biker

It depends on the market - if one maker starts to sell well, the others will jump in. There's so few AWD sales at the top end of the segment that it's probably hard to justify the upfront costs without a definite sales stream - kinda like offering an MT.

In most applications there's very little real end user diff between any of the AWD systems. The SHAWD in the RL makes a slight diff at the limits on a track, but in slow speed real world situations (winter traction) they all do the same thing - send power to the wheel with traction. In those cases the tires (few people, including the mag testers change the stock tires) make more of a diff than the AWD system differences.

I think the comparo should also include the RL, M35x and the STS AWD.

Nas

Thanks for the input. I hope it is a lot better in person than what it is on paper. I love the Lexus V8s, but their 6-cylinders don't seem as powerful as the "German Horses."
I hope this one changes my mind.

lexguynj

I'd have to fully agree with you too. My former GS430 had a silkly smooth powerful feel to the V8, my former RX330 and the ES330 loaner cars I have been getting for service visits just do the job. Doesn't feel that powerful, but it's decent. Not inspiring. So I can't even imagine the previous GENs RX300 & ES300 and how underpowered they must have felt.

Again this is all preference we have yet to see the new GS, so hopefully the new 6 in the GS will be inspiring!

biker

According to the flier I got today from a local BMW dealer, the 5 series with new I6 engines and x drive will be available soon after the March 3 launch of the E90 3 series - probably 3 months after that in the US.

flipside909

Well at that time, the 1MZ-FE 3.0L V6 was powerful for it's time versus it's competitors.

lexguynj

UPDATE as of 1/31/05 - My BMW Dealer just emailed me an update that there there will be a June 2005 production for the 530xi however again this is a salesperson talking and we all know that Dealer Salespeople are the last to know!

Wow, the new GS is almost upon us!

flipside909

That' s somewhat of an ignorant statement. Not all salespeople are last to know.

lexguynj

I agree that that at that time it was probably good enough, which is why both the RX and ES were such popular selling cars in their classes, but for the younger folk like us it was just not enough.

That is why it is very important for the new GS (Lexus sports sedan) to have that whiplash feeling of power / acceleration, handling / cornering to make you love driving it everyday.

The Lexus V6 is not more of a practical engine at this point (decent power / good mileage) and it would be great if it could break out of that conception in the new GS.

flipside909

Remember, the target demographic for these specific cars are not the under 30 crowd.

lexguynj

Hey the under 30 crowd can have the IS if they want, but I am part of the over 30 club (Geez turning 32 already in April YIKES! Thanks for reminding me). Even us YOUNG folks in our 30s don't want a boring, practical car! The more power, bells and whistles, the better. Fully loaded is part of our vocabulary!

lexguynj

Yes it is an ignorant statement, but I have to say that Clublexus.com spoils me and you can find the latest and greatest news on Lexus from this site, instead of waiting for your sales person to tell you. I love CLUBLEXUS!

lexguynj

Geez, I may have to take back my earlier statement of the dealer salesperson is the last to know, since my BMW Dealer says they will get new pricing in the next 1-2 weeks, so you can start to formally order the new 2006 530i / xi (with the new 6 Cylinder Engines) for June Production.

My Lexus Dealer has yet to give me any ordering info, but it maybe coming soon.

biker

The delears are only as smart as the head company wants them to be. Other than getting info directly off a Lexus computer system, the info at CL is about as good as you're gona get.

lexguynj

I tell you now that for me it's still between the 06 GS300AWD or 06 530xi.

The Infiniti is nice, but I just don't have an Infiniti dealer near me and although Infiniti has a great product line, they don't have the prestige that Lexus and BMW garner at this point and hey let's be somewhat honest here, we buy luxury brand cars somewhat for the name too.

We need a review / comparison test or at least a test drive to figure this one out!

flipside909

That's not always the case because it's all about who you know and what kind of connections you have.