Future of the Lexus GS around the world
03-28-18, 07:58 AM
#31
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Problem with the Germans is they've diluted the marques. Meaning, you and I know a C430 AMG is not an AMG, but many people do not. Many people do not know a M235i is not an M--why wouldn't it be? Don't you see the M logo on the floormats? Or that a M2 despite not having a S motor (I'm going to call it that anyway), is for all intents and purposes an M. Even Porsche, why build non S vehicles? imho it's all to appeal to a broader market. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, as my dad explained it to me, peasants could not possess these vehicles, it took a significant downpayment.
The car mfgs are designing products around the $0 / $0 / $0 / $0
03-28-18, 08:00 AM
#32
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
as for the GS... it will be very sad if it dies... i can understand it dying in europe where sales have been all but non-existent anyway and the german 'executive saloons' are everywhere.
i'm not sure it will die in the u.s., although it will unless it's given a serious makeover/do over and not with endless lines, angry ugly fronts, and so so engines and bad infotainment.
i'm not sure it will die in the u.s., although it will unless it's given a serious makeover/do over and not with endless lines, angry ugly fronts, and so so engines and bad infotainment.
03-28-18, 08:32 AM
#33
Lexus Champion
Click bait title. Lexus hasn't announced anything. All we have is one magazine reporting on another magazine's article. People are pining for info on the next GS, so I have some apprehension in believing this German magazine called up Toyota and got some kind of confirmation on the fate of the GS and long term plans for the ES in the lineup.
Do you know what the lease deals are on the E400? The cheapest 2018 E400 within a 75 mile radius of me is $78,045. Most of the 4 cylinder E300s are in the $60-70k range.
well i mean other than just the F models, and while we may love the characteristics and sound of a N/A V8 i'm afraid there just aren't enough others to meet sales targets.
but take the GS 350 f sport for instance, for essentially the same money (just slightly more) you can have the totally new E400 which is very nice and also has a V6 but with 2 turbos. driving the GS after that would just seem heavy and unimpressive, and i love the 2GR it's a fantastic engine. it's honestly probably the one i'd go with were i to buy it and own it for awhile, but the majority of people in a position to buy one of those cars would probably be leasing it anyway and be more impressed by the E-Class.
but take the GS 350 f sport for instance, for essentially the same money (just slightly more) you can have the totally new E400 which is very nice and also has a V6 but with 2 turbos. driving the GS after that would just seem heavy and unimpressive, and i love the 2GR it's a fantastic engine. it's honestly probably the one i'd go with were i to buy it and own it for awhile, but the majority of people in a position to buy one of those cars would probably be leasing it anyway and be more impressed by the E-Class.
03-28-18, 08:36 AM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
I've known many people over the years with 540i's going back to the E39 days and had catastrophes (fan going through the hood) etc.
It simply seems to border on impossible, to explain to folks how when a turbo 4 cyl. makes 290 ft. lbs @ 4,000 rpm, and a n/a V8 makes 312 at 3,400, the experience is totally different. Ditto when a V6 has the same numbers as a n/a V8 or even greater, with turbocharging. Judging by numbers on paper, I think, was referred to as the "megapixel conundrum," whereby man seeks a single number to evaluate goodness.
03-28-18, 08:39 AM
#35
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
03-28-18, 08:40 AM
#36
Lexus Champion
03-28-18, 12:00 PM
#37
Pole Position
I've not owned a V8 until the 2006 LS. Always made a conscious effort to stay away in the BMW line, simply because BMW has I6's, which is superior for balance.
I've known many people over the years with 540i's going back to the E39 days and had catastrophes (fan going through the hood) etc.
It simply seems to border on impossible, to explain to folks how when a turbo 4 cyl. makes 290 ft. lbs @ 4,000 rpm, and a n/a V8 makes 312 at 3,400, the experience is totally different. Ditto when a V6 has the same numbers as a n/a V8 or even greater, with turbocharging. Judging by numbers on paper, I think, was referred to as the "megapixel conundrum," whereby man seeks a single number to evaluate goodness.
I've known many people over the years with 540i's going back to the E39 days and had catastrophes (fan going through the hood) etc.
It simply seems to border on impossible, to explain to folks how when a turbo 4 cyl. makes 290 ft. lbs @ 4,000 rpm, and a n/a V8 makes 312 at 3,400, the experience is totally different. Ditto when a V6 has the same numbers as a n/a V8 or even greater, with turbocharging. Judging by numbers on paper, I think, was referred to as the "megapixel conundrum," whereby man seeks a single number to evaluate goodness.
03-28-18, 12:34 PM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
You could say the same thing about the LS over the years, it has sold much worse then the GS and is one of the lower selling flagships, why did they do another LS if it is such a poor seller yet they may cancel a GS that still sells much better.
03-28-18, 01:10 PM
#39
drives cars
as for the GS... it will be very sad if it dies... i can understand it dying in europe where sales have been all but non-existent anyway and the german 'executive saloons' are everywhere.
i'm not sure it will die in the u.s., although it will unless it's given a serious makeover/do over and not with endless lines, angry ugly fronts, and so so engines and bad infotainment.
i'm not sure it will die in the u.s., although it will unless it's given a serious makeover/do over and not with endless lines, angry ugly fronts, and so so engines and bad infotainment.
03-28-18, 01:17 PM
#40
Lexus Fanatic
As far as the LS430's went? Nobody at all waiting to drive them, nobody. Just walk up and get it. At the time I remember thinking, this grandpa car would probably be nice being stuck on the LIE in b2b traffic. I came back and said can I take it around again? Of course, nobody else was waiting. And that was it. Who knew 11 yrs. later I'd buy a used one? But agreed, I think Lexus is struggling to find itself. It has stellar customer service and attitude etc., so maybe it's just a matter of time. Can it ever shake that red headed stepchild image to BMW and MB? Probably never. But to its following, I don't think they care. Just look at a Lexus service area lounge, the 6 times I have walked past (2 times for service), they are packed and people are well over 60. They don't seem to be unhappy in any way.
03-28-18, 01:27 PM
#41
Lexus Test Driver
true fair point, it can be tough (especially when the model is still quite new) to find one that hasn't already been ordered with a bunch of options. and high end german cars love to not include many things standard that you think ought to be. and the E300 is slower than the 20 year old bingo night express i currently have. i've driven that new engine in the C300 and i did not love it very much. just doesn't build power as smoothly or nicely as a V6, and sounds quite a bit more boring doing so.
03-28-18, 04:03 PM
#42
Pole Position
I was hoping that either the next gen IS or GS would be announced at the NY Auto show, but there's nada. Which means, next year only 1 will probably get a clean sheet redesign and the other most likely canned (GS!). I don't think Lexus would introduce 2 sedans concurrently and the IS sells in much higher volume then the GS. Regardless, both are hopelessly outdated powertrain wise.....
