Jump to content

Lexus Owners (To share driving experience and advise)


LouislexusGS
 Share

Recommended Posts

I have driven the GS200T for about a month. I am impressed by its level refinement compared to any turbo-charged engine.

 

However, one has to be realistic that it can never beat the v6 engines smoothness. Turbo lag is a characteristics of any turbo engine; so just need to change one's driving style . ;-)

 

Clocking close to 3000km. Having run-in the car, I am much happier owner now as compared to day 1. ;-) I guess it takes a little while to get used to "slower" pick up and hybrid drives when compared against my previous ride, a GS450h.

↡ Advertisement
  • Praise 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Clocking close to 3000km. Having run-in the car, I am much happier owner now as compared to day 1. ;-) I guess it takes a little while to get used to "slower" pick up and hybrid drives when compared against my previous ride, a GS450h.

Previous GS450h is easily one of the most powerful saloon cars around, just see how fast the century sprint is.

  • Praise 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

4th Gear

Indeed, I had the same experience.  While the car is running in, the driver is too.

 

The same for the sound system and acoustic, switching car model I do take time to adjust and like it eventually.

 

 

Clocking close to 3000km. Having run-in the car, I am much happier owner now as compared to day 1. ;-) I guess it takes a little while to get used to "slower" pick up and hybrid drives when compared against my previous ride, a GS450h.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Neutral Newbie

I am considering the IS200T and the A4.

Strange that I don't see many IS200Ts on the roads.

I test drove the IS and noticed some turbo lag.

Seems like it is not so popular?

  • Praise 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I am considering the IS200T and the A4.

Strange that I don't see many IS200Ts on the roads.

I test drove the IS and noticed some turbo lag.

Seems like it is not so popular?

Hi,

 

Lexus 200T is not popular due to the price. I did consider this last month before changing to my new ride, Infiniti Q50.

  • Praise 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

You are absolutely right. My first Lexus was LS400. It was a trouble free car and in fact hardly anything needed repair. It does look a bit the Ah Pek kind but as a driver and the person who pays for it, really who gives a damn what others think, unless of course they also help to pay for the car.

 

Then after nearly 10 years, trade in for a LS430 which looks better with more gadgets. If you drive above 80 km/h along express highway, the car has a floating feeling like the solid road hugging feel of the LS400. Initially it was very thrilling because so many button and variations one can choose. But after a few months the novelty wears out. The setting pretty much left where they were. Hence, to think about it, we are paying a lot for many functions in the car that we hardly use. Eg. Eco, sport and snow mode. When do we use the snow mode in Singapore but it comes as a package. In addition, there are heated seats for all passengers and drive. In Singapore one would be nuts to even want to turn it on.

 

After another 8 years or so later, AD called, that they can over trade the LS430 for a new LS460 the one with the front looking like terminator buddy's alien mouth. I decided to keep the LS430 and seal the deal for the LS460.  Again, the number of gadgets in the car, many of them will not be turned on or even explored. I was abit upset because their 5years warranty really funny. Because if you read it carefully, the 4th year onwards, the warranty only covers the power train.

 

Every 10000km you need to go for servicing at AD (most cars nowadays do their servicing at 20000km because they are reliable and engine oil and etc are able to handle the stress) which cost money. The service receptionist will try to sweet talk you to do the full check which cost more. Most people with new car may fall for it.

 

Lexus repairs are extremely expensive. I was carrot once, because I need to change the air -filter in the front and back filters for the cabin. So I was quite free I drove to AD and asked to change the filters. The filters were damn expensive but look ordinary and not hepa some more. It took them less than 3 minutes to change the front and less than 2 minutes to change the back and they charge me more than a $100 for labour. So becareful, you can buy the filters from 3rd party and replace them yourself which is not difficult and save you money over the long term.

 

After 5 years or so and depending on how you drive and where you drive, sooner or later you will need to change the O2 sensors, AD will replace only the one that is not working. Ask them to test the rest of the O2 sensors because each time they change they charge you proper and good. The O2 sensors are difficult to access apparently. I was carrot again.

 

Over, Lexus is a good trouble free car but the maintenance may kill. I would have bought the cheaper version of Toyota Crown but apparently there are so few in the market that Toyota informs me that if you buy and if car breakdowns you may have to wait for parts to ship in from Japan.

 

My humble advice, there are many good cars of similar qualities and some even better than Lexus. Don't be so brand conscious which in the end, you have to ask, are you really paying for the perceived quality or it is just for the ego. To make a point, recently newspaper reveal BMW has the most complains. Some people (whom I don't really agree), believes that they can live with the car problems because it is part of the heritage. Then you have to ask yourself again, you buy a car to serve you and not the other way round.

 

The economy is really not well, some of us here may loose their job this year or next year, we don't know. Buying a premier brand car is a wants and NOT a needs. Be prudent and don't over-stretch because in the end if the blocks crumbles, you have only yourself to blame. You will not be the only suffer but your family too.

 

Be a smart buyer.

 

 

A prime example of Lexus' first ever model that still looks really immaculate, despite having 4 owners and being 23 years old.

 

Hope it goes to a good home and stay on our roads after 2019.

 

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=559704&DL=1143

 

559704_1b.jpg

 

559704_3b.jpg

 

  • Praise 5
Link to post
Share on other sites

 

 

My humble advice, there are many good cars of similar qualities and some even better than Lexus. Don't be so brand conscious which in the end, you have to ask, are you really paying for the perceived quality or it is just for the ego. 

 

 

 

In your opinion, what are the cars of similar qualities or better? 

I am considering the IS200T and the A4.

Strange that I don't see many IS200Ts on the roads.

I test drove the IS and noticed some turbo lag.

Seems like it is not so popular?

 

Between the two I thought the IS200t is a better ride. The A4 1.4 engine at higher rpm felt a bit trying to me.

  • Praise 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

You are absolutely right. My first Lexus was LS400. It was a trouble free car and in fact hardly anything needed repair. It does look a bit the Ah Pek kind but as a driver and the person who pays for it, really who gives a damn what others think, unless of course they also help to pay for the car...

 

If I recall, this isn't the first time you're sharing your experiences with the LS400, LS430 and LS460... I've always enjoyed reading them.

 

Sad that Lexus has gone down the path of profit margin. When it started back in 1989, it was really trying to gain ground on service excellence and the lack of chopping carrots was one of the draws which kept customers returning.

 

Unfortunately that kind of pride in work isn't easily found these days.

  • Praise 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

chopping carrot is Broneo. the quote me a aircon filter 400$. i asked them if that was made of gold thread. i really aked them that.

If I recall, this isn't the first time you're sharing your experiences with the LS400, LS430 and LS460... I've always enjoyed reading them.

 

Sad that Lexus has gone down the path of profit margin. When it started back in 1989, it was really trying to gain ground on service excellence and the lack of chopping carrots was one of the draws which kept customers returning.

 

Unfortunately that kind of pride in work isn't easily found these days.

 

  • Praise 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

4th Gear

You're referring to Borneo, no ?

 

Well, is it not the case as well for all the agents for the supposedly more upscale cars ?  Isn't this the lot of people (owners) the ones who can easily be chopped.  The same for the Apple lot, and so on....

 

All it takes is for the owners themselves to be a little more knowledgeable and street-smart and bothered to save good money to be able to buy the parts and get them done elsewhere.  Of course experience will help but there must be some initial adventurous mindset to begin with.   Taking the first plunge is always the hardest. 

 

For example, I dare say all agents for whatever types of cars are charging in excess of SGD 400 to change a pair of brake pads.  It's an easy effort to buy the parts yourself and have it all done up elsewhere for less than half the price but still how many are still going to get it done at the agent for that so-called peace-of-mind ?

 

At the end of the day, for people who believe in peace-of-mind, they shouldn't be complaining about agents over-charging.  They have a choice.

 

 

Sad that Lexus has gone down the path of profit margin. When it started back in 1989, it was really trying to gain ground on service excellence and the lack of chopping carrots was one of the draws which kept customers returning.

 

 

  • Praise 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

I would have bought the cheaper version of Toyota Crown but apparently there are so few in the market that Toyota informs me that if you buy and if car breakdowns you may have to wait for parts to ship in from Japan.

 

Crown shares most mechanical parts with the GS, so it seemed they were trying to pull wool over your eyes there. [;)]

  • Praise 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Even if you pass on free one to me, I do not want 2.0t Thank you.

I have yet to test drive. That jialat meh? Lol

Nearly commit to the es250

Care to share the price?
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...