Lexus: Lovliness and Elegance

[JohnBM01]

For the uninitiated, Lexus is to Toyota as Acura is to Honda. Lexus is Toyota's luxury division in much the same way as Acura is a luxury division of Honda. And over the past few months and years, I've grown fond of Lexuses in much the same way I've grown fond of Mercedes-Benz. While Lexus cars may not carry stickers as high as most Mercedes, they do offer elegance and style. Whether your favorite is the Lexus IS300 (Toyota Altezza in Japan), or even the SC430 (Toyota Soarer in Japan), this thread is all about Lexus.

Saying that I am an artist, most of my personal art consisted of city life, nighttime, auto racing, and women. So it is no wonder that I consider a Lexus as a beautiful woman going down the road. In Greek Mythology, there were these creatures known as the Siren. Siren were half-eagle, half-woman who sang a very sweet song. As sailors were going by over the waters, the song was so sweet that the sailors would be very disctracted and perhaps hit a rock in the water to their watery death. A Lexus, however, is a siren that won't kill you (unless you drive like an idiot). Much like the lovely woman on the ugly Buicks, a Lexus carries elegant looks, sweet aerodynamics, even potent engines to match. I even consider the tuner-happy IS300 to be lovely, even though almost every tuner wants Altezza-style taillights on their machine. Even before the modding is done on most of them, the IS300 is a very capable machine. It has great handling for the track and can double as an afforable machine if you can't shell out the cash for a BMW.

Let your Lexus talk come to this thread, GTPlanet!

 

[Goomba]

Oh, I get to be the first to say this.

Lexus' are ghey, especially IS300s owned by people named Rob.

 

[boombexus]

Agreed. Beautiful machines indeed. From the sporty IS300 to the refined LS400 Lexus has put together some very nice cars indeed.
Of course the IS is my favorite, I also love the looks of the new LS, RX 330 (in silver), the GS series and the old SC's.
But the thing I like most about driving a Lexus is the customer service that comes with it. At every turn I've had excellent service, and if not, the problem has been resolved well beyond what I would have deemed satisfactory.
Lexus service is even willing to do warranty work on your vehicle that has aftermarket parts installed on the car. Uncommon to find in the market these days. Subaru, listen up.

But as far as Lexus looks go, I'm a huge fan of the IS300. It's the only car that I have ever actually lusted after. The IS just set something off inside me that made me had to buy one. No other car has stirred such emotion in me. Porsche, Ferrari are all nice cars to look at, but none of them have evoked such emotion in me as the IS300 has.

Now the IS3 is a far cry from the LS both in price and luxury appointments, but the IS3's fit and finish is top notch and mechanically, it's very solid. I never feel out of place when pulling up to a nice hotel or fine dinning establishment in my IS. It has aggresive looks as well as a bit of elegance.

As tuner cars, I've seen some pretty nice Lexus. This is why I like them so much as even with modifications, most owners tend to keep the elegant but aggresive looks of thier machines. I've never seen a Lex with a gawdy green paint scheme with orange flames on the sides. But I'm sure there may be a few of those out there too.
Lexus does make some great cars to tune, but you usually need deep pockets to do it.

 

[boombexus]

Oh, I get to be the first to say this.

Lexus' are ghey, especially IS300s owned by people named Rob.

I had a feeling you'd be posting in here, that's why I added that slight jab towards Subaru.

 

[Race Idiot]

My Parent's used to own an IS200, which in Europe was cheaper and better equiped than a 318i. It also handled better than the 318i and had a nicer interior. IS300's are very rare here, i've seen more Altezza RS200's than IS300's. The only thing is the IS200's engine was very revvy and it lacked Torque, although it's still a very fun car to drive it got replaced by a crappy C Class merc. Eventually I want to own either an IS300, or an RS200.

 

[Flerbizky]

I've never seen a Lex with a gawdy green paint scheme with orange flames on the sides.

And I just bet that you're lusting after one of those yerself

*snickering*

 

[Jordan]

My family has owned two LS400's in the past 10 years, and they have been nothing short of perfect cars. Not one problem, not one rattle, nothing, in all those years. Customer service, as boom said above, always far exceeded our expectations. But, would I buy one with my own money? Probably not, other than the IS300. I feel the IS is really the only car in the Lexus line-up that has real character. The LS, GS, and ES, etc. are all wonderful, practical luxury cars, yet they just seem so, so bland to me. They just look plain, stale, and dry. They don't stir any emotion in me like a Mercedes or BMW does. Perhaps it's just because we've owned one for so long, I'm used to them.

Like I said, though, the IS looks completely different to me, like a car from a different brand. Just look at it - it has flair, style, sportiness, and sophistication all at the same time. You just can't say that about their other models, in my opinion. And it's not just because they are luxury sedans - S-classes, 5 and 7 series, and S-types all have a striking and distinct character. Maybe it's just me.

 

[Carl.]

I've always been impressed with the quality and luxurious feel you have when seating in a Lexus. In this aspect they set the bar at a level I haven't seen yet in any other Japanese, or American luxury brand. and the interior of a Q45 or a RL doesn't give you this feeling as much as a LS. But as a driver, I agree that the only Lexus that would be appealing to me would be an IS300.

 

[AP1]

I love the IS300!! Give me one in silver!! Heh, I even own a IS300 in GT3. I also love the GS430 in black with the trunk spoiler.

 

[McLaren'sAngel]

Hiya!

I really like Lexus! Lexus is really awesome to me because they are like luxury cars at a more affortable price range. I really like the Lexus SC 430! It's hard top convertable! I always luv convertables! Especially hard tops, but I dont really like those folding cloth like convertables if you know what I mean. hmmm... I dont car much about Lexus's performance, but I really luv to have one for its luxuryness at a more affortable price than BMW or Mercedez. Comfortablility is what turns me on into luving the car

I would like to sit in the Lexus SC 430 with the hardtop down and let the wind blow against my hair. And then my long black hair with brownish streaks would just wave into the air that rushes against it!

 

[1X83Z]

I think they're all overpriced for what they offer. The ES330 (Toyota Camry) has a long list of standard equipment for just $31700, but it has little power and, unlike other front-drive competitors (Saab 9-5, Acura TL, Nissan Altima 3.5SL) it provides almost no driving excitement, doing 0-60 a full two seconds slower than the TL. Consequently, the ES330's appeal is limited to conservative, wealthy old people. The GS300 and GS430 are decent cars, but Lexus prices them to rival the Audi A6, BMW 5-series, and Mercedes E-class (and the Infiniti M45 and Chrysler 300C, the class leaders) - not a problem, except when your design is as old as the GS's. Fortunately a new one comes soon.

The GX470 (Toyota 4Runner) is nice, but underpowered and, at $45400, also a little overpriced. That said, it's one of the only premium SUVs (and the only imported one) that offers as much cargo space as it does for the price point, and its engine is built for towing, unlike any other imported SUVs near its price. The IS, LS and SC all have the same problem, which is not enough power for the price, though both come up with decent standard features, and the LX is trash because the Toyota Land Cruiser, its twin, is just as luxurious.

My main problem is with the Lexus RX330 (Toyota Highlander). For $35300, this car comes standard with practically nothing - cloth seats, two-wheel drive, no roof rack, no seat memory, no heated seats. Everything at this price has leather and AWD standard except Lexus, and perhaps a few others, all of whom offer it much more cheaply than Lexus, who charges $1400 for all-wheel drive and $2145 for leather.

Used Lexuses are, in some cases, a different story. I think a used LS400, particularly one made since 1999, is probably the best deal in that segment of the used car market (the 'expensive' segment. ), and a used RX300 is a viable alternative to a Mazda Tribute ES, Ford Escape Limited, or even a Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer or Toyota Highlander Limited.

 

[battle_stage]

It's the Luxury/Sport branch, not just luxury.

 

[JohnBM01]

Nice points yet again, M5Power.

So based on your reactions, a lot of you like the IS300/Altezza. I'm not a real driver in real life, so it's no surprise I'll say that the Altezza is quite a great-handling car, especially when taken to the track. So would you all say that the IS300 is a nice diversion from the luxury vehicles of most Lexuses? Would you say that the IS300 is a luxury sportscar among the available makes?

I'm surprised no one talked about the lovely SC430. When I see one of these in or around Houston, I'm glued to it. But while being at the Houston Auto Show earlier this year, I was shocked to find out this car (that I thought was maybe $40K at least) sold for more than $60K! Crimewave it was! In the future, I'll find my little booklet on Lexus and talk more in detail about some of the ones I like.

Meanwhile, keep the talk going.

 

[ND4SPD]

I'm a huge fan of the GS430, they may be big but they are full of power. The SC430 is quite a nice ride but it looks too bubbly to me. The IS300's are very nice attractive and edgy, and they do have some performance to back up all the looks.

 

[1X83Z]

So would you all say that the IS300 is a nice diversion from the luxury vehicles of most Lexuses? Would you say that the IS300 is a luxury sportscar among the available makes?

[/b]

It pretty much takes the class low on available power, though. And the brand name isn't quite there. It's certainly a decent secret of the auto industry - I've found that new buyers to the segment don't even know it exists.

I'm surprised no one talked about the lovely SC430.

Rich old posers and over-40-year-old women drive SC430s.

 

[240Z]

[/b]

It pretty much takes the class low on available power, though. And the brand name isn't quite there. It's certainly a decent secret of the auto industry - I've found that new buyers to the segment don't even know it exists.



Rich old posers and over-40-year-old women drive SC430s.

I'll agree with one of your broad generalizations here- That's the only people I've seen driving them as well.

 

[Goomba]

Blah, blah, blah... blah, blah... blah.

Lexus service is even willing to do warranty work on your vehicle that has aftermarket parts installed on the car. Uncommon to find in the market these days. Subuaru won't do this though, but its okay, because they're faster than my car anyway, so they don't really need modifications.

Blah, blah, blah, blah.... blah, blah, blah.... blah.

I'm sure you just made a typo Rob. I corrected it for you. ^

*runs far, far, far away*

 

[87chevy]

I'm an Altezza/IS300 fan. Those are the hottest looking sedans off the showroom floor. Now, the SC430 is just sooooo sexy I'm like John when i see one i can't stop looking at it. I would LOVE to be able to take one of those for a spin. To bad Lexus doesn't make a luxed-out suped up Celica. Oh, and I don't understand how Lexus just rebadges the Land Cruiser and sells it for a higher price And i think it's a shame you can't get the other LandCruiser models in america, ie the deisel powered pick-ups

 

[animateria]

I think Lexus has great cars...... But.......

I was wondering why Toyota needed a Luxury brand with rebadged cars? (Same goes with those other brands). Was it because nobody thinks Toyota as a Luxury brand? (I guess thats the reason since many people are surprised when I tell them that Lexus is a branch of Toyota... People really are ignorant sometimes)

And about that Celica.. I think I seen a old rebadged Lexus celica(Don't remember the name though)... I was the typical green paint with gold badging......

 

[1X83Z]

And i think it's a shame you can't get the other LandCruiser models in america, ie the deisel powered pick-ups

Diesel-powered pickups? What?

I think I seen a old rebadged Lexus celica(Don't remember the name though)... I was the typical green paint with gold badging......

Ah - no you haven't. Lexus's only coupe was rear-drive, looked quite different from the Celica, and shared nothing with the Celica. It was made between 1992 and 2001 and was known as the SC300 and SC400, depending on the engine.

 

[ShobThaBob]

What are your OPINIONS on the SC300/400 M5?

 

[1X83Z]

What are your OPINIONS on the SC300/400 M5?

Well, SHOBTHABOB, I think it's nice, ESPECIALLY in V8 trim (even though POWER gain was rather minimal, acceleration was GREATLY IMPROVED), though like many USED Toyotas, they sell for SLIGHTLY HIGHER prices than other CLASS COMPETITORS.

Trivia: It was the first Japanese car with a manu-matic transmission, which debuted on the 1998 model and entirely replaced manual transmissions on the SC line. Oddly the manu-matic transmission was one of very few automotive advances pioneered by the Americans in the mid-1990s: AutoStick was first used on Chrysler products in 1996 (Dodge Intrepid and Stratus V6; Eagle Vision), beating Audi and Lexus to the market, both of whom debuted their own versions of the system in 1998 (though Porsche actually debuted Tiptronic in 1996, though "affordable" is the keyword here). Though pioneered by Chrysler in 1996, (and strangely never actually used in a Chrysler until the 1999 300M) manu-matic transmissions have never seen huge use in American cars - aside Chrysler, Ford uses the transmission on just one vehicle (the Thunderbird, where it's optional) and General Motors ties that, using their system, TAPShift, only in the Grand Prix GTP - where it's also optional. That's more trivia than you could've ever wished. 👍

 

[JohnBM01]

One person asked about why there are such companies like Lexus from Toyota. Well let me ask you this. Toyota is the main company. A branch of Toyota is Lexus. The most recent branch of Toyota is Michelle Branch... what? How the heck that get in here? Anyhow, the latest (for real) is Scion. To me, car companies do that so that car companies don't have to multitask. You know, one car company doing cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, go-karts... So when you want to have distinction in brands and cars, you make branches that deal with seperate specialties. So let's do this, then.

Toyota is the main company. Lexus is a branch of Toyota that deals with luxury machines. Scion is a branch of Toyota that deals with trendy, youth-oriented automobiles. I think another reason why companies do this is so that car companies won't have overall sales of some type of car. You have car companies focus on certain categories of car or truck. I mean, that's what I think. Comment at will. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some Pac-Man to do.

 

[1X83Z]

It's for status. Why buy a Toyota when you could have a BMW? But suddenly there's "Lexus" and that changes everything.

 

[Dave A]

All you need to know about Lexus's or would it be Lexi (as Alan Partridge concluded) is that they consistentley win the JD power consumer survey for customer satisfaction. It's the publics verdict on their own cars what they are and arn't happy with and theres always a few Lexi in the top 10 and usually one in the number 1 spot.

 

[JohnBM01]

I've seen a little Grand-Am Cup on Speed Channel, and I seen one of the Lexus race cars. I think one of them got into trouble along the way. One of my posters in my room features a Team Lexus race car from Grand-Am Cup. The reason why I didn't see much else was that ALMS was on, and I missed about 30 minutes of it. Sorry, GARRA... just like Kevin Garnett, ALMS is the big ticket in American sportscar racing.

I don't think a lot of people want to associate Lexus with racing, but I think that with engineering and practice, the SC430 would make a nice machine to do a little racing with. If not Speed GT, then surely Grand-Am. I'm not sure if i have the right machine mentioned, but the GS330 has some wonderful-looking lights. Wide enough and long enough without being ugly. The headlights aren't a problem like the latest Solara's taillights are. Trying to challenge the 350Z in longest taillights, seem like.

So to you all, when you see a Lexus down the road, do you get hooked to its looks? Do you think it's elegant, even from a distance? As an art person, when I see a Lexus down the road, I imagine it being something lovely and luxurious. Almost as if anyone would want one. It's like chocolate candy sometimes. Every time you eat up some candy, you kind of become hooked and want to eat more until your stomach can say "no more." Same with a Lexus. And with Lexus to make a debut in Japan, I hope our tomodachi (friends) in Japan like Lexus as much as some of us do. Only question, though. What will they think when they see an Americanized version of Toyotas, rebadged and sold to Japan? So many questions, so little time. Toodles! Drive safe.

 

[Omnis]

i hate that roachmobile ES.

bleh it is so damn ugly. camry has it pwned so bad.

.........was that a haiku?

 

[JohnBM01]

No. Haiku is more like:

First line, 5 syllables
Second line, 7 syllables
Third Line 5 syllables

Sorry!

 

[slackbladder]

Hmm...perhaps someone here can help me!
My brother recently acquired a 2.5 Twin Turbo Toyota (Lexus) Soarer and would like to know what's the best oil for the car!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[McLaren]

Not to mention, though, some Lexus' models here like the GS300, RX300, and another one are not available here in the US in Toyota form.

The Aristo, Harrier, and the other are Toyota versions sold only in Japan.

BTW, what's the difference between the Honda NSX and Acura NSX?

Is it just that Honda has a bunch of different versions (Type-R,Type-S Zero) and Acura just has one?

BTW, the Honda NSX Type-S Zero is the finest Japan machine in MY books. 👍