jhr3uva90

I like DC and I've been here for over a decade. I'm thinking about moving to San Francisco or San Jose, though.

The hard drive feature would be very cool, if there is a way for external devices to plug into it.

CL6

They should throw a USB 2.0 port in the armrest or the glove box. Would be very cool.

jhr3uva90

Speaking of the armrest, did you know that the Infiniti M's DVD player is in the armrest? That's one of the reasons why I didn't get one.

By the way, the upcoming LS's hard drive is 7 GB, more than the largest iPod nano but less than the smallest iPod.

CL6

Problem with the hard drive is bigger is always better. 7 gb is a good start but hard drives are so cheap I'd like to see 200 gb minimum. I didn't know that about the Infiniti's. The RL needs a DVD player though although the RL strikes me as more of a driver's car than a passenger's.

jhr3uva90

The M's standard in-dash CD changer does not play DVD-A. You have to pay extra to get one of their upgraded audio systems that includes a DVD player in the armrest. It can play DVD Video when the car is in park or DVD Audio. I didn't see myself watching a DVD in my car while it was in park. I wanted to be able to put several DTS, DVD-A, MP3, or regular CDs in one changer, though. Unfortunately, the M doesn't do that.

CL6

Although any DVD-V player can play DVD-A they are not necessarily in 5.1. Is the M's in 5.1? And who would listen to a DVD-A with the tranny in park?

jhr3uva90

Actually, not all DVD-Video players can play DVD-Audio, only DVD-Audio with a DTS track. For example, Sony DVD players do not generally play DVD-A.

The M only needs to be in park to play DVD-V. You can drive and listen to DVD-A. Of course, you can only have on DVD-A in the arm rest player at a time.

CL6

Really? The TL demo disc says it has a Dobly Digital track for playback on older DVD players. It does say 'nearly all' are compatible. Guess you have the 1% that isn't.

jhr3uva90

You're right. A DVD-A with an additional Dolby Digital track can play on any DVD player. The problem is some of them don't have the additional Dolby Digital track.

mrdeeno

the m can play mp3's in the changer.

the only thing it can't do that the armrest player does is play dvd discs. The other thing you can do is put in a DVD-V musical (like a concert video DVD) and listen to it while driving. And yes you can listen to a DVD's audio or a dvd-a while driving.

jhr3uva90

Yes, that's true you can put MP3's in the changer. However, you can't put EVERYTHING in the changer. Oh well. As far as I can tell, you can't play MP3's in the Lexus GS at all.

mrdeeno

Actually you CAN put ANY DVD or CD disc in the changer...whether it can read it or not is a different story.

But I don't mind having the dvd player in the armrest. i dont' watch dvd's in the car and don't have any dvd-a discs except for the demo and rarely change discs, so I just load up 7 CDs (6-disc changer + 1 in the DVD player)...then go and listen to XM Radio.

jhr3uva90

That's funny!

Speaking of XM, does the M come with it standard? I think BMW charges $500 to add it to the 5 series.

mrdeeno

It's not standard but comes with the tech package or as a standalone option. And you have to get one of the journey packages in order to get the tech package (they ARE emulating BMW/MB/Lex!).

there's a choice of either XM or Sirius which is a pretty simple option to offer that I wonder why more makes don't offer a choice.

You get 3 months free and then you have to start paying.

I have ADD or something because of all the songs/mp3s in the 7 discs plus all the channels on XM, I get bored about halfway through every song I listen to, even the songs I like, so I end up changing the station or track.

jhr3uva90

Here's a question: at what point are there too many options? In other words, what should be standard equipment and what should be optional?

Oh, and Acura doesn't give you a choice or XM or Sirius because Honda is an investor in XM.

mrdeeno

For basic standards in this segment, this is what I expect:

1. HID lights
2. Sunroof
3. Power seats and windows
4. Leather
5. Dual auto climate control
6. Heated seats
7. 6 airbags
8. Real wood.

These should be the minimum factory options (mostly stuff dealer cannot install):

Ventilated seats
Navi
Satellite radio
5.1 ch. stereo
wheel/tire upgrade (runflats as option too)
Backup cam
adaptive cruise
sport trim with better suspension and upgraded wheels/tires, detail changes (darked out headlights, aluminum/cf in place of wood, etc.)

I'm not endorsing ala carte ordering, but they should offer a couple "combos" of the above options in different packages like tech1 (most of the tech stuff), tech2 (all the tech stuff), luxury1 (some of the luxury stuff), luxury 2 (all of the lux stuff).

The packages should not require to have one or the other, and a stripper model (none of the above options) should be available. And this is on top of the stuff dealers can install (body kit, spoiler, and the above listed rims/tires).

These 4 basic packages then spread over at least 2 different models (rwd and awd) and 2 different engine choices (v6 and v8). That's not too much to ask for, although it will make it more difficult for dealers to locate cars or require ordering, but then again someone who's willing to pay $50k for a car should be willing to wait if necessary.