Top of the Line Lex
Some times life is pretty weird. Two days ago I was driving around in a beat up VW Microbus with a guy from Germany. The very next day I was cruising with four of my friends in a top of the line Lexus LS460L sipping on Dom Perignon and eating only the finest cheese. Well we didn’t have any Champaign or cheese, but the long wheel base LS460L certainly had me thinking that I should borrow some Grey Poupon.
When I first saw the black Lexus press car parked outside of messy roommate packed house, the contrast was startling. I had spent most of the day doing interior house painting, for lunch I ate a cheap burrito from a local roach coach, and when I got home there was something in the refrigerator that was growing hair. Yet somehow when I stepped inside the LS460 all the days events vanished into thin air. The car’s supple leather seats were soft and welcoming, the wood accented interior was stylish yet sedate, and overall appearance of the big black sedan makes all its occupants feel like they are VIPs, even if they aren’t.
The back seat
After filling the Lexus with five people, an easy task that left all occupants extremely comfortable, we headed out to the local bar to show off the new ride. Out on the road the Lexus was effortless to drive. With decent power from the 4.6 liter V8, a super coosh suspension which we appropriately left on the softest setting, “comf” and feather light electronically controlled steering it almost felt as if the car could drive itself. Speaking of driving itself, the LS 460 is famous for being able to parallel park itself, a feature which was not included on the press car despite numerous chants of “Ghost Park the Whip” from the folks in the back seat.
When I first wrote about the LS 460 I describe it as a tech nerd’s dream. And while it does have a ton of gadgets, including a backup camera, all the features proved simple to use even without an owners manual. But for me the most impressive feat was adjusting the driver’s seat to my normal driving position, then climbing into the back seat and stretching out my 6′3″ frame directly behind the driver’s seat. As one of my friends said, “it’s like they designed this thing for NBA players”.
A truly wonderful car I give the LS460L high marks. I doubt I’ll ever be able to afford one, but I was happy enough to spend the night pretending to be rich and famous.
Champaign wishes and caviar dreams!
-Bill Mertz
Lexus, LS460, LS460L, luxury, Mercedes, BMW, 5 series, rich and famous, ghost ride
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