CL SoCal got to see some new goodies this past Saturday...
04-05-06, 01:32 AM
#121
my review of the 3/25 es350 and ls460 meet
since i don't think it's fair for everyone other than the few who was invited to the new lexus show off that weekend, i am going to tell my story.
this story has to go all the way back in early march. gsxotic is a very good friend of mine, and he told me he got 4 invites to the infamous toyota museum in torrace, ca. everyone knows that the toyota museum is actually closed to public except by appointment / invitation. he wanted to invite me and my wife (ritsa), and of course i said yes right the way
so came 3/24 night, i flew down from san jose to los angeles. 3/25 we woke up early in the morning and set off to the museum. it's definitely "hidden" coz' you dont' see anything but a sign with the street number on it. ritsa actually works about 10 mins away from the toyota museum and she never knew about the place.
as i pulled in, i started to feel weird.... isn't that ryan's car? and then i saw BR1AN's car..... i was like wtf? umm i guess they have an open day or something and these guys are invited too. then i saw neo... now this is getting very weird.... so i talked to those guys, and they acted very weird like "oh umm... yeah umm.... we got invited, umm.... "
this story has to go all the way back in early march. gsxotic is a very good friend of mine, and he told me he got 4 invites to the infamous toyota museum in torrace, ca. everyone knows that the toyota museum is actually closed to public except by appointment / invitation. he wanted to invite me and my wife (ritsa), and of course i said yes right the way
so came 3/24 night, i flew down from san jose to los angeles. 3/25 we woke up early in the morning and set off to the museum. it's definitely "hidden" coz' you dont' see anything but a sign with the street number on it. ritsa actually works about 10 mins away from the toyota museum and she never knew about the place.
as i pulled in, i started to feel weird.... isn't that ryan's car? and then i saw BR1AN's car..... i was like wtf? umm i guess they have an open day or something and these guys are invited too. then i saw neo... now this is getting very weird.... so i talked to those guys, and they acted very weird like "oh umm... yeah umm.... we got invited, umm.... "
04-05-06, 01:32 AM
#122
anyway, i was already kinda carried away by the two very nice all new es350 parked outside the building. i couldn't help but get inside the car and checking everything about it.
the new es350 is probably about 3 steps ahead of the current one imho. it's sooo much nicer in pretty much every aspect. the exterior looks so much nicer imho, it's no longer the "huh?!" headlights in the front, and no longer the weird butt in the back. it's so smooth, elegant. it does speak a bit camry, but you can tell it's a class ahead too
interior is always what the es shines imho, and this one is no exception. i think it's even a more roomy inside. the dual roof is just crazy, and the new center console design is just sick. trim is nice, and personally i like the oval shape on the nav/radio area. overall the interior looks very modern and more sporty too. i do agree though, it probably lacks a bit class compared to the current es330, but i don't think they are going the wrong direction.
the new es350 is probably about 3 steps ahead of the current one imho. it's sooo much nicer in pretty much every aspect. the exterior looks so much nicer imho, it's no longer the "huh?!" headlights in the front, and no longer the weird butt in the back. it's so smooth, elegant. it does speak a bit camry, but you can tell it's a class ahead too
interior is always what the es shines imho, and this one is no exception. i think it's even a more roomy inside. the dual roof is just crazy, and the new center console design is just sick. trim is nice, and personally i like the oval shape on the nav/radio area. overall the interior looks very modern and more sporty too. i do agree though, it probably lacks a bit class compared to the current es330, but i don't think they are going the wrong direction.
04-05-06, 01:32 AM
#123
in any case, as time goes by (i mean maybe like 20 to 30 mins), i felt more awkard coz' i saw more and more cl members pulling in?!?!?!! so i got out of the es350 and wondering what's going on. everyone came to me and was like "hey henry, nice to see you, surprise man" and i kept on saying "no, you are not supposed to know i am coming, what surprise?!" that got worse when i saw solo (he's from norcal), and i knew it's no coincidence anymore.... he came to me and was like "surprise dude, everyone is expecting you". by this time my head was spinning to bad..... so i called gsxotic and was like "dude, when are you arriving?!"
and almost the same time, gsxotic arrived, and when i asked him, he was like "hehe, no dude, it's actually a meet today". AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now i knew i was played, it's no invitation to museum, it's a damn meet! great, people fooled me!!!!!
and soon after, ryan walked out from the museum, and he saw me and we chatted. then he said "hey henry, come on in, got some stuff for you" so i thought there must be some goodie bags.... ryan brought me in and after corners and corners, suddenly, he went "here you go man, surprise!"
and almost the same time, gsxotic arrived, and when i asked him, he was like "hehe, no dude, it's actually a meet today". AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now i knew i was played, it's no invitation to museum, it's a damn meet! great, people fooled me!!!!!
and soon after, ryan walked out from the museum, and he saw me and we chatted. then he said "hey henry, come on in, got some stuff for you" so i thought there must be some goodie bags.... ryan brought me in and after corners and corners, suddenly, he went "here you go man, surprise!"
04-05-06, 01:32 AM
#124
I WAS STUNED. I WAS SPEECHLESS. I WAS SHOCKED. well i basically forgot my reaction. there was this grille, these headlights, these foglights, right in front of me. i knew what it is, i knew! it's the new ls460!!!!!!!! i must have paused there for seconds without able to say or do anything.
i have to admit, what happened for the next 5 to 10 mins i totally forgot already. i was just too shocked and happy to see the damn car, and able to touch it in person! as soon as i gathered myself, i ran out and grabbed ritsa, "hey ritsa, come come, i got something to show you". after i brought her in and went "see see see... this is the the the.... new ls460!" she looked at me and said "surprised, honey"
that was my second shock...... I WAS PLAYED BY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!! INCLUDING MY GOOD FRIEND AND MY WIFE!!!!!!!!! i was the biggest fool that whole day!!!!!!
so after i calmed down, i figured everyone knew what that meet was supposed to be, all knew that i was coming, basically everyone except me knew everything @_@
i have to admit, what happened for the next 5 to 10 mins i totally forgot already. i was just too shocked and happy to see the damn car, and able to touch it in person! as soon as i gathered myself, i ran out and grabbed ritsa, "hey ritsa, come come, i got something to show you". after i brought her in and went "see see see... this is the the the.... new ls460!" she looked at me and said "surprised, honey"
that was my second shock...... I WAS PLAYED BY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!! INCLUDING MY GOOD FRIEND AND MY WIFE!!!!!!!!! i was the biggest fool that whole day!!!!!!
so after i calmed down, i figured everyone knew what that meet was supposed to be, all knew that i was coming, basically everyone except me knew everything @_@
04-05-06, 01:32 AM
#125
so anyway, back to the ls460 (that's supposed to be the story of this thread..).. i dont' have any pics (ritsa's computer is down), but you can find pics of the car everywhere. i am just going to post all my findings by talking to the specialist and also by checking out the car with other cl members.
exterior wise, the car is just sick. i honestly have to say that the car is far beyond what the 3gs and 2is did to me. it's just stunning, very elgant and classy, that's about as best as i could put it. lines are smooth, and the trunk is no 7 series at all. in person it looks completely different, imho a lot nicer and the taillights, etc... are put together very well.
i am surprised to find that the car doesn't look as big as i thought. in fact i kinda wish the car being a bit bigger. granted it's the swb version, meaning the lwb will be bigger, still i wish it could be bulkier.
the interior is just without a worst stunning. it's for sure on top of any other lexus i have seen. all designs are very nice. when sitting in the car, the nav screen is actually very well within reach, it's not far up top at all. imho it's even closer than the current ls430, which has always been my complain.
the dash is very clean too, i like it more than the current ls430 as well the steering wheel is definitely improvement over the current one, though i still wish it could be a bit thicker and smoother.
the trunk is big and the layout makes a lot more sense to put large luggages. and we actually saw a full size spare tire in it. that's good to know.
exterior wise, the car is just sick. i honestly have to say that the car is far beyond what the 3gs and 2is did to me. it's just stunning, very elgant and classy, that's about as best as i could put it. lines are smooth, and the trunk is no 7 series at all. in person it looks completely different, imho a lot nicer and the taillights, etc... are put together very well.
i am surprised to find that the car doesn't look as big as i thought. in fact i kinda wish the car being a bit bigger. granted it's the swb version, meaning the lwb will be bigger, still i wish it could be bulkier.
the interior is just without a worst stunning. it's for sure on top of any other lexus i have seen. all designs are very nice. when sitting in the car, the nav screen is actually very well within reach, it's not far up top at all. imho it's even closer than the current ls430, which has always been my complain.
the dash is very clean too, i like it more than the current ls430 as well the steering wheel is definitely improvement over the current one, though i still wish it could be a bit thicker and smoother.
the trunk is big and the layout makes a lot more sense to put large luggages. and we actually saw a full size spare tire in it. that's good to know.
04-05-06, 01:33 AM
#126
by talking to the specialist there and also looking at the details, i learned more stuff about the car
1) the lwb will basically have about 4" more leg room for the rear passengers
2) the ls460l will come in 3 setup, with the highest setup being fully loaded, including the 4 seats option and all gadgets imaginable. the ls460l will have 5 seats options, my guess is that's the case for the lower two setups. not sure exactly what will be "missing" though, probably foot rest, entertainment, massagers, and center piece?
3) from what i heard, NO ls460 will come with awd. this was indeed quite surprising, though i didn't care much about (being in cali). if it's true, that's a bit weird since lexus offer awd for the lower models in the 3gs and the 2is. and also from the way the specialist said it, it kinda makes me wonder if she meant "ls600h will come with awd option" or "ls600h will only come with awd"?
4) the laminated windows (2 pieces of glass) will be offered in the higher two models as standard, pretty much the same as the current generation
5) price. couldn't get a final answer as usual, but gsxotic and i did get some very deep insight on lexus directions. we asked the question of how lexus is going to attack the market with the ls, and also how lexus answers some people's question of "lexus are getting too expensive, too close to prices of mb, and it's no longer the 'value' in the past".
they say that with the new ls, it's actually going to take a lot of "load". at the very low end, people are STILL going to be able to take the advantage of lexus, meaning the ls460 base will be very much affordable to people still. that's the value package.
however, lexus is going to use the ls460 to attack high end people as well, putting in amazing packages and such to fulfill those who need them, and at the same time with a much higher price tag.
and there were also hints that in the short "future", the top of the line LS will be right at the 100k line (again, no promise), but it's selling for exclusivity and status. it's almost like a car where lexus won't really put in the dealership and awaiting people to come and get it. lexus will actually go out and reach those people and present the car to them. this is very different from what they are doing with the current ls430, where even for the ultra package, it's people coming in to buy one.
6) they are still keeping lip tight on the exact hp numbers on the car, saying that it's going to be around 380hp. and since they were still pretty tight lipped on the ls600h, not much i could get out of them
7) neo, gsxotic, and i checked the wheel well setup of the cars. the front is actually pretty forgiving, so i think putting wheels in the front is no problem. however though, i am still a bit disappointed with the back. the fender could have been more aggressive and allow bigger and wider wheels.
8) the rear exhaust is done very nice. in the picture you see the chrome trim kinda "mold" into the rear bumper. inside you can actually see the normal exhaust tips (round, dark steel piece, etc...). i really wonder how the aftermarket is going to attack the exhaust on this car
9) the engine bay is very clean with all teh covers. and indeed there are a lot of space left, a bit hint for another engine inside?! also, we noticed that the 4.6L engine is VERY different from the 4.3 engine. we all know that the 4.3 engine is very similar to the 4.0L engine, but this is something new. the whole design is different, from the way the intake works to the throttle, etc.... everything is from ground zero on this car
10) the car was still a prototype, it started pretty quiet, actually just like any other v8 lexus i have seen so far. so not much excitment there. i wonder what would happen if the exhaust is "opened up"
11) the rear brake lights are done very very nicely. the led setup are put together very uniquely, and it's not simple like the 3gs and 2is. and it's funny that the 3rd brake light is actually at the top of the rear winshield! no i wonder how the roof spoiler is gonna work
12) the headlights are very nice. even high beam are projectors. and there are some very nice touches to the headlights that's hard to describe unless you see it in person. i have seen the headlights of the 3gs and 2is in details, the attention of details on the ls460 headlights are unreal
1) the lwb will basically have about 4" more leg room for the rear passengers
2) the ls460l will come in 3 setup, with the highest setup being fully loaded, including the 4 seats option and all gadgets imaginable. the ls460l will have 5 seats options, my guess is that's the case for the lower two setups. not sure exactly what will be "missing" though, probably foot rest, entertainment, massagers, and center piece?
3) from what i heard, NO ls460 will come with awd. this was indeed quite surprising, though i didn't care much about (being in cali). if it's true, that's a bit weird since lexus offer awd for the lower models in the 3gs and the 2is. and also from the way the specialist said it, it kinda makes me wonder if she meant "ls600h will come with awd option" or "ls600h will only come with awd"?
4) the laminated windows (2 pieces of glass) will be offered in the higher two models as standard, pretty much the same as the current generation
5) price. couldn't get a final answer as usual, but gsxotic and i did get some very deep insight on lexus directions. we asked the question of how lexus is going to attack the market with the ls, and also how lexus answers some people's question of "lexus are getting too expensive, too close to prices of mb, and it's no longer the 'value' in the past".
they say that with the new ls, it's actually going to take a lot of "load". at the very low end, people are STILL going to be able to take the advantage of lexus, meaning the ls460 base will be very much affordable to people still. that's the value package.
however, lexus is going to use the ls460 to attack high end people as well, putting in amazing packages and such to fulfill those who need them, and at the same time with a much higher price tag.
and there were also hints that in the short "future", the top of the line LS will be right at the 100k line (again, no promise), but it's selling for exclusivity and status. it's almost like a car where lexus won't really put in the dealership and awaiting people to come and get it. lexus will actually go out and reach those people and present the car to them. this is very different from what they are doing with the current ls430, where even for the ultra package, it's people coming in to buy one.
6) they are still keeping lip tight on the exact hp numbers on the car, saying that it's going to be around 380hp. and since they were still pretty tight lipped on the ls600h, not much i could get out of them
7) neo, gsxotic, and i checked the wheel well setup of the cars. the front is actually pretty forgiving, so i think putting wheels in the front is no problem. however though, i am still a bit disappointed with the back. the fender could have been more aggressive and allow bigger and wider wheels.
8) the rear exhaust is done very nice. in the picture you see the chrome trim kinda "mold" into the rear bumper. inside you can actually see the normal exhaust tips (round, dark steel piece, etc...). i really wonder how the aftermarket is going to attack the exhaust on this car
9) the engine bay is very clean with all teh covers. and indeed there are a lot of space left, a bit hint for another engine inside?! also, we noticed that the 4.6L engine is VERY different from the 4.3 engine. we all know that the 4.3 engine is very similar to the 4.0L engine, but this is something new. the whole design is different, from the way the intake works to the throttle, etc.... everything is from ground zero on this car
10) the car was still a prototype, it started pretty quiet, actually just like any other v8 lexus i have seen so far. so not much excitment there. i wonder what would happen if the exhaust is "opened up"
11) the rear brake lights are done very very nicely. the led setup are put together very uniquely, and it's not simple like the 3gs and 2is. and it's funny that the 3rd brake light is actually at the top of the rear winshield! no i wonder how the roof spoiler is gonna work
12) the headlights are very nice. even high beam are projectors. and there are some very nice touches to the headlights that's hard to describe unless you see it in person. i have seen the headlights of the 3gs and 2is in details, the attention of details on the ls460 headlights are unreal
04-05-06, 01:33 AM
#127
so that's pretty much all i think of the meet. basically i think the ls460 is one amazing car, i have a lot of expectations on it. i think it's going to be a big hit to the market, though i would be holding my breath and see how it's going to satisfy all the market, since it's apparent to me that the price range of the ls460 (from basic too fully loaded ls460l) would be quite dramatic.
regardless, after the event i only find myself even more interested in the ls460, it's definitely way up there on my future car list. at least ritsa has approved on the car, so now it's all about my bank account?
oh and last but not least, i just have to thank everyone who was involved in pulling off this meet, and of course the whole surprise party for me. off the top of my head
- thank you ryan for coordinating everything on the meet, it's huge
- thank you liz for coming up with the idea of playing me. you did it very well, and thank you so much for your lovely thoughts!
- thank you to my wife for preparing all the surprise!!!
- thank you mark for making up such a perfect story to fool me. having you as my good friend is something i can never be thankful enough
- thank you neo for talking to us all along in the beginning without letting me get inside the building
- thank you all the socal people for able to NOT leak any news about the meet to me at all!!!!!!!
you guys are the best, and my signature is all for you guys!
regardless, after the event i only find myself even more interested in the ls460, it's definitely way up there on my future car list. at least ritsa has approved on the car, so now it's all about my bank account?
oh and last but not least, i just have to thank everyone who was involved in pulling off this meet, and of course the whole surprise party for me. off the top of my head
- thank you ryan for coordinating everything on the meet, it's huge
- thank you liz for coming up with the idea of playing me. you did it very well, and thank you so much for your lovely thoughts!
- thank you to my wife for preparing all the surprise!!!
- thank you mark for making up such a perfect story to fool me. having you as my good friend is something i can never be thankful enough
- thank you neo for talking to us all along in the beginning without letting me get inside the building
- thank you all the socal people for able to NOT leak any news about the meet to me at all!!!!!!!
you guys are the best, and my signature is all for you guys!
04-05-06, 07:42 AM
#129
Super Moderator
Originally Posted by rominl
3) from what i heard, NO ls460 will come with awd. this was indeed quite surprising, though i didn't care much about (being in cali). if it's true, that's a bit weird since lexus offer awd for the lower models in the 3gs and the 2is. and also from the way the specialist said it, it kinda makes me wonder if she meant "ls600h will come with awd option" or "ls600h will only come with awd"?
Nice review, this car is gonna be nuts.
04-05-06, 09:16 AM
#131
Originally Posted by LexArazzo
LS600h with the added weight of BOTH the hybrid engine & AWD will be a very heavy car indeed, any hints on whether the LS hybrid will come LWB only too ?
good question on the ls600h being lwb only or not. didn't ask that, though i doubt if they could answer me. they tried to stay away from the hybrid version as much as they can, always steered back to the ls460 there, so..... i guess NY autoshow we wait
04-05-06, 12:10 PM
#132
Henry-
Well stated...my feelings parallel yours on this stunning car. Junko gave her approval and by the time we're ready, we'll be looking for the MC~ revision.
I wonder if the L variant is in the country? I'd probably have passed out if it were there.
Well stated...my feelings parallel yours on this stunning car. Junko gave her approval and by the time we're ready, we'll be looking for the MC~ revision.
I wonder if the L variant is in the country? I'd probably have passed out if it were there.
04-05-06, 03:46 PM
#133
Lexus Test Driver
Sounds like an amazing time! I can't wait for it to come out so I can go to the dealer to sit in it.
To those of you who were there, since the new S-class was right there next to it... and being purely objective... what, if anything, do you think Mercedes did better than Lexus with their new flagship? E.g. are there any areas of the interior where the materials are nicer... or any exterior angles of the car that look better than the Lex?
I've gotten some seat time in the new S550, its a pretty nice car... but just from pics i've seen I think Lexus has gotten the one up on MB interior wise.
Anyone have any more pics of the LS??
To those of you who were there, since the new S-class was right there next to it... and being purely objective... what, if anything, do you think Mercedes did better than Lexus with their new flagship? E.g. are there any areas of the interior where the materials are nicer... or any exterior angles of the car that look better than the Lex?
I've gotten some seat time in the new S550, its a pretty nice car... but just from pics i've seen I think Lexus has gotten the one up on MB interior wise.
Anyone have any more pics of the LS??
04-05-06, 03:54 PM
#134
Originally Posted by RA40
I wonder if the L variant is in the country? I'd probably have passed out if it were there.
In case you guys did not see it, here is the full article from Ryan.
https://www.clublexus.com/index.php/...iew/7509/1/10/
04-05-06, 04:22 PM
#135
Lexus Diva
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Originally Posted by Faraaz23
To those of you who were there, since the new S-class was right there next to it... and being purely objective... what, if anything, do you think Mercedes did better than Lexus with their new flagship? E.g. are there any areas of the interior where the materials are nicer... or any exterior angles of the car that look better than the Lex?