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Sedans Lexus GS Lexus GS 300/GS 430
3068 messages, Last post on Sep 18, 2009 at 6:41 AM
You are in the Lexus GS Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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They are stubborn, don't care what Americans want in a luxury car, and build according to what parts/engines/platforms they have available. They are smart, but too smart for their own good. They think they know more than the buyer. Sure-fire way to underachieve. Infiniti's ceiling is the extent of the first (rotten) impression they made on the US market. Lexus doesn't sweat Infiniti, nor should they! They are Audi-esque (remember the Audi 5000 debacle). They can make great cars, but they are their own worst enemy. And even though I am no big fan of the new GS, it is LIGHT YEARS better-looking than the M. The way Nissan styles there cars just turns my stomach. They've had some stunning successes recently, but when they are bad, they are AWFUL! I'd rather be conservative than just rancid! They just throw darts at a board sometimes! You know what I wish Lexus would do. Split the company into subdivisions, with seperate marketing budgets, and seperate agendas and specs based off each other. Have the ES/LS as the luxury sedan clique. Have the GS/IS as a sports clique (and get the SC there QUICKLY). And Group the SUV's together, like they already have in last year's successful ad campaign. Then in a few years, market the Hybrid class together. And build that SUV from the '03 Auto show circuit! That was sweet! And big! It was bigger than a SRX, but just so elegant. That would be huge here! So in closing, Acura is a non factor. Infiniti is deadman walking (the G35 is the seeing-eye dog). Audi is a borne second-fiddle, and VW is dumbing it down. And once Lexus sharpens this sporting edge it's considering, and brings out the hybrids, this game is all over but the crying. DrFill |
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Interesting post, my friend, but Lexus wont do it. "Lexus doesn't sweat Infiniti, nor should they!" "And build that SUV from the '03 Auto show circuit!" I assume you mean the LF-X? Those two statements seem to contradict each other. Lexus very much sweats Infiniti. Just glancing at the LF-X and its pretty obvious that it is aimed directly at the FX45. The G35 crushed the IS300, and now Lexus is remaking the IS to better compete with G35. Infiniti essentially made no impression on most of the American market until the G35 hit the press. I dont think they are worried about 3 people that might remember the M30 and J30. |
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The next IS will have nothing in common with the G. It will look different, have a much smaller size, and a coupe is down the road. The G has been a great success, but isn't a class-altering success. The 3-series is STILL the benchmark, in sales and dynamics, and that is where Lexus is swinging. The LF-X is MUCH bigger than the FX, as I said, bigger than the Caddy SRX too (slightly). It wouldn't be a hardcore performer like the FX, it would be a larger RX with an edge to it. The FX is successful, but again, it is not THE CLASS, just one of many fine choices. The LF-X brings something new to that class, if it were built. It seems unlikely before '07. DrFill
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Replying to: callmedrfill (Jan 27, 2005 8:02 am) Tested are the M35, RL, 530i, A6 3.2, STS V6, S-Type 3.0, and NO GS300. Anyone wonder if Lexus wants to Avoid a direct comparison so soon? I won't give away the winner for those who are expecting this issue in the mail.
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Replying to: 00boxsters (Jan 27, 2005 10:38 am) However, I thought the omission of the E class curious, and I wonder why MT didnt just wait until the GS debuts. People who are "pooh-poo"ing a particular vehicle from a particular competitor would be wise to check out the article. ~alpha |
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Replying to: 00boxsters (Jan 27, 2005 10:38 am) I imagine no E320 because MB wanted to hold off until the E350 was ready. As for why MT didn't wait, they probably just wanted to be the "first" to be out with a comparo in this new hot segment. They're competing for readers with C&D, R&T, and Automobile Mag. |
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| While the M35 is at the sport end of the luxo-sport continuum, the new GS300, like the current one, will probably continue at the luxo end. | |
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I can agree that the G35 crushes the IS300, but Lexus is planning to redesign the IS pretty darn soon.... Also, the LS crushed the Q, and the RX easily outsells the FX, and will to a greater extent when the hybrid version comes out. Comparing Lexus and Infiniti is like comparing apples to oranges. If Toyota would tighten up some screws with the new GS, they just might hit paydirt. Then again, Infiniti probably will do well with the M as well. But the thing that I keep on forgetting is that a lot of people (who don't research cars) would pick an E-Class or a 5 Series automatically. Lexus needs to prove that they can have a degree of sportiness not as extreme as BMW's, but at least able to throw about. The main problem I have with Infiniti is that the styling of their cars is odd. Not bad, but the new M looks a lot like the G. Also, Infiniti does not have the reliability record that Lexus does. If you were a little old lady and had a bit of money, would you pop for a GS or an M? GS is my guess. |
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"If you were a little old lady and had a bit of money, would you pop for a GS or an M?" Exactly why I wouldn't buy a Lexus. Why would I as a young professional want to drive the same car as a an old lady? When I tested the RX vs FX that is exactly why I bought the FX. The RX was just all around too soft. The only cars that Lexus makes that I like are the GS and LS. If they wussify the GS by bringing over the underpowered 3.0 they will again lose another 40k+ of my dollars and I will be driving a new M |
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DrFill: Very interesting suggestions. Interesting indeed. Maybe Lexus is listening ?? But, I agree with lexusguy, Lexus won't do it. It simply does not jell with their business model. Kinda waters down the brand somewhat. Remember, their is strength in numbers ! Lexusguy: chris65amg said it best. Lexus and Infiniti don't (yet) play on same field. Until Infiniti can sell a full-size luxury car, they are not yet a serious contender in the luxury market that Lexus is designed for. Let me ask you a question: Of ALL Infiniti cars/SUVs, which of the styling do you find appealing ? Look at ALL of Nissan cars/SUVs, the Alt and Xterra are OK-looking, the Max/Sentra/Murano/Quest all suck, and I find the Z the best of the bunch. The trucks (Titan and Armada) are just plain awful, BIG, Yes, but awful all the same. I digress again: The GS will compete against the M, but I doubt if it will make that much dent in the 5 and E. These two will continue their reign in the lux-sport space. When the GS350/460/450h arrives by MY2008, then the space will change and the field will level a whole lot. Would Infiniti fix their Q troubles ? Not likely in the short term, and therein lies their archiles heel. Lexus is running away with the luxury market in the US, and doesn't look like they will relinquish the title anytime soon. |
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