Lexus RX 450h or RX 350: Queens of the Road

Lexus RX 450h or RX 350: Queens of the Road

by The Car Family

For more reviews go to

http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/

We think the Lexus RX 450 hybrid is the “Queen of the SUVs” based on its command of the road, ability to care for its citizens, and the price you have to pay for its attentions. Priced around $50,000 (US) this Lexus is the first luxury SUV hybrid on the market and it is going to be difficult to compete against. It is that good. As for the gas only version of the Lexus, labeled the RX 350 and about $10,000 less, it too is the gold standard of luxury SUVs and easily the most refined of its ilk. However, it doesn’t provide the gusto of some competitors and is not so inclined to venture up inclines or tolerate hard cornering. If you insist on using your SUV as a sports car leave Lexus land for the world of BMW and Acura.

We tested both Lexus RX models in all types of situations and they never became uncivil despite heavy traffic, rain, Hummer drivers who have not yet realized they are not on the battlefield. It was a lady at all times, but what made it more remarkable was the little things that sold us such as the best interior night lighting ever. The Lexus has illuminated sill plates, door handles. foot wells, the ignition ring, glove box, center console box, and front cup holders not to mention the map and cargo area maps.

Added to this mix are an easy to activate power hatch, rear seat backs that are adjustable for rake, and a flawless reputation for quality and thus high resale. The turning radius is much better than previous models and you can easily park it. Unfortunately, the rear vision is impaired and so we highly tout the video camera that places a live image of what is happening in back of the RX on the center display monitor. Very trick and very useful. In fact the only real option is the rear entertainment center and, perhaps, GPS.

Both models come with power rear hatch openers, programmable garage door openers, electric steering, heated outside mirrors that automatically dim, and so many other features it can overwhelm your objectivity. We can’t image what fixing some of the complex electrical components is going to cost after the warranty expires. Since we own four Lexus products we can attest to the good relations most dealers offer.

The problem we were trying to solve is whether the expensive hybrid version was worth the extra thousands of dollars even given the high price of fuel. Since the hybrid only comes well loaded it can cost nearly $10,000 more than the base RX. However, if you equip your base RX with similar options such as leather and all wheel drive the price differential is about $5,000 additional for the hybrid. And since the gas hybrid consistently gets 22 mpg and the hybrid only about 30 percent better in real world driving does it pay to buy the expensive 450h even when some government agencies offer a tax credit for hybrid owners?

To cover ourselves we’ll just say, “depends.” If you drive on open highways at speed stick with the RX 350. It is a faithful companion, although not one that caters to tracking down BMWs. If you do over half of your driving in town the 450h is your best bet. In bumper-to-bumper traffic you can drive up to 30 mph just on battery power and you could easily cover 500 miles on a tank of gas. The electric motors combined with the gas engine provide 268 horsepower instantly without much ado from the continuously variable transmission. Even the 450’s handling is better than that of the 350 RX model. Getting 24 or 25 miles to the gallon is not difficult in mixed driving, but even at that unless you drive well over 25,000 miles a year and gas is priced at $3,50 a gallon it would take you years to justify paying extra for the hybrid. Regardless the really good news for 2012 is that the hybrid uses regular fuel and this is a real money saver.

Resale is going to be stout regardless of which model you select as it has one of the best resale values of any vehicle. On the other hand the Audi Q5 gets nearly the same gas mileage as the 450h, costs a bit less, and only lacks some interior size to make it compatible. Drive the Audi and both the 350 and 450 to make the best decision. If you just want gas mileage, the Chevrolet Equinox does exceptionally well.

We are sure though, that the hybrid version of the RX is going to command top dollar for many a year for three reasons. It is responsive, responsible, and realistic. It does not feign to be something it isn’t. Yes it can go off road and do well, but why spend that much money to rough up a vehicle? Secondly, safety first is embedded everywhere from airbags to braking to preventive tipping measures. Finally, it can realistically hold five adults. It does not pretend to hold seven as some SUVS do, two of whom may have to crawl over seats, people, and luggage to find their perches just inches away from the rear hatch and potential danger should there be an accident. Speaking of which the crash scores are very good.

Mom’s view: This is what it must be like to have twins; so alike and yet so different. The 350 RX is blissful to drive, a little overly protective in the way it deals with road imperfections, and has just enough acceleration so you have to keep a vigil on the speedometer. The 450h is another matter. The larger tires and rims, aggressive suspension, hefty weight, and the instant torque provided by the electric motors turn this into more of a fighter. Both would be delightful children, but I think most mothers wouldn’t mind boasting of the 450h’s ability to excel even though it may require a higher tuition.

Whether you are driving the hybrid or the RX 350 the seats are both supportive and comfortable. This is a rare combination and worthy of exaltation. Getting into the hybrid requires added leg lift because it rides a tad higher, but once inside you have excellent vision to the sides and front. Unlike the unique Toyota Prius hybrid, there is very little different about these two Lexi outside of some minor trim pieces. Even the interior is akin except for the information center and a readout that shows which energy source you are using. That is not to say it does not have appeal as its abundance of storage space, good cupholders, and even a place for a purse make it very accommodating. The leather, switchgear, and plastics are well done and, if you choose carefully, nicely color coordinated. Add to this the solid basic structure and you have a SUV that gets above average fuel mileage in either hybrid or gas only versions, and you have the reasons that this is the best selling Lexus ever.                                                                                                                                    RX 450h

Dad’s view: The Lexus is stealth like and nearly impossible to identify from a distance over its more traditionally powered clone. This quickly changes once you check out the drivetrain. The hybrid 450h carries 300 pounds of extra weight, but this is offset when the two electric motors and the gas engine work together to provide instant acceleration. In our test car one electric motor helps to drive the front wheels and one the back. A continuous variable transmission on the hybrid does its work efficiently. The hybrid also has been trained to shut down at long stops. It starts instantly once you remove your foot from the brake and touch the gas pedal. In case you are wondering the stereo, air conditioning, and lights all continue to operate even with the engine paused, but the engine may restart after when the draw becomes worrisome for the software.

You can easily feel the extra power the hybrid brings when you demand full acceleration. This hybrid can move out in a hurry and we think it could easily reach 60 mph in under seven seconds, or about a half second faster than the RX350. One thing that does not move faster is the fuel gauge. If you drive careful you can reach 30 mpg on the highway and more in town. Realistically, figure 25 to 26 in mixed driving. The RX 350 returns a real world 22 to 23 miles per gallon. Both cars can go well over 400 miles on a tank of unleaded. You should note that hybrids have additional maintenance costs and that the battery packs, which have a lengthy warranty, can cost several thousand dollars to replace.

RX 350

I am not a huge fan of SUVs because of their handling, gas hoggish nature, and visibility concerns on the side and back. The RX sisters are no exceptions, but Lexus has compensated for these conditions by an outstanding array of safety and performance features. It is no wonder they have such high safety ratings. Both cars ride as well as some luxury sedans over highways and certainly much better than such gas hogs as the Bentley Continental. Be warned, though, that this is not a nimble vehicle and the steering can feel slow to react when the road requires frequent corrections. Visibility to the side is excellent with the best mirrors in the SUV business. It is clear that the Lexus engineers designed this for more cruising than bruising, even though the 7.1 inch ride height is adequate and the all wheel drive system with the electric motors very peppy on inclines.

Braking is quite impressive with very little front dip, but we would strongly recommend you don’t overestimate the stopping distance because this is a two-ton vehicle when loaded. On the RX 450h the braking process helps regenerate the battery pack and thus the brakes feel is a tad bit harsh, but it is easy to master. The attention to detail, ability to park in tight places, power, and notable quality and features are unmatched. Add to that its high resale, award winning customer service, and the only decision is to justify the cost of the hybrid version. Personally, it is the one to own if nothing else for its performance.

Young working woman’s view: What can you say to a queen who has everything? There is little to add here. I didn’t like the way the fuel light went on with so little fanfare, I thought that the alloy rims were unworthy and needed to be rethought as they are just not right, and I would have preferred if the power tailgate would open with less fanfare as it sounds like a truck is backing up. Starting the hybrid is eerie to say the least. You turn on the ignition; wait for the light in the gauge cluster to read “Ready,” and you just touch the accelerator. No fuss, no muss, and if you are careful you can even drive several miles without using the gas engine at all.

Both RX models have significant safety features that include front side airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags and a driver knee airbag. A control system that uses the Electronically Controlled Brake system with Anti-Lock Brakes and Electronic Brake force Distribution creates a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system to help prevent the vehicle from becoming unstable. In other words, this queen has built a sturdy safety castle around her charges. Although the RX is based on a Camry platform, it is definitely off-roadable. However, who would want to take one of these into the boondocks and scratch that deep paint ironically on the same vegetation that these hybrids were born to protect.

There are a lot of look alike buttons in the center of the dash that must be learned because reading them is difficult in bright sunlight. The GPS monitor is large and the joy stick that controls the many features of the loaded RX 450 h didn’t take long to master. The bottom line is that this is not the car for me based on its pricing and features. Although I appreciate the luxury and the fuel consumption, the Lexus IS series is trimmer, easier to maneuver, and more my style for less money. There is a Lexus CT 200h that costs less and gets is pretty cool looking in a different way that returns close to 40 mpg that is also appealing.

Young working male’s view: The back seats were very comfortable with handy cupholders, ample headroom, and foot space. Make sure you adjust the rear backrests before you get into the RX because they are really hard to adjust when you are sitting in them. You can fold the rear seats down in three sections, but they don’t fold real flat. You also have extra storage space in the rear cargo area on both sides and under the cover. And, there is a standard 115-volt 2-prong outlet to plug in that new computer. I like the http://www.eracks.com models with open software feature. Works well in the Lexus and is quiet, too.

The Lexus optional sound system is well worth investigating. You might just want to check it out listening to my latest songs at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/simplethoughts What really interested me was how Lexus engineers were able to organize all the features using a very user friendly operating system. If you have the need for more seats, the Toyota Highlander hybrid may be a consideration as it has three rows of seating. The bottom line for me is that the hybrid only makes sense if you spend a considerable time in town. Otherwise, get the base RX and enjoy the ride.

Family conference: Call it a tall station wagon, try to humiliate it by claiming its an overpriced Toyota, make fun of its turtle shell appearance, or just point out you can get an SUV the same size and power for $10,000 less and you still are not going to convince buyers that this isn’t the cat’s meow of luxury SUVs. While the Acura MDX handles a bit better, the BMW is faster, and Mercedes more off roadable, and the Infiniti sportier, the Lexus is all alone when it comes to providing buyers with what the majority want, and that is a luxury vehicle that is both practical an elegant and the 450 h is the queen. Long live the queen.

For the websites of all vehicle and motorcycle manufacturers go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/auto/index.html

 

Los Angeles Auto Show Hightlights and Lowlights

Los Angeles Auto Show Hightlights

by The Car Family

for more reviews go to http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/home/most-reliable-vehicles/

What recession?

There is no sign of it in the Los Angeles Convention Center as mainline manufacturers went all out with new car introductions and presentations. Even smaller companies such as Coda and its all electric sedans joined the joyous outing.

Youth was the overall theme with the audience filled with younger journalist and the appeal of the displays also favored the glamor of the new wave up buyers. For the first time in a decade there were female models in abundance and they even took over at some presentations as spokespersons. We are talking a sea change in the automotive industry and as for the nay sayers and Fox watchers, pooh on you because the look was all positive and upbeat.

Becoming crystal clear is Ford’s calling out of Toyota and may be winning that battle. The new Tauraus is just as good as the Avalon and more pleasing to drive. In the wings for Ford is a Prius fighter that should be available next year and the Fiesta and Focus are crawling over Corolla’s turf with more appeal to younger buyers. The Camry and Ford’s Fusion are conquerable in every way. And now the Ford Explorer is after Toyota’s CR-V in a big way. Both companies are fighting over the same turf with these latter two vehicles being redesigned for this year. However, Toyota continues to be more fuel efficient and Ford offering better pricing. At least for now. Toyota has already cut the price of several of its vehicles. If Ford can continue to improve its quality control it could be a major concern for Toyota.

In the meantime, the Los Angeles shows was full of gas guzzlers, It appears that 500 plus horsepower vehicles are as appealing to 40 mpg figures for those into conspicuous consumption. Off setting those fiendish fuel thirsty products was an equal number of hybrids, electric only, and even fuel cell powered vehicles.

Best at the Show

Our favorite was the two wheeled product constructed when AMG joined with Ducati to create a sensational motorcycle rocketship that not only flattens the pocketbook, with an estimated price of nearly $30,000, but offers the fortunate owner the ability to put this new creation in either the garage or an art museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some other tidbits to tantalize those with good credit and understanding spouse.

The Chevrolet Camaro XL1 has 550-horsepower from its 6.2-liter engine and its a convertible, too. Of course, Ford has a Shelby GT 500 with even more horsepower that will be destroying egos and pavement soon. 

In a more family oriented vein, the Honda CR-V finally looks like it has entered the 21^st Century with a more artistic snout and slimmer hips. It better be, because the car of the show was the Ford Escape. This was easily the best vehicle at the show for those who wanted practicality in their garage. It loses it hybrid option, but gets more cargo space and a variety of fuel efficient engines starting with the 168-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder and engine with turbocharged V6 versions. This will be a homerun for Ford. On the other hand the Lincoln MKT and MKS received a few needed suspension updates and a more trendy grill.

Fiat finally brought the 500 Abarth version with a more Italianish interior a stiffer suspension and badly needed 160 horsepower engine. Cute, no doubt, but with an abundance of smaller attention getters the Fiat needs to offer something special and so maybe this version will prove tempting to the dare to be different crowd.

Small also was the theme for the Chevrolet Spark, but unlike the Fiat, this one is very basic and will toil as a low cost leader for the company. That doesn’t mean it is without spark, as a large touch screen, Bluetooth, and smart phone navigation are all available.

The Sonic C could make this brand name legendary with the sports car crowd who demand looks, performance, and gas mileage. Just a dream for now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The very utilitarian and fun to drive Honda Fit will be offered on a lease bases in all electric form. You can go to the website and sign-up to be one of the first to plug these into your company’s unguarded outlet and get a free ride home.

Continuing its trend of more costs less, the Hyundai Azera is bigger, bolder, and faster. Well worth a look see if your ego can stand the fact that it rides, handles, and has more features than the more expensive competition, but doesn’t cost as much.

Infinti’s JX is a seven passenger crossover that takes a while to get used to as it isn’t the best looking in its class. However, it does have the best new feature of any car and that is automatic braking should the driver not see something in back of him or her. Seating for seven.

The Subaru BRZ is still a big tease. Looks sexy, but its not dating yet.

The CODA is an all electric, four door, five passenger sedan with the largest trunk in its class and the flexibility of 60/40 fold down rear seats. Every CODA comes with Alpine all-in-one audio, video and navigation system. Also standard, are Bluetooth, a touch screen, connections for iPhone, iPod and MP3 players, and a GreenScreen system that monitors driving efficiency and energy consumption.  With a powertrain that features 134 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. More importantly, it is said to provide a range of up to 150 miles, and an average commute distance of up to 50 miles in two hours.

The last significant vehicle was Cadillac’s XTS 4 which looks like the CTS, but is larger and much better organized in terms of vehicle ergonomics. It will have 300 horsepower and a 3.6-liter V-6 engine.

Lowlights

Aston Martin One-77……..only 77 planned at over a million a copy. What happens when someone goes crazy with a French curve.

 

Words fail us, but apparently wagon wheels are back in style.

 

Always check the trunk size before you buy a vehicle. This Scion owner might just consider carrying Spare Tire in a Can.

 

Miata needs to realize that a bikini tops are for ladies, not sports cars.

For a list of all available websites go to:

http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

 

Battle of the Family Sedans: Avalon vs. Taurus

Battle of the Family Sedans: Avalon vs. Taurus

by The Car Family

For more reviews go to

http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/home/most-reliable-vehicles/

The new large Ford sedan shouldn’t really be called a Taurus because it is so totally different in every way. The fact that is is a much better looking, handling, and performing than the previous model also adds weight to our recommendation. To top off this dramatic change, the five passenger Taurus delivers excellent fuel economy and significant safety ratings while undercutting the price of some of the competition. In other words, forget the past, this is the Ford of the future as the company has left behind its legacy of stodgy vehicles. Indeed, only the slightly more fuel efficient Toyota Avalon can challenge it in the full size affordable family sedan field. And, we use the word affordability with caution because the Avalon breaches the $30,000 mark while the Ford can be nicely equipped for five grand less while offering more electronic options from communications to music.

Not to that the Avalon is a slouch. It is a great highway cruiser and holds the the edge in real world performance and utility. The Toyota comes in essentially one flavor with a 268 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Toyota’s fuel economy ratings is at the top of its class with 20/29 mpg. The Ford is nearly as powerful, but gets about a mile per gallon less. If you are feeling deprived the Taurus SHO model is turbocharged and produces 365 horsepower. We tested the standard model and averaged nearly 25 mpg in mixed driving. But what was more impressive with the Ford were the standard features. The base Taurus SE come with a six speaker stereo and CD player with MP3 playback and an auxiliary audio port, a fully adjustable steering wheel, alloy rims, and power locks, windows and mirrors. If you want more the SEL offers leather and satellite radio and a more sophisticated climate control system. You can also get a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, and the Sync electronics interface system with Bluetooth and an iPod interface.

In real world driving the Taurus is more eager to be frisky off the line, but the Avalon is more powerful when passing. Both vehicles have large fuel tanks that can easily make 400 mile trips without refueling.

 

The Ford design team gave the driver a high seating position and added a large trunk and also offered available all wheel drive. In other words, this sedan is as close in feeling to driving a SUV as they could make it. This is a trend for most larger sedans, however, it does create some headroom issues for those who are long waisted and drive these four doors equipped with a sun or moon roof.

In terms of interior room the Toyota does not sacrifice as much as the Ford do its exterior styling limitations. The Taurus rear passenger space has more restricted head and leg room. You can also order the Avalon with seating for six by offering a bench front seat.

On the road the Avalon is a bit noisier than we expected and the handling was set for comfort whereas the Taurus was quite impressive for a large sedan. The electronic steering provides good feedback and the suspension does not have the floaty feel of the previous generation. Brake pedal feel is still a bit to soft compared to the Avalon. For long hauls the Toyota wins.

The front seats of both cars are spacious and provide sofa like comfort. The Ford is a little more cramped as its new dash layout and center console are quite wide. The Avalon looks more dated. Both cars have an abundance of readouts and displays, and buttons, and switches, and stalks. In other words, don’t leave the dealership without a thorough walk-through.

We always recommend you order any new car with every safety option. That said, the Taurus has good safety crash-test scores and you can order a collision warning system and adaptive cruise control, the highly desirable Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert systems, and air bags just about everywhere. The Avalon offers the more traditional options, although the rear view camera mounted in the rear view mirror on cars with navigation is interesting.

Mom’s view: Believe it or not I found the Avalon a tad old in styling, interior, and driving manners. When we tested the previous generation it very much reminded us of a Lexus and was one of our favorite vehicles for long trips. This time it reminded me more of a large Camry, which essentially. Make that a very large Camry as it is nearly eight inches longer. I thoroughly enjoyed the engine’s performance. When you nudged the accelerator pedal is was like waking a sleeping giant. Eager to please and the transmission was world class. I liked the Ford better, but its rear view mirrors were too small and the view to the sides and back were limited by the high trunk. Nevertheless, this is the best Ford Taurus ever.

Dad’s view: These aren’t spirited drivers, although the SHO version might be well worth the price if you need a little fun doing your daily chores. The Avalon was typical Toyota and that manufacture has remained consistent with its design, quality build, and frugal strategies. However, there are some excellent alternatives in this market segment now including new models from Chevrolet and Chrysler clawing at the buyer’s wallets as well as Ford, Kia, Hyundai, and, of course, the Honda Accord. I liked the Ford, but I wouldn’t kick the Avalon out of my garage for long distance traveling.

Young working woman’s view: Both of these are far more nimble than their size would indicate. However, the Avalon appealed to me more. The Taurus was more interesting to look at, but the Toyota felt more comfortable.

Young working male’s view: Since I work daily with technology at http://www.eracks.com building American made open source computes and servers I favor the Taurus because it is loaded with electronic features that place it at the forefront of the industry with a plethora of options that the Toyota did not offer. I also liked the large trunk and the Ford styling was more intriguing.

Family conference: In reality, the Toyota Avalon has stayed remarkably consistent as a larger version of the Camry. Today, the performance, handling, and interior room are still the same high quality, but the completion from Ford, Buick, Kia, Hyundai, Chrysler, and Chevrolet have been nipping at its heels. The result is that the Avalon is a superior family sedan that can hold six in comfort and offer a sedate ride with admirable fuel mileage. The Ford is more modern in looks and has more updated options. It is not as roomy inside, but the trunk is huge. It does have restricted vision to the back and sides, but offers drivers a more involving feel. Both are at the top of the large family sedan class.

For a list of all vehicle websites go to:

http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

 

$100,000 Hybrids: Lexus vs. BMW

$100,000 Hybrids: Lexus vs. BMW

by The Car Family

for more reviews go to http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/

 In an age when conspicuous consumption seems to be an art, along comes two gloriously expensive sedans that do their best to be inconspicuous. The Lexus LS 600hL and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 Series and a strange brew of technology, luxury, and performance, with just a touch of frugality thrown in to attract the green set.

We drove them both and they are remarkable in every technological way, and fast, but they are pushing the limits of driver patience with an endless array of buttons and settings. You can forget the simple temperature control knob or push buttons to select a radio station. These hybrids are multi-tasking machines that not only talk to you, but scold you as well. Leaving your lane, they’ll let you know. If there is a car in your blind spot they’ll flash you a sign, and in the case of the BMW, they will even make sure the door is snug. My advise is not to leave the dealership without a tutorial.

The good news is that they are quiet, fast and the gas mileage isn’t that bad considering these are hefty sedans. We averaged around 22 mpg with both vehicles, but be warned it is down right difficult to avoid unleasing the combination gas-electric forces under the hood, ah, trunk, ah, whatever. Indeed, the BMW is one of the fastest cars on the planet once it gets moving, and we mean moving. If your kids won’t quiet down, just floor this sedan and the g forces should pretty much leave them breathless until the police pull you over and ask for your pilot’s license. This BMW can reach 60 mph in well under five seconds and it probably won’t take much longer to reach orbit. The Lexus is slower, but not by much.

 We didn’t have a favorite. The BMW was the most fun, no doubt. But the complicated electronics kept us from enjoying its exemplary handling, stopping, and acceleration traits. The Lexus was smooth, quiet, and, well, a bit boring. In either case, the 22 gallon fuel tanks made 400 mile trips a possibility and with all the electronics to play with it is always entertaining.

 Mom’s view: I love the BMW 3 Series. Quick, responsive, and fuel efficent. The Seven Series hybrid has some of the same DNQ with excellent stopping power and handling, but that’s it outside of the look of the grill. The ActiveHybrid It is much smother and just as fast as the sexier looking supercharged Jaguar and, surprisingly, the interior is as nice as the British sedan. The Lexus has the better look for me, as the fit and finish were exceptional. It isn’t any secret that Lexus frequently finishes at the top of the consumer quality reports.

 Cost wise, they both are around $105,000. For that BMW gives you a combination of lithium ion batteries, turbocharging, and a 4.4-liter engine that yield 455 horsepower. The Lexus uses its hybrid with a larger, non-turbocharged, 5-liter V8 engine in combination and two electric motors to provide 430 horsepower.

 Driving the Lexus is easier. Both have engines that shut down when the car is stopped, but the Lexus is much more seamless when it comes time to starting. The cars have fairly good views in all directions and the seats are so adjustable that finding a fanny friendly position isn’t difficult. Of course these expensive sedans have steering wheels that power adjustments for those of us with short torsos and shorter arms and have to share with longer-legged relatives. The trunk space on the BMW does not give up as much room for the extra batteries that drive the hybrid as the Lexus. I liked the Lexus better. It was less fussy and plenty fast. Besides, for the MSRP I want to be coddled.

 Dad’s view: The BMW has an eight speed automatic transmission while the Lexus as a continuous variable unit that makes constant adjustments to maximize performance and efficiency. The Lexus is smoother. The BMW does offer a sportier suspension and that includes a self-leveling rear suspension and all sorts of safety equipment such as Driving Dynamics Control, Dynamic Stability Control, and Servotronic steering assist. Overall, I just liked driving the BMW better. The Lexus was more comfortable, easier to master, and to park. But it had no spark. The bottom line is that this a lot of money to be green.

Young working woman’s view: These are very big sedans. The turning radius for the BMW is over 42 feet, and the Lexus does it in 40. In other words, if you are looking for a parking space in a crowded mall prepare to spend time docking. Rear and front seat head and leg room is spacious in both cars, but the Lexus only has ten cubic feet of trunk space as the hybrid batteries take up a lot of room. The BMW has 14 cu.ft.

The Lexus dash is easier to navigate and the instrument panel continues to be exemplary. The cars have readouts for everything from tire pressure to gas mileage for the last few minutes. I really liked the extra cost feature that tells you when there is a slow traffic ahead and how many miles it lasts. The BMW has its owners manual located in the hard drive so you can read it using the car’s monitor. This is an interesting development. Not to be outdone, the Hyundai Equus goes one better by placing an iPad 2 in the glove compartment with the information on a file. The Lexus uses the old fashioned Lexus Library type of owner’s manual with several hundred pages of information. Somehow, I prefer this and I am supposed to be technological inclined.

Both vehicles are technological showcases with LED projector headlights, keyless ignition and entry, power door closers, parking assist with a back-up camera, a hard-drive-based navigation system, high-output stereo systems, and the Lexus will even park itself. Be warned that you are going to have to get out of that parking place on your own. The BMW is a tad longer, but weighs less. They both have whopping gas tanks that hold about 22 gallons of fuel. In other words, 400 mile trips are non-stoppers if you want to challenge your kidneys. I don’t have a choice between these two. Neither appealed to my sense of treading softly on the Earth and both were too big and too conspicuous. I would much prefer the Lexus RX hybrid, which we have tested, or the frisky BMW 3 Series to place under my covered parking space.

Family conference: The choice between these two is essentially based on how you drive. If you are into performance go with the BMW, if you want luxury and quiet pay the Lexus dealer. If you have children the BMW’s larger trunk will be of significant value.

For a list of all vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/auto/index.html

 

One of World’s Most Beautiful Cafe Racers: Style and Substance

Lossa engineering is putting together a small series of designer cafe racers that are showing a new direction in design from the big and bold to the crisp and clean look. Take a gander at the photo and check out the website to see what I feel is one of the most beautifully balanced cafe racers in existence.  The bike does not revolve around a huge engine that dominates the architecture, but on the classic, jewel like lines of the Honda 160 CB series from the 1960′s. The list of features, as can be expected from the price, is extensive. But it is the attention to detail that grabs the eye of the sophisticated rider. Check out the LED tail light, for example, or the gold chain. 

 I checked around the country with several builders of these types of vehicles and there was no doubt that the price was justified.  Freeway legal, eager to please, and agile, this bike real attraction is in its lines. Perhaps the future will be less about cartoonish OC styled thumpers and more about the beauty of more is less….Understated Elegance. We’ll buy it.

http://www.lossaengineering.com/2011/08/16/poco-bastrado-replicas-for-sale/

Jay LaRossa is the owner and builder and his work has been featured on the television series, Cafe Racer, as well as many periodicals. 

Lossa Engineering, 2659 Junipero Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755 (562)889-8389 

Less is More: Balance and Elegance