motor

Apac102 · 06-27-2004, 09:16 PM

We are debating wether our family should get a Lexus LS 430 or Audi A8L. I totally think we should get the A8L, but apparently it crumbles when it gets into an accident because of the aluminum body and the LS 430 has the headlights that turn around the corner and the keyless system. Curious what you guys think?

budagboy2 · 06-27-2004, 09:24 PM

where did u hear that it crumbles?

blah · 06-27-2004, 10:12 PM

Im totally againest Lexus in all shapes and forms. But the LS430 has a good package overall. BUT... and this is a big but. it does not have the power of the A8 at all, and the interior is a little bland, for the money. Id get the A8 if that was your choice, the A8 also has AWD so thats a plus if you live in a snowy area.

Vansquish · 06-27-2004, 11:34 PM

I'm curious as to where you heard that the aluminum body of the A8 crumbles....if you are trying to say that it crumples, then yes, it does, exactly as it should, absorbing most of the force of the accident, thus diverting the energy from the passenger safety cell. Aside from that, you will get better performance, and better build quality, if not quite the same level of isolation from the road that you'd get in the Lexus. You would also get the benefit of 4wd in the winter, and on top of all that, the Lexus is widely known to have a poor ride, and the Audi, unless fitted with sports package, has a pretty damned fine one. I'd suggest you read the Autocar road test from a few months back about that, I'm pretty sure it's posted on their website.

5.7 V10 · 06-28-2004, 01:11 AM

For the money, i'd say the Lexus. It is very refined, smooth, reliable and is powerful. The ride is amazing, very smooth. Overall, the Lexus would be more reliable. Though i admit, i prefer the A8. It looks great!

komotar · 06-28-2004, 02:37 AM

Go for the A8.
I've test driven it on more than one occasion.
The car is poised and very well balanced. And ofcourse don't get me started on the comfort part...
I drove the 4.0 diesel and it sure didn't feel like I was driving a diesel.
0-30 mph - 2.3 sec
0-60 mph - 6.6 sec.
Everything (the switches) is where it's suppost to be. It took me about
a day to get used to all of them, and I could opreate them blindfolded
in 2 days...
Oh, and this is a photo I took with my phone, while driving and as you will just see, it goes realy fast. Well you certainly won't have problems hitting
the 150 mph...The car I drove had it's speed limiter(don't know the correct
expresion) taken out... Anyway...here you go.

komotar · 06-28-2004, 02:44 AM

Here's the car I tested:

I hope I've made your decision just a little bit easier.

ahmedgiyab · 06-28-2004, 02:48 AM

It depends on which engine you want to buy for the A8.....

The LS430 is an excellent car....I think we can't state that the A8 is better....they are

presenting different needs....where do you live?!

The LS is much more reliable than an A8....

Its an important factor for families!

The Mark Levinson sound system is also unique.... 8)

The A8 is German, and looks stunning....

Apac102 · 06-28-2004, 12:31 PM

We live in Michigan where it does get pretty snowy in the winter. Thanks for giving me more arguments to persuade my family to get the A8L. Lol, the one person I really need to convince is actually my mom, because it is going to be her car but shes the one who likes the LS430. IT will be tricky, but I will see what I can do. Thanks again everyone.

Vansquish · 06-28-2004, 03:31 PM

Aha! another Michiganian! The A8 is definetely the one I'd choose, the Lexus is a bit too derivative for my tastes...the styling is almost a direct ripoff of the Mercedes S-Class, and it really isn't worth the money for Toyota engineering. I'd get the Audi, hands down. If you haven't had a chance yet, I'd still say that you ought to go check out the Autocar magazine website and look for the road test of the Audi A8 and LS430.

initiala4 · 06-28-2004, 03:53 PM

Audi....wins my vote! Lexus doesnt look original. Most of its styling cues are taking from benz in some parts. Defintely get audi for quattro!

5.7 V10 · 06-28-2004, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Vansquish

Aha! another Michiganian! The A8 is definetely the one I'd choose, the Lexus is a bit too derivative for my tastes...the styling is almost a direct ripoff of the Mercedes S-Class, and it really isn't worth the money for Toyota engineering. I'd get the Audi, hands down. If you haven't had a chance yet, I'd still say that you ought to go check out the Autocar magazine website and look for the road test of the Audi A8 and LS430.

No

"the styling is almost a direct ripoff of the Mercedes S-Class, and it really isn't worth the money for Toyota engineering.

Damn, Lexus may have started off copying Lexus with the LS. But i'll tell you, Lexus started that miss poroption body. That Mercedes now has, so i wouldn't say Lexus is copying them. As for you last comment, coming from sombody who has much expericence with Lexus car. A Lexus is nothing like a Toyota. Somebody made that up

Vansquish · 06-28-2004, 04:34 PM

No yourself

...Toyota created, operates and engineers Lexus vehicles. Lexus may be touted to be a separate entity, but look closely and you'll see that it isn't. The ES300/ES330 are based on the Toyota Camry...look closely, you'll see they share engines, sheetmetal, and just about everything else. The LX models are Toyota Landcruisers, and the RX models are based on the Camry platform as well. Now tell me how that doesn't qualify as Toyota engineering?

If you want experience with Toyota vehicles, you've come to the right place, my dad was on a program at Ford where they essentially deconstructed the LS400, Infinity Q45 and some higher-price European competitors to get to the meat of the engineering and try and create a true competitor. While the car from Ford is stillborn, the fact is that we ran several different luxo-barges for quite a while in my family. The LS being among the most commonly used. It was nowhere near as good as the A8, granted that they were both the previous bodystyles.

5.7 V10 · 06-28-2004, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Vansquish

No yourself

...Toyota created, operates and engineers Lexus vehicles. Lexus may be touted to be a separate entity, but look closely and you'll see that it isn't. The ES300/ES330 are based on the Toyota Camry...look closely, you'll see they share engines, sheetmetal, and just about everything else. The LX models are Toyota Landcruisers, and the RX models are based on the Camry platform as well. Now tell me how that doesn't qualify as Toyota engineering?

If you want experience with Toyota vehicles, you've come to the right place, my dad was on a program at Ford where they essentially deconstructed the LS400, Infinity Q45 and some higher-price European competitors to get to the meat of the engineering and try and create a true competitor. While the car from Ford is stillborn, the fact is that we ran several different luxo-barges for quite a while in my family. The LS being among the most commonly used. It was nowhere near as good as the A8, granted that they were both the previous bodystyles.

Yes i know, i'm not stupid. I know Toyota owns Lexus. Many Toyota cars share platforms, but so do many other cars. Such as the Dodge Magum RT and Chrysler 300C have the old Merc E class chassis and the Jaguar X Type shares the same chassis and other parts of the Ford Mondeo. You make it sound like the Lexus having Toyota engeering is bad. But it isn't, the cars are very reliable. Even though they do share parts, Lexus are quite different. Lexus cars are more powerful ,more reliable, more toys and are much more smooth. They really feel much different.

My ending point: Just because they have Toyota engeering doesn't not mean thier are bad. My second point, they are nothing alike in ride quality and other things.

Apac102 · 06-28-2004, 10:37 PM

Sorry to burst your bubble my fellow michiganier, but lexus's are good quality as far as Im concerned. We have an older model of the LS430 (its a 1990) and that baby is still kicking. We have had only a few problems with it (brake problems and suspension) but weren't anything monstrous. I think there is over 110 thousand miles on this ol' girl too. So we are probably going to sell it and it will keep going after that I bet. But even though lexus is part of toyota it still is a well built car. So either or, toyota/lexus make a great engine.

But now Im going to contridicate myself and say that I would probably feel the Audi would be even better then the Lexus just becuase of German Engineering. And you can't beat the quattro