Author Topic: Northern Exposure: Lexus GS 350 F-Sport vs 'Icepocalypse' (Read 9441 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** February 13, 2013, 06:31:35 am »

Justin Pritchard takes another car, this time a RWD Luxury Sedan, through the worst Mother Nature can throw at him.

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jamesautos · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2013, 08:15:03 am »

question for the reviewer...Does it have a limited slip rear diff???

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2013, 08:34:26 am »

Going to Crappy tire to look at drills,

No point reading after that

Noto · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2013, 09:16:57 am »

...sounds like a good explanation of how a RWD car can be competent in the winter. I think it's a good way of expressing that the car is good all year round so long as your locality doesn't experience ice-pocalypse frequently. The stigma about RWD being horrid in the winter should be dispelled, so great review! (still, I'll stick to my Fozzie)

hemusbull · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2013, 09:39:23 am »

This one is an useful, concise explenation of GS traction control system, something very few people now from real experience. Besides, the Jaguar XF I saw on a Nofrillss parking lot shows me their drivers are like most of us, aren't they?

dragonfly · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2013, 09:48:58 am »

Hmmm..And I wonder just how much this little load cost? Let me guess...Over 50 big ones..And LED lights are standard...whoop de doo..
That system of traction control is pretty much standard now on all cars, not the miracle you seem to be making it out to be..A proper limited slip rear would have been impressive...But no..We're talking Bottom Line Toyota here...Thanks for a fun story...Jack

redman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2013, 10:24:38 am »

Great article regarding a nice RWD vehicle in the snow.

I'll take RWD fishtail control over FWD front end plow any snow day. I've driven both with snow tires and strongly prefer the RWD configuration for predictability.

I don't need any electronics ruining my control either or acting as a back seat driver, thanks !!!

Soram6275 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2013, 10:31:51 am »

Thanks for a great article. It seems this is the second article that dispells the notion of RWD being terrible in winter. I heard the old Porsches were horrible as well as the old Camaros in the snow, but I suppose traction control and better balanced chassis helps resolve those issues. I have a FWD car and just recently in a snow storm I recall how RWD would have been better. I was stuck in the snow covered parking lot trying to move forward but could easily go in reverse which in essence would have been akin to a RWD in practice I suppose. Maybe it's better for the power to come from the rear after all.

Noto · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2013, 11:05:09 am »

Quote from: redman on February 13, 2013, 10:24:38 am

Great article regarding a nice RWD vehicle in the snow.

I'll take RWD fishtail control over FWD front end plow any snow day. I've driven both with snow tires and strongly prefer the RWD configuration for predictability.

I don't need any electronics ruining my control either or acting as a back seat driver, thanks !!!

I agree for you and me...but for the 90% of other drivers out there that have no idea how to drive; if they are to be on the road, I want them in FWD or AWD with snow tires.

Bring on mandatory snow tires!!!

whaddaiknow · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2013, 11:10:14 am »

Quote from: dragonfly on February 13, 2013, 09:48:58 am

.. That system of traction control is pretty much standard now on all cars, not the miracle you seem to be making it out to be..A proper limited slip rear would have been impressive...But no..We're talking Bottom Line Toyota here...Thanks for a fun story...Jack

Not sure where your bitterness comes from but here's my take. The culprit is not in the availability of A feature but more so in the execution of such feature. If you read the article, you will note how seemless and drama free all the systems operate, and that's what I personally call luxury, and that's what people pay for. Kia equips their cars with "premium" audio too - will you put it at the same level as Levinson in a Lexus? Hardly so.

Spec5 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2013, 01:00:18 pm »

Great review Pritch, very amusing and informative! For those just caring about the usual stats pick up a Consumer Reports - if you want to hear about the experience read a well written article like this one.

You too are now officially on my "love-in" list with Johnathan.

Makes me want to go out and buy a RWD car again.

philmcneal · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2013, 01:17:08 pm »

i hope this same test can be done with the gs450h, i heard you cannot disable the traction control to do donuts if you wanted to

Fobroader · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2013, 01:23:35 pm »

Quote from: philmcneal on February 13, 2013, 01:17:08 pm

i hope this same test can be done with the gs450h, i heard you cannot disable the traction control to do donuts if you wanted to

No off button for electronic nannies= not a car I would consider.

mrthompson · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2013, 01:59:57 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on February 13, 2013, 08:34:26 am

Going to Crappy tire to look at drills,
No point reading after that

Entertaining article. Keep 'em coming.

Fobroader · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2013, 02:00:52 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on February 13, 2013, 08:34:26 am

Going to Crappy tire to look at drills,
No point reading after that

Whats wrong with buying tools at Crappy Tire??

mrthompson · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2013, 02:12:45 pm »

^Fobroader, AB can afford Sears.

Fobroader · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2013, 02:36:27 pm »

Quote from: mrthompson on February 13, 2013, 02:12:45 pm

^Fobroader, AB can afford Sears.

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2013, 03:06:59 pm »

Quote from: mrthompson on February 13, 2013, 02:12:45 pm

^Fobroader, AB can afford Sears.

Sears have a terrible selection , only followed by Crappy Tire

Spec5 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2013, 09:26:52 pm »

I've learned the hard way that if you want GOOD tools you have to pony up the dough and move beyond Mastercrap and Crapman. You want good tools that stay in alignment and don't break down on you - buy Rigid, DeWalt or Milwaukee.

mixmanmash · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2013, 09:28:19 pm »

Quote from: Spec5 on February 13, 2013, 09:26:52 pm

I've learned the hard way that if you want GOOD tools you have to pony up the dough and move beyond Mastercrap and Crapman. You want good tools that stay in alignment and don't break down on you - buy Rigid, DeWalt or Milwaukee.

DeWalt probably makes the worst drills. Milwaukee is way better.