550i vs 450h - test drove both.
#1
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Power - slight edge to 450h which seemed faster
Ergonomics - 450h -> had to use stupid mouse just to get air on my feet in the 550
Handling -> 550i, not even close sorry lexus, this may be a deal breaker
Exterior -> subjective but I give slight edge to lexus
Interior -> slight edge to 550i, mostly because of the awesome M sport steering wheel which matters more than most other stuff
Overall I'd rather drive the 550 but I'd rather be in the 450h. I wish there wasn't such a big handling gap....
Ergonomics - 450h -> had to use stupid mouse just to get air on my feet in the 550
Handling -> 550i, not even close sorry lexus, this may be a deal breaker
Exterior -> subjective but I give slight edge to lexus
Interior -> slight edge to 550i, mostly because of the awesome M sport steering wheel which matters more than most other stuff
Overall I'd rather drive the 550 but I'd rather be in the 450h. I wish there wasn't such a big handling gap....
#2
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Overall I'd rather drive the 550 but I'd rather be in the 450h. I wish there wasn't such a big handling gap....
Ones made to be driven nearly to it's limits to be fully enjoyed, and the other isnt.
I spent 3 full days at MB and Beemer dealerships trying to find something I really liked.
30 seconds in the Lex, and that was all it took...
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Last edited by PoppFlyy; 07-11-06 at 08:54 PM.
#3
Phat Monkey
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Originally Posted by HemantS
Power - slight edge to 450h which seemed faster
Ergonomics - 450h -> had to use stupid mouse just to get air on my feet in the 550
Handling -> 550i, not even close sorry lexus, this may be a deal breaker
Exterior -> subjective but I give slight edge to lexus
Interior -> slight edge to 550i, mostly because of the awesome M sport steering wheel which matters more than most other stuff
Overall I'd rather drive the 550 but I'd rather be in the 450h. I wish there wasn't such a big handling gap....
Ergonomics - 450h -> had to use stupid mouse just to get air on my feet in the 550
Handling -> 550i, not even close sorry lexus, this may be a deal breaker
Exterior -> subjective but I give slight edge to lexus
Interior -> slight edge to 550i, mostly because of the awesome M sport steering wheel which matters more than most other stuff
Overall I'd rather drive the 550 but I'd rather be in the 450h. I wish there wasn't such a big handling gap....
was the 450h fully loaded with the active stablizer suspension system...sigh...what a long name for an option...heh
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#4
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The advertising company my wife works for recently landed the BMW account and as a result I have access to the sweetest partner deal I've ever seen. Basically I can get any new non-M car at $500 over invoice price and then get a $500-1,500 rebate from BMW after purchase (the higher end of the rebate on the more expensive cars). So basically I could get a 550i for $500-1K under invoice with no negotiation required. As a result, this has had me seriously pondering a 550i Sport 6MT. However, even at invoice price, it rings in at $65K after gas guzzler tax, etc., and that's damned expensive. The power-to-weight ratio is almost identical to the previous-gen M5, though, and that's one of my favorite cars of all time.
If you saw my thread, a few weeks ago I briefly considered the GS450h but decided to stick with my S4 for the fun factor. I think the 550i Sport 6MT would give me the space and extra luxuries of the GS450h (yes, I know iDrive is annoying vs. the Lexus touchscreen) with the fun/performance of the S4. It would also cost me a chunk o' change above what I have invested now, though.
Something to consider...
If you saw my thread, a few weeks ago I briefly considered the GS450h but decided to stick with my S4 for the fun factor. I think the 550i Sport 6MT would give me the space and extra luxuries of the GS450h (yes, I know iDrive is annoying vs. the Lexus touchscreen) with the fun/performance of the S4. It would also cost me a chunk o' change above what I have invested now, though.
Something to consider...
Last edited by SCWells72; 07-12-06 at 07:10 AM.
#5
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Originally Posted by PoppFlyy
Thats the big differnce tween Lexus and either MB or BMW.
Ones made to be driven nearly to it's limits to be fully enjoyed, and the other isnt.
I spent 3 full days at MB and Beemer dealerships trying to find something I really liked.
30 seconds in the Lex, and that was all it took...![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Ones made to be driven nearly to it's limits to be fully enjoyed, and the other isnt.
I spent 3 full days at MB and Beemer dealerships trying to find something I really liked.
30 seconds in the Lex, and that was all it took...
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
It is true that they are two cars for two different types of people. But if you really enjoy driving, then nothing beats the BMW.
#7
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Originally Posted by doug_999
I disagree. I drive 6 miles to work - top speed is normally about 35ish. I simply love driving my BMW and trust me, I'm not even close to the limits. When I had my GS, the only time I actually enjoyed driving it was when coming home from a nice dinner and I wanted an isolated ride.
It is true that they are two cars for two different types of people. But if you really enjoy driving, then nothing beats the BMW.
It is true that they are two cars for two different types of people. But if you really enjoy driving, then nothing beats the BMW.
A lot beats the BMW, trust me~
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#9
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Originally Posted by doug_999
..... But if you really enjoy driving, then nothing beats the BMW.
Plus I'm just not sure where my kid's car seats would fit in those "other" cars
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#10
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Originally Posted by PoppFlyy
Thats the big differnce tween Lexus and either MB or BMW.
Ones made to be driven nearly to it's limits to be fully enjoyed, and the other isnt.
I spent 3 full days at MB and Beemer dealerships trying to find something I really liked.
30 seconds in the Lex, and that was all it took...![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Ones made to be driven nearly to it's limits to be fully enjoyed, and the other isnt.
I spent 3 full days at MB and Beemer dealerships trying to find something I really liked.
30 seconds in the Lex, and that was all it took...
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
thats how it worked for me aswell......I would rather have a super comfortable ride than feel every bump...not to mention that BMW leather is like sitting on rocks, literally the most unconfortable seats Ive ever sat on.
#11
Lexus Fanatic
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Originally Posted by knicker
... BMW leather is like sitting on rocks, literally the most unconfortable seats Ive ever sat on.
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
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#12
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Originally Posted by HemantS
Power - slight edge to 450h which seemed faster
Ergonomics - 450h -> had to use stupid mouse just to get air on my feet in the 550
Handling -> 550i, not even close sorry lexus, this may be a deal breaker
Exterior -> subjective but I give slight edge to lexus
Interior -> slight edge to 550i, mostly because of the awesome M sport steering wheel which matters more than most other stuff
Overall I'd rather drive the 550 but I'd rather be in the 450h. I wish there wasn't such a big handling gap....
Ergonomics - 450h -> had to use stupid mouse just to get air on my feet in the 550
Handling -> 550i, not even close sorry lexus, this may be a deal breaker
Exterior -> subjective but I give slight edge to lexus
Interior -> slight edge to 550i, mostly because of the awesome M sport steering wheel which matters more than most other stuff
Overall I'd rather drive the 550 but I'd rather be in the 450h. I wish there wasn't such a big handling gap....
Lexus makes powerful smooth drivetrains with Buick suspensions.
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#13
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Originally Posted by bitkahuna
When was the last time you sat in them?
They're awesome seats. ![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
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#14
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Originally Posted by knicker
My mother has a 645 and my best friend has a x5 and they both are like rocks....just my opinion.
But I have to ask... you are wearing clothes when you sample these seats right? Cause I'm just not sure how you can feel the "softer" leather unless you are buck naked
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j/k