Comparo day 3: Lexus LS430
09-09-2004, 03:41 PM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Comparo day 3: Lexus LS430
I'll have less to say about this one, because it is probably my least favorite. Reminded me of a Japanese take on a Buick. Boring outside, a bit old-fashioned cushy on the inside. Nothing cutting edge about this thing.
Seats were least comfortable so far, but adequate. Not very supportive on the sides; no thigh adjustment. They were ventilated, which helped a lot.
The controls are mostly easier to understand than the BMW, but far less than the VW. I found the buttons to be oddly placed and rather unattractive. The steering wheel buttons were too easy to hit accidentally. The Nav unit insisted on sending us inland to a freeway than along Hwy 1, clearly the shorter and faster route.
The Mark Levinson (the company not the man) stereo was a bit disappointing. I could not find an equalizer. The speakers sounded more colored than the previous two cars. However, at high levels, the sound was satisfying and wide-band, if a little coarse or unrefined. The CD changer did not accept MP3 disks.
The parking system was not up to BMW standards, and only seemed helpful some of the time. I think it tries not to intrude on the driver unless necessary, whereas the BMW's tries to impress with its sensitivity and cool display.
The engine pulls nicely, but the transmission was a bit hesitant compared to the other two. It was less often in the gear I wanted it to be in. The strange gate and the close distance of the shifter were annoying.
Suspension was cushy, even on sport. Noticeable body roll. The car felt like a front-heavy front-wheel drive car in corners, pushing and with poor dynamics. I had no impulse to take it into the twisty roads. I just wanted to go fast and get home.
There are some very good things about the Nav and general interface, in particular the touch screen. But it is positioned such that glare caused it to be unusable at times.
Steering was light, and was a bit vague on center. I managed Hwy 17 rather OK, but it didn't inspire confidence.
More tomorrow.... I've got the A8L and the MB S430 left.
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/431326.phtml">Comparo day one: Phaeton V8</a>
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/431856.phtml">Comparo day 2: BMW 745i</a>
Seats were least comfortable so far, but adequate. Not very supportive on the sides; no thigh adjustment. They were ventilated, which helped a lot.
The controls are mostly easier to understand than the BMW, but far less than the VW. I found the buttons to be oddly placed and rather unattractive. The steering wheel buttons were too easy to hit accidentally. The Nav unit insisted on sending us inland to a freeway than along Hwy 1, clearly the shorter and faster route.
The Mark Levinson (the company not the man) stereo was a bit disappointing. I could not find an equalizer. The speakers sounded more colored than the previous two cars. However, at high levels, the sound was satisfying and wide-band, if a little coarse or unrefined. The CD changer did not accept MP3 disks.
The parking system was not up to BMW standards, and only seemed helpful some of the time. I think it tries not to intrude on the driver unless necessary, whereas the BMW's tries to impress with its sensitivity and cool display.
The engine pulls nicely, but the transmission was a bit hesitant compared to the other two. It was less often in the gear I wanted it to be in. The strange gate and the close distance of the shifter were annoying.
Suspension was cushy, even on sport. Noticeable body roll. The car felt like a front-heavy front-wheel drive car in corners, pushing and with poor dynamics. I had no impulse to take it into the twisty roads. I just wanted to go fast and get home.
There are some very good things about the Nav and general interface, in particular the touch screen. But it is positioned such that glare caused it to be unusable at times.
Steering was light, and was a bit vague on center. I managed Hwy 17 rather OK, but it didn't inspire confidence.
More tomorrow.... I've got the A8L and the MB S430 left.
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/431326.phtml">Comparo day one: Phaeton V8</a>
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/431856.phtml">Comparo day 2: BMW 745i</a>
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FinallyS5
Audi A5 / S5 / RS5 Coupe & Cabrio (B8)
18
03-17-2008 11:51 PM
Janet
TT (Mk1) Discussion
3
01-19-2000 03:52 PM
