Lexus LS500 reviews and discussion
#196
But it's not about having $100k to burn... most of these cars are leased, so buyers just decide if they can make the payments. In expensive popular cities with obscene costs of living, the lease cost of a 5ls may not be that big a deal.
#197
I will miss the quiet and "boring" Lexus vehicles. I've found I can't really use that much "sport" in daily traffic. These commercials with vehicles sliding around in clouds of smoke are just clever marketing. Quiet, smooth riding, reliable, safe, good service...sign me up! Maybe I am just getting old in my early 40's
#198
Used to be that there were a bunch of "ordinary" every day coupes, Ford coupes, Olds Cutlass coupes, Camry coupe, Accord coupe. As coupes fell more and more out of favor carmakers shifted to making coupes more emotional, sportier. Mercedes is a good example of this, as is BMW.
#199
Now, I don't think thats the target for this car. I think if Lexus could get an average age in the 50s they would be absolutely elated.
#200
Totally agree with you Matty.
It's fine to niche sportiness, but just two issues:
(1) Now, it's even more important than ever to be good looking, but 5LS is not that attractive - esp the rear 3/4 view.
In any case, after the badge, the styling always comes next for the mass market.
(2) On the topic of sporty niches, just what age group do you think/suspect Lexus is targeting with 5LS?
(a) the young 20-30 year olds?
(b) the 30-40 year olds?
(c) the 40-50 year olds?
(d) the 50-60 year olds?
(e) the 60-70 year olds?
I wanted to ask what age bracket is 5LS trying to target, because do most 20-30 year olds, or most 30-40 year old, or even 40-50 year olds have $100k to spend on a 5LS?
It's fine to niche sportiness, but just two issues:
(1) Now, it's even more important than ever to be good looking, but 5LS is not that attractive - esp the rear 3/4 view.
In any case, after the badge, the styling always comes next for the mass market.
(2) On the topic of sporty niches, just what age group do you think/suspect Lexus is targeting with 5LS?
(a) the young 20-30 year olds?
(b) the 30-40 year olds?
(c) the 40-50 year olds?
(d) the 50-60 year olds?
(e) the 60-70 year olds?
I wanted to ask what age bracket is 5LS trying to target, because do most 20-30 year olds, or most 30-40 year old, or even 40-50 year olds have $100k to spend on a 5LS?
So that really leaves the younger baby boomers who crave a sporty drive without the hassles of German car ownership, and the older GenX crowd. It seems to me that it's a demographic of between 45 year old nerdy techy males and youthful 50-something achievers. All willing to drop $100K, and despite what we see on CL which has a very rich demo, it is a very small group of people who are willing to do that. Screw up the styling and you're a niche seller in a niche market. Not good.
But anyways, this is a thread by one individual poster's experience, so I would probably reflect more on the main LS thread. I'm a big Toyo/Lex nerd in some ways, but this car doesn't do anything for me. It can drive like whatever - but if you don't fix the styling, it's not going anywhere soon.
#201
Exactly. This car will lease for $900-1,300 a month depending on how well optioned one is. Lots of people younger than 40 here who can make lease payments like that standing on their head.
Now, I don't think thats the target for this car. I think if Lexus could get an average age in the 50s they would be absolutely elated.
Now, I don't think thats the target for this car. I think if Lexus could get an average age in the 50s they would be absolutely elated.
Yes, the arguments for a lease, on a car this expensive, make more sense than for outright purchases. In this D.C. area, of course, even with its general affluence, leasing keeps a lot of luxury-car dealerships in business.
#202
I will miss the quiet and "boring" Lexus vehicles. I've found I can't really use that much "sport" in daily traffic. These commercials with vehicles sliding around in clouds of smoke are just clever marketing. Quiet, smooth riding, reliable, safe, good service...sign me up! Maybe I am just getting old in my early 40's
Maybe I am just getting old in my early 40's
#203
My impression is that the LS designers are trying this very Japanese identity take on the car's styling to make a statement that is distinct and different from the Germans. This is their PR and often repeated here too. So my context is, who are the LS designers really interested in? Could it be the current generation of LS owners who are easily in their 60s and 70s? No, I think not.
So that really leaves the younger baby boomers who crave a sporty drive without the hassles of German car ownership, and the older GenX crowd. It seems to me that it's a demographic of between 45 year old nerdy techy males and youthful 50-something achievers. All willing to drop $100K, and despite what we see on CL which has a very rich demo, it is a very small group of people who are willing to do that. Screw up the styling and you're a niche seller in a niche market. Not good.
But anyways, this is a thread by one individual poster's experience, so I would probably reflect more on the main LS thread. I'm a big Toyo/Lex nerd in some ways, but this car doesn't do anything for me. It can drive like whatever - but if you don't fix the styling, it's not going anywhere soon.
So that really leaves the younger baby boomers who crave a sporty drive without the hassles of German car ownership, and the older GenX crowd. It seems to me that it's a demographic of between 45 year old nerdy techy males and youthful 50-something achievers. All willing to drop $100K, and despite what we see on CL which has a very rich demo, it is a very small group of people who are willing to do that. Screw up the styling and you're a niche seller in a niche market. Not good.
But anyways, this is a thread by one individual poster's experience, so I would probably reflect more on the main LS thread. I'm a big Toyo/Lex nerd in some ways, but this car doesn't do anything for me. It can drive like whatever - but if you don't fix the styling, it's not going anywhere soon.
5LS is a great lowish riding sporty niche, with a slightly rough 3.5 TT to meet modern day environmental standards.
Pity the styling.
However, I suspect that the sporty niche targeting the young in the 5LS still may not attract large sales volumes.
Having said that, it is fine to sporty niche target the young with Corollas, Camries, RAV4's and Highlanders.
#207
Sounds pressure readings are about 20% of the actual experience. The total harmonic signature is what really matters that is something you can only experience in person.
#209
Yes.
A sound has its lowest frequency, called the fundamental frequency.
Then, there are also frequencies which are whole number multiples of that fundamental frequency.
The actual volume and decay of the whole number multiples of the fundamental frequency produces the "timbre", which varies from source to source, despite the fundamental frequency and amplitude being the same.
Thus, despite the volume [amplitude], and fundamental frequency being the same, the timbre is different from source to source, and it is very difficult to quantitate or make objective the timber at this present point in time.
A sound has its lowest frequency, called the fundamental frequency.
Then, there are also frequencies which are whole number multiples of that fundamental frequency.
The actual volume and decay of the whole number multiples of the fundamental frequency produces the "timbre", which varies from source to source, despite the fundamental frequency and amplitude being the same.
Thus, despite the volume [amplitude], and fundamental frequency being the same, the timbre is different from source to source, and it is very difficult to quantitate or make objective the timber at this present point in time.