Please Talk to me about this new 2007 Lexus LS

Money$hot! · Star Player Joined: 18 Dec 2002 Posts: 5911

^^^ Sorry didn't mean to be so rough.

Anyhoo, let's talk alternatives in the same price range. 3 categories I see... Convertibles, Coupes, and Sport Sedans. I'll quote new price MSRP on the top models in each linuep, but who ever really pays or buys that. I'm only going to list convertibles because listing the rest would take too much time.

Convertibles
'07 Mazda Miata - $27k
'07 Pontiac Solstice - $27k
'07 Saturn Sky - $29k
'07 Honda S2000 - $34k
'06 Chrysler Crossfire - $39k
'07 Volvo C-70 - $39k
'06 Nissan 350z - $41k
'06 Saab 9-3 - $42k
'06 Lotus Elise - $43k
'07 Chevy GT500 Mustang $45k
'08 Audi TT SE AWD - $51k (available soon)
'06 BMW Z4 M - $52k
'07 Chevy Corvette - $52k
'06 Porsche Boxster S - $55k
'06 BMW M3 - $57k
'07 Audi S4 - $57k
'06 MBenz SLK55 AMG $61k
'07 SC430 - $65k
'06 Jaguar XK - $75k
'07 Cadillac XLR - $77k
'06 BMW 6 - $78k
'07 Porsche 911 - $82k
'06 CLK 55 AMG - $82k
'06 Dodge Viper - $87k

Now once we get into the $80,000.00 range we're talking about cars that outclass the SC by a mile. Even though you stated that to reach an SC's value a person would have to spend over $100k. You're never going to fool anyone who knows jack about cars that the SC is worth over $80k.

999 · Franchise Player Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 20267

Money$hot! · Star Player Joined: 18 Dec 2002 Posts: 5911

shnjb · Franchise Player Joined: 08 Oct 2002 Posts: 13320

SC may be the best Japanese LUXURY hardtop convertible, but I think in terms of best value, the Mazda Miata hardtop convertible is a much purer car that probably delivers more excitement anyway.

By the way, stop getting so bent over the whole sporty vs. badass thing.

Calling the SC430 sporty is more close than calling it badass.
Who seriously thinks SC430 to be a "badass?"

What's so badass about it?
The rotund and outdated looks?
The terrible handling?
The fact that it's a hardtop convertible? (that could've been true when it first came out, but now we can find hardtop convertibles in many sectors- BMW 3 series, Mazda, SL, SLK, etc)
The lackluster acceleration?

Or perhaps you're talking about "refinements" which I agree- they're nice, but certainly not "badass."

shnjb · Franchise Player Joined: 08 Oct 2002 Posts: 13320

But then again, since you've decided to get it, congratulations.
I do think it's a nice car; it's just not my best choice at that price range.

If you do get it though, I've seen one in very dark and metallic purple (probably a custom paint job) and it looked absolutely gorgeous.

Mike@LG · Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 4:16 pm Post subject:

999 · Franchise Player Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 20267

j-dawg · Franchise Player Joined: 12 Apr 2001 Posts: 12177

The SC is a nice car is you take it for what it is.

The engine is great, should last you for over 200k miles if you maintain it, which I don't know if you could say about the other listed cars. It is an updated version of the old 1uzfe engine, which Lexus has used since 1990 for their V8's. A lot of early 90's Lexus LS and SC's have well over 200k miles on it, even over 300k in some cases. It is a hardtop convertable. but is still the least problematic car in America according to Consumers Reports. It should have reliable electronics compared to other cars.

Heck, with a lot of the posts you see, you probably would think Lexus makes the slowest cars on the road. It doesn't have 500 horsepower, but it does have more horsepower than 80% of cars in the real world today. You should have have more than enough power to pass vehicles. Despite the talk about poor handling, it still does handle better than most cars on the road as well. I like to talk about power and performance too. When I was in college, I probably wouldn't think about owning a Lexus either, but when it comes to my money(when I finally had it), I'd stick with Lexus knowing that the quality is as good as any car within that segment and knowing full well that these cars are built to last a long time. I actually see myself as a smart consumer for making that choice.

I think the styling is why a lot of people don't like it. However, I still think that if Lexus had a 500 HP version of this car with upgraded brakes and a lowered and more sport tuned suspension, this topic wouldn't be 3 pages long. The LF-A and IS 500 can't come soon enough.

Lexus has lead the mass production luxury market in America in quality and value since it's been here. Their cars are getting better. Their cars are as driver oriented as they've ever been, and only improving. If you enjoy the finest quality from the material of your dashboard to your paintjob for less than the Germans and topping that off with better long term reliability, you will like Lexus. Just because you know cars doesn't mean you're all out after performance.

Edit: and one more thing, if you're getting this car as a daily driving car, I'd strongly suggest the Lexus as well. The ride is smooth and comfortable. Nothing like coming home from work in comfort 8)

999 · Franchise Player Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 20267

Mike@LG · Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:34 pm Post subject:

If the spy shots of the "Supra" actually resemble the shapes from the Nurburgring tests...

I'll be saving up for a long time...
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999 · Franchise Player Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 20267

j-dawg · Franchise Player Joined: 12 Apr 2001 Posts: 12177

It's a shame how Toyota killed off the Supra for the US market. I believe the last Supra in the US was in 1998, or about 4 years before the namesake was finally dropped for good.

Toyota should at least bring out a 350z or Rx8 competitor. I do think that if Toyota does another $40-50k+ sports car, it would probably wear the Lexus badge, at least in the states. Looking at those spy shorts at Nurburgring, I do think it's the LF-A.

The Supra was ahead of it's time. If it had been around during the Fast and The Furious boom of the early 2000's, I think it might have survived, despite it's fairly hefty price tag. Although Toyota is focusing on family cars, they should take a look at how successful their Scion brand has been. That should tell them that there is a market for a sports car, Supra name or not. I'm not talking about a Tc or a Celica here. And it should at the minimum share the 3.5 300+ HP engine of the IS and GS, with the option for a larger engine. The 350z has been successful as well.

Mike@LG · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:31 pm Post subject:

It shouldn't be THAT difficult to make a Supra if Toyota wanted to.

Just share the drivetrain of the IS350 and possibly create a new tranny or two, sequential and stick geared differently.
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shnjb · Franchise Player Joined: 08 Oct 2002 Posts: 13320

Toyota just don't do sports cars like they used to anymore... and yet they're involved in F1?

They should really make a true sports car... not one that's necessarily too expensive.

Mike@LG · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:44 pm Post subject:

Well, let's face it, they suck at F1. All that money spent... and they were just an average car at best. Poorest value for money out there.

I just wish they'd bring back the MR2. That car is arguably my fav all-rounder. Reliable. Light. Adequate power. Gas. MidEngine, Rear Drive. MKIIs are still damn good looking until now.
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999 · Franchise Player Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 20267

999 · Franchise Player Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 20267

mike...

as soon as the solara hits the toilet expect a wicked redesign by 09-10 that will boast probabally the same 350 engine in the IS and it will come 2 doors 2+2 electronic rectractable t-top ..... i garundamtee iit