LEXUS WINS New GS, M, RL Comparo (GS 430#1, RL #2, M45 Sport #3)
#61
Originally Posted by AmethySC
Does anyone know as a fact when did Edmunds made up the title of "$50 K comparison" for the article ? Before, during or after the tests ? Do the car manufacturers know the title of the article is for $50K cars in advance? Does Edmunds always tell the manufacturers clearly what the price as tested of the vehicle they provide has to be ? How can anyone even make a legitimate guess as to who is really at fault other than Edmunds for making the review looks useless ?
In many comparison tests in car magazines, they try to make adjustments for price differences between the cars tested anyways when they rank, but bottom line is that there is no perfect way to do these tests to make them credible to everyone. People always choose to believe the tests that favour their own biases & can always find fault with the tests that didn't pick their favourite.
In many comparison tests in car magazines, they try to make adjustments for price differences between the cars tested anyways when they rank, but bottom line is that there is no perfect way to do these tests to make them credible to everyone. People always choose to believe the tests that favour their own biases & can always find fault with the tests that didn't pick their favourite.
It's worth pointing out, however, that this is the FIRST EVER comparison test from Edmunds that puts a price in the title. If you look at the comparison tests they did before, they were ALL titled by vehicle class. Doesn't that mean something, that this comparison is really about what you can get given a set price, rather a set class? As I said, if Edmunds really meant to follow the convention used in all their previous comparison tests, they would have given this test a title of "Midsize Sport-Luxury Sedans Comparison Test". They did not, however. And therefore my assumption of something being different this time arises. So yes, I agree that this could very be solely a mistake on Edmunds' part, in the words they chose in communications with the car makers and in the article.
Last edited by XeroK00L; 03-02-05 at 05:26 PM.
#62
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I didn't put much any value in the 50k title. That is to say "these are 50k cars". Every car comparison has never had all equal spec'd cars. And with Acura, you can't get anything but what they give you (loaded) so would it ever be fair? In the M35 comparison, that car was empty I think and 42k or so and the 530 was over 50k ( I actually bought that mag but can't find it).
#63
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
I didn't put much any value in the 50k title. That is to say "these are 50k cars". Every car comparison has never had all equal spec'd cars. And with Acura, you can't get anything but what they give you (loaded) so would it ever be fair? In the M35 comparison, that car was empty I think and 42k or so and the 530 was over 50k ( I actually bought that mag but can't find it).
Today my budget is around $50K, suggests the title. The reader clicks in and the editor says in the 2nd paragraph, "Oh yeah, and all three cost about $50 grand", and what he or she finds? A 60K vehicle is tested and praised all over.
I'm not trying to make out a winner here. I'm just trying to point out the obvious pitfalls of this comparison test. The review of each vehicle itself is otherwise very detailed and logically laid out. But as a comparison test it just falls short.
#64
Originally Posted by spwolf
To tell you the truth, this is one of the best written reviews and most comprenhensive reviews that I have ever read - and I have probably read thousands upon thousands of magazines - these guys have explained it all and have given you an way to rate it for yourself as well.
Edmund's is regarded by many as the worst automotive site when it comes to comparisons and reviews.
They often misquote spec numbers and give misinformation.
I use them for pricing and nothing else.
And don't even use examples like the GS having a 6 speed auto while the M45 only has 5.
You could easily turn that around and say that the M45 has a 4.5 liter 340 hp engine and the GS only has 4.3 300 hp.
Does the 6 speed auto rev match during a downshift?
Does the 6 speed auto beat the competition in performance in its current application?
Does the 6 speed auto yield better gas mileage than the rest?
I hope I'm not coming off as anti-Lexus or anything.
I actually agree the GS should place first, M45 a close second, and RL a close third.
If anything, I'm upset with Edmund's with their ridiculous testing methodolgy and reasoning for disqualifying and penalizing certain vehicles.
Last edited by psteng19; 03-02-05 at 07:23 PM.
#65
The interesting thing about this review is if you take out all of the "subjective" points our precious GS doesn't win the comparison. Take out the Personal ratings and the recommended ratings and let the cars stand on their own merits. A new winner would be crowned.
#66
Originally Posted by ktiger
The interesting thing about this review is if you take out all of the "subjective" points our precious GS doesn't win the comparison. Take out the Personal ratings and the recommended ratings and let the cars stand on their own merits. A new winner would be crowned.
Subjective opinions will always be a factor. There's no way it can be thrown out of considerations.
Just my $0.02.
#67
Originally Posted by XeroK00L
Don't forget, though, that in the luxury car segment, many if not most buyers choose their cars based on emotions. The car that stirs the "rightest" emotion out of him of her, gets the deal!
Subjective opinions will always be a factor. There's no way it can be thrown out of considerations.
Just my $0.02.
Subjective opinions will always be a factor. There's no way it can be thrown out of considerations.
Just my $0.02.
"Recommended Rating: After the test, each participating editor was asked to rank the vehicles in order of preference based on which he or she thought would be best for the average consumer shopping in this segment."
#68
Originally Posted by ktiger
Then please explain to me how in the world Edmunds can accomplish this feat.
"Recommended Rating: After the test, each participating editor was asked to rank the vehicles in order of preference based on which he or she thought would be best for the average consumer shopping in this segment."
"Recommended Rating: After the test, each participating editor was asked to rank the vehicles in order of preference based on which he or she thought would be best for the average consumer shopping in this segment."
#69
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Well at least Edmunds ADMITS subjective preference. And anyone in this thread is a fool if you think that it never comes into play. Many times we read BMW winning comparos for no reason at all, its slower, more epxensive etc etc. But they state is just "Feels" right. Which is a great point. you can't simply put evertthing in an Excel spreadsheet and say this is better.
All I see here is GS detractors and M45 pros trying to say the GS didn't win, it was b.s, the M45 is still better. Well tell you what, lets begin with the M45 vs the RL. Since the M45 was 3rd. Not even 2nd.
If we want to start nitpicking we can. This is too funny. Coming to a Lexus forum, in the GS forum, where the GS won the comparison in Edmunds, and telling us, we are all wrong.
All I see here is GS detractors and M45 pros trying to say the GS didn't win, it was b.s, the M45 is still better. Well tell you what, lets begin with the M45 vs the RL. Since the M45 was 3rd. Not even 2nd.
If we want to start nitpicking we can. This is too funny. Coming to a Lexus forum, in the GS forum, where the GS won the comparison in Edmunds, and telling us, we are all wrong.
#70
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Well at least Edmunds ADMITS subjective preference. And anyone in this thread is a fool if you think that it never comes into play. But they state is just "Feels" right.
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