SW17LS

There are too many factors at play though to pin those sales being down on the spindle grill. Sedan sales are suffering in general.

dlbuckls10

I'm still enjoying my 2010 LS 460L and I have no complaints. I'm glad and proud to own and drive the 460L but after seeing the new LS 500 at the Houston Auto Show I'm a little disappointed. I've read many reviews and seen many videos on the LS 500. I was thinking it would be my next ride but the Genesis G90 looks so much more imposing and interesting to me now.

yyymmm31

Yes, it is a changing world. City SUVs are taking over the market from sedans. For the GX, I did hesitate quite a bit before purchasing the GX460. I was searching for a "genuine" SUV that has a lot of torque to tow and is capable of running on rugged surfaces (vs. only good on paved roads), a body-on-frame SUV. My other selection criteria included reliability and easy maintenance in my garage. To my surprise, there were not many body-on-frame SUVs around any more. Even Grand Jeep Cherokee did away body on frame design. I almost went with a X5. However, just as luck had it, one of my friends' X5 just got out warranty and had several premature breakdowns (water pump, A/C, etc). Seeing BMW dealer's high-cost quote to repair his X5, my friend asked me if I could help fix them. I was not familiar with BMW vehicles but was willing to give a try. By reading all the tech manuals, I was able to fix the problems on my friend's X5. However, after seeing how much time and effort it took to fix a X5, I decided to go for reliability and easy design for maintenance and repair. That why I reluctantly settled on a GX460. Am I proud of driving it as driving my LS460, no. It is a practical utility that I need to use. Even after two years of purchasing it, I still can't convince myself to accept the big ugly spindle grille. On the other hand, the GX is reliable, has a powerful naturally aspirated engine, and requires little attention to run.

SW17LS

lizhekb

The LS500 is eye catching at first glance but when I looked it thourougly I must say it feels like a bigger GS or IS. Some proportion is weird.

In this class, elegant is more important than sporty.

yyymmm31

Thanks for the information. I always thought that, as an icon of a tough go-anywhere American SUV, the Grand Cherokee was built on a body on frame design.

SW17LS

xfea

SW17LS

I got invited to a special Land Rover reception tonight at the DC car show (which was awesome by the way), after the main show had closed for the night. I got to see the LS500 up on a turntable. In person I like the styling more than in pictures, the rear window area doesn't seem as odd. But, I am very happy with the choice I made. Overall IMHO the car actually looks smaller, and it doesn't look as big and grand as other flagship cars like the 7 Series and S Class, or as the outgoing LWB LS460.

Interior looks very nice, but it does look tighter.

comotiger

That makes two of us .

When I bought my car, it was more of a choice between the LS and G90; still, I don't see anything in the LS500 that may make me consider getting it in a few years. It may seem silly, but I think the lack of interior lighting color options may really discourage many buyers. The ambient lighting feature, like other driver convenience options, is a really neat feature for many drivers. Its absence may be another "nail in the coffin" along with other concerns about the LS500 that may deter buyers. BTW, the new LS doesn't come with illuminated door sills either. I feel that all of these things will ensure that the 4LS, especially the 2013+ cars, will remain in demand for many years.

roadfrog

When at the Vancouver International Auto Show last year, I got to sit in and look at the 500. It was a disaster in my opinion. That's one of the reasons I fell in love with the Genesis G90 and the Kia K900. They are what I would have envisioned the 500 to be,

comotiger

It's great that Lexus wants to be unique. The interior is gorgeous and special. But I think it was a mistake to not offer features found in all the other flagships, even as options. That and the cramped quarters will have an effect 3-4 years down the line. I wonder how many people will want to move from an LS460 to the LS500. I definitely won't. Hopefully, this will keep the resale prices for LS460s from taking a dive

SW17LS

I'm somebody who is drawn to big, full-size flagship luxury sedans. While I like the LS500, the styling and all, I think its a good looking car, I think its a good looking car like I think an A7 is a good looking car, or a CLS, or a 6 Series Gran Coupe. Its not something that speaks to me the way a 7 Series or S Class or the LS460 does.

roadfrog

That's funny. I LOVE the A7...it's sleek, etc. But the 500....ugh. I am seriously interested in the A7 as my next car.

SW17LS

I love the A7 too, but its just not the kind of car that appeals to me, its too small.