For ten years, I've been taking a long winter drive with the family in my previously unmodified 94 80 LC. It's been a fabulous vehicle and has always performed flawlessly.
For the first time, I'm making a very similar trip in my new 06 100 LX, and I wanted to capture my observations on the differences while they're fresh in my mind.
This year's trip includes days in Yosemite, Gold country via route 49, Tahoe, Grand Canyon via route 66, and Las Vegas, and a total of about 2200 miles in 14 days. Passengers included my wife and two kids, 5 & 7. I'm currently in a Tahoe starbucks, and still have about 1000 miles ahead of me.
Some of these differences are because of 12 years of new tech, some because of LX vs LC, and some because of 80 vs. 100. I'll leave it to the peanut gallary to sort it all out.
1) Loading - I couldn't believe how much the 100 swallowed up. The pile of stuff was same as always, and I always had a tight fit in the 80. The 100 took it all with room to spare. I couldn't find the stat on the % cu-ft difference between the two, but it sure feels like a lot. Knowing the roof rack has more than twice the weight carying capacity was also nice, even though I was considering leaving the cargo box at home this trip because I didn't really need the space.
2) RIDE! - Being able to set the suspension to "mashed potatoes" on the freeway and "BMW" on the curvy mountain roads has been great! We are arriving with less fatigue, and the mountain handling is very respectable. I also feel like the vehicle is more predictable and consistent in it's handling.
3) Noise Level!!! - Night and day difference. It's also contributed to arriving with less fatigue.
4) Engine Performance!!!!! - The new 275hp variable valve timing engine is fantastic! The pedal is light to the touch, and I never had to dig in my toe, even on the steepest mountain roads. I felt like I was still using the first 1/2 of its capabilities, even at 75mph going from 6000 to 7000 feet high.
5) Interior room - Before this trip, I thought this was a negative because of the reduced "face room" as compared to the 80. The raked 100 windshiled may reduce noise, but a tall person has much less room between their nose and the glass. After this tirp, I think the extra width more than makes up for it. The width gives more room between the kids where you can keep coolers, portable electronics, etc. You just have more "working space."
6) Electronics - yeah... the nav, satellite, extra power ports, Lexuslink, etc are quite nice, and give a lot of trip flexibility. I used the Lexuslink phone in several locations where my cell had no service, and the Lexuslink still worked perfectly. Even the night vision, which I previously thought was truly useless, turned out to be very nice. It eliminates those moments where you panic because the road "disappears." I now leave it turned on during night drives, and just glance at it in situations where I'd otherwise want to flash my brights. It probably works even better for shorter drivers, as it's closer to the normal line of sight.
7) Storage - This is one where the 80 wins over the 100. The 100 uses some for the CD player, has a small gove box, and is generally weak in built in storage locations. There's no place to put a cell phone in the center console and still reach it if it rings, for example.
8) Gas mileage - With the roof rack and mountain driving, I'd get 10-11mpg in my old 80. That mpg was pretty consistent, and hasn't gone down over time. With the 100, I'm currently averaging about 17 mpg. I have been making a gas stop at the same place for 10 years, but this year I had half a tank at that same location and just kept on going.
9) Traction Control - At one point, as I was slowing for a turn in icey conditions, the back end started to feel a bit loose. Just as I started to turn the wheel to follow the back wheels, the traction control fired off and I continued down the orginal line into a vista stop. When we got out, the ground was slightly wet black ice, and everyone fell at least once.
I still love the old 80, but for this particular mission the 100 is without a doubt the much better vehicle. Until now the 100 has been a flashy toy that didn't quite match my personalilty. This trip has changed that, and for the first time I've patted it on the dash and said "nice job." I hope my 80 isn't too jealous.
For the first time, I'm making a very similar trip in my new 06 100 LX, and I wanted to capture my observations on the differences while they're fresh in my mind.
This year's trip includes days in Yosemite, Gold country via route 49, Tahoe, Grand Canyon via route 66, and Las Vegas, and a total of about 2200 miles in 14 days. Passengers included my wife and two kids, 5 & 7. I'm currently in a Tahoe starbucks, and still have about 1000 miles ahead of me.
Some of these differences are because of 12 years of new tech, some because of LX vs LC, and some because of 80 vs. 100. I'll leave it to the peanut gallary to sort it all out.
1) Loading - I couldn't believe how much the 100 swallowed up. The pile of stuff was same as always, and I always had a tight fit in the 80. The 100 took it all with room to spare. I couldn't find the stat on the % cu-ft difference between the two, but it sure feels like a lot. Knowing the roof rack has more than twice the weight carying capacity was also nice, even though I was considering leaving the cargo box at home this trip because I didn't really need the space.
2) RIDE! - Being able to set the suspension to "mashed potatoes" on the freeway and "BMW" on the curvy mountain roads has been great! We are arriving with less fatigue, and the mountain handling is very respectable. I also feel like the vehicle is more predictable and consistent in it's handling.
3) Noise Level!!! - Night and day difference. It's also contributed to arriving with less fatigue.
4) Engine Performance!!!!! - The new 275hp variable valve timing engine is fantastic! The pedal is light to the touch, and I never had to dig in my toe, even on the steepest mountain roads. I felt like I was still using the first 1/2 of its capabilities, even at 75mph going from 6000 to 7000 feet high.
5) Interior room - Before this trip, I thought this was a negative because of the reduced "face room" as compared to the 80. The raked 100 windshiled may reduce noise, but a tall person has much less room between their nose and the glass. After this tirp, I think the extra width more than makes up for it. The width gives more room between the kids where you can keep coolers, portable electronics, etc. You just have more "working space."
6) Electronics - yeah... the nav, satellite, extra power ports, Lexuslink, etc are quite nice, and give a lot of trip flexibility. I used the Lexuslink phone in several locations where my cell had no service, and the Lexuslink still worked perfectly. Even the night vision, which I previously thought was truly useless, turned out to be very nice. It eliminates those moments where you panic because the road "disappears." I now leave it turned on during night drives, and just glance at it in situations where I'd otherwise want to flash my brights. It probably works even better for shorter drivers, as it's closer to the normal line of sight.
7) Storage - This is one where the 80 wins over the 100. The 100 uses some for the CD player, has a small gove box, and is generally weak in built in storage locations. There's no place to put a cell phone in the center console and still reach it if it rings, for example.
8) Gas mileage - With the roof rack and mountain driving, I'd get 10-11mpg in my old 80. That mpg was pretty consistent, and hasn't gone down over time. With the 100, I'm currently averaging about 17 mpg. I have been making a gas stop at the same place for 10 years, but this year I had half a tank at that same location and just kept on going.
9) Traction Control - At one point, as I was slowing for a turn in icey conditions, the back end started to feel a bit loose. Just as I started to turn the wheel to follow the back wheels, the traction control fired off and I continued down the orginal line into a vista stop. When we got out, the ground was slightly wet black ice, and everyone fell at least once.
I still love the old 80, but for this particular mission the 100 is without a doubt the much better vehicle. Until now the 100 has been a flashy toy that didn't quite match my personalilty. This trip has changed that, and for the first time I've patted it on the dash and said "nice job." I hope my 80 isn't too jealous.
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