Two years in, life with a Mercedes is a lot like life with a Lexus...just a little +$
#46
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Remember those numbers are skewed because Lexus includes the first two services free, and my LS was not serviced at the dealer while the S has been. Like I said going forward, I expect it to be about 50% more to service the Mercedes vs the Lexus. For instance the S Class has longer wearing ceramic brakes now, will it need brakes again in 30k miles? maybe not. The cost of maintenance for the S was run up a lot because I used the dealer at astronomical cost. It should be much cheaper going forward...and remember I could have had 4 years of maintenance for $50 a month (including brakes) that was just foolish to pass on that. One of those rare cases where the urging of the finance manager was actually legit.
But...better things cost more. If you want the *best* you have to pay for it, and as a car the German cars are just better by and large (there are some exceptions), and they cost more to buy and more to maintain.
But...better things cost more. If you want the *best* you have to pay for it, and as a car the German cars are just better by and large (there are some exceptions), and they cost more to buy and more to maintain.
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#47
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If you are conscious about cost, Lexus has a lot of appeal, but a lot of luxury consumers are not that conscious about cost, and to them its not a factor. Quite frankly, I just spent $3,000 on a desk chair. Its all relative.
There is nothing better about a German car breaking and having a repair vs a brand that has their parts last 2X longer.
There are a lot of people who really care a lot about value and limiting costs for things, and some people who make a lot of money are like that, for them Lexus is a great option. There are also a lot of people who don't worry about stuff like that and want the best car, and the Germans have it all over Lexus there. What I miss was Lexus making a car that was a car that competed with the Germans and yet also was well made and reasonable to maintain.
My point in this thread is, if people want to branch out and try a German car, don't be afraid and do it. Yes they cost more, but this concept that they are broken down all the time or that everything is absurdly expensive is just not true largely.
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#48
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But thats the thing, they don't flock to Lexus.
I do have some word of mouth about Mercedes S class, GLK and BMW and it’s not as rosy as my word of mouth experiences about Lexus. But sure…go German if that is what someone wants. I just know that out of warranty is not as nice as Lexus based on my brothers 3 German cars and my friends S class. My sister did like her 3 series…but that was a lease and she returned and went cheaper Toyota
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 12-13-22 at 01:08 PM.
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#49
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For sure. People should try it. I agree
I do have some word of mouth about Mercedes S class, GLK and BMW and it’s not as rosy as my word of mouth experiences about Lexus. But sure…go German if that is what someone wants. I just know that out warranty is not as nice as Lexus based on my brothers 3 German cars and my friends S class
I do have some word of mouth about Mercedes S class, GLK and BMW and it’s not as rosy as my word of mouth experiences about Lexus. But sure…go German if that is what someone wants. I just know that out warranty is not as nice as Lexus based on my brothers 3 German cars and my friends S class
And remember, the LS500 is not going to be as long term reliable as previous LS cars either, and that goes for the LX600 too and all these new Lexus vehicles with turbos. You see that with the LS460, as the car gets more advanced and complex, issues and cost to repair goes up. Lexus isn't perfect either, I have owned several Lexus vehicles towards 200,000 miles and they have all had expensive things done to them as they age.
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#50
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If you truly want the best car, you have to compromise the "security" of Lexus or you have to accept a car that is not of the same caliber.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 12-13-22 at 01:17 PM.
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#51
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I totally agree, if you want the best, you have to go, German, not necessarily for body on frame or crossover.
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#52
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The LS430 for instance, there was really no reason to get an S Class except that it was a Mercedes
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 12-13-22 at 01:27 PM.
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#53
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I drove and owned these cars when they were new, the LS always compared. Yes of course it being cheaper has always been part of its appeal, but you were getting a car that was 95% as good for 70% of the cost. Now you're getting a car that's 70% as good for 70% of the cost and thats not a value.
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#54
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Since I wasn't ever interested in a V12, that never moved the needle for me. The vast majority of German luxury sedans were not sold as V12s. LS460 had an option of short or long wheelbase. Options being available that I can't afford or don't want to afford don't impact my purchase decisions.
I drove and owned these cars when they were new, the LS always compared. Yes of course it being cheaper has always been part of its appeal, but you were getting a car that was 95% as good for 70% of the cost. Now you're getting a car that's 70% as good for 70% of the cost and thats not a value.
I drove and owned these cars when they were new, the LS always compared. Yes of course it being cheaper has always been part of its appeal, but you were getting a car that was 95% as good for 70% of the cost. Now you're getting a car that's 70% as good for 70% of the cost and thats not a value.
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#55
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The LS500 doesn't even compare to the S500, thats the issue. Its smaller, nowhere near as refined, has nowhere near the same level of technology, nowhere near as nice riding or driving. If the LS500 truly competed with the S500 it would be much less of an issue. Thats why I don't have an issue with the G90 not having a V8, because it does compete with the S500 very well.
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#56
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Because I'm only going to choose one engine, and its going to be the one most similar to the car I'm comparing. For instance in 2004 I was looking at an S430 vs an LS430.
The LS500 doesn't even compare to the S500, thats the issue. Its smaller, nowhere near as refined, has nowhere near the same level of technology, nowhere near as nice riding or driving. If the LS500 truly competed with the S500 it would be much less of an issue. Thats why I don't have an issue with the G90 not having a V8, because it does compete with the S500 very well.
The LS500 doesn't even compare to the S500, thats the issue. Its smaller, nowhere near as refined, has nowhere near the same level of technology, nowhere near as nice riding or driving. If the LS500 truly competed with the S500 it would be much less of an issue. Thats why I don't have an issue with the G90 not having a V8, because it does compete with the S500 very well.
The Germans have always been ahead
As we spent more time behind the LS's wheel, however, our admiration shifted to dissatisfaction,
or
#5
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...parison-tests/
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 12-13-22 at 01:38 PM.
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#57
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I just totally disagree with that, my LS460s were great cars and better than my S Class in multiple ways. The overall vehicle is not as good, but its closer than you would think.
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#59
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That comparison test makes a good point though...the LS was included in that test. Today when they do comparison tests of big flagship sedans they rarely include the LS. The gap between the LS and the big German sedans has never been wider.
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#60
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The most important thing is that you enjoy the car, regardless of brand or model or whatevers. If you buy a car based on maintenance costs but does not enjoy driving the car, it would have been a miserable 2 yr experience. Anyone that owns a $123k German should expect high maintenance costs and not complain about it or worry about gas mileage. And an extra $2,500 over 2 yrs is peanuts. I'm sure if you or anyone else paid closer attention to what you had spent on all yr, I'm sure you could find more than $2,500 in wasted money over 2 yrs. None of what I wrote are criticisms, just general statements.
Like my GX, I know tires will be expensive, brakes will wear out quicker and sucks down T-Rexes like they are a dime a dozen. It's all part of it and more importantly, I love driving the thing. Just trade offs.
Although I had to say, the driver seat has this one pressure point that causes a pinching pain on my left butt cheeks, again just trade offs lol.
Like my GX, I know tires will be expensive, brakes will wear out quicker and sucks down T-Rexes like they are a dime a dozen. It's all part of it and more importantly, I love driving the thing. Just trade offs.
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Last edited by situman; 12-13-22 at 02:01 PM.
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