[EricK]

BMW and Audi are makes that have their own character unique to themselves and have maintained it through the years. Mercedes on the other hand seems to be losing their character. A friend of my father's just bought a brand new CL500. He has always bought S-class Mercedes and loved its unique Mercedes ways. However, his biggest complaint about the CL500 is that the interior at least is nothing like Mercedes. Its gauges are like Caddy's or Lexus. It's totally changed and it seems like Mercedes has forgotten their heritage, at least in classy interior design (according to my father's friend).. In the past Lexus were souless cars with top build quality and dependability. The ES300 and LS400 are boring to me and lack character. That all changed with the GS400 Lexus. It definitely has character and I was so thoroughly impressed that I bought one back in 1998. So I said to myself C'mon Lexus bring out another car with unique character. Well as far as I'm concerned, they scored a home run with the IS300 because it's one very unique sports sedan...Kudos Lexus...
Eric....

 

[sklim1]

Eric,

You read my mind. I felt the exact thing about those models you mentioned. Lexus had never really got my eyes until the GS300/400. Then IS 300!!

sklim1

 

[chiem]

Audi had character ? I thought they sucked until the current "A4"-ish body style came out. I still question their reliability.

--k

 

[EricK]

Chiem,
Just because Audi "sucked" (as you say) doesn't mean that it didn't have its unique character. Having character simply means that it has personlity. In 1990, my father bought an Audi A8 (then called V-8 Quattro) and almost 10 years later my sister bought an Audi A4 2.8 Quattro. Although there is almost a 10 year age gap, there are so many similarities (ergonomics/interior design, drive, etc). My GS400 is a fantastic car to drive and it's so much more entertaining to drive than my sister's A4, but still there's something about the way her 2.8 quattro drives, that draws me to it. (a great cruiser). Just like that girl, that has something about them that attracts guys like a magnet. Audis are alluring in their own way, just like Lexus NOW is. (with their IS300 and GS400)
Eric....

 

[chiem]

Well, if Audis had character, then GM cars must have character too--since most of them drive similarly and have similar interiors/ergonomics. Why didn't Lexus cars have character until they they came up with their two latest sporty sedans ?

--k

 

[EricK]

Chiem,
Lexus didn't have a character of their own because a lot of their characteristics were taken from other automakers. The First LS400 was analogous with Mercedes Benz in a number of ways. Even the current LS400 with its derivative styling (like a Toyota Avalon in some angles) is boring and unoriginal. As a matter of fact, in a Car & Driver comparison (70K Luxury sedans) the editors complained that the LS400 had an amazing "Lack of Soul." This all has changed with the GS/IS sports sedans. I think a lot of people are attracted to the IS300's strong and different personality.
Eric.....