2008 Lexus LS 600h L - 430+ Horsepower V8

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MGBGT @ Apr 17 2006, 08:28 AM) [snapback]240846[/snapback]</div>

Like the Prius? Cars didn't used to all be 2900 lbs you know.

Like the Prius? Not everyone uses all that space.

Like the Prius? It could have gone with a 15-second 0-60 for increased efficiency.

See above.

It's absurd to suggest all cars should be small cheap economy cars; they won't be and never will be, so what's more important is expanding hybrids beyond 1% of new car sales.

 

I say go toyota, and go lexus! I know it's the same company, but you couldn't tell my millionaire aunt and uncle that. It's all about the prestige, and having the cars the big boys and girls drive. If they put out hybrid counterparts of all their popular vehicles for people from all walks of life the impact would be quite impressive. I agree that you cannot compare the milage difference of the camry hybrid, and regular to the difference between the larger vehicles and the prius, because those people simply won't want to give up their larger pimped out vehicle for the prius. However if a good option comes along that reduces mpg a little bit on a vehicle that uses so much it does make a potentially larger difference. I was really glad that they pointed that out. I'd be very happy if a few people driving expiditions or h2's or anything of the larger size suv's would trade it for even a highlander hybrid, or anything that comes out in the future. They're still exercising a little concern for the environment. I do however wish they would exercise concern for other people's safety. I would feel very guilty if my family were seriously injured in the prius becuase someone decided they were going to protect their family from getting a ford expidition. They just don't realize that by "protecting" their family they are endangering others in the event they make a mistake, or heck even if I were to make a mistake. (little off topic but I wanted to throw that in, as I don't post oft.)

 

A lot of people love the idea of driving tanks; mobile fortresses. That's why SUVs and pickups are so common. It doesn't have to do with logic, and the only way to reduce SUV sales is by making them more expensive (such as by giving them the same safety and pollution requirements that cars have) or making them more impractical, like areas where large vehicles simply could not park anywhere.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Potential Buyer @ Apr 17 2006, 11:39 AM) [snapback]240936[/snapback]</div>

Well, in my view that's just a little too simplistic. Sure, cars used to be lighter and smaller, they also didn't have the safety features of modern cars (and I'm talking normal sized modern cars, not SUVs), and polluted a lot more. Few of the 'cheap econoboxes' got close to the Prius mileage. The Prius is not a cheap economy cars, and no one is suggesting that all cars should be cheap econoboxes. Instead, what many are suggesting is that there is a reasonable upper limit in terms of size, and lower limit in terms of reasonable minimum mileage a car should get. Hummers obviously don't fall into that category, and frankly I classify the 600h in the same group as a Hummer: un-necessary, wasteful, and in particular a bad way of using resources such as for batteries that could be put to more effective use in more sensible cars.
Just my 2c worth.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(micheal @ Apr 14 2006, 04:02 PM) [snapback]239832[/snapback]</div>

But this car is going to be more than just an upgrade to the hybrid, its going to have a lot of different equipment and be geared towards the upper eschelon V12 sedans from MB and BMW that cost ~$130k. This car is about setting a standard and a benchmark for the brand, all other concerns are seperate it will be ~$90k trust me. Remember, I'm the forums manager a Lexus Owners Club.com and I KNOW Lexus.

For those of you who "don't understand" the purpose for this car, and are complaining about "too big" or "too this" or "too that" need to realize that perhaps this type of car is something you're just not going to be able to understand. This is a super high luxury car, its not about conservation. It provides affluent discerning carbuyers an option to get a high line car (with a high line price, remember you can UNDERPRICE in this segment) that makes the statement:

"I'm obscenely rich, but I still care about the environment and conservation".

Its a way to be austentatious without giving up the very "in" and "hip" eco-friendly hybrid phenomenon. Believe me, hollywood stars will be trading their Priuses in on this before you can bat an eye.

Those of you that think we should be "unable" to build and purchase cars you deem "unneccisary" need to check the "smug" at the door and realize that one of the disadvantages to living in a free society is you have to put up with people who have different tastes and priorities in life than you do.

I'd never choose a Prius as my personal vehicle, but I would drive this. More specifically I would drive a GS450h or a RX400h since I could never afford this LOL

Because I do care about conservation, but I also like luxury features, styling, ride, and concierge service out of my vehicle. The Prius would only give me conservation, and I'm not interested in that.

 

Toyota, like any other company, is in business to make a profit. They designed HSD because it's a better drive train. No car is really green. Bicycles are green. Burning 3/4 as much gas as my previous car, I'm still burning gas. It is my choice to live a lifestyle that requires me to have a car.

Eventually all cars will be hybrid, not because it's green, but because it's a better drive train. And a discriminating car buyer who wants super-luxury and can afford it, and is willing to pay for it, will like this new Lexus and its hybrid drive, not because it's green (which as you note, it is not) but because it's a better drive train.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Apr 18 2006, 10:42 AM) [snapback]241467[/snapback]</div>

Exactly.

Have any of you driven the RX400h? When you feel the torque coupled with the super smooth CVT drivetrain, you'll never want to drive a fully gas car again. The "green" ness is a bonus.

 

my parents own a 400h.. after driving that i don't even want to drive my prius.. it's an awesome vehicle. simply amazing. i heard with the gs and the ls there will be no "rubber band effect" awesome.

 

I know. I definately want to drive the GS450h when it comes out.

I really love the LS (my father's LS is what got me interested in Lexus originally) but I'm not to where I could afford a $90,000 car in the near future. I might be able to do an LS460L for around $70k in a year or so, but not a 600hL lol

Maybe the GS450h will be the ticket for me. I was a little dissapointed to hear there wouldn't be an ES400h.

 

they don't plan on adding a hybrid system to the ES class?

I'm not sure my parents will ever be able to afford the LS600h L

Maybe some time a long in my future i will, but not anytime soon.

Either way, it's a great car. I love the RX400h. It's simply a blast to drive and it handles/rides awesome. I couldn't imagine how awesome a Lexus sedan with HSD and VDIM would be. (i guess it is another "package" option)

btw.. if anyone gets one.. take me for a ride.

 

They may in the future, but not right now.