Consumer Reports - AWD Mid-Luxury Comparison
08-03-05, 10:57 AM
#46
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The majority of manufacturers posted gains in July. It was a very good month.
It's impossible to quanitify how positive press translates into sales... I haven't seen that studied or tested. However it's important to note that GS sales remained about where they have been since it's intro for July (around the 3200 mark) while M sales climbed to within 500 of the GS at 2755. Could be a fluke or it could indicate a shift in sales momentum. Only time will tell.
Maybe that positive press is having an effect.
It's impossible to quanitify how positive press translates into sales... I haven't seen that studied or tested. However it's important to note that GS sales remained about where they have been since it's intro for July (around the 3200 mark) while M sales climbed to within 500 of the GS at 2755. Could be a fluke or it could indicate a shift in sales momentum. Only time will tell.
Maybe that positive press is having an effect.
08-03-05, 10:57 AM
#47
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Originally Posted by AlwaysLate
I was just responding to 1SICKLEX's post wondering why he wen't off topic commenting on the TSX and answered his question regarding the IS. Thanks for the nice comments though.
(funny, I feel like I'm double posting this message).
(funny, I feel like I'm double posting this message).
08-03-05, 11:20 AM
#49
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So where were we...AWD comparo. GS300 AWD is still pretty rare here in CA. I've only seen one on the road since that article I wrote up at Lexus of Glendale earlier this year...and this was just last week that I saw it.
Last edited by flipside909; 08-03-05 at 11:23 AM.
08-03-05, 11:40 AM
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Well, I for one don't think things have strayed that far off topic. I mean, the issue was brought up that sales don't come from objective test results. The point of that discussion being the question of how the CR rankings can and will affect purchase decisions and eventually impact GS sales and those of every other car on the list. Case examples of other cars not included in this test seem like a good point of reference to disuss the matter.
08-03-05, 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by speedflex
Well, I for one don't think things have strayed that far off topic. I mean, the issue was brought up that sales don't come from objective test results. The point of that discussion being the question of how the CR rankings can and will affect purchase decisions and eventually impact GS sales and those of every other car on the list. Case examples of other cars not included in this test seem like a good point of reference to disuss the matter.
08-03-05, 12:34 PM
#52
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Originally Posted by speedflex
Only time will tell.
Maybe that positive press is having an effect.
Maybe that positive press is having an effect.
One thing for certain though, excellent press can't hurt.
Last edited by DrewSRX; 08-03-05 at 10:08 PM.
08-03-05, 01:33 PM
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I'd use CR for reference for buying an econobox, but not for a luxury sports sedan (except for the reliability part).
Today's luxury car buyers are all reasonably well educated, and I believe people do take note when auto magazines overwhelmingly like or hate certain cars. Case in point: many domestics vs. imports.
American car buyers are always hungry for more power, especially the wealthy buyers, despite the gas price, so Lexus had better take notice. I think the IS 350 is a good example that message is well taken within their organization.
Plus, Lexus is launching in Japan at the end of the month (today's WSJ has a feature article) and will its hands full against MB and BMW.
I'd buy a car with 5-series skin, Lexus reliability and interior, RL SH-AWD and navigation, and Infiniti power.
Today's luxury car buyers are all reasonably well educated, and I believe people do take note when auto magazines overwhelmingly like or hate certain cars. Case in point: many domestics vs. imports.
American car buyers are always hungry for more power, especially the wealthy buyers, despite the gas price, so Lexus had better take notice. I think the IS 350 is a good example that message is well taken within their organization.
Plus, Lexus is launching in Japan at the end of the month (today's WSJ has a feature article) and will its hands full against MB and BMW.
I'd buy a car with 5-series skin, Lexus reliability and interior, RL SH-AWD and navigation, and Infiniti power.
Last edited by TMQ; 08-03-05 at 01:56 PM.
08-05-05, 09:23 PM
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GS300 Places Last in Consumer Reports Comparo
Just got my Consumer Reports. The ranking went like this:
1. M35 (their new top-rated sedan)
2. A6 ("overall it's composed and comfortable")
3. STS ("... very quck and responsive")
4. RL (43' wide turning circle)
5. GS300 ("we didn't find it particularly exciting to drive")
Ouch, when Consumer Reports finds a car "lacking feel and isn't agile" you have a problem.
Hey, at least the GS 300 is "recommended".
1. M35 (their new top-rated sedan)
2. A6 ("overall it's composed and comfortable")
3. STS ("... very quck and responsive")
4. RL (43' wide turning circle)
5. GS300 ("we didn't find it particularly exciting to drive")
Ouch, when Consumer Reports finds a car "lacking feel and isn't agile" you have a problem.
Hey, at least the GS 300 is "recommended".
08-05-05, 09:31 PM
#56
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08-05-05, 09:35 PM
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Yeah, already posted and suffice it to say some Lexus guys didn't fully agree with the rankings and some didn't mind. Things were said that were disputed by others and in the end everybody made up (or at least simply stopped arguing). 
I'll leave it at that.
I'll leave it at that.
08-06-05, 06:18 AM
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
.............
When the GS 350 arrives, it will have what, 306hp, it may still lose comparisons.
When the GS 350 arrives, it will have what, 306hp, it may still lose comparisons.
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
....
Finally as someone pointed out, when the GS 450h arrives, NO ONE has an answer to this car.
Finally as someone pointed out, when the GS 450h arrives, NO ONE has an answer to this car.
08-06-05, 08:49 PM
#60
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Originally Posted by doug_999
Ouch, when Consumer Reports finds a car "lacking feel and isn't agile" you have a problem.
".
".
They just don't slam a car around and abuse it with high-RPM drop-clutch and brake-torque starts and speed-shifting trying to shave every lousy tenth-of-a-second off of 0-60 and quarter-mile times like the enthusiast magazines do.
Having said that, though, it IS hard to justify ranking the GS300 last if quality is a major factor.....which it often is with CR.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-06-05 at 08:52 PM.