General Car Conversation 2024 - part 1
01-18-24, 06:27 PM
#527
Lexus Champion
10 days or so ago, after our first real snowstorm I was out in the Q7 on Blizzaks. Roads were relatively empty, and a kinda gross combination of hardpack and slush. I decided to see what it would take to get it out of sorts, with the TC fully off. In a straight line it could still accelerate fast enough to give me a nice shove into the seat without the slightest hint of wiggle, and when going around corners it took more than half throttle to initiate a skid.
I always know intellectually how superior winter tires are in bad conditions, but my body forgets just how huge a difference it is when I haven't driven in those conditions for a year. Pairing them with Torsen AWD just makes a tank.
I always know intellectually how superior winter tires are in bad conditions, but my body forgets just how huge a difference it is when I haven't driven in those conditions for a year. Pairing them with Torsen AWD just makes a tank.
01-18-24, 06:28 PM
#529
Lexus Champion
NYS makes you register your car every two years but you can keep the plates you have. I have the same plates on my cars for 15 years. I don't like the new designs and they don't have the raised letters anymore.
Do other states let you keep the same plates over a long period of time?
Do other states let you keep the same plates over a long period of time?
01-18-24, 06:31 PM
#530
Lexus Champion
Had an annoying issue at lunch today in the 540i. Was backing out of my parking spot and the sensors started beeping indicating that there was somebody coming, but there was absolutely nothing. It then slammed the brakes hard. It kept going off and braking every time i tried to keep backing out. I had to pull into the spot again and go through and disable the system so I could leave.
Those kind of false alarms do happen unfortunately, it was seeing something it thought was cross traffic. When I back the Pacifica into the garage it does that every time as I pass under the door, it just thinks there is something there...
Strange that you had to turn it off to push through it though
Strange that you had to turn it off to push through it though
I know it does work though since we tried at the end of the driveway with a few cars to see what it would do
01-18-24, 06:53 PM
#531
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Drove a GLS580 today. I drove numerous GLS450s when we were considering that to replace the Pacifica, but I have never driven a 580. I was out past Silver Spring today and MB of Silver Spring had a GLS580 and you rarely see them on a lot, so I figured I would take it for a spin.
I gotta say, the V8 really makes that a whole other vehicle. I'm really impressed by how light and easy to drive it is. Not as much so as the S Class of course but pretty darn close for the additional utility it has. Rides great and very quiet, this one didn't have the acoustic package which I would get and it didn't have the nappa interior package which I would get, that gives you nappa leather and real leather on the dash and doors etc. Unfortunately it only comes in black.
Absolutely loaded up it comes to $128,225, and that includes the burmester 3D surround system, comparatively an S580 optioned similarly would be ~ $150,000 so thats a big savings...and you get an SUV with a higher seating position, room for 3 rows...
I gotta say, the V8 really makes that a whole other vehicle. I'm really impressed by how light and easy to drive it is. Not as much so as the S Class of course but pretty darn close for the additional utility it has. Rides great and very quiet, this one didn't have the acoustic package which I would get and it didn't have the nappa interior package which I would get, that gives you nappa leather and real leather on the dash and doors etc. Unfortunately it only comes in black.
Absolutely loaded up it comes to $128,225, and that includes the burmester 3D surround system, comparatively an S580 optioned similarly would be ~ $150,000 so thats a big savings...and you get an SUV with a higher seating position, room for 3 rows...
01-18-24, 07:14 PM
#532
Lexus Fanatic
Yeah I just wonder if I would regret going to the SUV from the sedan…
01-18-24, 07:41 PM
#534
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
you and others talk about 'presence' which to me typically means 'size' and blinginess 
but the gls certainly makes its presence known!
you might prefer the s-class when parking though - the gls is a few inches wider (you'll have to move the blue tape haha), although slightly shorter, amazingly.
but the gls certainly makes its presence known!you might prefer the s-class when parking though - the gls is a few inches wider (you'll have to move the blue tape haha), although slightly shorter, amazingly.
01-18-24, 07:42 PM
#535
Lexus Fanatic
My problem is I like the way both drive…I’d really like to have both lol
01-18-24, 08:42 PM
#536
Lead Lap
Obviously it’s personal preference but I couldn’t drive my X7 every day. I like driving cars as my daily. They handle and accelerate better and just feel lighter. They are also much easier to park. People with the dynamic handling package that my X7 has say how it makes the it drive much smaller than it is but I disagree because I just like driving cars and it will never feel as small as a car.
01-18-24, 09:00 PM
#537
Lead Lap
I never thought the X7 feels smaller than it is no matter what mode it’s in, and that includes the Alpina XB7 I used to have.
Personally I’d stay with the S-class, it’s a nicer vehicle than the GLS580. I’d take the Maybach GLS600 though.
Personally I’d stay with the S-class, it’s a nicer vehicle than the GLS580. I’d take the Maybach GLS600 though.
01-18-24, 09:24 PM
#538
Lexus Test Driver
On a related note, driving this car has been the first time I've really spent any time riding at sedan level since 2017. I've had the pleasure of noticing the wide prevalance of fake exhaust tips that manufacturers are putting on their cars to give a sportier appearance.
Here's a Camry that I saw at Costco tonight.
01-18-24, 10:31 PM
#539
Lexus Test Driver
considering you don't seek out empty highways for the sole purpose of speeding i'd say the SUV makes a pretty strong case for itself lol
also i wanna make sure i'm getting this correct here, so the GLS is essentially a stretched GLE? i think it's built in the same alabama plant too (yikes...), which does genuinely give me some concern... idk who exactly is to blame here but my parents GLE had 2 quality "issues" from brand new: one of the wipers wasn't installed correctly and was leaving streaks everywhere until i fixed it, and the cover on the top of the steering column literally just came off on its own which also just required me to pop it back in place (it's been fine since)
can i assume it essentially drives nearly identical to the GLE? aka very nice under basically all situations, although the high center of gravity absolutely does become apparent at interstate speeds... the W222 is still a higher echelon of vehicle and i'd make all efforts to keep it
also i wanna make sure i'm getting this correct here, so the GLS is essentially a stretched GLE? i think it's built in the same alabama plant too (yikes...), which does genuinely give me some concern... idk who exactly is to blame here but my parents GLE had 2 quality "issues" from brand new: one of the wipers wasn't installed correctly and was leaving streaks everywhere until i fixed it, and the cover on the top of the steering column literally just came off on its own which also just required me to pop it back in place (it's been fine since)
can i assume it essentially drives nearly identical to the GLE? aka very nice under basically all situations, although the high center of gravity absolutely does become apparent at interstate speeds... the W222 is still a higher echelon of vehicle and i'd make all efforts to keep it
01-19-24, 08:05 AM
#540
Lexus Fanatic
Obviously it’s personal preference but I couldn’t drive my X7 every day. I like driving cars as my daily. They handle and accelerate better and just feel lighter. They are also much easier to park. People with the dynamic handling package that my X7 has say how it makes the it drive much smaller than it is but I disagree because I just like driving cars and it will never feel as small as a car.
considering you don't seek out empty highways for the sole purpose of speeding i'd say the SUV makes a pretty strong case for itself lol
also i wanna make sure i'm getting this correct here, so the GLS is essentially a stretched GLE? i think it's built in the same alabama plant too (yikes...), which does genuinely give me some concern... idk who exactly is to blame here but my parents GLE had 2 quality "issues" from brand new: one of the wipers wasn't installed correctly and was leaving streaks everywhere until i fixed it, and the cover on the top of the steering column literally just came off on its own which also just required me to pop it back in place (it's been fine since)
can i assume it essentially drives nearly identical to the GLE? aka very nice under basically all situations, although the high center of gravity absolutely does become apparent at interstate speeds... the W222 is still a higher echelon of vehicle and i'd make all efforts to keep it
also i wanna make sure i'm getting this correct here, so the GLS is essentially a stretched GLE? i think it's built in the same alabama plant too (yikes...), which does genuinely give me some concern... idk who exactly is to blame here but my parents GLE had 2 quality "issues" from brand new: one of the wipers wasn't installed correctly and was leaving streaks everywhere until i fixed it, and the cover on the top of the steering column literally just came off on its own which also just required me to pop it back in place (it's been fine since)
can i assume it essentially drives nearly identical to the GLE? aka very nice under basically all situations, although the high center of gravity absolutely does become apparent at interstate speeds... the W222 is still a higher echelon of vehicle and i'd make all efforts to keep it
I certainly can keep the W222, its just I have to buy a warranty and buy it out and all of that, and there are tax implications it would reduce my tax savings while not really reducing my outlay...