I made quite a big jump last year when I got my SC400.
My previous car was a '97 Dodge Neon! Actually, it's not
as bad of a car has many people think, but it's no LEX!
In fact, it was much more fun to drive than a 2003 Corolla
I recently had to rent. I had it looking pretty good with 17"
rims which made all the difference in it's appearence.

The funny thing is, is that I got my SC as a result of the Neon
being stolen in Boston. As you can imagine, the rims were
gone when the car was found. It was a blessing in the end
though after getting into an SC.

This will probably be more common with younger Lexus owners,
but anyone else make this kind of a leap in your class of transportation?

 

My first leap into the Lexus fold was pretty sizable:

1995 Honda Accord EX to 1996 Lexus GS300

my lexus to lexus jump was not as large, just updates and a little more "oomph"

I know how you must have felt the first few weeks driving the SC....... "Can a car get any smoother, quieter, and luxurious feeling than this?"

Well thats how I felt the first few months of owning my GS3, it was like a whole 'nother world!! Lexus = in my book

 

92 camry LE
02 TL-S
98 gs400
03 is300

you be the judge

 

85 Prelude to 90 Prelude Si 5 spd to 95 SC 400

Difference? Like night and day!
Don't get me wrong, the 'ludes were fun, in a go cart sort of way, but the Lex is so much more smooth, powerful, better looking, etc. etc. The Hondas were great for goofing off in college, but I'm glad I made the jump to Lexus.

 

V6 5 speed Ford Contour to a 92 SC400 then to a 95 SC400. It was a big step in the right direction.

 

91 Acura Legend -->00 MB ML320--> 94 LS400

 

1997 Miata to 1998 GS400. About 2 1/2 times the horsepower! Yeah baby!

 

1989 Thunderbird Supercoupe to a 1998 GS400, almost 10 years apart and a world of difference. Both cars are fun to drive (believe it or not the T-Bird's blown/intercooled V6 has more torque than the GS) but the Lexus just oozes refinement, a broader powerband and much better build quality of course. Cars are what they are, and I appreciate them for their good points and accept their bad, though the GS doesn't have many bad I can think of.

I'm pretty happy having both cars really. The Supercoupe feels like an old truck in comparison, but I still like it...I guess I dig old trucks.

 

1993 Nissan SE-V6 pickup during the first half of my college yrs (it was nice to haul friends and stuff on the bed)

Then came the rare and beautiful 1996 black/black Lexus ES300 Coach Edition. Had to sort of baby and be vigilant of her during the rest of my college yrs in Boston (home of crazy drivers and messed up roads) Definitely felt the ride difference between the truck and the ES, much more comfortable, smooth engine and power, all that good stuff

Now here I am this year with my 2001 black/ivory Lexus ES300. Same Lexus ride quality, but a few more treasures and creature comforts to make this the best car purchase yet

 

The last jump wasn't a huge change though it may seem that way. Lots of familiar features...updated, we got more room all around and much improved safety.

'80 Celica (still here)
'82 Maxima
'82 528e
'85 Maxima SE
'85 Cressida fully optioned except CD.
'97 LS400

 

1990 jeep cherokee in 1995-96
1994 p00stang cobra, 5.0 election day 1996 til present
1999 gs400 feb1 2002

 

I think i have you all beat - 1986 Toyota Celica --> 1992 Toyota Soarer (SC400)

The Celica was a FWD 2.0L car with manual everything (I retrofitted power windows and central locking myself), which was a bit of a beater (keyed paint, mismatched panels etc)

The Soarer was (is) in MINT condition, with perfect leather, heated power seats, climate, nav, reversing camera, auto everything.

I've had it for over a year now, and still my friends dont believe i have such a nice car now. It still feels wierd jumping into such a luxury car every day!!

 

first car

 

There is NO way anyone here has me beat... just look at what I used to have:

98-99: 1992 Cavalier RS (sucked)
99-03: 1987 Celebrity CL (sucked, but could survive alot of hits)
03+ 1992 Lexus

Ah yes, with about three times the horsepower as my first car and over twice as much as my second, the first time I maxed out acceleration 0-60 (with my 250 pound uncle with me to boot) I did nearly $H!T my pants...

And then there was everything else about the car... everything. I kept looking for rust on the car and could not find any... I recall asking "how come theres no rust?" I was very used to chevrolet designs.

Then there was the integrated phone, tho obsolete and a total pain, I viewed as the biggest status symbol and had to have it!

 

i dont know, my cars have been PRETTY bad

1995 Ford Aerostar : I dont want to talk about it...except drifting was fun in it (RWD )

to a

1988 Toyota Tercel 4-speed : power nothing, not even power steering, NO LEFT REAR VIEW MIRROR!, the ultimate beater

to a

1992 Lexus SC300 5-speed :