u/FlatLightYardSale

I'm getting pretty close to trading my LS500 for an S8, the more I read/watch about these S8s the more flabbergasted I become at how much car/performance you get once these cars are 3-4 years used. 560 ponies, sub-4 second 0-60, quiet, lux cabin, and can be had for less than $70k. Below are the two cars I'm comparing:

The 2022 with 43k miles for $63k seems like a steal, and the fact that it has predictive active suspension seems to seal the deal. I test drove the second one, the 2023, today. Drove great. Just have two questions:

1. I highly prize great ride quality. Is the predictive active suspension something that I should be explicitly seeking out? The 2023 S8 I drove today that didn't have it drove great. Just curious if this option is worth me specifically filtering my search to only include models that have it.

2. What am I possibly missing with the 2022 S8? Clean car fax, very low price, has the predictive air suspension. Seems perfect. FWIW, I do plan on purchasing an extended warranty, so that will add some to the cost.

https://www.audikirkwoodmo.com/en/inventory/vehicle/?isdealer&market=usuc&vehicleId=WAULSAF8XNN000346&adobe_mc=MCMID%3D80039684374791983380182194778311775031%7CMCORGID%3DA3A01F4264BFE8B00A495FA3%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1779568658&adobe_mc=MCMID%3D80039684374791983380182194778311775031%7CMCORGID%3DA3A01F4264BFE8B00A495FA3%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1779569075

https://www.audiwestcounty.com/en/inventory/vehicle/?isdealer&market=usuc&vehicleId=WAULSAF83PN014947&adobe_mc=MCMID%3D80039684374791983380182194778311775031%7CMCORGID%3DA3A01F4264BFE8B00A495FA3%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1779549355&adobe_mc=MCMID%3D80039684374791983380182194778311775031%7CMCORGID%3DA3A01F4264BFE8B00A495FA3%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1779549373&adobe_mc=MCMID%3D80039684374791983380182194778311775031%7CMCORGID%3DA3A01F4264BFE8B00A495FA3%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1779549402

What do you think of this form ya'll? I made a conscious effort to be more upright and controlled rather than leaning forward. Can't move as much weight this way, but it felt like an effective set that accomplished the goal of the exercise. Thoughts?

Obviously I have to lead with a pic of my car.

What is actually germane to this post however are the results when I took a gander at Lexus's website this evening. Case in point are photos #2 and #3.

In the "Sedan" category we have:
- No full-size sedan
- Only hybrid or EV mid-size sedans
- Only one conventional internal combustion sedan; and it is a compact model

In the "Performance" category we have:
- The venerable IS 350 F Sport with a potent NA V6 that makes 311HP and teleports from 0-60 in a blistering 5.9 seconds
-LC 500 (legitimate performance car; IYKYK)

When I was shopping for my LS this past September I went on Lexus's website and it showed the 2025 model line. Less than a year later the 250-model limited edition 2026 LS 500 has come and gone and now Lexus no longer produces a full-size luxury sedan. This is ironic because Lexus's first vehicle--the vehicle it started its company with, and subsequently beat the germans with--was a full-size luxury sedan: the LS 400 in 1989.

Lexus made business decisions. Just like Audi and Infiniti. SUVs are in. Electric vehicles are in. "Old school" boat sedans are not hip.

It sucks, though. There is still a market out there of those who want opulent cars that excel not in carrying cargo or kids to soccer practice, but in carrying a spirited driver, or a small tight-knit group or family, and doing it in luxury, speed, and maneuverability (i.e., without body roll).

I'm not asking them to make a car strictly for enthusiasts, but dang, some of us still enjoy the art of driving without having to sacrifice road presence or comfort. For me, there's nothing more enjoyable than cruising in comfort in a car that makes 90 feel like 60, and being able to hustle said car around like it's smaller than its size.

Wax on wax off

Luxury Flagships: '22 German vs '24 Japanese

Who. Ya. Got?