F-sport vs luxury
#151
Advanced
In Canada it is "synthetic leather" on F-Sport while Lexus called it "genuine leather" on Executive package. I assumed F-sport is not real leather or low quality leather because why would a company like Lexus go out of their way to print on their promotional materials stating "synthetic leather" unless they have to by law.
Only the base (premium) model has fully NuLuxe (synthetic), all the other ones including the 2 F-Sport series are leather, except the bolsters, backrest sides and headrest are in NuLuxe. Also NuLuxe on the console and the doors harmrest. Not sure about the steering wheel.
#152
Racer
For those of us who remember what REAL leather was like, these new versions don't even come close! The old leather smelled like leather, but this smell was offensive to the japanese who managed to give us leather without the scent. Everyone followed, including those makes that used to give us the smell of leather. Today with the way they tan leather one can hardly tell the difference and since you can't smell it, what IS the difference? I'm one of those who wouldn't be wiling to pay extra for what manufacturers call leather. In my case it came with the vehicle. I had a MB with their version of synthetic leather and it worked fine for me. One can still find real leather, but alas only in RR & Bentley.
Last edited by Cocal; 02-14-18 at 11:20 AM.
#153
Intermediate
For those of us who remember what REAL leather was like, these new versions don't even come close! The old leather smelled like leather, but this smell was offensive to the japanese who managed to give us leather without the scent. Everyone followed, including those makes that used to give us the smell of leather. Today with the way they tan leather one can hardly tell the difference and since you can smell it, what IS the difference? I'm one of those who wouldn't be wiling to pay extra for what manufacturers call leather. In my case it came with the vehicle. I had a MB with their version of synthetic leather and it worked fine for me. One can still find real leather, but alas only in RR & Bentley.
#154
Intermediate
Here's how my wife and I came to our resolve between the two models:
We have a sports car and a luxury sedan and wanted an economical means vehicle for the traveling longer distances when we visit our parents because we usually have to carry stuff we normally don't carry. Because of the seat bolstering in the F Sport we felt that our elderly parents would be challenged to get in and out of the front seats. I ride in the back when we shuttle our mothers about and for me the electric reclining and heated seats have worked out better than expected. My wife felt the F Sport might be a little to firm for our parents and beside we have a sports car for those times when a soft ride doesn’t cut it. We both like the aggressive looks of the F Sport, but I also like how the horizontal slat grill bars on the lux makes the RX appear wider from the front (plus, I was able to have PPL applied to the slats). The wheels are far better looking on the F Sport than the lux with the changeable color wheel insets. I like the lighter colored headliner in the lux versus the darker headliner in the F Sport as the lighter headliner makes the interior bright and appear larger—to me. I'm mixed on the different speedo gauge clusters on both models. The F Sport badging looks great. I like the engine sound that the F Sport makes inside the vehicle better than the lux. We have running boards on our lux, but there are days I feel they are useless and more cosmetic than other days when they somewhat work; for our parents they are a mixed bag too. We both love the lux front seats power cushion seat extender which makes long trips more enjoyable. I use the rear door window shades when I'm relegated to the backseat as I like to catch some z's. All-in-all the lux worked better for our situation.
We have a sports car and a luxury sedan and wanted an economical means vehicle for the traveling longer distances when we visit our parents because we usually have to carry stuff we normally don't carry. Because of the seat bolstering in the F Sport we felt that our elderly parents would be challenged to get in and out of the front seats. I ride in the back when we shuttle our mothers about and for me the electric reclining and heated seats have worked out better than expected. My wife felt the F Sport might be a little to firm for our parents and beside we have a sports car for those times when a soft ride doesn’t cut it. We both like the aggressive looks of the F Sport, but I also like how the horizontal slat grill bars on the lux makes the RX appear wider from the front (plus, I was able to have PPL applied to the slats). The wheels are far better looking on the F Sport than the lux with the changeable color wheel insets. I like the lighter colored headliner in the lux versus the darker headliner in the F Sport as the lighter headliner makes the interior bright and appear larger—to me. I'm mixed on the different speedo gauge clusters on both models. The F Sport badging looks great. I like the engine sound that the F Sport makes inside the vehicle better than the lux. We have running boards on our lux, but there are days I feel they are useless and more cosmetic than other days when they somewhat work; for our parents they are a mixed bag too. We both love the lux front seats power cushion seat extender which makes long trips more enjoyable. I use the rear door window shades when I'm relegated to the backseat as I like to catch some z's. All-in-all the lux worked better for our situation.
#156
Here's how my wife and I came to our resolve between the two models:
We have a sports car and a luxury sedan and wanted an economical means vehicle for the traveling longer distances when we visit our parents because we usually have to carry stuff we normally don't carry. Because of the seat bolstering in the F Sport we felt that our elderly parents would be challenged to get in and out of the front seats. I ride in the back when we shuttle our mothers about and for me the electric reclining and heated seats have worked out better than expected. My wife felt the F Sport might be a little to firm for our parents and beside we have a sports car for those times when a soft ride doesn’t cut it. We both like the aggressive looks of the F Sport, but I also like how the horizontal slat grill bars on the lux makes the RX appear wider from the front (plus, I was able to have PPL applied to the slats). The wheels are far better looking on the F Sport than the lux with the changeable color wheel insets. I like the lighter colored headliner in the lux versus the darker headliner in the F Sport as the lighter headliner makes the interior bright and appear larger—to me. I'm mixed on the different speedo gauge clusters on both models. The F Sport badging looks great. I like the engine sound that the F Sport makes inside the vehicle better than the lux. We have running boards on our lux, but there are days I feel they are useless and more cosmetic than other days when they somewhat work; for our parents they are a mixed bag too. We both love the lux front seats power cushion seat extender which makes long trips more enjoyable. I use the rear door window shades when I'm relegated to the backseat as I like to catch some z's. All-in-all the lux worked better for our situation.
We have a sports car and a luxury sedan and wanted an economical means vehicle for the traveling longer distances when we visit our parents because we usually have to carry stuff we normally don't carry. Because of the seat bolstering in the F Sport we felt that our elderly parents would be challenged to get in and out of the front seats. I ride in the back when we shuttle our mothers about and for me the electric reclining and heated seats have worked out better than expected. My wife felt the F Sport might be a little to firm for our parents and beside we have a sports car for those times when a soft ride doesn’t cut it. We both like the aggressive looks of the F Sport, but I also like how the horizontal slat grill bars on the lux makes the RX appear wider from the front (plus, I was able to have PPL applied to the slats). The wheels are far better looking on the F Sport than the lux with the changeable color wheel insets. I like the lighter colored headliner in the lux versus the darker headliner in the F Sport as the lighter headliner makes the interior bright and appear larger—to me. I'm mixed on the different speedo gauge clusters on both models. The F Sport badging looks great. I like the engine sound that the F Sport makes inside the vehicle better than the lux. We have running boards on our lux, but there are days I feel they are useless and more cosmetic than other days when they somewhat work; for our parents they are a mixed bag too. We both love the lux front seats power cushion seat extender which makes long trips more enjoyable. I use the rear door window shades when I'm relegated to the backseat as I like to catch some z's. All-in-all the lux worked better for our situation.
#157
Sounds horrible...whenever I walk into a leather store, I walk out with a headache. We probably associate the smell of leather-making chemicals with the smell of leather. In actuality new car smell and leather smell is not good for you.
#158
Intermediate
High-grade leather, tanned properly, always smells good to me. The majority of people never own leather from select hides. My wife loves her Tod's purses (Tod's makes Ferrari interior leathers) and there is difference beyond chemicals. Your higher-end leathers are typically vegetable-tanned.
#159
Driver School Candidate
F-sport vs luxury seats
Before starting a new thread, I thought I would ask here. Does any Lexus technician know if the mounts and especially the wiring harness is the same on the f sport and the Luxury seats? I am interested in swapping out the new (100miles) black f-sport seats for the luxury seats with the thigh bolster extenders. Will it be an easy swap or are there wiring differences.
Last edited by kitlz; 02-15-18 at 04:30 PM. Reason: wrong forum
#160
Before starting a new thread, I thought I would ask here. Does any Lexus technician know if the mounts and especially the wiring harness is the same on the f sport and the Luxury seats? I am interested in swapping out the new (100miles) black f-sport seats for the luxury seats with the thigh bolster extenders. Will it be an easy swap or are there wiring differences.
not sure about the wiring, or if the modules are the same or not.. have to look at a wiring diagram for connectors and compare the two.
#161
Driver School Candidate
Seats
I've not seen any used lux seats for sale. Judging by the individual parts prices, it would be cheaper to buy the whole car. Not yet looking to sell them outright. More interested in a trade from some lux driver that wants the snugger sport seats. See if you can find some somewhere.
#162
I've not seen any used lux seats for sale. Judging by the individual parts prices, it would be cheaper to buy the whole car. Not yet looking to sell them outright. More interested in a trade from some lux driver that wants the snugger sport seats. See if you can find some somewhere.
see if who can?? Lol. I knew I didn't want F seats so I bought my lux. I'm very happy with my choice. And I have zero desire to part with them.
Last edited by JSracer; 02-16-18 at 05:35 PM.
#163
For me it was easy. We needed a new family car that’s comfortable during long trips especially with an upcoming baby and a three year old in the back. I decided to get the non-FSport, which my wife will drive on a daily basis and I’ll drive during our long trips. I do not need an FSport since I have an IS350 FSport. We are very happy with the purchase and cannot wait on the next trip out of town.
#164
Driver School Candidate
Seats
I agree with you, mostly. I would have preferred the more comfy lux version seats. But this f-sport was the right color and had the right collection of options I was looking for. And the manager was anxious to move it. He took a dive on the price. Wound up getting it for over $4k under invoice. And that included the dealer holdback. Some day, the 4RXs will start showing up in wrecking yards. They won't be cheap but I'll have some F-sport seats to sell toward them.
#165
I agree with you, mostly. I would have preferred the more comfy lux version seats. But this f-sport was the right color and had the right collection of options I was looking for. And the manager was anxious to move it. He took a dive on the price. Wound up getting it for over $4k under invoice. And that included the dealer holdback. Some day, the 4RXs will start showing up in wrecking yards. They won't be cheap but I'll have some F-sport seats to sell toward them.