ok boys, im bout to hand down my beauty, 05 rl..to my nephew..now im in the process of getting a new ride..need a lil help..heres my dilema..07 gs 350,08-09 mercedes c350sport, or 07 E-class..i do luv the look of the 08 c-class but the e-class has more options n more lux..but i hate the look of the e-class..looks too old to me..and i like the gs also..looks great in and out...i just might end up getting an 07-08 rl again..!!cant make up my mind...???

 

From what you stated, I'd say go with the Lexus.

 

From that short list, I'd definitely go with the 07-08 RL. I still think your getting more car for the money compared to the others listed. The Lexus is nice but it would bother me having a cassette tape player.

 

In October when the wife and I toured Napa Valley and then Yosemite we had a MB C350 rental - a very boring automobile IMHO. Cramped inside and he road noise was horendous. I was expecting a bit more from MB but was let down severely.

 

Your nephew has a very nice uncle.....

 

Agree with JPSMAN!! I have an 07 RL with 116,000 trouble free and very enjoyable miles on it. I enjoy looking at cars and researching. Our other car is a Lexus SC430. Recently got a GS for a loaner and could not wait to get back in the RL. There is only one other car I would consider than the RL. The Lexus 460 is reviewed by most as the best car out there. A 07 can be had for around the low 40"s. I test drove an 07 and it was nice but sincerely do not know if it is worth the extra money. Maybe!!!

 

It's not like the cassette tape player replaced the cd changer...you still have both.

 

That's not the point. You're paying for something that's outdated and shouldn't be there to begin with.

 

Maybe some people still use cassette tapes. I can see older people (which are kind of the target market for Lexus) still using cassettes. That is a convenient feature for them.

It's better to have too much than not enough. Why not give the customer the choice to use whatever it is they feel like using.

 

When I shopped Lexus, I questioned the rep about the cassette decks.

I was told that Lexus had surveyed it's customers and found many listened books on tape, and thus Lexus decided to cater to that percentage by keeping cassette decks in Lexus models.

That was 3 years ago....I do not know if books on tape have adopted new platforms such as DVD, or devices with USB connection (I read paper books).

*Greetings, at sea bound for Buenos Aires*

 

In the Edmunds reviews a fair number of consumers listed "lose the cassette player" in the suggested improvements section. That would be my response also.

 

Everyone does have, and is entitled to an opinion.

Perhaps Lexus chose the opinions of those who already owned a Lexus as valuable more so than general consumer opines.

Does not matter to me either way, just what I was told when I inquired why cassette decks where still included. But in fact if Lexus is honoring the requests of existing customers, I applaud them doing so.

I wish Acura would listen to it's existing customers. Instead I feel they have chosen to style for and by 12 year olds, who likely will not be the buyers of the product. Acura has alienated me, and basically told me I am no longer the customer they want to have.

I love my RL more today then when I bought it. But realistically, 2012 will be my next buy year. And unless Acura has stopped smoking crack, pulled up their pants to be at the waiste and does not address me as 'dude' when I enter the showroom, I will likely be buying Lexus.....whether or not they still have cassette decks.

*Greetings: At sea bound for Buenos Aires*

 

^
Nice segue back into the RL rant .

 

The TL had the cassette player through 2008 I think.....even when I bought a TL in 2004, my first thought was "why is this stupid cassette player here".

 

yeap, 2008 had tape players

 

what about an Inifiniti m35...?

not that i love my RL, but i was this close() to getting an M instead.

 

How about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-...fCarsQ5fTrucks

It has the SH-AWD we love and a new powerful, fuel efficient Supercharged V6. I understand that it is a blast to drive. I'm thinking of a 6 speed manual for myself.

I agree that the Mercedes is a boring car to drive. I test drove the new 2010 E350 and I was not impressed.

 

The m35 is a plain looking car. The GS looks so much better, IMHO.

 

I wish I were your nephew....lol