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Its the way aesthetic is going in general, Lexus is moving along with the trends in style as well they should.
What I like in a luxury car interior is like you, I want good quality materials. I want real metal, real leather, if it has wood I want it to be real. Too much of a good thing is overkill. I happen to like nice wood trim in a car, but too much of it is overkill and I think the LS430 has too much, What doesn't help is that its outdated looking wood with heavy burling when the trend is towards linear grains in wood, and/or open pore matte finishes. IMHO, they just look really old inside, and I don't think gen 2 LS400s look as old largely because their materials are more contemporary.
IMHO, this is a much more attractive and contemporary looking interior:
Than this:
I agree. I remember test driving the LS430 about 6-7 years back and falling in love with it at the time so I put it on my radar. When the LS460 came into my price range I test drove it and absolutely fell in love with it. The overall styling is much better, exterior and interior-wise. Although, we of different opinion have to agree to disagree as this topic is subjective, it's all a matter of opinion.
[QUOTE=SW15LS;9890183] For instance I still prefer and wear pleated trousers. I have to order them online, because no stores stock them because they are out of style.
Not for long....they're coming back soon (albeit slightly updated).
And please stop posting pics of a 98-00 LS400 interior. Makes me want to go shopping. I still miss my '96 at times- loved that car. I occasionally search for a 98-00 and would have a hard time not buying one if it was the right color, in great shape and popped up locally. There's one for sale near me now with 68k miles (!!) but it's gold.
3 things I noticed when comparing the pics you posted of the 400 vs 430 interior:
1) Leather wrapped door areas (panels where you can rest your arm) - loved that in my 400. Didn't have it in my 430 and don't have it in my 460 but wish I did (have actually contemplated seeing how much it would cost to have them wrapped)
2) No wood trim around the AC vents in the 400. I like the look of that compared to what they did in the 430.
3) I think the 430 color combo you posted (black leather with light wood) has not aged gracefully. The 400 pic with the tan leather looks way better than a 400 that had grey interior (IMO of course). I searched for a while for my 400 to find one with tan interior because I felt it made a huge difference in the interior feel and "open-ness" inside. A tan interior 430 vs. the tan interior 400 would be a better comparison.
I agree. I remember test driving the LS430 about 6-7 years back and falling in love with it at the time so I put it on my radar. When the LS460 came into my price range I test drove it and absolutely fell in love with it. The overall styling is much better, exterior and interior-wise. Although, we of different opinion have to agree to disagree as this topic is subjective, it's all a matter of opinion.
I remember driving the LS430 in 2001 when the LS400 was coming to the end of the lease and we actually wound up buying the LS400 out of the lease and keeping it. The 430 felt a lot bigger and more ungainly, we didn't like the styling as much inside and out, really didn't like the styling outside and overall didn't seem to be worth the upgrade at that time.
My dad did get an LS430 in 04, mostly because his company offered to buy one for him as a company car so it was free. We never liked it as much as the LS400 though. The 04 was a huge upgrade to the 01-03 430 though, took what I consider an ugly car and made it quite attractive, although there are still some awkward angles. The 460 has the distinction of being greatly looking from every angle IMHO.
Originally Posted by jrmckinley
Not for long....they're coming back soon (albeit slightly updated).
Like I said, all that is old will be new again lol. I can finally buy some new pants in a store like a normal person!
And please stop posting pics of a 98-00 LS400 interior. Makes me want to go shopping. I still miss my '96 at times- loved that car. I occasionally search for a 98-00 and would have a hard time not buying one if it was the right color, in great shape and popped up locally. There's one for sale near me now with 68k miles (!!) but it's gold.
I know! I'm the same way. There's a really nice one in CA that was posted in the 400 forum with like 55k miles for $9,900 that's white with tan, tempted!
3 things I noticed when comparing the pics you posted of the 400 vs 430 interior:
1) Leather wrapped door areas (panels where you can rest your arm) - loved that in my 400. Didn't have it in my 430 and don't have it in my 460 but wish I did (have actually contemplated seeing how much it would cost to have them wrapped)
2) No wood trim around the AC vents in the 400. I like the look of that compared to what they did in the 430.
3) I think the 430 color combo you posted (black leather with light wood) has not aged gracefully. The 400 pic with the tan leather looks way better than a 400 that had grey interior (IMO of course). I searched for a while for my 400 to find one with tan interior because I felt it made a huge difference in the interior feel and "open-ness" inside. A tan interior 430 vs. the tan interior 400 would be a better comparison.
I like all of those things too. I tried to find a good pic of the LS430 inside in a similar color but I wasn't able to. I agree the 400 looks best in black or tan, and the 430 looks best in tan or ecru or black with the dark UL wood. UL 430s have the leather on the armrest like you mentioned, as do 460s with the semi aniline leather and all 13-17 460s
That black one highlights my point about the wood trim choices so, so dated vs the more timeless choices they made for the 400.
Industry trend is more "sport/performance", to do anything else would put you further back from the pack and lead to further negative reviews from the critics. Unfortunately all these companies are held hostage a bit by critics, trends, and "progress". I think there's a reasonable blend of performance and luxury that all these companies have kind of struck, which I'm sure feels weird to people that own older versions of the LS. Keep in mind many people consider those cars "grandpa" vehicles...old people cars. Not exactly going to keep up with the Mercedes S Class line or the 7 series BMW or Audi A8. It'd be laughed off the test track. And the 460 is already considered a step behind those vehicles as it is....no wonder they went rather bold with the new LS...and it might not be enough.
Funny thing is the S Class and 7 Series are smoother and better riding than they've ever been. Technology let's them be that and also dynamic and enjoyable to drive with modern active suspensions. The LS can be the same way.
06-07-17, 03:07 PM
