Well as I mentioned previously, my uncle was going to buy a new Lexus IS, so we went in today and ordered the car. While I was at lexus I had a chance to crawl inside the new GS and take it for a drive as well.

The exterior is nice, if somwhat generic japanese bland. But the interior quality was absolutely amazing. Huge leaps and bounds ahead of the older lexus's in style and materials, and it puts our E to shame as well. The Lexus touch screen system IMO is absolutely superb and much better than command. Touch screens are awesome. The car also drove extremely well. Quiet, extremely smooth and at our Australian higway speeds wonderufully stable. It would be my pick over our airmatic equipped E320. It also had Lexus's version of Distronic cruise control and it worked very very well. I've never tried out MB's system so I cant compare.

Now the part that I simply cannot comprehend is the equipment that these new lexus's are loaded with. They come with absolutely everything at an AMAZING price.
* Keyless go (a 2000 dollar option on mercedes here)
* Distronic cruise control (6000 MB option)
* Lexus presafe system
* Harmon Kardon Logic 7, 14 speaker sound system (2000 MB option)
* Navigation (5000 option on MB's if its not standard)
*Bluetooth compatible (MB still hasnt figured this one out )
* Climate controlled seating (2000+ MB option)
* Rear view camera (judging from european specs, I doubt even the new S-class is going to have this as standard)

I just dont understand how they could possibly do this at the prices they are asking for. The car is loaded with stuff that costs you an obscene amount in extra optioning on any of the Germans. They get so much equipment standard, that you pay squillions for on a NEW S, 7 or A8. I don't care what anyone says, MB, BMW and AUDI simply cant go on like this. And at the rate their development is going, their cars are looking better and better every year and drive extremely well now, I walked away with a newfound respect for Lexus. I'm praying the new Lexus460 or whatver it's going to be looks great. My dad is seriously interested in the New S, but I will be urging him to wait to see what Lexus comes up with for the new LS. I can just imagine it coming with gismoz galore, looking good, having outstanding build quality etc. at a price MB would never in a million years be able to match.

Am I going CRAZY?

P.S. sorry for my slightly incoherent post, but I just can't get across how dumfounded I am. Somebody please restore my german faith. lol.

I think that Lexus is definitely getting up there with the Germans, so I don't think you are going crazy. My personal opinion, I think Lexus isn't at the German's stage, for example many magazines say the IS or the GS can't match the 3 or the 5 (or other German's) in terms of ride and fun-ness. But Lexus is improving quickly, and the German's better watch out, because its only a matter of time when the fun factor etc become equal. One thing for sure, Lexus has better reliability that any German right now.

I think that when it comes down to it, people buy the German's over Lexus purely for the name. Aside from a few, I feel the majority don't care that much for the fun-factor, but thats only what I think from what I've seen here in New Zealand.

One thing I can tell you, the Japanese have the best manufacturing processes in the world, in particular Toyota has one of the best, if not the best, manufacturing process. What I sincerely believe, is that what someone else can make, Toyota can make cheaper (and in some cases better), therefore meaning they can add more stuff as standard that the Germans cannot.

With Lexus undergoing a new design phase (I think their new cars definitely look way better than their old counterparts), and with the cars becoming more sporty, Lexus is really become a real alternative to the German's. Although for me personally, give me a Beemer anyday . Still I won't be complaining if someone gave me a Lexus.

BTW, anyone that says that your comments are foolish, and "Lexus sux" quite clearly are biased. I personally say bring it on, it'll only mean that the German's will have to step up their game to keep with the play, and thats only a good thing for us, the consumer.

I didn't know it has Pre-safe ? I thought that system is still exclusivly used by MBs only .. are u sure of this info ?

Yes I am 100% sure, the IS and GS are available with presafe. It's not the same as Mercedes latest version, but more in line with the first version. I wouldnt be surprised if the new LS camed packed with more techno gadgets than the S. It's going to be REALLY interesting.

The GS is really an amazing car, i drove it too. Car is smooth, AWD, plenty of toys on th einside, and what a drive. Awesome car for the money, and especially when it comes to reliability!

I have to agree with you. I fell in love with the GS when I saw it at the dealership. It is an excellent car. But personal preferences will magnetise me towards the A6. I'd say, get the Lexus for comfort.

I'm hoping the next LS they release will be something mind-blowing...

Time to start JapaneseCarZone.com??

Welcome aboard Mr. Mercedes!

Regards,
NSL.

Yeah, that was one thing that always got me as part of GCF of whatever flavour. There was a certain exclusivity that made the vast majority of forum members have a predilection for German cars over others.

I for one would have welcomed a more inclusive forum name, but that's just me.

Anyhow, Mr. Mercedes, glad you've got an open mind and have really been impressed by the Lexus! I'm also of the opinion that they should be excellent cars, and yes, the Japanese and Toyota do really well on quality control. In the era of economic rationalism, there could well be some Toyotas that are more 'mortal' in their quality control.. but I'm confident they'd put their best feet forwards with the flagship brand.

German cars might be more desirable for driving involvement, but I'm not sure how many people would actually make the use of the difference between them. For many, IMHO it's mostly in the mind - that you buy something that reflects your preferences, regardless of what you actually use it for. At this level, the differences wouldn't be that earth shatteringly great.

One more thing, the Lexus does have lots of equipment. But IMO, if they were the market leaders, they'd do the same things as the Germans - charge massive premiums for 'extra' equipment. Whatever they can do to make money, they'd likely do. How is it possible that keyless go can cost $2000? That's ridiculous. For all the money they charge for the cars, I'd call that gouging. But they give you a discount on the purchase price and make their money back by selling you 'options'. Oh well. At the moment, the Germans are doing it, and I hope that Lexus challenges them enough that they will be forced to change their ways.

Plus, I'm still looking forward to your impressions of the IS, once it arrives

Lexus is doing a great job I think. Infiniti is also improving. It's great to see actually.

Did anyone read the new Car and Driver comparison? They had a lot of good things to say.

EDIT: Someone already posted it:
http://www.germancarzone.com/showthread.php?t=36 ($35,000 Sports Sedans)

my cuzin has the new gs and to be honest , its a beautifull car , its amazing
exterior: hot looking japanese car
interior: and technology pure german
engine: powerfull and very reliable
superb.