mercedes benz makes 0 reliable cars.

vw makes basically no reliable cars, as does audi. unfortunate really.

Since both Lexus and BMW are selling pretty well even though they look horrid, then the market really doesn’t care does it?

You lost me there Renton, so you’re admitting that the only thing the 3 series has over the IS350 or G35 is in performance? It’s still at the top for what? Top handling that the mag reviews praise about? Everyone knows about the cheapo interior plastic they use in the new generation 3 series. Until I compare the sales numbers….

So you agree that BMW is not a “luxury” brand like Lexus and Mercedes?

But the #1 concern of consumers is build quality and reliability. Lexus would be a good benchmark.
You can see on the streets that people could care less about an adaptive suspension that’s good for both sport and comfort. Just go with comfort.
The real modern meaning of “sport” is in the fashionable styling.
Only very few buyers will test the “sport” handling of a car.

Last time I checked the 3-Series was still at the top. Performance is all BMW has left? Well, what else were they known for? They wrote the book on the small performance sedan.

Those Jap cars are real nice. They just lack a certain intangible quality that can only be called “Germanesque”. Whatever it is, you can feel it. I really wanted to like the G35 more than a 3 series, but it just did not deliver for me in terms of ‘feel’. It was only a few thousand less, and in my opinion, not worth the savings.

Most magazines of late feel the same.

Performance is all BMW has left, and not for long, the Japanese are cathcing them quick. The G35 and IS350 from Infinti and Lexus have both already been praised for out-classing the 3-Series in terms of quality and speed, among other things.

The Lexus is probably the best benchmark that Ford could have!. Quality, reliability, luxury, value, high resale/low depreciation, etc…

Imagine how much uglier and unreliable Fords would become if he drove a BMW!

I think it’s GREAT that Mulally can walk into Detroit, where everyone PRETENDS Pontiac Bonnevilles and Chevy Uplanders are great cars, and drop a wake-up bomb like that. It’s the MOST appropriate signal he could have sent. Ford should DREAM of building ONE car as comfortable, reliable or desirable as a ten-year-old Lexus before the year 2020 hits. With this guy maybe they have an outside shot.

I was thinking exactly the same thing. The contrast between the two cars can only help.

More than just he CEO needs to do this. The whole exectutive lot should.

but its bad it had to be about a piece of **** lexus

The guy is just trying to stir the pot, apparently he has succeeded. Do you really think be belives the LS 430 is the finest car in the world? He is just sending a message that changes are in store.

My favorite comment so far – “As long as he doesn’t turn Ford into another appliance maker, fine”

If Ford isn’t an appliance maker now, what are they?

I find all this best car etc stuff just silly anyway. My best car is not your best car. Lexus is more reliable then most German cars and has a nice fit and finish. I would personaly take an Audi A6 over anything Lexus makes and I would also put BMW’s before Lexus. To me Lexus is boring, but I Like cars.

I think one thing we should be able to agree on is that Lexus makes a quality car, the inside is well done and it rides smooth. The issue is normally that it seems uninspired and that I would agree with.

Arguing that an Lexus LS is or is not “better” than anything else is pointless because unanimity is impossible.

Amazing how just a year ago I would have put Cadillac on top as a marque to strive for but after my recent fiasco with a 60,000 SRX, my fondness for the brand has wained. There are better marques to strive for and Ford has a better chance of succeeding with some Lexus infusion over what they’ve currently been using.