Stage3

iTrader: (3)

I cannot STAND wood inside any car but a RR or Bentley. I hate it in my GS and I hate it in any other car that doesn't have a Flying Lady or a B with wings on the hood.

mmarshall

Come on.....not even on a Jaguar? A Jag wouldn't be a JAG without wood and leather. It is the company's trademark. That is why the new XK and XKR, with their factory carbon-fiber trim options instead of wood, are causing so much consternation among Jag purists.

AzNMpower

It's okay in a Luxury sedan, but not when the word "sport" is thrown in.

All leather is fine. If its really a sports car, maybe a non-slip suede-like material should be available. The 330i ZHP Alcantara steering wheel comes to mind.

Tekknikal

no, not in a real sport sedan.

Stage3

iTrader: (3)

Doesn't matter... Wood is something that people crave for the supposed "oppulance." Other than that, it's stupid. It may be for good for some... But, to me, wood screams tackiness...

Plus, I'm not a fan of Jaguars either, so to me... I could care less what they have on the inside as I'll never be driving one.

mmarshall

OK.....so you don't like Jaguars. Fine....that's your perogative. I don't think much of their overall assembly quality myself, but it still doesn't change the fact that Connally Leather and wood are classic Jaguar trademarks.

LexFather

What is a real sport sedan? I know what the OP is trying to do here, same with the "Lexus on badges" thread.

What is a real sports sedan then?

B/C if it DOES NOT have a manual, you DO NOT drive a "REAL" sports sedan.

Tekknikal

not sure what you mean by the last comment? or if that was directed at someone (else?)

anyway,
the definition of what a sports car or sports sedan are, is not at all concrete.
its usually subjective. give me a sedan and its setup and ill make the call but thats my opinion. others may differ.

in general though, i dont think sports sedans and wood steering wheels go together. from a practicality standpoint i just dont see it but im sure there are ways it can get done.

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

Sticking to the topic at hand, i do not believe luxury sport sedans should come eqipped with wood steering wheels. True auto enthusiasts want the most grip they can get from the steering wheel in order to have complete control of the vehicle. Those who are old enough can recall the old Nardi steering wheels of the 70's & 80's.. Even with leather gloves, you will not have the same grip as a leather wrapped steering wheel.. Leather on leather is the way to go for ultimate grip. LOL, I almost lost control of an ML500 Benz today that was equipped with a wood steering wheel. Wood is horrible for spirited driving imo.
Ask and you shall recieve
Here are true luxury sport sedans in action.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=B2DxRlcCwEE

Och

iTrader: (3)

It all depends how you define a sports sedan too. If you stick a wood steering wheel into a 3 series, its gonna look out of place. But then, in a GS it look perfect.

However, my idea of a true sports sedan = LS460L with twin turbo viper engine swap

AzNMpower

There goes every Lexus but the IS250 RWD. . Makes perfect sense to me.

LexFather

Lexus never advertised or advertises true all out sport sedans. They NEVER have. They offer sporty and sports sedans with luxury in the IS and GS. NEVER have they said they were the say all/be all of sports sedans. IMO, BMW will probably always be the sportiest sedan(s) until the Porsche comes.

The 1IS was as sporting and involving as it got for Lexus.

Onto the IS-F, well it will be auto only.

And well, my comment might be immature b/c BMW believes in SMG, all AMG cars are autos etc etc..

I guess I have to re-phrase and say a manual would make the purest sports sedan. You CAN have an auto and be a sports sedan too.

It just is funny to me how Lexus is so successful and has CLEARLY found its mark and niche and people will find ways to pick at it any chance they get.

LetMeShowU

Excuse me? What exactly are you insinuating??

LetMeShowU

Huh? Are you trying to fool the masses into believing that Lexus hasn't been promoting the GS & IS sedans as sport sedans? Because if you are, you're not doing a very good job.

From Lexus.com:

GS: Performance Luxury Sedan
IS: Sport Luxury Sedan

Performance = sport
Sport = sport

Whether Lexus said they were the "say all/be all of sports sedans" is not really the point of this thread (as if a Luxury carmaker would ever even use such immature and ridiculous terms to describe their products anyway ).

Ramon

This may be true and all, but the sooner you realize that even Lexus vehicles aren't perfect, the better off you'll be.