SPUDMTN

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...eline.promo.2g.

Looks like Edmunds is the first to post something of interest...however, it is kind of a let down in the review department. It's terribly vague, and seems almost like a teaser. I'm sure this means the embargo has been lifted, and that we'll start seeing more reviews popping up all over the place.

As of right now, it seems to be down to the A6, RL, M35 AWD, and the GS300 AWD. However, after seeing Edmunds' pics of the GS, I'm not very impressed at all...the RL seems to have more little details than the GS does, when it comes to styling. I'd definitely need the 18's off of the 430

phile

My thoughts exactly. But yeah, that's a very vague review, if you can even call it that. And it looks like the LED taillights are more in line with the TL (fuzzy glow) than the RL and the Infiniti's. But I might be wrong, we'll have to wait to see them in a pic that shows them lit up.

Rob L

hehe yeah, hardly a review or even a first drive.

Oh I don't like the little control pod with those apparent seldom used switches...spread them around the cabin like other cars do. The interior is nice but as stated, it just looks very...plain. I do want to ehar that ML surround system though. I bet it surpasses the system we have in the RL and if it does, then WOW because the RL system is fantastic.

All I know is I hope the next gen LS doesnt look like the new GS both inside & out.

SPUDMTN

Funny thing is that Lexus calls the GS the first step to their new "emotional" design style.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Hmm...read more like someone went through and summarized all of the marketing materials...

scottj

That button panel would drive me nuts. I swear I'm into the trunk ever other time I use my car and having to drop it down every time would be annoying. I wonder if it would bite your knees if you leave it down?

SPUDMTN

This is true...I don't know why Edmunds even posted it...

Karl_in_Chicago

Hehe, well of course that's such a subjective term . . . exactly whose emotions did they mean? Maybe it's those of Pat Boone . . . any word if it might come with PB monogrammed white shoes and belt?

petemc

Typical of someone who has seen pictures of the vehicle, but not the vehicle itself...state the obvious and quote the manufacturer until you get somthing better.

Kinda like Edmunds did for the RL for a while.

Pete

TypeSAddict

I've never liked Edmund's

a hair shorter and longer, eh?

phile

I got stuck on that one, too. They meant 'shorter' as in vertical height.

TypeSAddict

Oh oh, yea you're right.

hemants

GS450H hybrid...yummmm

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147930

iNteGraz92

hope they don't ruin the next IS

phile

Here's a real review:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/inde...&sid=183&n=157

Rob L

I was going to hold out for the new IS after I heard it'd be in AWD (I came from a 2001 IS) but after reading how the new IS has a similar look to the new GS I decided against that and went with the RL.

SPUDMTN

It just amazes me when Lexus owners pull out the "bland" card when they argue against Acura. I just simply

dseag2

Yeah, I hear ya.

I went to see the new M on Saturday and, although the interior is nice, I was completely unimpressed by the exterior of the car. With the standard 18" wheels it could easily be a Nissan. No room for anyone to call the RL "boring" or "undistinguished".

I actually walked back to my RL thinking the lines and details on that car made it look more interesting, and the interior looked better.

In all fairness, I'm sure much of the appeal with the M will be the driving experience, but I just wasn't feeling the car enough to waste the salesman's time.

Rob L

Yeah, pretty silly.

I've always found the "bland" comments about car lines to be silly. As a Lexus lover I've heard/read it way too much. Interesting some lexus owners would refer to Acura cars as bland....huh?

James

are you guys serious? go check out the new GS its way better in person. In my opinion, it surpasses the RL (im not hating on it im just saying.)

phile

Beauty is subjective.

I haven't seen the production version yet, but I saw the prototype when it was at the NY Auto show last year. I thought the front looked OK, but the back was really ugly. Too much visual mass in the rear, makes the car look disproportionate.

petemc

James,

I'm kinda curious about what impressed you so much about the GS compared to the RL?

Was it the way that it handled?
How did you find the fitting inside of the GS? Same quality as the RL or better? If better, what exactly was better about it?
What about the ride quality, what impressed you about the GS over the RL?
Did you feel any difference with the RL's SH-AWD?
What about the stereo or 5.1 surround system, which discs did you play to compare the two?
When comparing the acceleration, did you use the RL's paddle shifters?


...or did you just read about it, maybe?

Pete

Rob L

I'm going to guess James is basing the car being better simply on his preference for the exterior design. At 17 years of age I doubt he works at a Lexus dealership and I doubt he has connections to drive one.

As for the exterior...I dont like the new GS design at all based on the pics/video I have seen of it. Maybe in person my opinion will change but I doubt it.

BTW, nice post Pete.

Hou-RL

Pete,

I could have not said it any better.

mungoac

Of the 60 cars I have owned/regularly operated 54 were really quite bland. The others were

1. 1928 Chevrolet Roadster concertible with rumble seat (I didn't get it new. Honest)
2. 1949 Volkswagen w unsynchronized transmission and 1964 Porsche engine.
3. 1962 Jaguar Mk II 3.8 where everything, including the ashtray, broke.
4. 1970 BMW 2800 CSI (so far ahead of its time it made you dizzy)
5. 2001 Acura CL-S (delightful car)
6. 2005 Acura RL (delightful car)

The one Lexus I owned was really really REALLY bland. One Lincoln Mark VIII was bland but interesting, on account of all the interesting telcons with the Lincoln Customer "Satisfaction" Dept that knew nothing about this unspeakable turd of a car that was ostensibly Ford Motors' flagship. But the only bland-to-their-very-core cars are the ones that pull up when the FBI comes to speak with you. I believe they're Fords.

LessisBestmakingendsmeet

The Cl and RL are on your list of 6 exciting cars out of the 60? Were the other 54 station wagons or hearses?

rets

I really like to see new GS in person. Maybe I should be the dealer in Long Island tomorrow... they have a demo in the showroom...

8-)

Good post, I enjoyed it.

On the other hand, I've owned seven cars in 30 years, with four of them being built in the 1960's. Call me deprived.

8-)

Oops, make that 8 cars. I forgot about the trusty Nissan Stanza, which was just about indestructible, and great in the snow.

mungoac

I didn't say 'exciting', I said not bland. Only one station wagon and one hearse, by the way.

mungoac

Well, some people have luck with cars, some don't; some have patience with cars, some don't.
Would you believe that every rearview mirror of the type fused to the front window in every GM car I ever owned fell down on a cold day?
Or that a brand new Lincoln needed a warranty visit to the dealership after every trip over 150 miles for the miserable two years I owned that contraption?
Or that a '62 Plymouth Belvedere with a /6 that I bought in a bar in Minneapolis for $50 and only used for weekend skiing trips and TRIED to destroy with zero oil changes and maintenance after I got tired of it ran faultlessly for 68000 miles (148000 total) before I sold it for $100 to an automotive trade school?
Seven cars in 30 years, 8-)? How I envy you. You must be both lucky and very smart. And probably wealthy.

dseag2

That used to happen consistently to my dad's '73 Grand Am, which was one of my favorite cars of all time. Plus, the "genuine African Crossfire Mahogany" on the dash used to peel off and he used to have to glue it back on! He kept it until everything fell apart, but that 400c.i. V-8 w/ 4 barrel carb was still running strong!

And people today complain about squeaks and rattles!