I have a 2004 LS and found out from this thread https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=121946 that 2004 was the first year that a "wood" steering wheel was standard.

I'm older, first car was a 1968 Chevy Impala that my parents gave me and it had a plastic steering wheel. Next car was a 1967 Mustang that I replaced the plastic wheel with an aftermarket wheel. My 1990 and 1993 Lexus' had a leather steering wheel.

Am I the only one who thinks that the new "wood" steering wheels get hot and feel exactly like the old plastic steering wheels? After all, you don't touch the wood, you touch the high tech coating that feels a lot like ... plastic!!

 

I like the wood wheels - wish my '90 had one. Oh well.

 

Really? Why? It's just starting to get hot here and some days I can't even touch the wheel.

Seems funny to own this expensive car and I have to be careful where I touch the wheel for the first 10 minutes that I drive the car.

Your '90 has a leather wheel I'm sure, as did my '93 GS - huge difference.

 

I wish my '04 had an all leather steering wheel and while we are at it , how about a heated steering wheel (for winter). When my car sits in the sun, the steering wheel gets extremely hot and is untouchable until the A/C cools the car down some. Also, the hot steering wheel then makes your hands sweat and the wood is rather slick. My only complaint about a near perfect car.

 

I had lusted after the wood steering wheel but I now find it isn't as big a deal. Test drove an LS 430 with one and the loaner ES300 I have now has that simulated type of wheel. Except for aesthetics, I'm happy with the regular one.

 

The wood whhel was an option in 1998. It became standard on all LS in 99 and has been there sence. Personally I love it and would not like to drive a car with out it.

Sence I live in South Florida a heated wheel is not a need for me. Yes its hot when sitting out in the sun but it no big deal it cools off almost instantly and you can drive with the leasther sides.

 

I also love the wood wheel in my '01 ES. I believe it resembles the same wheel as in the '98-'00 LS.



The only luxury car I know that has an available heated steering wheel is the Infiniti I35.

 

BMW's has had heated steering wheels for sometime. I had one in my X5 and 5 series and I loved them

 

I personally HATE the wood wheel. It's difficult to grip. I much prefer my old GS400's wheel.

 

I want a Wald one...pure sex.

 

From an aesthetics standpoint, the wood steering wheel set's off the interior nicely. My LS only has the center console and the window switch area so it is minimal to contrast. From a performance standpoint, I get a nicer grip (bare handed) with the basic wheel.

With that smooth non-porus surface the wood ones have, I don't think my grip would be as good. Wearing gloves negates this but this may seem funny in a luxo car. Of course I realize in past days, they had wood steering wheels or hard rubber types.

 

totally agree

 

I love the wood steering wheel for luxury vehicles, I prefer all leather the word "SPORT" is
part of the car.