REVIEW: Lexus LS 460 by Road and Track

Why buy this boat when you can buy a Buick Lucerne and have plenty of money left over for a trip for the family to Hawaii and a few shares of Goog.

See what I mean about being smart?

Smart isn't the word I would call it. Maybe dumb@$$. Who would buy a Buick over a Lexus. Mercedes isn't the only way. I'll even admit that.

Mission accomplished.

Is a phrase used when a part of battle has been won.

For instance, many "mission accomplished" were made during the Vietnam war.

And Will have you noticed Lexus are running 3 TV commercials for the LS that are all about the self parking doodad?....it must be a real drivers car with that feature.

The battle against the Germans has already been won.
======================================================

No. It has just begun.

Yeah yeah yeah... you know, you're sounding like a FANBOY...

So please explain to me how the battle has been won?

The battle never ends. Company's constantly improve. You're assuming other brands are sleeping. They're not. Sure, Lexus won't sleep either, but Lexus still has a lot to improve on before you can say the battle has been won.

And elsewhere, outside of the US, where prestige matters, Lexus will have a tough time.

Japan is another matter. Prestige matters there, but I assume the positive sales of the new LS are also a matter of national pride.

"No. It has already been won. Lexus is #1 in North America, is exceeding expectations in Japan with the new flagship, is steadily rising in popularity in Europe, and so on, and so on. Lexus will win the war soon enough"

so.. has it been won or not.. :) stop refuting with yourself

Will-- YOU ARE A RAVING LUNATIC.

BMW530i just posted one of the most logical comments ever!

The war is far from over. Like he said, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and especially Audi, are moving forward as fast as Lexus, if not faster. "Luxury" and "reliability" don't make a brand, especially when all the other brands have the "luxury" and the "reliability" is a non-issue if you maintain you car well.

Will, sorry for losing my temper... just cool it a little, will you?

All these brands are better than any of us can comprehend.

S4cabriofox-
Get your nose out of BMW530i's butt, you brown nosing weasle. You're sucking up to him by saying how great his comments are. At least his comments have truth behind them that have been well argued. You just post garbage to make BMW530i like you more.

Umm... okay?

You're quite defensive. That was a weird comment.

No, that has nothing to do with anything. I said "when you maintain your car well." This means a lot more than you think.

Most of the time, the Mercedes cars you see broken down on highways were driven by people with no respect for them. I am among the minority that maintains their cars with meticulous attention to detail. I make sure the interior is spotless (which is tough, because my seats are white), I'm going to get new rims next year because my current ones are scratched, and I'm very careful not to cause problems. This doesn't keep me from driving agressively, but because I've maintained my Audi models so well, they've been next to problem-free. Like I said, it's a non-issue for me. But it's not for my wife- I'm weary of her getting a Mercedes because she's not quite the perfect driver that I am.

will

Lexus is NOT # 1 in North America ... If you consider their Suv sales into the equation, then you are correct. If you consider just their car sales, then you are way off. BMW is #1 and has been for the past 5 years.......

As interiors go, the look of the LS 460's cabin is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. But that's a good thing, because that means Lexus has taken an already pleasing design and made it better.
==============================================

This is the one aspect I don't agree about and it's a PERSONAL OPINION.

The interior design doesn't look good to me. It's too busy for my tastes and doesn't match the elgance of the cars exterior.

Just my opinion. Whoops, looks like I just insulted Lexus and will get negative points woooohooo....

*Rolleyes*

I think the LS interior is just like a Honda Accord, but with more bells and whistles.

Yay! -2 already!

Please keep the negative boosts coming Lexus fanboys. I so "insulted" Lexus with my above comment!

-4! I love Lexus fanboys, I really do! Keep them coming!

This is my personal opinion: the S-Class' interior design is far more complex and busy than the LS. I think that Lexus did a good job at categorizing all of the features to make the dashboard less clustered. Mercedes may have done that too, but it is still too much for me.

"This is my personal opinion: the S-Class' interior design is far more complex and busy than the LS."

Nice try. The LS probably has 30 more buttons on the dash. The S-Class has a very simple interior design- by you saying that, I presume you've never sat in one. It's simple and elegant. The COMAND takes up most of the controls. I actually see it in the opposite way; the LS's interior design is a bit boring like they stopped trying, and it has too many buttons.

The negative boosts will keep coming at ya BMW530i!

If you don't care for Lexus that is great! But when you keep harping on it, the impression us readers get is that you feel threatened by Lexus.

I'd love to give some advice to Mr. EL34, but he isn't smart enough to realize how stupid his postings are.

Where did I slam Lexus?

I said "I THINK the interior isn't beautiful". That's a personal opinion. And before you say it, I think the 7-series interior is hideous too.

Autospies is full of fanboys who at the slightest negative comment go nuts...

Huh?

I got nuts when I hear something positive about Lexus? Where? Please point it out to me. *Rolleyes*

My interior comment wasn't a slam. I merely said that I don't find the LS interior attractive. That's all. I never bashed the materials used etc. What I think about the cars interior is my opinion.

If some Lexus fanboy has a problem with that, he can give me all the negative boosts he wants. It remains my opinion.

See what?

I'm wasting my breath here. The LS interior is ugly. That's MY OPINION and nothing will change that. On the outside, the LS is a beautiful elegant car, but the interior doesn't do it justice. MY OPINION. Just because you don't agree with it means nothing. It's MY OPINION.

You want to hear another opinion?

You want beautiful interiors in this class? Look at the Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ.

See?

BMW530i, you are correct. I apologize. -Will
===========================================

^How kid of you!^ :p

kid = kind

You know I am just playing, Will, don't you? ;)

This is fun. Too bad there is no post count function on this site...

"On the outside, the LS is a beautiful elegant car".


WHAT!!!???
See, that is one quality that is good about you. You will admit that the LS is good looking. I'll admit this, I like the BMW 5-series. I still wouldn't buy one though but I like their looks.

hot car, but it looks like a 7 series copy, which is a good thing the old LS has grandpa type styling.

I've been reading Autospies for months now and it is clear to me that these boards are nothing more than a hangout for trolls, fanboys and people who generally think they know something about cars but don't.

These constant debates about who makes the better luxury car are going nowhere. Everyone here with a favorite brand will defend it to death: it's called being a "fanboy".

As for me, I have no favorite luxury brand. I buy what I like. Currently, I drive a Mercedes C230 (the V6 model) and I am completely satisfied with this car. The vehicle has lived up to its expectations and I've had no reliability problems whatsoever. Prior to this, I had an AWD Audi A4 1.8T which I loved. I only got rid of it after an accident. I've not owned a Lexus but I have driven some of them, so if you want my non-biased opinion, you let me know. Oh, and before some of the immature members attack me with "Ha! Couldn't afford the C55 AMG..." (I've seen to many remarks like these on these boards) statements, I found the C230 to handle better than the C350 and C55 AMG. Also, I wanted a manual transmission.


Now, some observations about some posters here:

Will: I generally like you but often you also post a lot of trash and are very biased towards Lexus. You also claimed for example (in this thread) that the "battle is won". I agree with your arch-enemy BMW 530i here: the battle is never ending. Car companies are out to make money and in order to obtain this money, they need to compete against several competitors out there. Competition is good. That's all I can say. So Will, my advice to you is to lose some of your bias and be a little humble sometimes.

EL34: You're generally good for a laugh with your posts, but you can't be taken seriously.

S4Cabriofox: I like this member, a lot. Intelligent posts, not too biased (I know he likes Audi, but he at least shows RESPECT and ADMIRATION for other brands) and generally a down to earth guy. His posts always convey a feeling of truthfulness and EXPERIENCE. This means that he gives the impression of having driven the car in question which then allows him to make comments based on the experience.

Kart1: Toyota fan, but objective most of the time. Also willing to swallow some pride and give credit where credit is due. Keep it up.

BMW 530i: Generally objective (generally), but tends to lose his temper real quick. Like S4Cabriofox, he shows a certain amount of respect and admiration towards other brands. I've seen him even defend Lexus on some occasions. Also (unusual for a BMW fan), he is not afraid to criticize his favorite brand in some areas. However, BMW 530i, you seem to be a bit angry lately. Is it because of the "fanboys"?

MDalle: Obviously a European car fan, but again, he gives credit where credit is due. MDalle, I assume you're in Europe since your wife drives a an E400 CDI?

Ricemaster: An obvious troll. Nothing intelligent to say. This member is best ignored.

Lexus IS350: A bit of a myst

Whatchu talkin bout Willis?

"S4Cabriofox: I like this member, a lot. Intelligent posts, not too biased (I know he likes Audi, but he at least shows RESPECT and ADMIRATION for other brands) and generally a down to earth guy. His posts always convey a feeling of truthfulness and EXPERIENCE. This means that he gives the impression of having driven the car in question which then allows him to make comments based on the experience. "

Thank you so much for the compliment! People seem to agree with me here... I can't imagine why?

:-D

A bit of a myst? Well, at least I'm not flakey like some people (you).

And by the way, who gives you the right to post crap about us. That is our opinions or else we are sharing facts. At least some of us don't spy on others to write garbage about them.

lexusis350, you've done it to yourself. You post pretty trashy comments if someone doesn't like Lexus.

I post trashy comments? You post false information to try to prove people wrong.

Welcome to Autospies, Willis. Wait, you've been reading this site for months now, so a welcome isn't necessary. But I'll welcome you anyway. Welcome. ;)

I think your post was excellent. Watch out, your member comments will have unleashed a flame war - knowing Autospies.

The current M3 and new 3 Series coupe are beautiful. Those are the cars I give most credit to BMW for, but the only cars I truly hate in their lineup are the Z4 and X3. Who needs an X3? The 3 Series wagon is better-looking, lighter, faster, better-built, cheaper, more practical, the list goes on...

Here are my favorite cars from the more prominent luxury brands...

Audi: RS4, S8 and S4 Cabriolet tie

BMW: 335i coupe and M5 tie

Infiniti: M45 Sport and '06 G35 coupe

Jaguar: XJR and XKR models

Lexus: IS350 and LX470

Mercedes-Benz: S-Class, SL-Class, CL-Class tie

Porsche: 911 Turbo

Lexus LS460 = Cadillac DTS

Yep.

Cadillac DTS=waste of money

Lexus LS460=unparalleled luxury

EL34=not to be taken seriously

EL34 = What the red button with the down arrow was meant for.

Like Rodney King once said"Can't we all just get along"!LOL!

Lexus is great !!

Wow! What's the problem there? LOT OF DISCUSSION about a car. Will Likes LEXUS cars and why you guys have problem with that? I confirm that LEXUS is one of the best cars in the wotld and no doubt on it! It's the same for BMW, AUDI and MB and also ACURA and INFINITY!

Now if there are some of us who are traditional and doesn't like to accepte the new things or simply doesn't like LEXUS and prefere others. That's great that there are choices. Tommorow could be another new brand which comes up among the best! Should we also denie it?

As we see there even car testers love AND SOME OF THEM DISLIKE LEXUS.

I totally disagree with you that Acura is in the same league as Lexus,Mercedes,BMW,Audi and Infiniti,they don't even offer a RWD,or a V8!!

If you wanna know what it's like driving the brand new Lexus LS460 then go to your couch and sit at the end and pretend you have your hands on a steering wheel and away you go.

If you want to know what it's like being EL34, imagine yourself as monkey wearing a diaper and trying to type on a keyboard with your oversized, furry fingers.

You haven't even driven the LS460,so how in the hell can you talk bad about it!!It's like me say that next generation 7 series is going to be ugly before I even see it!!You Probably can't even afford a Lexus ,and the only way you would ever drive one is on your couch,playing Grand Turismo 4!!!

BMW 530 how the hell can u say the LS's interior is nice, i know they're opinions but i don't think anyone has such bad taste, it's exactly as if someone is saying that the 7 series's interior is nice

I meant ISNT nice

when i was talkin about the LS

EL34 as IS350 said u are= not to be taken seriousely=not to be considered

"EL34 as IS350 said u are= not to be taken seriousely=not to be considered"

You spelled "seriously" wrong. Oh, the irony!

Will, your new Lexus LS looks like they copied the 7 series any comment??

The 7 isn't what I'd call a mess, but its fifteen minutes of fame were over when the A8 and S-Class came out. The LS will just make the pain for BMW greater. And when they try to beat everybody with the new 7 Series, Audi will come out a year later with an even better A8 and then Mercedes will come out with a world-beating S-Class, and Lexus will come out with a more refined and luxurious LS (hopefully with more exciting styling), and the cycle goes on.

And when BMW redesign the 5 Series they have have to make sure it doesn't look like a current LS460.

That's one of the reasons I don't like Lexus.

Boooooooooooooooooo

Wilco, Subaru copied what BMW were working on.

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

I just picked up my white starfire LS460L and I love it. I feel like I get a lot more car than a S550 and it's extremely well built. I love the understated exterior styling. The interior just screams luxury. The center console compartment, the way it opens and feels is just amazing. Drives really good too. I was in a debate whether to choose the LS or the S550, but in the end I didn't like the way the S550 looked, it basically looked very gappy to me. The body of the car just doesn't look well put together. It drives really good too, but I just didn't feel the same quality as I got from sitting inside the LS460L.

Also the turning radius of the S550 was horrible compared to the LS460L. I took every option possible except the executive seating package, which has to be special ordered and I maxed out at 80,922 compared to the base price of a S550 of 86,000.

The current BMW 7 Series is a masterpiece, a work of art ana a beautiful car and I work across the street from a BMW dealer and I see them everyday.

The new Lexus LS460 looks like a light weight contender wannabe with fishy styling because it looks like a slick fish.

I'm sorry, fishy styling? Do you really work across a BMW dealership? I mean, have you seen the styling of the 5 and 7 series? If that's not fishy I don't know what is..especially on the 5 series.

SSP350, I work across the street from Irvine BMW.

Mostly I work from home.

http://www.irvinebmw.net/

Wow EL34! With that comment, I am not sure if you would best be served by an ophthalmologist or a mental health professional.

Ah hell, go see both for good measure.

I think of Lexus cars as being made of tinfoil.

And German cars are built like tanks.

Yeah, German cars are built like tanks. Strong on the outside and weak and unintuitive on the inside.
Weak like your dumbass posts. We should all just ignore you.

The first thing I noticed about the new LS 460 is the styling. Gone is the conservative and unremarkable shape of earlier LS models. Lexus new design philosophy, dubbed "L-Finesse", gives the LS 460 a sleek, modern and somewhat menacing look. Unfortunately, it also appears to take a few pages from the BMW design book. That may not be a bad thing from Lexus point of view, but to me the design comes across as an attempt to mimic the lines of the BMW 7-series rather than a bold clean-sheet redesign.

Nits aside, it’s abundantly clear that the LS 460 is one mightily impressive luxury sedan, especially in the extended wheelbase LS 460L variant. Lexus has a well-earned reputation for outstanding reliability and the relentless improvement of their products. Lexus has come a long way indeed. I’m sure that the executives at BMW, Mercedes and Audi will have some sleepless nights ahead.