Which Lexus?

The The Germans and the English have proven at least one thing beyond all doubt:

Using only the highest quality components does NOT guarantee a superior product.

LOL

Buy 'em all and let your wife sort 'em out.

I have a 2004 LS330, less than 5000 miles at this point. Highest wind noise of just about any car I've driven. The weatherstripping doesn't seem to provide any kind of a seal. My 98 Corolla has less wind noise (although higher engine/tranny noise during acceleration). The Dealer says it's the nature of beast and refuses to do anything - a total waste of time. Now dealing with the regional customer service. I somehow don't expect them to do anything either. I'm thinking that duct tape around all of the doors should cure it.... of course getting in and out of it will then be problematic.

And then there's the hestitation everyone has been complaining about. This has become less pronounced in the last 2k miles. Maybe the computer is adapting to it - or maybe I am - but at this point I don't find it to be objectionable - still, I would have avoided this car had I known or detected the problem during the test drive.

So much for Lexus quality, luxury. Your mileage may vary.

R Green wrote:

I would go with the LX. Although the LS is looking mighty good too... and then there is the SC... maybe SC when I start balding...

LS430 - Assuming you like a smooth floating on a cloud ride. Screw the SUVs, give me a Luxury car.

Yet another screaming endorsement for Corolla ... a "lower technology car." LOL

I have a little different way to buy used cars. I go to

and look under the best used car bets.I like their reasoning and have found their information to be very accurate.No, I don't work for them. They work for me !The best used Lexus, by evaluating issues such as owner reports and on andon, comes out to be the Lexus 1997-2001 ES300.So, I watched for that particular car and called EVERYWHERE applicablearound town and some snickered and said that they are gone as soon as theyhit the lot. We have waiting lists.I finally found a person I knew selling Mercedes and told them to watch forme. One came in and I immediately went over and made the deal.This car has been NO trouble and only regular maintenance. I did spend $4 ona couple of fasteners that were a little loose that held a plate on underthe hood latch. I have friends who buy the same way. The depreciation goes to someone else and usually the bugs are out by then and I will keep buying by what edmunds recommends as being the best used car values. If you wanna see something really interesting, go to their site and under best used large car check that out. I am especially grateful to all those people who have bought my car new and gotten the bugs out and took the depreciation. I think about them everytime I relax on my 28Ft SeaRay floating along with no special place to be. So, there is my epic tale Bugsy

Did you buy the SeaRay used too? That BTW is probably the best boat bet today! So you truly are informed!!

There is an ES 330. There is an LS430. There is no LS330.

The only Lexus I'd even consider is the least expensive one (and the one I own now)-- the IS300. The rest of them are just a bunch of Old Men's Cars.

Yes, I did as a matter of fact. I bought this one in the dead of winter . I watched for someone who wants to sell " off the water" but has a trailer also. Usually means they are tired of fooling with it and want it gone or lost their storage or something. I always have cash and know what the thing is worth before I go. Buying big ticket stuff is a fool's game for a poor man and the banks love a foolish poor man. Especially with good credit ! My motto is "If I can't steal it I don't want it." If it requires payments I don't want it. Unfortunately, I HAD to finance my house but got rid of that back riding mortgage company monkey in 13 years. That may have been waaayy too much information but- A wise man has something to say and a fool has to say something. Seems like I saw that somewhere. So, you are correct! Bugsy

I am sure you are trolling, but "old men" sometimes have families that wouldn't enjoy an 8 hour car ride in an IS. Sure it is fun to cruise in but it would get crowded and rough on a long trip. You too will grow up someday.

Ahem... us "old men" as you put it, usually have a Ford Crown Vic for those occasions where packing 4-6 people in for a trip is concerned.

What's with this "grow up" shit? Take your condescension, roll it into a suppository, and use it on yourself.

Your IS300 is really a "closet" old mens car itself, given that it is one of the slowest Lexus sedans made. Every V8 model will blow it away, as will the ES330.

An IS300 sort of reminds me of an old MG or Triumph that were "true sports cars" but did not have enough power to get out of their own way, especially when compared to the Corvette and Thunderbird of the same period.... but then being an IS300 owner, you already know this feeling.

PS... make sure not to tangle with a V6 Camry, unless you enjoy seeing tail lites :)

I bought a Sportcross after 5 thoroughly enjoyable years with the most troublesome car I've ever owned - a 1998 Audi A4. It's reliability makes me think that the portrayl of the Germans on Hogan's Heros wasn't all that far off. Still miss the car but you can't argue with 18 trouble-free months of driving.

I needed some cargo room (I work with computers, printers, and networks) but hate SUVs and wanted something closer to a sports car. The BMW 3 wagon just didn't feel right, the WRX doesn't work with an automatic (bad shoulder), and my heart said "go with a new Audi" and the brain said "dumcuff."

The IS has plenty of power, a great combination of handling and ride, and carries what I need it to carry. It is absolutely faster than a Camry V6 (my father had one and I drove it regularly) and handles better than any other car in the Lexus line.

As far as long trips go, I took a 200 mile drive (and 200 miles back) on Tuesday up highway 101 from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo on Tuesday and felt great. The car was quiet, had plenty of power that I didn't even realize I was going uphill in Camarillo, and was a thoroughly enjoyable drive.

Either we have vastly differing opinions on what we like in a car or you're a putz.

Crown Vics and Corollas huh? I don't think I have ever heard you say anything positive here yet. If you are so down on Lexus then why do you participate here? Mabe you should go to the Kia group and talk down to them. You certainly don't have a lot of credibility here not actually owning a Lexus.

By "grow up" I meant that getting older sometimes changes priorities and levels of self importance. I didn't indicate it was necessarily a desirable thing or that I was proud of having to do so myself. However I am proud of the two fine boys that pushed me through that door. In retrospect I wish I would've said that he would someday appreciate the other cars Lexus sells. The way I said grow up did sound condescending. Phil, you let me worry about suppositories and where they may go.

To shine some light on this topic, I'd pick a GS400. Why you say? It's unique now, they are no longer made because of the 430, and it has more horses than the 330s of it's time. That's just my 2 cents.