Dan Neil on the LS460
08-30-06, 05:34 PM
#46
Lead Lap
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Torrance, California
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used to doubt the validity of the LS460 and the LS600h, but the more I read about it and see it, it illicits an envious "damn" response.
08-30-06, 06:09 PM
#47
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Writer's are certainly entitled to their opinions.
However, I'd love to read a review from him about the new S-Class which he loves to mention. The new S is loaded with new technolgies as well. Do we really believe he would have the same negativity about MB's advances?? No Way! In fact he (like all editors like him) will praise Mercedes for it. The upcoming MB CL is copying Lexus' park assist system that he bashes the hell out of. But I'm sure it will be OK because Mercedes is doing it.
He is even negative about the styling!
Come on now. It is truly one of the best looking cars out their. I would have to look toward Lamborghini, Fararri, or Aston Martin to find better.
Would he really say the new S is better looking?? Please.
He probably thinks the 7 series is better looking too.
However, I'd love to read a review from him about the new S-Class which he loves to mention. The new S is loaded with new technolgies as well. Do we really believe he would have the same negativity about MB's advances?? No Way! In fact he (like all editors like him) will praise Mercedes for it. The upcoming MB CL is copying Lexus' park assist system that he bashes the hell out of. But I'm sure it will be OK because Mercedes is doing it.
He is even negative about the styling!
Come on now. It is truly one of the best looking cars out their. I would have to look toward Lamborghini, Fararri, or Aston Martin to find better.
Would he really say the new S is better looking?? Please.
He probably thinks the 7 series is better looking too.
08-30-06, 08:54 PM
#48
Lexus Champion
Didn't Mel Gibson recently get pulled over driving his LS in Malibu?
I think he can pretty much afford any car he wants, but chose the Lexus. Maybe we should ask him if he was influenced by hip-hop music.
I think he can pretty much afford any car he wants, but chose the Lexus. Maybe we should ask him if he was influenced by hip-hop music.
08-30-06, 08:57 PM
#49
Super Moderator
08-30-06, 09:20 PM
#50
The LA Times is absolute trash. Especially their sports articles. If their sports writers are blind, is it really that much of a stretch that this guy is too?
Last edited by GStateOM; 08-30-06 at 09:27 PM.
08-30-06, 09:29 PM
#51
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: California
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lexus will be reguarded as the #1 most prestigeous brand one day. They got the sales to #1, prestige will take time. If they can realy deliver true sports packages, the uber car fans will take lexus seriously. They also need better stock rims for the ls, something like the concept but the standard are terrible.
08-30-06, 09:45 PM
#52
Moderator
I strongly disagree with this man's opinion of the new LS 460. He stated that
"the brand still ranks near zero Kelvin on the prestige thermometer" give me a break. What Lexus was able to do in 16 years is far better than what MB and BMW has be doing for 80 years. In my opinion this article is crap. He can disagree with my opinion and that's fine...
"the brand still ranks near zero Kelvin on the prestige thermometer" give me a break. What Lexus was able to do in 16 years is far better than what MB and BMW has be doing for 80 years. In my opinion this article is crap. He can disagree with my opinion and that's fine...
08-31-06, 12:27 AM
#53
ANYONE who reads the Billboard top 50 knows that Dan Neil's quote was blatantly biased
Dan Neil says Lexus is inferior to "Benz, Cadillac, BMW, Audi" on prestige, and as evidence he cites Billboard top 50 where in 2005, Lexus didn't crack top 50.
1. This quote is blatantly biased because neither BMW or Audi cracked the top 50 in the Billboard ratings in 2005 either. Dan Neil doesn't mention this.
2. Furthermore, Lexus was #2 and #11 respectively the previous two years out of the Billboard 50. Dan Neil neglects to mention this.
3. Additionally, Lexus beat Cadillac, BMW, and Audi at least once in the Billboard ratings the last three years. Audi has NEVER been in the Billboard top ratings, and Lexus beat BMW 2 out of the 3 past years. Lexus has also beat out Maserati, Porsche, Ferrari, et al in the rankings. Dan Neil doesn't mention this either.
There is bias when one points to a Billboard top 50, says 'Lexus is inferior because hip hop artists don't mention it at all" when a) THEY HAVE, b) THE OTHERS HAVEN"T been mentioned that much either this year.
But "don't let the facts get in the way of a good story."
08-31-06, 04:08 AM
#54
Pole Position
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Fl
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dan Neil appears to be a loser. And, a phoney. Any writer who overuses “big words” so much is trying to impress you .. rather than inform you.
His article was so suspiciously one sided that anyone would question his objectivity and real knowledge of cars.
He would be the “bloviating bore“ of any party. Avoid him at all cost.
Big Jimm
So. Fla.
His article was so suspiciously one sided that anyone would question his objectivity and real knowledge of cars.
He would be the “bloviating bore“ of any party. Avoid him at all cost.
Big Jimm
So. Fla.
08-31-06, 04:19 AM
#56
Pole Position
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Fl
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Like I've said before... disagree with him all you want. I personally agree and disagree with a number of the points he raised, but I'm not here attacking him personally. I know very little about him, but it appears he is certainly qualified:
[FONT=hevetica,arial]EXPERIENCE
Los Angeles Times, automobile columnist, 2003-.
Lecturer, North Carolina Wesleyan College, 1986-87.
Spectator Magazine, copy editor, arts columnist; 1987-89.
The News and Observer, copy editor, arts reporter, 1989-91; automotive section editor, 1991-96.
Autoweek Magazine, senior contributing editor, 1994-97.
Car and Driver Magazine, contributing editor, 1997-2003.
Attache Magazine, contributing editor, 1997-1999.
Expedia Travels Magazine, senior travel editor, 1999-2001.
The New York Times, automotive reviewer, 1995-2003.
Worth Magazine, contributing editor, 200 1-2003.
Freelance writer, published in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel and Leisure, Baltimore Sun Magazine, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Art Forum, Robb Report, and many other newspapers and magazines.
[FONT=hevetica,arial]EXPERIENCE
Los Angeles Times, automobile columnist, 2003-.
Lecturer, North Carolina Wesleyan College, 1986-87.
Spectator Magazine, copy editor, arts columnist; 1987-89.
The News and Observer, copy editor, arts reporter, 1989-91; automotive section editor, 1991-96.
Autoweek Magazine, senior contributing editor, 1994-97.
Car and Driver Magazine, contributing editor, 1997-2003.
Attache Magazine, contributing editor, 1997-1999.
Expedia Travels Magazine, senior travel editor, 1999-2001.
The New York Times, automotive reviewer, 1995-2003.
Worth Magazine, contributing editor, 200 1-2003.
Freelance writer, published in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel and Leisure, Baltimore Sun Magazine, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Art Forum, Robb Report, and many other newspapers and magazines.
Big Jimm
So. Fla.
08-31-06, 08:45 AM
#57
Rookie
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From reading the article it is clear to see two things:
1 - The writer dislikes Lexus and doesn't want their success to continue.
2 - He feels they did succeed again with the new LS and is pissed.
1 - The writer dislikes Lexus and doesn't want their success to continue.
2 - He feels they did succeed again with the new LS and is pissed.
08-31-06, 10:05 AM
#58
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This bias is really nothing new to Japanese manufacturers as a whole. The problem for me is the car media at large here in the US is very subjective and very set in their ways. Much like movie critics these people make their living off reviewing things in their particular area of "expertise". This leads to alot of cynical wordplay and snobby rhetoric. But like with the movies, what reviewers tell you you should find appealing should never replace your own personal opinions. Often the worst reviewed movies will provide to be the most entertaining. With the LS460 this will probably be the case as well. Despite what the experts say, people will buy and enjoy this vehicle and have no qualms about it, much like others have for the last 15+ years that Lexus has been available. I love my LS430 despite it all, and I would love to get my hands on an LS460.
08-31-06, 10:08 AM
#59
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Around and about
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
He is even negative about the styling!
Come on now. It is truly one of the best looking cars out their. I would have to look toward Lamborghini, Fararri, or Aston Martin to find better.
Would he really say the new S is better looking?? Please.
He probably thinks the 7 series is better looking too.
I'll reserve my final judgement when I see it in person.
08-31-06, 10:11 AM
#60
Well said. In the end, what really matters is what we think ourselves. I've purchased many things where someone else thought I was crazy. The bottom line is not taking what someone said in a review so personal. I stay at a lot of hotels that I find absolutely wonderful and worth it (luxury, high end properties). Many of those same hotels have had bad reviews by individuals. But I can guarantee you my personal experience will not change the opinion about the individual properties. Same goes for cars.
And I still don't think that the review was that far off.
And I still don't think that the review was that far off.