When one owns "an old banger" or dinosaur of an aged vehicle such as my 6.9, you ask yourself from time to time if you're really still on the ball as far as quality and satisfaction of car ownership are concerned. You know, fuel consumption, enviromental and safety issues, predictability of handling and road behaviour - all issues that come to mind as times keep moving on at an ever increasing pace.
As we all know, much play has been made of Lexus quality for many years now, and Toyota has thrown the mantle at the likes of Mercedes, BMW et al as a viable alternative in the luxury car segment. So, when the opportunity arose thanks to the courtesy of one of our Topklasse members to sample a short drive as a passenger in the latest Lexus Hybrid model, I was more than interested and I also had the opportunity, albeit briefly, to have a closer look at the interior furnishings and fittings as well.
Interior wise, it is an impressive car, and I was particularly taken by the clarity of the instrument panel which has quite exquisite, almost jewel like in appearance, dials and instruments. There is everything that opens and shuts, heated and cooled , as well as fully adjustable seats front and back, 19 speaker sound system...you know, the complete works - I don't think one could ask for any extras. For someone like myself that is happy with basic comforts and a lack of understanding and usage of modern electronics, it would probably take me six months to appreciate the full extent of what has been built into the car. How much of it is necessary to get from point A to point B safely and comfortably ? Not all that much, when compared with my 'Gleaming Beauty' - yes, I'd love to have a reversing camera, no I don't need a car to park itself, ABS would be handy, I can do without Sat Nav, don't need heated or cooled seats but hey, if you've got the necessaries by way of the folding stuff, you'd probably insist on all the goodies you'll find in this Lexus.
What about the mechanics -eight speed gearbox, quad overhead cam 4.6 litres with all hi-tech features ?..hmm. Acceleration is impressive enough with magazine times of 5.9 seconds to the magic 100 mark, yet it did not feel that much faster than my 6.9 and, yes, you CAN hear the engine under hard acceleration - the same as my 'Gleaming Beauty'....and again yes, you cannot hear any exhaust noise from the muffling system, but I much prefer real sound coming from the 6.9 exhaust system, with the 450's and 280's even more satisfying in that regard.
Ridewise and insulation from road noise - I really think that a well set-up 6.9 would give very little to the Lexus, if anything at all. I was surprised at the tyre hum being transmitted to the interior, probably accentuated by the fact that the Lexus is eerily quiet whilst on the move - in that regard, the Lexus is probably very similar to the new Chrysler which I drove some weeks ago.
I am afraid that I am an 'old car' person - I am happy and satisfied with what I have (with all its apparent and hidden short-comings), I need heart and soul, and audible communication and what really clinches it for me is the price of the Lexus -$220k.'s. You can buy the same car in the states for $US60k. Regards, Styria
As we all know, much play has been made of Lexus quality for many years now, and Toyota has thrown the mantle at the likes of Mercedes, BMW et al as a viable alternative in the luxury car segment. So, when the opportunity arose thanks to the courtesy of one of our Topklasse members to sample a short drive as a passenger in the latest Lexus Hybrid model, I was more than interested and I also had the opportunity, albeit briefly, to have a closer look at the interior furnishings and fittings as well.
Interior wise, it is an impressive car, and I was particularly taken by the clarity of the instrument panel which has quite exquisite, almost jewel like in appearance, dials and instruments. There is everything that opens and shuts, heated and cooled , as well as fully adjustable seats front and back, 19 speaker sound system...you know, the complete works - I don't think one could ask for any extras. For someone like myself that is happy with basic comforts and a lack of understanding and usage of modern electronics, it would probably take me six months to appreciate the full extent of what has been built into the car. How much of it is necessary to get from point A to point B safely and comfortably ? Not all that much, when compared with my 'Gleaming Beauty' - yes, I'd love to have a reversing camera, no I don't need a car to park itself, ABS would be handy, I can do without Sat Nav, don't need heated or cooled seats but hey, if you've got the necessaries by way of the folding stuff, you'd probably insist on all the goodies you'll find in this Lexus.
What about the mechanics -eight speed gearbox, quad overhead cam 4.6 litres with all hi-tech features ?..hmm. Acceleration is impressive enough with magazine times of 5.9 seconds to the magic 100 mark, yet it did not feel that much faster than my 6.9 and, yes, you CAN hear the engine under hard acceleration - the same as my 'Gleaming Beauty'....and again yes, you cannot hear any exhaust noise from the muffling system, but I much prefer real sound coming from the 6.9 exhaust system, with the 450's and 280's even more satisfying in that regard.
Ridewise and insulation from road noise - I really think that a well set-up 6.9 would give very little to the Lexus, if anything at all. I was surprised at the tyre hum being transmitted to the interior, probably accentuated by the fact that the Lexus is eerily quiet whilst on the move - in that regard, the Lexus is probably very similar to the new Chrysler which I drove some weeks ago.
I am afraid that I am an 'old car' person - I am happy and satisfied with what I have (with all its apparent and hidden short-comings), I need heart and soul, and audible communication and what really clinches it for me is the price of the Lexus -$220k.'s. You can buy the same car in the states for $US60k. Regards, Styria
