[MTLDean]

What's up everyone! Hope the winter is treating everyone well.

I traded in my super-problematic primadonna Audi S4 blown-6 German 911-eating rocketsled for a numb, anesthetizing, but dead-reliable Lexus GX460.

Am I crazy? Probably, but I couldn't stomach more problems from the Audi, it was bordering on insane. Within 18,000 km I already had a water pump failure, electrical dash failure, weatherstripping fall apart, bumper replacement for failed headlight washers, and the latest was engine nearly seizing from carbon buildup in the valves requiring a full cleanout that took 3 days.

Incidentally, right before I signed I test drove a 2014 Toyota 4Runner, and it was absolutely magnificent. Just awesome. The interior was really nice and modern, there was tons of room, NVH was minimal, it was a total gem. But the price difference to jump in the GX 460 was too minimal for me, plus the wife wanted something more sophisticated etc.

In the end, I daydream about a Lotus sedan. I really wish Bahar had his way and that Lotus Eterne was built, I would be first in line to pick one up. Imagine that with the V-6 from the Lexus GS350?

 

[SwingLo]

Nice choice. You went luxury!

While Lexus gets the knock as 'boring', their service and reliability are second to none and while the rides aren't 'engaging', they are arguably some of the smoothest most comfortable riding vehicles made. I had a GS400 that I loved.

My sister in law has the 'Lady Lexus' - the RX hybrid that soccer moms have. I drove it for a weekend and really liked it!

As for a daily Lotus sedan? No thanks. Reliability issues and no dealer network? Me, I like driving to a dealer 10 miles away and then getting a brand new fancy loaner.

Oh and as for the S4 comments - as the owner of a 3 week old S4 with 400 miles on the clock now, I sure hope mine doesn't meet a similar fate. Then again, it's a 2 year lease with Audicare so I should be good to go.

Enjoy!

 

[mkzhang]

I have a Lexus IS sedan for a daily driver, love the luxury ride on the weekdays and hardcore extreme on the weekends

 

[Spooky pantz]

Congrats on the new ride. I worked at Lexus for 4 years and loved going to work every day. They have made giant strides in the past year or two to turn the brand image around and attract new buyers. They are more sporty and modern now while maintaining there luxury and reliability. Nice choice with the GX. And the V6 in the GS is a great engine and would be great in a Lotus

 

[MTLDean]

Nice choice. You went luxury!

While Lexus gets the knock as 'boring', their service and reliability are second to none and while the rides aren't 'engaging', they are arguably some of the smoothest most comfortable riding vehicles made. I had a GS400 that I loved.

My sister in law has the 'Lady Lexus' - the RX hybrid that soccer moms have. I drove it for a weekend and really liked it!

As for a daily Lotus sedan? No thanks. Reliability issues and no dealer network? Me, I like driving to a dealer 10 miles away and then getting a brand new fancy loaner.

Oh and as for the S4 comments - as the owner of a 3 week old S4 with 400 miles on the clock now, I sure hope mine doesn't meet a similar fate. Then again, it's a 2 year lease with Audicare so I should be good to go.

Enjoy!

SwingLo, you're going to love the S4. It's a bloody riot, fast and grippy and brutally powerful. Some say the 335 hp is at the wheels, and the crank value is closer to 400+. It's a beast. Glad you're leasing for two years, if I had to do it over again I would lease German, buy Japanese, and of course "adopt" Lotus, warts and all. I still think I would be mesmerized enough to put up with a crazed Eterne...