LEX-SV

Agreed, it's the owners/buyers that make final determination of lux. And when a automaker is successful at providing lux vehicles/experience they can consistently command a higher price.

Only bottled water is allowed in my Lexus cockpit.

In CA tax on lease is only for years and amortizated portion incurred, and is included in monthly payment. Additional sales tax paid later If car is bought off lease is based on residual buyout price, therefore no double payment. Or in other words the total tax basis (in CA) will not exceed the total capitalized cost shown on the original lease contract.

I haven't used the back seat of my Lexus IS sedan for over a year, (other than to toss a jacket or 2 in back seat). But frequently we use the back seat of the Mercedes C-class sedan, it's roomier all around. But I do agree that the ease of entry/exit with 4 doors is like night and day versus a coupe, an important consideration for those that actually use back seat. These new coupes (4 series, RC, A5) are kind of high performance personal luxury cars, more of a 2+2, very stylish, quite nice...

I look at ownership as preferable and a more important consideration mainly when buying assets that appreciate. I favor car ownership slightly over leasing, mainly because of the flexiblity it gives me. Owning (versus leasing) a production car is not special part of my portofolio. I own my Lexus outright, mainly because I enjoy it, not because it's a great financial asset. Yes, it depreciates at slower rate than a low mileage BMW/Mercedes/Porsche of same model year, but it still has depreciated significantly. My wife as a self-employed business person has both leased and purchased cars, either way her tax accountant (a licensed pro) can deal effectively with it for significant tax benefits. A couple of those European lease cars were mediocre to poor at best and were gladly turned in at end of lease (to be wholesaled off by dealership since they were defective and high mileage), no additional benefit would have come from ownership of those dogs only more hassle. Another thing I noticed about leasing was the lax inspection criteria for turn-in, other than mileage limitations which are clearly spelled out in contract. I'm not married to owning or leasing, driving premium cars is expensive both ways. But for those that can both afford them and appreciate them, great. Work the best deal that meets your unique needs is how I see it...

I need to stay away from that kind of contest... Although who's going to be the first to drive an RC 350?

Around here we fear certain bird !Removed! (and its ability to permanently etch clearcoat if left on paint too long), nasty. But yes sprinkler water can cause damage here too.

Got it, now that's some nasty hard water...

$2.859 for Chevron regular today, w/15 cents uplift for premium.

They still do that etching gimmick thing/profit enhancer?

^ Yes, most of us know all about that, it's the same excuses radar detector companies have had for years and therefore cannot grow business significantly. Laser jamming is another technique, that for all practical purposes might as well be considered illegal in all states that matter. Laser is growing in use in the states with most cars, so the technology must improve or face a EOL situation/slow death with its detector products. The business always has been and always will be in a technology race. And big budget US military pushes the technology (at considerable/outlandish cost at first) to break through the old barriers again and again. Some of that technology trickles down to common consumer products on the shelf today. So maybe Escort as it advances its solution as counter-measure to laser with the feedback tools to take input from other users and laser hits on others, (plus laser scatter eventually) to tell of locations of upcoming speed monitoring activity will be the winner eventually. Probably the biggest advancement in the business for a decade, hope it continues to evolve.

Agreed, FWD vs RWD is arguable. I still prefer the steering feel and weight distribition/balance of rwd (versus fwd), and the premium car makers selling into middle-higher price ranges tend to agree. AWD done a nicely balanced rwd platform is expected at the very high end of the price scales for large sedans these days. Lexus and Mercedes have shown that FWD at the lower-priced end of premium car business in US sells very well (CLA, ES are great examples). For sure, Porsche has mastered the sport end of lux, at a very stiff price today. They like to remind us they are selling "superior transportation", not just another sports car or another luxury car. From a driving experience standpoint, they have may something there, even if they are over engineered versions of less than optimal configs in some cases (rear-engined). Like some of the best rides historically, their sporty cars are pleasurable and rewarding to drive even at moderate speeds, (not just at high speeds like typical car commercials). I feel that's an very important attribute btw. Reliability of water cooled engines (spotty at best and some were horrible through 2008), that's another topic.

Some good points how many mainstream cars behaving very much like luxury cars. For example top of the line Accords, Fusions, Avalons, Passats, Impalas can be nicely loaded with nearly all of the amenities found in premium luxury cars, and certainly high levels of refinement. So maybe we are talking about the subtle (and not so subtle like rwd vs. fwd platforms) differences that make a car truly a premium luxury car....

Good point about too many false beeps leading to bad endings. Until some company improves laser detection (it will probably have to be derived from something that's military grade), the feedback thing from Escort is interesting.

Since laser is so hard to detect with any detector (in time to be useful that is), the Passport Max does offer another tool to improve awareness of laser traps by getting feedback from other users that have passed through laser zones. PASSPORT Max is compatible with ESCORT Live, exclusive real-time ticket-protection network, which warns you of upcoming alerts received and reported by other users in the area, and gives you access to local speed limit data for over-speed alerts. (Requires Optional SmartCord Live and app subscription) Anybody using this yet?

So maybe the RC-F is the "replacement". Although more horsepower plus more weight results in a car that is no faster than the original IS-F.

Luxury includes comfort, safety, lux features and amenities, quality, performance, and style to me. And brand is a factor (while some won't admit to this, successful automakers know very well it's critically important). I also favor the sports-oriented versions of these lux cars.

I've been checking out the white RC350 coupe at my dealership too. Well done Lexus. The interior fits me like a glove, sweet. My hope is the 3.5L gets pumped up a bit by Lexus in next model year, then I might have to have one.....

Maybe title of this thread should include words Radar Detector. It has become a useful thread with feedback on this topic from actual users.

One thing to note for those shopping radar detectors, is that small sensativity loss and less advanced warning is a compromise with cordless operation to ensure acceptable battery life. Every cordless unit has a duty cycle with this effect. Lets hope others report in on the detector experiences on the road too.

Let them procure the springs and give you an out-the-door price. Negotiate is what I suggest. (Certainly better starting point than dealer at $800 w/o springs)

I subscribe to R&T and C&D still. Also subscribe to CR, which I use mainly (automotive-wise that is) for reliability data tracking. The rest I treat like rags mainly for lining a bird cage, no that's an exaggeration, I don't have a bird or bird cage. I will read them if bored. Yes, driving with criteria and preferences in mind leads to the final determination for me too.

Either springs, both are getting decent reviews from what I've read. From a ride quality standpoint, both better than the H&R's. If you later go to 19's or even 20's you might be happier with the Eibach250's.

Here's a less flattering picture, in harsh sunlight shining down and overexposing and highlighting more tire tread :

2007 IS350 Stock 18's tires: 225/40/18 255/40/18