RE: Lexus GS F: PH Carpool
Discussion
"Nobody seems to want to buy these cars and I can't understand why." - Sadly, many in the UK still (incorrectly) perceive any Lexus to be a boring Toyota with a fancy interior. Hence, it's not even on their radar.
Looks like a lovely car, and I'm sure the ownership experience will be a very impressive one over the next few years.
Looks like a lovely car, and I'm sure the ownership experience will be a very impressive one over the next few years.
I've had a few Lexus/Lexi and they very rarely go wrong... I would certainly be up for a GSF next year, but part of me wants the brashness of a last of the last VXR8's... My last Lexus was on 204,000 miles when I sold it, was still a swift, comfy arm chair, so experience dictates my sensible money would go for another Lexus.
Lovely car sir, just lovely. I saw one of these at Prescott Hillclimb last year; I think I've only seen one other since then. Stunning cars in the metal, and having owned an N/A V8 barge, these sit very high on my radar; it may not be the fastest or have the best image but for me that's almost irrelevant; the rarity is a big draw too.
I see what they mean about the choice of colour of used ones - orange really is the wrong colour:
I see what they mean about the choice of colour of used ones - orange really is the wrong colour:
Nice car - color maybe a bit "sudden" but a nice car.
I really don't get this mentality tho
Lexuses are well made but IF anything breaks you must be prepared to be reamed-out in spectacular fashion by the dealer (Toyota tax to the max) - some of the bills I've seen are truly mind-boggling (on-par with MB or Audi if not worse)
The idea of keeping a car for 10 years is also quite boggling to me - I know 2 people who've recently bought cars with the intention of 'keeping them for a long period' but I don't understand what the plan is??
With most cars you'll be eating 90% of the sticker-price (of any car likely to last 10 years) but how do you approach maintenance/care? Are you planning to skimp (because the service history only really pays-back when you sell a car) - are you planning to use it carefully (watching mileage etc) or drive-the-wheels-off-it??
Example: someone I know bought a year-old 2015 Golf GTD - nice spec, tidy car, he's into it for £17K and plans to "keep it until it breaks" - he's got covers on the (lovely tartan) seats, doesn't use it in the rain and keeps the miles as-low-as-possible - who the f
k is he saving it for??
I really don't get this mentality tho
op said:
The German alternatives weren't really in the game because of the problems that they experience, and American cars aren't really built well enough, so the only candidates were a GS F or an XF R.
Apparently all German cars have 'problems' and all American cars aren't built well but he'd consider an XF - WHAT!? REALLY!?? Lexuses are well made but IF anything breaks you must be prepared to be reamed-out in spectacular fashion by the dealer (Toyota tax to the max) - some of the bills I've seen are truly mind-boggling (on-par with MB or Audi if not worse)
The idea of keeping a car for 10 years is also quite boggling to me - I know 2 people who've recently bought cars with the intention of 'keeping them for a long period' but I don't understand what the plan is??
With most cars you'll be eating 90% of the sticker-price (of any car likely to last 10 years) but how do you approach maintenance/care? Are you planning to skimp (because the service history only really pays-back when you sell a car) - are you planning to use it carefully (watching mileage etc) or drive-the-wheels-off-it??
Example: someone I know bought a year-old 2015 Golf GTD - nice spec, tidy car, he's into it for £17K and plans to "keep it until it breaks" - he's got covers on the (lovely tartan) seats, doesn't use it in the rain and keeps the miles as-low-as-possible - who the f
k is he saving it for?? Edited by 405dogvan on Monday 10th July 23:32
Love it. If you look at the intended function, its a great car. No, its not trying to be a drag strip monster. Its just the bigger size up from the IS.
What I love is that these are becoming the last remaining NA engines. Who would have thought, when discussing the Germans? There was a recent article in the weekly rags (Auto something or other) that reported the UK owners survey results on running costs, looks, etc. Believe it on not, Lexus scored very highly according to owners compared to other brands, and picked up marks for its looks, and its reliability in particular, being let down by its thirst overall.
I think any PH'er that can get past being a badge snob will realise these are great cars, and will probably last longer than you will. If I have the chance, I would be buried in my LS.
What I love is that these are becoming the last remaining NA engines. Who would have thought, when discussing the Germans? There was a recent article in the weekly rags (Auto something or other) that reported the UK owners survey results on running costs, looks, etc. Believe it on not, Lexus scored very highly according to owners compared to other brands, and picked up marks for its looks, and its reliability in particular, being let down by its thirst overall.
I think any PH'er that can get past being a badge snob will realise these are great cars, and will probably last longer than you will. If I have the chance, I would be buried in my LS.
Reason why Lexus still stick with NA is their sales mix is skewed towards North America, where C02 is not a factor in taxing a car like it is in Europe. The Germans still have a huge slug of sales in Europe hence their desire to downsize to Turbos. It's not some romantic attachment per se on the part of Toyota.
Nice left field choice, but I'd have rather heard more about the car rather than the justification of why you didn't get an M, RS or AMG, weird that you feel the need to explain that with some comments about perceived reliability of which you have no experience of if you've never run one of them.
I've had 5 M cars and nothing has ever gone wrong with them, but don't let that spoil your enjoyment of the Lexus.
I've had 5 M cars and nothing has ever gone wrong with them, but don't let that spoil your enjoyment of the Lexus.
Bladedancer said:
"Nobody seems to want to buy these cars and I can't understand why."
Because, sadly, UK is the land of the snob. Badge is what matters.
Really, Isn't Lexus thought of the same as the premium Germans? Price wise they are evenly matched, fit and finish I'd put Lexus ahead. Because, sadly, UK is the land of the snob. Badge is what matters.
Really like these but I'm baised as a former ISF owner. The interior is very nice too, especially the front seats. The only thing that went wrong on my ISF during my ownership was the water pump, funnily enough that's the only real weakpoint on them. I loved how my ISF was just a generic unassuming saloon to most people, a Q car despite the exhausts.
I might be tempted by a GSF should I need a family car in a few years time, by then the depreciation will have hit even harder.
I might be tempted by a GSF should I need a family car in a few years time, by then the depreciation will have hit even harder.
Casa1862 said:
Really, Isn't Lexus thought of the same as the premium Germans? Price wise they are evenly matched, fit and finish I'd put Lexus ahead.
I don't think they are by most people. Audi, BMW and Mercedes and to a degree VW are still seen by many as the "aspirational" brands, with the likes of Lexus, Volvo, Saab (when they existed) being what you did if you wanted something as good but different.
Wills2 said:
Nice left field choice, but I'd have rather heard more about the car rather than the justification of why you didn't get an M, RS or AMG, weird that you feel the need to explain that with some comments about perceived reliability of which you have no experience of if you've never run one of them.
I've had 5 M cars and nothing has ever gone wrong with them, but don't let that spoil your enjoyment of the Lexus.
Almost everything in life is "perceived", but philosophy aside, there is a ton of material available around empirical data of reliability. Have a look at the JD Powers information that has been tracking exactly that for the last 15-20 years or so. Did you know that Lexus won it something like 14 or 15 years straight? That is not "perceived", but an empirical fact.I've had 5 M cars and nothing has ever gone wrong with them, but don't let that spoil your enjoyment of the Lexus.
And, this plays counter to what you've said. Given that Lexus is a reliability monster, it implies the others are not, and by definition, will let you down more often. Again, an empirical fact.
I would absolutely grant you that others may well be faster. And kudos to them. But then, we're not talking about motorsports entrants, but rather a fast family car which wont let you down, and leave you, your partner, and your kids by the side of the road waiting for the AA. If you WERE looking for a motorsports entrant, I would politely suggest that none of the cars in question are fit for purpose, and therefore the speed aspect, while entertaining, is not the be all and end all of a family car.
culpz said:
It's also a shame that the RCF has to be so lardy. For someone wanting to move on from an ISF but that also wants to stick to the brand, i can understand people looking elsewhere. It's not always feasible to get a much bigger car for the sake of it.
Have you tried the RC F? Whilst its no means light it does hide it pretty well on the road and its chunk makes it feel incredibly sturdy and planted to the road. Also I think Lexus have been a little conservative with the performance figures as once going that 5.0 V8 really shoves it along with a soundtrack M4's etc could only dream of... We had a play around with a 2012 C63 AMG the other day and on paper the C63 should be quicker, but the Lexus consistently pulled away at pretty much any speed.
Personally the M4 is more me (better infotainment, bit quicker & sharper), but the RC F is a lovely car to drive day to day. Plus they are becoming pretty good value, late 30's gets you a cracking car!
bhstewie said:
hstewie said:Casa1862 said:
Really, Isn't Lexus thought of the same as the premium Germans? Price wise they are evenly matched, fit and finish I'd put Lexus ahead.
I don't think they are by most people. Audi, BMW and Mercedes and to a degree VW are still seen by many as the "aspirational" brands, with the likes of Lexus, Volvo, Saab (when they existed) being what you did if you wanted something as good but different.
As for the car in question ive never seen such a gopping, ugly car. The reason they dont sell is they are characterless, ugly, toyota partridge mobiles. Like it or not the Asian 'premium' brands will always be looked down on in the west. My old man had an isf before his B3...yes it did a job and was plush enough but it was desperatley boring and just a white good really.
Puts tin hat on....
theplayingmantis said:
As for the car in question ive never seen such a gopping, ugly car. The reason they dont sell is they are characterless, ugly, toyota partridge mobiles. Like it or not the Asian 'premium' brands will always be looked down on in the west. My old man had an isf before his B3...yes it did a job and was plush enough but it was desperatley boring and just a white good really.
Puts tin hat on....
Correction. They are not looked down in the West universally. They might be viewed as inferior in the EU, but they are viewed by American consumers as on par with German brands. Puts tin hat on....
raspy said:
theplayingmantis said:
As for the car in question ive never seen such a gopping, ugly car. The reason they dont sell is they are characterless, ugly, toyota partridge mobiles. Like it or not the Asian 'premium' brands will always be looked down on in the west. My old man had an isf before his B3...yes it did a job and was plush enough but it was desperatley boring and just a white good really.
Puts tin hat on....
Correction. They are not looked down in the West universally. They might be viewed as inferior in the EU, but they are viewed by American consumers as on par with German brands. Puts tin hat on....
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff