CD Article: 2007 Lexus LS460L

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:

The 2007 Lexus LS460 is famous as the car that parks itself, but that's the least of its attributes, says Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh. With an all-new V8 and eight-speed automatic, it "does everything so well," she says. Well, almost everything: the self-parking feature is fascinating technology, but not all that great in the real world. Second opinion by Grant Yoxon.
   
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[Mitlov]

As for the self-parking, this video speaks for itself:

http://www.automobilemag.com/multimedia/video/0610_lexus_ls460_auto_park/

[auto_enthusiast]

Various magazines have all given the LS460 some fairly poor braking results.  Given that the 460 has some huge rotors and calipers, it must be in their choice of tires.  I wonder if Lexus will change their tires to take care of this issue....

[coldcase]

As for the self-parking, this video speaks for itself:

http://www.automobilemag.com/multimedia/video/0610_lexus_ls460_auto_park/

 

If you can't park a car you shouldn't drive...that's my 0.02$.  I can already see an old geezer blocking a whole parking lot because he is waiting for his car to park itself. 

[Craig]

I am supposed to have a meeting this weekend with a LS460L, err, a guy who owns a LS460L.  Massage chair in the back, and as he says, "fold-up wenches" under the seats.  Last time, I didn't get to take a ride in it.  This time, I'm going to be more belligerent and take his keys.

[Snowman]

In this price range I would be looking at the A8 or S550. The LS does nothing for me. 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

This is a much more ultra-luxury effort than in the past. It looks much more solid and sporting as well. The test car's green is nicer than most of the other paint available IMO.

Problem to me is that it feels more like manufactured luxury than crafted luxury. The plastics and woods and such are fitted so well in design it doesn't look as genuinely hand crafted rich like the sense I get in some of of the Euro competitors. It's perfection, with no quirks and less charm.

But it's definitely in the big leagues now. A car that you truely appreciate if you spend any time with it behind the wheel.

[Mitlov]

It looks much more solid and sporting as well.

Car & Driver's shootout said it was far less sporty/agile/whatever than offerings from BMW, MB, Audi, and Jaguar.  Amazing interior, but worst-in-class handling.

[Bullet Blue]

In this price range I would be looking at the A8 or S550. The LS does nothing for me. 

 

The self parking system should be scrapped. Even when it actually works properly it still takes 3 times as long to park than it would if you just did it your self. I know they're relying heavily on it for marketing purposes, but it's just stupid.

[2hondas]

It looks much more solid and sporting as well.

Car & Driver's shootout said it was far less sporty/agile/whatever than offerings from BMW, MB, Audi, and Jaguar.  Amazing interior, but worst-in-class handling.

Thats the case for all Lexus vehicles. But what BMW, MB, Audi and Jaguar can't beat Lexus in is reliability.

[Mitlov]

Car & Driver's shootout said it was far less sporty/agile/whatever than offerings from BMW, MB, Audi, and Jaguar.  Amazing interior, but worst-in-class handling.

Thats the case for all Lexus vehicles. But what BMW, MB, Audi and Jaguar can't beat Lexus in is reliability.

Where did I say otherwise?  I've never been a vocal defender of the reliability of European cars.  I was just commenting that while the LS might "look" sporty, it apparently doesn't drive sporty.

That said, when you're dropping 7-series/ LS money for a car, you probably can afford to maintain it.  The price of unscheduled maintenance isn't nearly as intimidating to the super-rich as it is to middle-class folks.

[2hondas]

Car & Driver's shootout said it was far less sporty/agile/whatever than offerings from BMW, MB, Audi, and Jaguar.  Amazing interior, but worst-in-class handling.

Thats the case for all Lexus vehicles. But what BMW, MB, Audi and Jaguar can't beat Lexus in is reliability.

Where did I say otherwise?  I've never been a vocal defender of the reliability of European cars.  I was just commenting that while the LS might "look" sporty, it apparently doesn't drive sporty.

That said, when you're dropping 7-series/ LS money for a car, you probably can afford to maintain it.  The price of unscheduled maintenance isn't nearly as intimidating to the super-rich as it is to middle-class folks.

Oh, i know, i am just stating it.

It might not be the cost, but the time and hassle of the vehicle being in the shop. But buyers of these vehicles don't really keep them for very long...

[Bullet Blue]

I think pondering whether its sporty or not is pointless since we're talking about a large vehicle, automatic only, that will most likely be driven by older people. The same applies to the Euros in this class.

[Mitlov]

I think pondering whether its sporty or not is pointless since we're talking about a large vehicle, automatic only, that will most likely be driven by older people. The same applies to the Euros in this class.

I mean, who really pushes the skidpad ratings on an XJ in the real-world anyway?

[Snowman]

I think pondering whether its sporty or not is pointless since we're talking about a large vehicle, automatic only, that will most likely be driven by older people. The same applies to the Euros in this class.

I mean, who really pushes the skidpad ratings on an XJ in the real-world anyway?

Some old facker who just pulled onto the 400 from his cottage mansion attempting to catch and pass my modded 2002 350 hp WRX…..facker. 

[rrocket]

Most people who haven't owned a Lexus don't understand how fantastic these cars are.  The attention to detail is exceptional.  The build quality is peerless.  And reliability and longevity is beyond that of any other luxury car.  And NEVER having to go to a dealership for ANYTHING in nearly 200,000kms is something indeed.  Re-read the review.  They really, really like this car, and the only faults they could find are nit-picky. 

If I had the cash..I'd own this car in a heartbeat above all others in the class.....   

 

[mdxtasy]

Lexus doesn't do much for me.....I'd like a GS but the M from Infiniti (YEAH that's right, I called it the M) has sexier sheetmetal and nicer pricing.  Same with a 5 from BMW.  I have driven a few Lexi's and they do have great isolated passenger chambers....and it is a very well built car.  Just not what I want though. 

[Mitlov]

Most people who haven't owned a Lexus don't understand how fantastic these cars are.  The attention to detail is exceptional.  The build quality is peerless.  And reliability and longevity is beyond that of any other luxury car.  And NEVER having to go to a dealership for ANYTHING in nearly 200,000kms is something indeed.  Re-read the review.  They really, really like this car, and the only faults they could find are nit-picky. 

If I had the cash..I'd own this car in a heartbeat above all others in the class.....   

No one questions that Lexus provides a wonderful ownership experience.  But that's not exactly the same as a wonderful driving experience, where by most accounts Lexus lags behind Infiniti, BMW, Audi, and sometimes MB.  It's all depends on what you prefer.

[rrocket]

In my 1998 Import Car of The Year issue (which influenced me to buy my GS400), the GS400 covered all the BMWs in all stats EXCEPT the M class cars (though it did beat the M3 in most categories).  0-60 5.7 seconds.  60-0 braking 113 feet  Skidpad .90G slalom 66.7 MPH.  Those numbers are world class for a large sedan and even today those are nothing to sneeze at.  With just an exhaust and intake, my Lexus ran 13's all day long.  So not all Lexus' lag behind the Euros for fun to drive....

[Mitlov]

In my 1998 Import Car of The Year issue (which influenced me to buy my GS400), the GS400 covered all the BMWs in all stats EXCEPT the M class cars (though it did beat the M3 in most categories).  0-60 5.7 seconds.  60-0 braking 113 feet  Skidpad .90G slalom 66.7 MPH.  Those numbers are world class for a large sedan and even today those are nothing to sneeze at.  With just an exhaust and intake, my Lexus ran 13's all day long.  So not all Lexus' lag behind the Euros for fun to drive....

That's great that you enjoyed your GS.  However, implied in your post is the idea that better performance numbers as the same thing as more fun-to-drive.  I have to disagree with that.

If I remember correctly, in Car & Driver's "everyday heroes" test, the Pontiac G6 GTP out-performed the Acura TSX in most of those objective categories.  However, I would not say that that makes the car more "fun-to-drive," and neither did C&D.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/10515/everyday-heroes.html  (unfortunately, the chart with the performance numbers is not available online).