BTW... Joe, I don't mean to hurt my own cause here but FWIW, the GX470 shares its platform with the Toyota 4Runner... heck, they're even built in the same facility in Japan. But once again... the GX comes standard with almost every single thing that the 4Runner has optional and then some... so load up a 4Runner Limited 4x4 V8 and compare it to the 'base model' GX (which comes standard with 4x4, all the options from the limited, V8, etc, and you'll find the price difference to be minimal considering all the additional content the GX gives.

 

heres a question... What is Lexus's average fuel efficency?
for that matter what is toyotas average fuel efficeny?
Not that I'm trying to compare apples and oranges, but I'd just like to know...

Or is that too hard of a question?

 

All of those Lexus IS300 "inspired' tail lights were hideous.

Is it any wonder that lights of that sort found their way onto the - semi-failed - 2003 redesign of the Silverado?

 

Thanks for weighing in with the "Lexus owner's opinion."

Sadly, you're just as "uneducated" in your statement as the person you're accusing.

Until, this last year all of the RWD Lexus models sold in this country were just Japanese "homemarket" Toyotas. The LS430 was the "Toyota Celsior," the SC430 was the "Soarer," the GS was the "Aristo" and the IS300 was the "Toyota Altezza." In any case, they were all Toyotas!

Now, Toyota has opened the Lexus brand in Asia. Why? Because status conscious Chinese consumers were importing high end Toyotas - some of which were stollen - and equipping them with "Lexus" badges.

 

What does "Lexus's average fuel efficency," as you put it, have to do with anything?

 

Do you honestly believe I don't know that?

Those Toyota models were still sold at the same premium prices as they are with the Lexus badge... you should know as well as anyone else that the name of a make is nothing more than marketing. GM could very well make ALL 12 of their makes under the Chevy name in they wanted to. But they choose not to for marketing purposes.

Toyota simply finally decided that creating a premium make in Japan instead of selling everything from the least expensive to most expensive models as Toyotas, would be a good marketing decision.

I hope that's not too difficult to grasp for you, because here's a slightly harder concept to grasp.

He said that Lexus models were nothing but glorified Camrys... so what does the above have anything to do with the reuse of the Camry architecture?

Read what I said about marketing, read what I said about the price difference and added content.

Then consider that Nissan sells many if not most of its Infiniti models as Nissans in countries outside of the US. Oh... wow... sore subject, eh? I don't give a damn and neither should you. Like I said... it's marketing. You want to sell me a 50,000 dollar car with a Toyota badge or a 50,000 dollar car with a Lexus badge... should there really be a difference?

Now if you wanted to sell me a 25,000 dollar car with a Toyota badge or the same exact car with a Lexus badge for twice as much... yeah I can understand that would suck, but as explained a few posts ago, that's far from the case.

'So thanks for weighing in with your "I hate everything except Nissan/Infiniti because I drive one and am ultra defensive about it, but since it has among the worst initial quality ratings of any truck currently on the market, I spend my time attacking other brands instead" opinion.

 

Yeah, I know the GX is on the 4Runner's platform. But, to me at least, it looks different enough that I don't think "4Runner!!" when I see it. The LX470 is an obvious rebadge, and the ES, though not a rebadge, is pretty obviously Camry based.

That's why I included the GX on the other list (with the LS and GS), even though I could/should have squeezed it onto the list of Lexus vehicles that are Toyota-based (Toyota in the U.S. that is... since redzed pointed out, while missing the point, that even the LS is a Toyota... ). Now that I think about it, I suppose it is more or less as different from the 4Runner as the RX is from the Highlander...

And redzed, regarding the '03 refresh of the Silverado, I don't think I'd call those taillights "Altezzas". The Equinox has Altezza style taillights (which is about the only exterior styling feature that rubs me the wrong way on that vehicle). The Silverado does not.

 

The 03+ Silverado's tail lights were NOT Altezza. The Nissan Altima among many others, are.

And FWIW, as seems not to be apparent to RedZed, I can appreciate the differences between Lexus and Toyota models and make an educated decision from there. I own one of each.

 

No, no. Really. I have no idea. Especially since the observation that the term "Lexus" is merely an option package for run of the mill Toyotas first appeared in several magazines years ago. I know you're a fan, but I've been in an ES330 and I've been in an XLE. Both some of the best, quietest riding cars on the market (a huge leap forward from the previous model that rode like an econobox). But I'm sorry, Lexus IS a Toyota with a luxury package that in my opinion is a waste of money.

You're buying a badge when you get a Lexus. It is not a completely different rich man's car line like Cadillac is. It is merely a family car with a few do-dads thrown in. Like putting a Cadillac badge on an Impala. But then the Lexus is just a cheap luxury car anyway.

I would rather have a loaded Cadlillac CTS, or even STS.

 

Actually, Toyota used the Lexus launch as an opportunity to weed out their overly complex Japanese distribution network. In Japan, there is no such thing as a full line Toyota dealer. Weird.


All I can say is that despite the "price difference" and "added content" the Lexus GS300 is inferior to a glorified Camry. After all, what would you call an Avalon other than a "glorified" and stretched next-generation Camry variant?



I wasn't the one who brought Nissan or Infinity into this thread.

I also didn't bother to point out the Infiniti M35 won in this comparison (#1 in luxury sedans), while the Lexus GS300 was the outright loser (#11 out of 13).