xcntuatd77

Hello all. Anyone have any information on the next generation RX? Will it be an 07 or 08 model? Any pictures or anything known for sure? Just curious.

Thanks

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I don't think there is any information out yet. If you follow Lexus model time line though, it probably will be an 2009 model released in 2008.

LexFather

I agree.
there is nothing to hear. New 350 and the 400h is only a year old.

jfelbab

Putting a different or slightly larger engine and a new badge on the vehicle does not make it a new model, IMO. I have a 2004 RX330 and jumping into an 07 it looks identical for all practical purposes. I would have bought a new 07 model if it had any substantial changes. As it is, I doubt I want to wait for the 09 model and will look at the ML or the FX for a change. Five years is just to darn long to hold the same body style with hardly any changes. Not even any new colors. Maybe I should just switch now and possibly consider a return to Lexus in 2009. Hell, even the new LS is a year and a half away. IMHO, three years, or four at max, is the longest I want to own a vehicle. If the manufacturer wants to keep me, they need to step up their program to restyle more frequently than every 6 years.

tfischer

That's an interesting position.

One reason I buy Lexus is that they last for more than 3 or 4 years, and as far as I can tell, that's pretty much the reason for its success.

Sounds like somebody prefers style over substance, although I can't help but think that Porsche owners don't seem to care that the style never changes. Still, I just bought an '04 RX330 a few weeks ago, so it's all new to me.

jfelbab

I don't prefer style over substance. I prefer style and substance. I want both. Not that the RX is lacking in style but I am ready for something new.

I sure don't need to replace the RX as I only have a little over 20,000 miles on it. The RX could easily last me another 10 years but I'm ready for something new. Something with new style and Lexus quality. I think the FX and maybe even the ML, like the RX, qualify for style and substance.

But, thats just me, I tire of some things too easily.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I kind of agree with jfelbab that 5 years as a little long to hold the same body style. I used to like it when Honda did a 4 year turn aroung, but Acura, Lexus, and many others do 5 years or more sometimes. I would say 5 year model run should be max, but that is just me. Anthing longer and it is just too long, like the 3rd gen Integra, or 2nd gen GS. 5 years is the longest I'd probably keep a regular car (Non Sports, expotic, or claassic). Everytime I got the car I really wanted, I said I'd keep it forever or run it into the ground. Seems like abut 3-4 years I end up getting something different not because the car is breaking down but simply because I get the urge to try something new.

tfischer

Lexus seems to make big model changes less frequently than others, and I'm sure that there are reasons for that.

The RX300 was out for 3 years, I think, and the 330, which has a different interior and body from the 300, is in its fourth year, if you count the 350 as being the same as a 330, which you should do.

I had an SC400, which I think was a '92, and that car had few changes during its run, which ended when the SC430 (convertible) came out in April of '01 (as an '02 model) . . . so that's about 10 years on the SC300/400 style.

I would think that the 350 would stay the same for a year or two, which would give the 330/350 5 or maybe 6 years, and close to 10 if you add in the 300 years.

The RX is by far their best selling model, so maybe they just don't want to mess with something that's working so well.

rxdriver

They have to mess with it, though, for the reasons others posted. They can't sit around and be content with the success of the RX, because the success will quickly fade as the industry moves on. The RX 300 was a smash success because it was so innovative at the time. It had enough leading-edge features combined with solid quality to attract other luxury buyers as well as the people at the top end of the Toyota brand. Lexus has to keep raising the bar in order to maintain interest and increase market share.