Auf Wiedersehen Mercedes, Kon'nichiwa replacement car

Pyscho_Si

Pyscho_Si

Pyscho_Si

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Joined
30 Nov 2002
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Bolton
After nearly 3.5 years and over 60k miles in my Mercedes W212 350CDI it was time for a change.

With a stupid work mileage allowance which favours over 2L petrols, I decided to think a little out of the box and go Japanese.

It might not be to everyones taste, but over 80% of my mileage is motorway driving and this gets within 10% of the fuel consumption of my previous diesel.

So I've bought myself a Lexus.... a GS450h. And the CVT gearbox isn't really that bad in normal use.

https://flic.kr/p/zuF5g3 https://www.flickr.com/photos/79567638@N05/
 
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[TW]Fox;28684187 said:
How do you think it compared with the Mercedes?
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It is a different beast. Although the Mercedes was suppose to be a sporty model, it wasn't the most nimble car and you could soon feel the size on a narrow country lane. The Lexus feels just as nimble.

The Lexus is quicker in a straight line. The CVT gearbox is normal use is much smoother than the 7 speed auto in the Merc. It does get slightly vocal at full throttle but how often do you floor your car for longer than 5 or 6 seconds?

Fuel consumption on the motorway is about 10% down on my diesel (getting about 46MPG instead of 49MPG on my commute to my client at the moment) and much better in town. It is very freaky driving around on the electric motor... need to get use to that. Main reason for going petrol was an increase from 12p to 22p a mile on my mileage allowance.

I think the Lexus is more luxurious inside. Inside build quality is better than the Lexus. The Mark Gevinson hifi blows away the Command system in the Merc. The sound reproduction is amazing.

Unfortunately I've been off work sick for the majority of the time I since I bought it so really haven't been able to enjoy it. I am planning on driving it down to Spain at Xmas which should be a good taste.
 
Just need a little more time and they will get there. When the younger generation move into the business a bit more firmly they will pick up the pace. Chinese have done well with their products over the last 5-6 years with the younger generations who grew up with things like iPads iPods etc and are now moving into senior roles. It's a little harder with Japan but I am sure they will get on it, they're certainly improving.
 
Three replies. Sums up the interest and motoring views on Lexus, they will never sell in big numbers despite making some cracking cars because they don't have a German badge.
 
I like it! There's a lecturer at my uni who has an LS600h and it's a stunning car. It's a shame there's always certain aspects of the interior they can't quite get right, but I'd still happily have one.
 
[TW]Fox;28694525 said:
It isn't purely a badge thing.
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I think to the majority, it is a badge thing. A good example is Audi, the driving dynamics of a brick, crap quality but yet they're very popular.
 
P.B said:
wow and he gets 46mpg ? im sure it wouldnt if i was driving but that kinda misses the point lol
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They are a hybrid that's why, a lot of car for the money. Really like the current lineup from Lexus apart from the front end of the new IS! They seem to hold their value well too. A 530D is around 5k less than this!
 
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