how do lexus cars really compare to european cars?

[slyfox]

i'm thinking of getting one. but people say it's just like buying a glorified camry. the pricing and the features of lexus cars are pretty great tho. especially when compared to their european counterparts. but is it really worth spending that much more for a japanese car? or do the europeans still rule when it comes to prestige and driving dynamics? thanks in advance for your replies

[jhnkvn]

i'm thinking of getting one. but people say it's just like buying a glorified camry. the pricing and the features of lexus cars are pretty great tho. especially when compared to their european counterparts. but is it really worth spending that much more for a japanese car? or do the europeans still rule when it comes to prestige and driving dynamics? thanks in advance for your replies

Driving Dynamics?

Prestige? Well, the uninformed ones are all "oohh... BMW.. ohh Mercedes..", for the informed, it's "oohh, LX570..."

Personally, I view it on par with German brands in terms of refinement. Although if it's flagships, I'll still pick the venerable S-class over the LS. I've been in driven in both cars and there's really something about the S-class that's simply magic ;)

For premium compacts, 3-series ako.
For premium executive sedans, E-class or the GS (been in one and I'll say, the added refinement of the generational change is simply wow)
For the big boss, S-Class bar none.
For the vroom vroom, Liberty Walk's RocketBunny M3.
For the balls-nuts-horsies, C63
For the grand tourer, 6-series.

Of course, if you're looking for prestige and driving dynamics and can afford 7M, it's "hello porsche" time!

[speed_kills]

With prestige, I agree with jhnkvn. People who think of "glorified Camrys" are probably those who don't know much about cars. I take being associated with Toyota as an assurance of quality and don't mind buying a Lexus second hand.

In terms of driving dynamics, I think the latest generation Lexus cars have done very well and you can see many positive reviews on the new GS and IS.

There are many really nice European cars but they really do break down faster compared to Japanese cars and price difference is just too big to ignore nowadays.

For example, with the new IS350 F-Sport at 3M pesos, you can only get a base BMW or Mercedes with much less performance and luxury amenities

[niky]

Well, the ES350 is basically a Camry. One with a longer wheelbase and a (much) nicer interior. Just as the Hyundai Azera is a bigger, more luxurious Sonata.

The LS has always been a great car. In terms of driving dynamics... who cares about driving dynamics in a limousine? All the focus on "driving dynamics" does is make cars less comfortable on the road.

But in terms of dynamics, the IS is now the match of the 3-series in almost every way, and is cheaper. Don't know about the GS, yet. There's still something about German cars... well... some of them... but when you're paying that much less for something that is already pretty nice... and pretty reliable... who cares about the extra snob appeal?

[imperialv]

Well, the ES350 is basically a Camry. One with a longer wheelbase and a (much) nicer interior. Just as the Hyundai Azera is a bigger, more luxurious Sonata.

The LS has always been a great car. In terms of driving dynamics... who cares about driving dynamics in a limousine? All the focus on "driving dynamics" does is make cars less comfortable on the road.

But in terms of dynamics, the IS is now the match of the 3-series in almost every way, and is cheaper. Don't know about the GS, yet. There's still something about German cars... well... some of them... but when you're paying that much less for something that is already pretty nice... and pretty reliable... who cares about the extra snob appeal?

The new es is based on the avalon not the camry anymore. Unless, the avalon and the camry shared the same platform.

[viper888]

Lexus are seen as the 'Japanese Mercedes" basically promoting comfort and reliability over handling and driving enjoyment. However Mercedes has moved away and have started building cars with sharp handling, albeit inferior to BMW.

BMW's most important car is the 3-Series. It's their best seller, superior to anything Merc/Lexus/Audi makes (the only reason the IS350 is better here is that it costs the same as a 318d with twice the power thanks to JPEPA).

So Basically:

Mercedes: Big cars such as the S-Class, E-Class, and the SL
BMW: Small tight handling cars such as the 1-Series, 3-Series, Z4
Lexus: Subtle luxury cars, usually chauffeur driven,
Jaguar: Not Subtle luxury cars
Audi: errrrrr.......... (It doesn't snow here)

[speed_kills]

As a complete package, I think the IS350 blows away the sport sedan competition and nothing comes close at least in our market.

But in the mid sized catelgory, the gap between GS350 and BMW/MB is less and a buyer may have other priorities over power/driving dynamics. Lexus has the ES350 to fill this space but as niky mentioned, it may lack street cred to some.

By the way, not sure how true but a friend mentioned that Lexus is planning to have factory installed navigation in their local line up by next year.

[imperialv]

As a complete package, I think the IS350 blows away the sport sedan competition and nothing comes close at least in our market.

But in the mid sized catelgory, the gap between GS350 and BMW/MB is less and a buyer may have other priorities over power/driving dynamics. Lexus has the ES350 to fill this space but as niky mentioned, it may lack street cred to some.

By the way, not sure how true but a friend mentioned that Lexus is planning to have factory installed navigation in their local line up by next year.

The IS350 has a factory installed navi.

[x_outpost]

The issue I have with Lexus is this. Their designers, engineers and management are the same people who designs, engineers and manage Toyota.
That means three things, one: they need to make Toyota look cheaper to make Lexus look more luxurious (that is why the Koreans catched up so easily because they make their cars more expensive looking), two: they need to design Toyotas uglier than Lexus (I don't think cheap should equal ugly, again, look at the Korean brands, they are priced at par with Toyota but they are designed much better than Toyotas), and three: in order to make money on Lexus, they have to share parts between the two brands (i.e. engines, platform, interior bits and even the basic body, etc).

And that brings these questions, when a Lexus car or SUV comes out on the market, how much parts is shared with their Toyota counterpart? Is that car or SUV really designed to have a Toyota badge or Lexus? When they design an interior to be used on both brands, they slap a fancy leather on the Lexus to make it more expensive looking - is that interior design for Toyota or Lexus? When they share an engine for both brands, is that engine designed to be a Toyota (which is obviously priced cheaper) or a Lexus (which is sold as a luxury brand)?


Note: no offense to Toyota or Lexus owners. I owned both in the past and I'd rather spend my money on a car engineered to be a specific brand and that is the reason why I sold my Audis since VW shares parts with VWs, Audis, Bentleys, etc. But the upside of Audi is this, they are totally separate from VW group. They have their own designers, engineers and management - they only share parts.

[imperialv]

Just sharing guys...

Our LC200 is using TMGO (toyota motor genuine oil) full synthetic cost 600.00++ per liter provided by toyota dealer.

Our 2013 ES350 is using LMGO (lexus motor genuine oil) full synthetic 1K+++.. Per liter provided by Lexus Manila.

Will it hurt if i use tmgo in our lexus.. :-) or may effect talaga ang branding sa price.

[foresterx]

i find it funny when people comment about cars they've never driven, owned or rode on. if you've only driven/owned/rode an entry level european car then how can you actually compare them? even if you we're able to drive one or rode one for an hour or a day that still isn't long enough to actually see the difference. i've driven and owned a lot of european cars and driven a lot of lexus and honestly the lexus can be compared to an entry level european car but if you compare their flagship models then i'd say they're still pretty far apart.

[frenchtower]

It's getting hot in here

[Ry_Tower]

It's getting hot in here

Nelly - Hot In Herre - YouTube

[lowslowbenz]

i'm thinking of getting one. but people say it's just like buying a glorified camry. the pricing and the features of lexus cars are pretty great tho. especially when compared to their european counterparts. but is it really worth spending that much more for a japanese car? or do the europeans still rule when it comes to prestige and driving dynamics? thanks in advance for your replies

To answer your question. Lexus does not compare to the europeans. Lexus first came into conception in the late 80's, no brand pedigree really if you compare it to Mercedes Benz, who's been around for ages. The Japanese wanted to grab a foothold on the luxury platform that the europeans are dominating, so there came out brand like Lexus, Infinity, etc.

I do not own a Lexus, because I can't afford a brand spanking new model (any old model Lexuses roaming around in Manila?). I have (or have had) numerous Benzes under my possesion though, and the build quality of each speaks volumes. Have parts .... they will run forever. That kind of quality.

[x_outpost]

Now that I have added the self-proclaimed rich kid and the other kid who is more likely related to the "rich" kid on my ignore list, I can now move and and get the discussion to a more mature and relevant manner.

Lowslowbenz, you sparked my interest since you mentioned that you've owned various Benzes.
The reason being is, Mercedes has been selling cars for ages and for the most part, their cars are known to be over-engineered and bulletproof (not literally), particularly the ones that were made in the 80's and part of 90's. That and their rich history is what makes them a step ahead of their Japanese counterpart - just my opinion.

To answer your question. Lexus does not compare to the europeans. Lexus first came into conception in the late 80's, no brand pedigree really if you compare it to Mercedes Benz, who's been around for ages. The Japanese wanted to grab a foothold on the luxury platform that the europeans are dominating, so there came out brand like Lexus, Infinity, etc.

I do not own a Lexus, because I can't afford a brand spanking new model (any old model Lexuses roaming around in Manila?). I have (or have had) numerous Benzes under my possesion though, and the build quality of each speaks volumes. Have parts .... they will run forever. That kind of quality.

[lowslowbenz]

.... That and their rich history is what makes them a step ahead of their Japanese counterpart - just my opinion.

Which is true.

[x_outpost]

The other thing I want to reiterate is the quality of materials on Euro cars.
I've seen the "leathers" on older Lexus LS400 and they all crack.
Also when Euro cars put wood, it is real wood or wood veneer - not fake wood accents.
When they put aluminum, its real aluminum and not aluminum-looking plastics.

Don't get me wrong, Euro cars use plastic but a lot of times, they use matte or soft plastics and not shiny or hard plastics.
For most people, these are non-issue but since the OP is asking about comparison, these may or may not be important to him.

[jhnkvn]

The other thing I want to reiterate is the quality of materials on Euro cars.
I've seen the "leathers" on older Lexus LS400 and they all crack.
Also when Euro cars put wood, it is real wood or wood veneer - not fake wood accents.
When they put aluminum, its real aluminum and not aluminum-looking plastics.

Don't get me wrong, Euro cars use plastic but a lot of times, they use matte or soft plastics and not shiny or hard plastics.
For most people, these are non-issue but since the OP is asking about comparison, these may or may not be important to him.

In that case, Lexus will meet your need and probably exceed them. As long as your standard isn't like Bentley Continentals or RRs, they would suffice.

[shadow]

Shortcut ko na nga....it all boils Down to..."doesn't mean that if you could that you should..." Tama ba?


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[ZENMasterTYL]

Shortcut ko na nga....it all boils Down to..."doesn't mean that if you could that you should..." Tama ba?


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#retzing

just because you can, doesn't mean you should