After sitting for over a week, I decided to drive the Lexus to class this morning just to keep things "fresh". There's a layer of dust on it from being parked and ignored. I'm trading it for the Land Rover next week,


I -hate- having wood on the steering wheel. What retard thought it would be smart to put something shiny, slick, and temperature sensitive on the main contact area of the car?

Its a luxury car, so one is expected to make sharp turns with one hand while the other is holding a latte (a move called "rubbing the fat lady's bottom"). Well, whenever my hand hits the wood trim pieces (top and bottom) during this maneuver, it slips, causing a moment of lost steering control, forcing me to bring my my other hand to action and prevent myself from flying into a ditch. Thats work. Thats anti-luxury.

In addition, the wood bits get HOT during the summer. Uncomfortably hot. Its like shoving your hand in a toaster.

So what we have are:
--Poor grip
--General discomfort
--Sensitivity to weather conditions





Also, I hate how the transmission waits for the sun to set before finally responding to a kick-down and changing gears. And when that gear change finally happens, it lurches like a frog. I feel like I'm being punished for driving hard. Like forcing a mormon girl to take a shot of Makers.

The steering wheel is monstrously huge and vague.

The whole car feels unsettled in mild cornering. Body roll is fine, but bobbing and jostling isn't. It handles like an SUV, minus the advantages of towing, off-roading, prestige, and space.

Honestly, I'd be less bothered by all this if I didn't have the Caddy to directly compare. And the sad thing is, the Seville is a FWD car with an OHV engine dating back to the late 70s. What a change from a couple weeks ago, when I thought the LS400 was 98% perfect. If I keep an open mind, then maybe it is perfect, for certain people -- not me.

Goodbye Lexus. :)

+1 for the Makers! :)

SAAAWEEETTTTT!!!!

Now THATS what I want to hear! Nice.

Personally, I really like the look of wood steering wheels, however I never drove a car with one.

My STS has wood on the steering wheel, and it does look good. I haven't had any problems driving hard and keeping control of the wheel, so maybe it's you! :)
In the winter the wood also gets to -20 and soaks all the heat out of your hands in 10 seconds, so the use of gloves in winter is a good idea.
Maybe that's why they invented driving gloves? For luxury car owners who had to handle the slipperiness and temperature extremes of their wooden steering wheel?

Ahh yes, that's the Jesda we all know and love...the one that hates Lexus. It's good to have you back, may I offer you a proper car, perhaps an older BMW or Benz, or a really big leather lined Lincoln or Cadillac??

All steering wheels used to be hard plastic or wood with finger grips on the back. Then I got spoiled with soft plastic and leather steering wheels. I'm gotten used to having some wood on the steering wheel again on my SRX and MKZ.

I'll buy it from you. How much are they giving you on the trade?

You really think the STS handles better than the LS? I had an STS.

I do agree with you on wood wheels. I dont like the look. But every lexus except the IS has a wood steering wheel.

I'll buy it from you. How much are they giving you on the trade?

You really think the STS handles better than the LS? I had an STS.

Send a PM to 'playdrv4me' on here or on AIM for pricing info.

'92 STS weighs about 3750 lbs.

In 1994 Infiniti released a VHS tape showing off their active suspension system (I have it). The Lexus LS, MB E-class, and BMW 5-series (to a lesser degree) wallowed all over the road while the Seville STS and Q45a were flat and straight as an arrow.

You're kidding right ? lol
I always find a wood trim as a high luxury item regardles of where it is used lol .
BTW, looking forward to seeing your next car purchase with some cool pics in it lol :D
;) :bouncy:

Damn, you are moving up in the world man. From 200K + mile Q45s to a Lexus LS400 to a Range Rover HSE... nice!

So Ian is taking back the Lexus??

Get one of those steering wheel knobs like truckers use. :alchi:

Damn, you are moving up in the world man. From 200K + mile Q45s to a Lexus LS400 to a Range Rover HSE... nice!

So Ian is taking back the Lexus??

Yeah, Ian and I are trading cars. He and I have an arrangement.

That 200k Q45 drove like a bat out of hell. :)

I think Jesdas palms must just be sweaty...the wood has plenty of grip...but I don't oil mine up too often...LOL

j/k Jesda....!

What's next Jesda? Bentleys and Rollers?!

SWEATY PALMS!

A 5-star Miami resort. :D

You say sweaty palms like its a bad thing! :):):)

Get one of those steering wheel knobs like truckers use. :alchi:
It's called a necker knob.

Suicide knob?

I dont get it, the only cars I give a pass on not having wood wheels are BMW's because it just doesnt work with the rough texture of their wheels. I just hate plain old fugly wheels without wood on anything else, I think the wood feels and looks very luxurious, and it just completes the look of the dash. It's like the final garnish on a great dish. Is it just me or is this way too much talk about wood for one day? :bonkers:

He and I have an arrangement...

Yup, he said "I'm gonnas make yas an offa ya cant refuuuse"

I'm just going to leave the Lexus, in general - alone.

As far as the wood/leather combination steering wheel - I love it.

I love the way it looks and haven't had any problems driving with mine, nor have I noticed it getting hot at all on a warm day. Perhaps you're just a little... ahem... "delicate."

I just know I wasn't going to buy a Seville without that option. So I was really pleased to find that my SLS had it installed among all of the other options the original owner sprung for. Like I said, I love it... I think it fits really well with the "luxury" image.

I think a Lexus deserves wood artillery spoke wheels. Maybe even 22s. http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35884&stc=1&d=1190614275

I'm a bit more sport than luxury. So, why did I bother with the Lexus at all? I needed comfortable dependability.

The Seville sort of took its place, as mildly far fetched as that sounds.

"J.D. Power gives the Range Rover a below average rating for overall manufacturing quality, a score it says is "based on problems that have caused a complete breakdown or malfunction of any component, feature or item, i.e., components that stop working or trim pieces that break or come loose."

I hope that 2003 Range Rover is still under factory warranty.....

I always thought you liked wood in your hand, Jesda?

I always thought you liked wood in your hand, Jesda?
His girlfriends name is Manuela. (Manually)

"J.D. Power gives the Range Rover a below average rating for overall manufacturing quality, a score it says is "based on problems that have caused a complete breakdown or malfunction of any component, feature or item, i.e., components that stop working or trim pieces that break or come loose."

I hope that 2003 Range Rover is still under factory warranty.....

Yea, I kind of touched on that in the OMG REPAIRS thread. The majority of the negative perception on these involves the 2002 and prior, and 2006 and above Jaguar based trucks. A properly maintained 2003 is no more or less reliable than an X5. All thats different is the 4 corner air suspension and a stretched chassis. I've had it for going on 2000 miles now and outside of the known issue with the telescoping steering gear coming loose, it hasnt done anything. It was also maintained every 3000 miles at Matheny Jaguar/LR in Jacksonville Florida and never anywhere else.

knock on luxurious burled wood trim.

Unfortunately, British cars are symbolic of the British Empire, they're all reverses.

His girlfriends name is Manuela. (Manually)

Molly Palmer and her five daughters, maybe?

I always thought you liked wood in your hand, Jesda?

I need pills. Lately its been more like a tube of cookie dough.

[EWWW!]

I hope that 2003 Range Rover is still under factory warranty.....

Heck, even if it isn't, I'm prepared to plop down a few grand here and there to keep it alive.

I used to own 90-93 Infiniti Q45s. You may think you know about high maintenance costs. You don't until you own a Q.

Ya know what really grinds my gears ? How come we can't find those droids we have been looking for ?

I'm probably being too harsh on the Lexus. I feel like I just beat up the nerdy kid sitting by himself at lunch.

Wood and authentic leather in a car's interior reeks of class, whether it's burled walnut or bird's eye maple and whether it be "Tuscany" or "Conolly" hides. I've never had any issues with having these two coverings on my sterring wheel, either. They're just MADE for each other.

I love wood steering wheels and I LOVE the way the Lexus LS drives.. It just goes to show that people have extremely different tastes - and there's nothing wrong with that...

I'm probably being too harsh on the Lexus. I feel like I just beat up the nerdy kid sitting by himself at lunch.

I'd have to agree with you there.
I just came back from a quick highway run, at speeds up to 120mph, and the
LS400 was rock solid. No rattles, no shakes ... the car runs the same as it did when it first went into service, back in January of 2000.

I cannot say the same for my 4 STS's ... very nice cars, but they definitely show their age in the form of rattles, squeaks, and suspension issues as they age.

All a matter of what you want ... as a former Q45 owner, I would think that the STS would suit you well with its sporty nature.

Indeed. The Lexus is absolutely, 100% about perfection in engineering and quality. And my old STS is a FAR FAR cry from the LS400 (even one of the same year) in terms of build quality, smoothness, ride, and engineering prowess.

Details guys can really appreciate something like the LS400. I'm more about being the hammer. (See new Cadillac ad) :) I wonder if that makes me a child? Perhaps I should buy a Corvette. http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

In addition, the Seville is not a car I would ever recommend to someone I liked. Its always been an odd exception -- a car I adore and would pay a premium to own if I had to, but would never ever suggest to someone seeking my advice. The masses would be annoyed by the repairs and complain about this or that.

The LS400, on the other hand, aims to please the largest quantity of luxury buyers possible, and it seems to show it in sales volume.

Yea, Im strangely looking forward to getting that car back. It may not be the most exciting thing on 4 wheels, but it could best be defined as an "Executive's Express". It gets me out and about without any fuss.

Speaking of recommending a car to a friend, one of my coworkers asked me to help find him a good used car a couple of years back.
He didn't want a 4cyl sedan, and he was tired of repairing his wife's Malibu ... I suggested a 1998 Maxima.
We found a decent example with 75k, and he has only had one repair to date ... a knock sensor, probably caused by the previous
owner using 87 grade gasoline.
For months after the aquisition, my friend would come up to me to express gratitude for directing him to the Maxima.
I've owned 4 Nissan 3.0L V6's, and they are one heck of a good buy.
I knew that mechanical breakdowns wouldn't come back to haunt my recommendation ... good, clean Maxima's can be had for much
less than a comparable Accord or Camry.

Speaking of the LS400, here's how my car came up after a day of claybar, polish, and sealer.
The paint really is superb.
The colour is growing on me ... kind of a Mercedes look to it.

ted your LS looks fantastic!

Thanks.
My mechanic saw it for the first time today, as I went to replace the serpentine belt.
He wrote it up as a 2004 ... I guess because these cars are so rare, people have no idea if they are new or old.
My neighbour, who owns an Audi A6, walked over and asked if we could go for a spin ... he had heard about the
legendary ride qualities of the LS400.
These cars are unique in their own subtle way.

The only thing I would ever change, is maybe a set of OEM chrome wheels. That would contrast nicely with the polo green paint.

I agree ... I hate the rims ... they are a very plain design, kind of like a pie plate.
I would prefer LS430 chrome rims, or the GS rims.
Something to look forward to in the future ... that and some window tint.
For now, its staying stock, but I'm planning ahead.

Two cents says you dislike the wood. It takes a signif loss of emotional control to hate an inanimate object.