Custom Luxury LS430: did it have extra leather on doors and console??
05-01-09, 05:28 PM
#16
I got the CL instead of the UL simply because I needed the ski passthrough. There is no trunk passthrough on the UL, so that was out. Luckily the CL has all the good stuff from the drivers seat forward.
+1 on the laser cruise. I use mine a lot and love this feature.
+1 on the laser cruise. I use mine a lot and love this feature.
05-01-09, 07:06 PM
#18
That's it...
The double pane glass is a big plus in reducing exterior noise. I test drove a ML and CL back-to-back and very noticeable the difference.
05-01-09, 07:34 PM
#19
Luckily for me the dealer had no clue what a CL was. They had the ML and CL priced the same, with the CL being in much better condition with all the extra goodies like laser cruise, suede headliner, semi-aniline leather, etc.
If you want an Ultra, but without the rear seat stuff and need the rear seat passthrough, the CL is the car to buy.
Last edited by wanderer99; 05-01-09 at 07:38 PM.
05-01-09, 08:47 PM
#20
Custom has the "suede" too. Not a UL exclusive.
The only things you can't get on the CL that are "standard" on the UL are:
1. air suspension (although some claim it was an option, but I think it might be a myth)
2. rear massage seats, coupled with the audio controls on the handrest.
3. rear cool box
4. rear door sunshade
You do "lose" something with the UL and that is trunk space. The ice box takes up trunk space. Everything special with the UL is in the back, or you can't see... so if you're a big time driver, you'll never enjoy anything back there.
The only things you can't get on the CL that are "standard" on the UL are:
1. air suspension (although some claim it was an option, but I think it might be a myth)
2. rear massage seats, coupled with the audio controls on the handrest.
3. rear cool box
4. rear door sunshade
You do "lose" something with the UL and that is trunk space. The ice box takes up trunk space. Everything special with the UL is in the back, or you can't see... so if you're a big time driver, you'll never enjoy anything back there.
05-02-09, 05:15 AM
#23
Better in what?
Yes, better in terms of sound insulation and probably temp containment too, but not better in price. The price for the double pane is obviously more $160 vs. $116 for the single pane glass. 
hopefully I never have to replace them. I've seen people get "frosting" effect on the glass from the laminate peeling or something over time and it usually occurs along the bottom of the window, so look out for that.
BNR is right, he/she went into the finer details of the all the goodies in the back. Again, if you don't have a chaeuffeur and you're the main driver, then all that "ultra" stuff in the back is either sitting there doing nothing, or you're passengers are enjoying it.
Someone wrote about non-Lexus dealers selling ML and CL at the same price. I found that to be true at a few places. They tend to see the "car" itself and whether or not is has NAV or not and that's it. No Nav $20K, with nav $22K and they don't distinguish thereafter. Of course these dealers are few and far apart, but they are out there. So search for them...
hopefully I never have to replace them. I've seen people get "frosting" effect on the glass from the laminate peeling or something over time and it usually occurs along the bottom of the window, so look out for that.BNR is right, he/she went into the finer details of the all the goodies in the back. Again, if you don't have a chaeuffeur and you're the main driver, then all that "ultra" stuff in the back is either sitting there doing nothing, or you're passengers are enjoying it.
Someone wrote about non-Lexus dealers selling ML and CL at the same price. I found that to be true at a few places. They tend to see the "car" itself and whether or not is has NAV or not and that's it. No Nav $20K, with nav $22K and they don't distinguish thereafter. Of course these dealers are few and far apart, but they are out there. So search for them...
05-02-09, 06:55 PM
#24
Someone wrote about non-Lexus dealers selling ML and CL at the same price. I found that to be true at a few places. They tend to see the "car" itself and whether or not is has NAV or not and that's it. No Nav $20K, with nav $22K and they don't distinguish thereafter. Of course these dealers are few and far apart, but they are out there. So search for them...
05-02-09, 07:15 PM
#26
Heavy
05-02-09, 09:31 PM
#27
Wind noise comes from the seams and transitions and where there are gaps and non-flat surfaces on the vehicle. Normal and 2x thick glass should actually produce the same amount of wind noise. I'm not an aerodynamic engineer, but I'd say most (more than 50%) of the wind noise would come from the front/front glass-windshield? And the FRONT glass is not 2x thicker.
Also, the 2x thick glass should undoubtedly prevent more noise infiltration, but is their sound dampening capabilities going to be exactly proportional to the thickness of the glass? In other words, are they REALLY 2x more quiet...or just MORE quiet?
Sorry for the deep thoughts...I just got home from a night of drinking & watching the Celtics game...lol!
05-03-09, 03:01 AM
#28
Racer
Thread Starter
LS430inDE, you are probably right. The newer luxury cars have an "acoustic windshield". This windshield supposedly makes the car quieter by decreasing windnoise. In addition, this windshield also helps with sound dispersion in the vehicle (for better acoustics from sound system). I believe the Avalon Limited (only, lower grades do not have it) have this. My guess is that the thicker laminated side windows in the LS430 decrease exterior noise as you noted.
BTW, if you write this well and think this deeply after drinking, then maybe you should be the neighborhood drunk...think about what good you can do to mankind!
BTW, if you write this well and think this deeply after drinking, then maybe you should be the neighborhood drunk...think about what good you can do to mankind!
05-03-09, 08:48 AM
#29
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: JP (oki to be precise :D)
Posts: 4,918
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
I was just messing with you on this one alexus, i guess i left work early on friday afternoon after posting that "if you want the suede you have to get a UL bit" and i forgot to write j/k until now... so yeah j/k but its prolly not as funny 2 days later as it may have been 2 hours later,, well it was funny in my mind when i wrote it at least.
oh wait heres another good one for you guys. If you want the wood grain steering wheel you'll have to get a UL then... J/K
oh wait heres another good one for you guys. If you want the wood grain steering wheel you'll have to get a UL then... J/K
05-03-09, 03:54 PM
#30
Gangsta rappers
too much...I was just messing with you on this one alexus, i guess i left work early on friday afternoon after posting that "if you want the suede you have to get a UL bit" and i forgot to write j/k until now... so yeah j/k but its prolly not as funny 2 days later as it may have been 2 hours later,, well it was funny in my mind when i wrote it at least.
oh wait heres another good one for you guys. If you want the wood grain steering wheel you'll have to get a UL then... J/K
oh wait heres another good one for you guys. If you want the wood grain steering wheel you'll have to get a UL then... J/K
you and LS430inDE need to hook up down there in Maryland/Delaware and have a big block party !!! Oh, btw, the wood was standard on all trims, not just UL. 
stay kool... like Hawaiian Punch.