Bye Bye Rl

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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 08:18 PM
  #1  
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Bye Bye Rl

Well this is my Last day as an RL owner. I bought a Lexus LS460 last week. The RL was inspected today by the leasing company and there was no damage found. I will be returning it tomorrow. The Lexus is in a class of its own

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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 08:26 PM
  #2  
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Congrats on your new car!!! VERY good looking ride indeed! How would you compare the LS' navi against the RL's? Do you have the ML reference system? I heard it is the best in the auto industry.
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 09:13 PM
  #3  
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dang Mike_tx and now you.. That is a sweet car -enjoy
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 09:27 PM
  #4  
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you are right, the 460 is in a class of its own....one of the best production cars in the world
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 06:05 AM
  #5  
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For almost $70k it better be.
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 06:38 AM
  #6  
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Yes I have ML package and it sound incredible. The navigation is just as good although I did have to have a NAV/DVD bypass harness installed in order to get around Toyota's Lockout while the car is moving. Now its perfect. I also installed a cheetah GPS mirror, Laser Interceptor LAser Jammer, and a Valentine One. Take a look here:

Club Lexus Discussion

By the way I never even went to the dealership to deal. I e-mailed them saying I wanted to pay $63K and they accepted.
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 07:33 AM
  #7  
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Congrats Raddoc. The LS is the only Lexus I think is worth the money and it's certainly a better value than the MB S (even a tad better than the BMW 7 IMO). I'll consider one myself next time if Acura doesn't come out with a more upscale RL in '10. Enjoy it my friend
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 08:05 AM
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In regards to that, the next RL will def. be something in a class by itself. a 450hp v8 has been rumored with VCM based off of the nsx's v10 with awd as an option and rwd standard. but imo the S-class leads the pack when it comes to luxury and refinement. also to the gentleman who got the new ls, congrats and are you selling the matrix kit? and for how much? where in ny are you located if you dont mind me asking? i'd like to try it on my RL
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 08:42 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by fredren
In regards to that, the next RL will def. be something in a class by itself. a 450hp v8 has been rumored with VCM based off of the nsx's v10 with awd as an option and rwd standard. but imo the S-class leads the pack when it comes to luxury and refinement. also to the gentleman who got the new ls, congrats and are you selling the matrix kit? and for how much? where in ny are you located if you dont mind me asking? i'd like to try it on my RL

Im pretty sure the HP wars will be done with before the unveiling of the next RL. Rumors that are too good to be true, usually are with Acura.

I wouldn't hold your breath.
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 09:15 AM
  #10  
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Speaking of Mike_TX....where is he?

Seriously, enjoy the Big Lex, it's in a class of its own. Not tossable, but perfect for that a relaxing drive....
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 09:18 AM
  #11  
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Wow if Acura can pull that off they should have a winner. I think my next car will be all electric. I'm thinking maybe the TESLA electic 4 Door Sedan at $60K. Just announced to be released in 2010. 3.5hrs to charge and gets about 230 miles per charge. Basically 2.5- 3 cents/mile. Pretty nice looking too with enough luxury options.

Sorry the Matrix Kit I had was bought by someone already. Unfortunatly the price has gone up and its now $227. I think its worth it but I would have someone do it rather than do it myself again. My arm hurt for days afterwards.
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 09:20 AM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by fredren
In regards to that, the next RL will def. be something in a class by itself. a 450hp v8 has been rumored with VCM based off of the nsx's v10 with awd as an option and rwd standard. but imo the S-class leads the pack when it comes to luxury and refinement. also to the gentleman who got the new ls, congrats and are you selling the matrix kit? and for how much? where in ny are you located if you dont mind me asking? i'd like to try it on my RL
I'd take the LS any day over an S class as IMO it i superior in the two areas you mentioned.


I wish Lexus would make an LS460 with AWD. I can't give up awd.
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 09:58 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by Raddoc
By the way I never even went to the dealership to deal. I e-mailed them saying I wanted to pay $63K and they accepted.
Which means you could have gotten it for less.
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 10:14 AM
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I did alot of research and found out that 63K was invoice and a very good price. No dealer was going to go below this as it would cut into there 2% holdback. If you go to Edmunds.com to the forum discussing price you see pretty quickly what people are paying.

The reason I got this price was because I basically told them that I knew someone who got it for his price which is true but in Atlanta and after weeks of negotiation and playing two dealerships against each other. I told them I wanted it for this price or I would get it elsewhere. They came back with $63,329 and I accepted.

Sometimes the hassle of getting a little off isn't worth it either. Basic premise here is do adequate research and then go for it. Places like club lexus and Acurazine are extremly powerful tools to help get a good price.

By the way the 2009 Lexus LS460 will come in AWD. I decided to go for the RWD as there will be no wiggle room to get a good price for the AWD. That car will be 75-76K without much more than a 1k off from MSRP. You'll need to wait a long time to get it for less.
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 01:28 PM
  #15  
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Well, Lexus does kinda make AWD for the LS, but under the guise of the LS600h. Of course, that'll cost you a tad more...

Anyhow, I like the LS460L, but those OEM wheels should go.
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 01:30 PM
  #16  
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i like the LS 460 with its stock wheels....but then again, like my RL with stock wheels.

im not that hard to please.
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 04:39 PM
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Congrats on the LS. Nice car. I have never driven 460, but have driven the older version. I am sure there is much improvement. I remember I did not like the older one as it floated like a boat and I lean toward the sporty suspension. No offense, but I see how the older crowd would love the car. Its very eloquent and stately.
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 05:43 PM
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I needed more room as we had our 3rd child last year. I'm not sure it’s for older people but I guess there won't be many 20 or 30 year olds who could afford 70k after taxes. I only turned 40 a month ago. I think if you a tech guy and want power and handling. This car fits your needs very well. I love being able to RIP my cd's to the hard drive. The parking sensors and backup cameras the Bluetooth, Mark Levinson Package and many more features are just top notch.

I test drove the S series MB and the 750 BMW but this car IMO beat both of those and at a much better price. As you can tell I love my Tech. My house is filled with state of the art Video, Audio, Surveillance and much more. I like my cars the same way.

I did enjoy the RL but the Gas millage bothered me as I never really got much better than 20 MPG even on the HWY. Also, the space and over all luxury feel was lacking. To me the LS handles great (very unlike a boat), it has better gas millage than the RL and has 380 HP as a V8. Has much more room and refinement. Maybe the next version of the RL will be at a similar level and can be compared with the LS.
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Old Jul 3, 2008 | 08:10 AM
  #19  
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What do you have in the other two bays of that nice 3-car garage of yours?
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Old Jul 3, 2008 | 09:55 AM
  #20  
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[QUOTE=Raddoc]I needed more room as we had our 3rd child last year. I'm not sure it’s for older people but I guess there won't be many 20 or 30 year olds who could afford 70k after taxes. I only turned 40 a month ago. I think if you a tech guy and want power and handling. This car fits your needs very well. I love being able to RIP my cd's to the hard drive. The parking sensors and backup cameras the Bluetooth, Mark Levinson Package and many more features are just top notch.

I test drove the S series MB and the 750 BMW but this car IMO beat both of those and at a much better price. As you can tell I love my Tech. My house is filled with state of the art Video, Audio, Surveillance and much more. I like my cars the same way.

I did enjoy the RL but the Gas millage bothered me as I never really got much better than 20 MPG even on the HWY. Also, the space and over all luxury feel was lacking. To me the LS handles great (very unlike a boat), it has better gas millage than the RL and has 380 HP as a V8. Has much more room and refinement. Maybe the next version of the RL will be at a similar level and can be compared with the LS.[/QUOTE

I am in agreement on the mileage. I get supperior mileage in my E500 than I did in my RL. All the V* naysayers be damned. The SHAWD may handle well, but it is not a very efficient process in that the mileage is terrible & the amount of power that it leaches from all the dyno runs that we have seen,
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Old Jul 3, 2008 | 10:09 AM
  #21  
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The millage thing always bothered me. I guess I always expected greater than 20MPG HWY on my cars. MY wife drives an 04 MDX which looks like its brand new with 40K miles.

I had a lease for 3 years on the RL and was allowed up to 38K miles due to the recent settlement case. However, because I only used the car for local driving I managed to put just under 25K miles on it. I will never lease again.


The 3rd bay is for guests but I'll put my electric car in there in a few years or maybe a Speed Boat when I can convince the wife after I payback my Med School Loans.
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Old Jul 3, 2008 | 10:26 AM
  #22  
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Surprised to hear about the low mileage experience.

My travel is 30/70, highway/secondary roads, and I average almost 25mpg. Just highway mileage is close to 30mpg.

BTW, nice looking Lex (and house).
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Old Jul 4, 2008 | 11:04 AM
  #23  
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Heh, I'm here, Bob. Just been busy.

Raddoc, I think you will be very happy with the LS. It is a peach of a car.

As for mileage, get it out on the highway, set the cruise on 80, and watch it rack up 30 mpg on flat ground. Awesome. Who needs a Corolla or Sentra?

The LS is indeed about as good as it gets for less than $100k. My '06 RL was an excellent car, and I really enjoyed it, but the LS is a cut above.

Congratulations!

.
.
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