' line-up.
and whats the deal with reliability? so your car spends a day in the shop under warranty.....big deal.


XYZZXYZZ - 10/3/2006 5:59:05 AM
+1 Boost
a day in the shop WOULD be a big deal to ME!

if it's no big deal to you, it just shows how WELL TRAINED you are, by those who make UNRELIABLE cars (sporty as they mite be).

i've owned 2 new and 3 used toyotas over the last 35 years. plus a new nissan.

NONE of these vehicles have EVER been in the shop for unscheduled "maintenance/repairs."
every time it's been to the dealer, the service (and rare warranty work) was done in a matter of hours. none has ever been in the shop for even 1/2 a day, much less "a day in the shop."

that's OVER a THIRTY-FIVE YEAR span.

so not only do i SCOFF at cars that need a day in the shop, but where i live, a breakdown out on the highway could even be life threatening.



XYZZXYZZ - 10/3/2006 6:02:45 AM
+1 Boost
the last warranty issue i had with a toyota, was so minor i JUST picked up the new part at the dealer. took it home and installed it myself.

how do YOUR warranty issues compare?


wjpark722wjpark722 - 9/28/2006 11:21:25 AM
+1 Boost
as I was saying earlier, it's all about personal preferences... I think it will be perfect to have Lexus as a daily driver and AMG or M series as a weekend car...lol

Ofcourse, not every Lexus is perfect. My business partner just got GS and it is making some ticking noise from the gauge louder than usual... my other friend who leased S550 has E320(04) sitting on his garage because trasmission failed... I've heard people having no problems with MB or BMW but more people with problems... Lexus has little better reputation about car being reliable... that's all.


XYZZXYZZ - 9/30/2006 7:26:24 AM
+1 Boost
you have the right idea, having a lexus for a daily driver and a sporty (but not bulletproof) car for weekends.

i myself have had that philosophy for decades.

for the past few years, that meant having at least one toyota, and a MOTORCYCLE.




XYZZXYZZ - 9/30/2006 7:33:13 AM
+1 Boost
IDEALLY, one could have a reliable daily driver which is ALSO fun to drive. (which SOME german cars may be, but NONE have the reliability of toyotas, much less lexuses.)

have you test driven the GS450h, or read any reviews? i suggested that because it is the SPORTIEST in the lexus line. as a hybrid, it has V8 performance which beats out the german competitors. had lexus reliability. and 6 cylinder economy as a bonus.

it won't be out until next year, but check out the LS600h too. from the reviews, it is an incredible piece of engineering.


XYZZXYZZ - 9/30/2006 7:41:01 AM
+1 Boost
typo: "had lexus..." should be "has lexus reliability"


BMW530iBMW530i - 9/28/2006 12:41:28 PM
+1 Boost
There were some issues with the new GS when it first came out. The engines apparently gave some real bad troubles.

For some strange reason, JD Powers and our Lexus friends here never mentioned this.

Want proof? Here:

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202629

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198954

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206531

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206423

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195598


XYZZXYZZ - 10/3/2006 5:45:22 AM
+1 Boost
base GS engines now are totally different from the originals.

originals were inline 6. now it's V6.

the V6/Hybrid of the GS450h is faster than the V8.


lexusis350lexusis350 - 9/28/2006 5:49:49 PM
+2 Boost
BMW530i-
Half of those problems could be blamed on road condition of fault of the driver. For instance, the oil leak. They could have hit a metal strip on the free way and punctured a hole causing the oil to leak. That has nothing to do with the quality of the car.
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