I am not sure I understand the above question. But I can tell you that here in PA almost every single Mercedes sold is now AWD.

 

I think it mainly has to do with snowy weather. In states which are snowbound during winter, AWD is a huge advantage for those who have it. As for California, most major populated regions do not get any snowfall, so AWD is not as big a requirement.

 

Anyone want to put one on order together? I'm going to be ordering one as soon as they officially release the details. I'm in the North East Specifically Rochester, NY. MAybe we can get a better deal.

 

Deal? There is not an all-wheel-drive-snowball's chance in hell that ANYONE is going to get anything but "full sticker" as a "deal". At least not the first year or so. These puppies are gonna be the hottest vehicles with AWD ever (in the AWD luxomobile category). And they know it. They'll probably price them about $3000 to $4000 above the regular car price and will get full sticker. The only way one MIGHT get a deal is to special order one from a dealer in the south, who probably won't order or sell any and they would recognize that this would be an "extra" sale. Northeast dealers are gonna get full pop. Supply and demand, supply and demand.

 

I'll pay full price if I have to but it doesn't hurt trying. Does it? And at the very least maybe you will get some free accessories. Either way I wouldn't be buying one if I could'nt afford it.

 

I'm sure you'll get a token $1000 off to make you feel better.

I seriously would consider contacting a number of dealers in the south and see if they would special order and deal. Again, there will be very few, if any, AWD cars being sold down there so it will be an "extra" sale. On the other hand, Toyota always seems to know how to trickle supply to be just below demand. And may not send ANY down south because of exactly what I am talking about.

 

I'll take $1000 off better than nothing. My AcuraRL lease is up at the end of August and I'll need a new Ride. I'm buying this instead of leasing. Maybe I'll talk to fleetrates. Don't know any southern Dealers but my Sister Lives in Atlanta.

 

I did find out it will be available in LWB as well as SWB. Long or short wheel base will be available in All wheel drive for 2009. Someone asked the question, so I talked to the GM at my Lexus dealership today...

Craig

 

That's great news. Even AWD people can have choices now. Imagine that.

 

ah, that'd be a very good move to have awd on swb too

 

I heard from my salesperson again. She sent an email with a little more info regarding AWD. Here's part of it:

I was just letting you know that in the fall Lexus will start building 100% of LS460L 's will be AWD and 90% of LS460's will be AWD - 10% being RWD.
Every AWD LS460 and LS460L will have air suspension due to the weight of the vehicle.

As for the MSRP - because of the AWD and Air Suspension we are expecting the price to increase $4-5,000 from the LS460's we see now

She didn't say if those prices were on top of the new price increases just announced by Lexus.
If anyone else has more current information, I'm sure a number of us would be interested.

Teach

 

What the hell... Why can't Lexus give people options? Not everyone needs or wants AWD, particularly when they have to pay for this extra. Lexus needs to stop being such a cheapskate in model varieties.

 

wow, 100% of the ls460l would be awd? that's a bummer. quite a lot of ls owners don't need awd

 

My dealer just told me he expects the AWD to be out in December 08. What the Heck my lease on the Acura Rl is ending Sept 1. Has anyone gotten an other date for release?

 

I think what this means is that initial allocations will be 460L - 100% AWD, and 460SWB - 90% AWD. You will still be able to order none AWD model, but may have to wait a bit longer.