Quality of Japan vs. Canada built RX330's
10-17-05, 10:32 AM
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Quality of Japan vs. Canada built RX330's
I know this has been discussed before, but since there are still some Japan produced units out there, I wanted to know the views on this board. It will cost me to go with the Japan unit because it is packaged with the Mark L stereo and the DVD, which I could care less about especially since it doesn't connect w/ the iPod.
Are there specific areas where the J's are better than the C's?
Another way of asking is "If you had the choice of buying two identical cars, one from J and the other from C, what would you chose, and why?
Dazed and confused in TX
10-17-05, 01:45 PM
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Dear dazed and confused in Texas,
With regard to Japanese vs. Canadian (or for that matter US) built cars, I would always select Japanese manufactured cars first, regardless of brand/model. I have several friends in the automotive business who work in sales and service for American Honda Motors (incl. Acura) and Toyota (incl. Lexus). Universally, they recommend Japanese cars first for quality. I cannot quantify the quality variance, or for that matter whether the differences are real or perceived, but I've heard the statement so many times that I believe it's true.
Having said that, I hasten to add that I've owned my RX330 for two months now and am very pleased with the quality; my car was manufactured in Canada. I would also offer that I'm extremely fussy with my car and very particular with how it runs and looks. Since money is always a factor for me, I don't think I would pay extra for the Japanese model, especially given the overall quality of this vehicle.
Steve
With regard to Japanese vs. Canadian (or for that matter US) built cars, I would always select Japanese manufactured cars first, regardless of brand/model. I have several friends in the automotive business who work in sales and service for American Honda Motors (incl. Acura) and Toyota (incl. Lexus). Universally, they recommend Japanese cars first for quality. I cannot quantify the quality variance, or for that matter whether the differences are real or perceived, but I've heard the statement so many times that I believe it's true.
Having said that, I hasten to add that I've owned my RX330 for two months now and am very pleased with the quality; my car was manufactured in Canada. I would also offer that I'm extremely fussy with my car and very particular with how it runs and looks. Since money is always a factor for me, I don't think I would pay extra for the Japanese model, especially given the overall quality of this vehicle.
Steve
10-17-05, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by SteveRX330
Dear dazed and confused in Texas,
With regard to Japanese vs. Canadian (or for that matter US) built cars, I would always select Japanese manufactured cars first, regardless of brand/model. I have several friends in the automotive business who work in sales and service for American Honda Motors (incl. Acura) and Toyota (incl. Lexus). Universally, they recommend Japanese cars first for quality. I cannot quantify the quality variance, or for that matter whether the differences are real or perceived, but I've heard the statement so many times that I believe it's true.
With regard to Japanese vs. Canadian (or for that matter US) built cars, I would always select Japanese manufactured cars first, regardless of brand/model. I have several friends in the automotive business who work in sales and service for American Honda Motors (incl. Acura) and Toyota (incl. Lexus). Universally, they recommend Japanese cars first for quality. I cannot quantify the quality variance, or for that matter whether the differences are real or perceived, but I've heard the statement so many times that I believe it's true.
Having said that, I hasten to add that I've owned my RX330 for two months now and am very pleased with the quality; my car was manufactured in Canada. I would also offer that I'm extremely fussy with my car and very particular with how it runs and looks. Since money is always a factor for me, I don't think I would pay extra for the Japanese model, especially given the overall quality of this vehicle.
Steve
Steve
10-18-05, 04:59 AM
#4
Model year 2004 was a bad year for both plants. The RX330 was a new design, and it had a number of challenges. Both plants produced units with a lot of rattles and other annoyances, and the quirky transmission comes out of both plants. Canada got a worse reputation, though, because of a couple of component failures that led to big problems (for a Lexus, anyway). A batch of radiators was bad - they cracked in the cold - leading to a recall. The brake booster had a similar problem; I don't believe it got recalled, but it can be argued that it should be.
There are members here that have actually visited the plant in Canada, and they'll tell you that they were VERY impressed with what they saw. There's no reason the Canada plant can't be on par with the plants in Japan.
Since we're all here as owners of a Japanese brand, we all have the perception that the highest quality cars come from Japan. Therefore, the units made in Canada can't be the "real thing." Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of empirical data one way or the other. There are several posts along the lines of "mine had this problem, and it was made in Canada, so Canada must be inferior." Well, my 2004 was made in Japan in July 2003, and it had all the rattles and clunks, so I could easily say that "the Japanese plant is turning out lower quality." But we all know (or believe?) it's not - the problems were related to an unproven design, and almost all were fixed later. Naturally, I'm very happy with my car now, but it wasn't perfect from day one.
I would advise that if the country of manufacture is important to you, then I'd look for one made in Japan. Otherwise, you'll be second-guessing yourself as long as you've got the car, and you'll blame every little thing on the fact that it was made in Canada. If the country doesn't matter, then don't worry about it, and odds are that you won't have any problems either way.
There are members here that have actually visited the plant in Canada, and they'll tell you that they were VERY impressed with what they saw. There's no reason the Canada plant can't be on par with the plants in Japan.
Since we're all here as owners of a Japanese brand, we all have the perception that the highest quality cars come from Japan. Therefore, the units made in Canada can't be the "real thing." Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of empirical data one way or the other. There are several posts along the lines of "mine had this problem, and it was made in Canada, so Canada must be inferior." Well, my 2004 was made in Japan in July 2003, and it had all the rattles and clunks, so I could easily say that "the Japanese plant is turning out lower quality." But we all know (or believe?) it's not - the problems were related to an unproven design, and almost all were fixed later. Naturally, I'm very happy with my car now, but it wasn't perfect from day one.
I would advise that if the country of manufacture is important to you, then I'd look for one made in Japan. Otherwise, you'll be second-guessing yourself as long as you've got the car, and you'll blame every little thing on the fact that it was made in Canada. If the country doesn't matter, then don't worry about it, and odds are that you won't have any problems either way.
10-18-05, 05:48 AM
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Originally Posted by rxdriver
Model year 2004 was a bad year for both plants. The RX330 was a new design, and it had a number of challenges. Both plants produced units with a lot of rattles and other annoyances, and the quirky transmission comes out of both plants. Canada got a worse reputation, though, because of a couple of component failures that led to big problems (for a Lexus, anyway). A batch of radiators was bad - they cracked in the cold - leading to a recall. The brake booster had a similar problem; I don't believe it got recalled, but it can be argued that it should be.
There are members here that have actually visited the plant in Canada, and they'll tell you that they were VERY impressed with what they saw. There's no reason the Canada plant can't be on par with the plants in Japan.
Since we're all here as owners of a Japanese brand, we all have the perception that the highest quality cars come from Japan. Therefore, the units made in Canada can't be the "real thing." Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of empirical data one way or the other. There are several posts along the lines of "mine had this problem, and it was made in Canada, so Canada must be inferior." Well, my 2004 was made in Japan in July 2003, and it had all the rattles and clunks, so I could easily say that "the Japanese plant is turning out lower quality." But we all know (or believe?) it's not - the problems were related to an unproven design, and almost all were fixed later. Naturally, I'm very happy with my car now, but it wasn't perfect from day one.
I would advise that if the country of manufacture is important to you, then I'd look for one made in Japan. Otherwise, you'll be second-guessing yourself as long as you've got the car, and you'll blame every little thing on the fact that it was made in Canada. If the country doesn't matter, then don't worry about it, and odds are that you won't have any problems either way.
There are members here that have actually visited the plant in Canada, and they'll tell you that they were VERY impressed with what they saw. There's no reason the Canada plant can't be on par with the plants in Japan.
Since we're all here as owners of a Japanese brand, we all have the perception that the highest quality cars come from Japan. Therefore, the units made in Canada can't be the "real thing." Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of empirical data one way or the other. There are several posts along the lines of "mine had this problem, and it was made in Canada, so Canada must be inferior." Well, my 2004 was made in Japan in July 2003, and it had all the rattles and clunks, so I could easily say that "the Japanese plant is turning out lower quality." But we all know (or believe?) it's not - the problems were related to an unproven design, and almost all were fixed later. Naturally, I'm very happy with my car now, but it wasn't perfect from day one.
I would advise that if the country of manufacture is important to you, then I'd look for one made in Japan. Otherwise, you'll be second-guessing yourself as long as you've got the car, and you'll blame every little thing on the fact that it was made in Canada. If the country doesn't matter, then don't worry about it, and odds are that you won't have any problems either way.
10-18-05, 07:10 AM
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Originally Posted by rxdriver
I would advise that if the country of manufacture is important to you, then I'd look for one made in Japan. Otherwise, you'll be second-guessing yourself as long as you've got the car, and you'll blame every little thing on the fact that it was made in Canada. If the country doesn't matter, then don't worry about it, and odds are that you won't have any problems either way.
BTW, how is the paint on the hood? Any paint chips? It's one of those annoying things I worry about, and there are a number of complaints about chipping. Maybe we could do a survey
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10-25-05, 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by caha14
I just checked the website for a local dealer, and the majority of the '06s is indeed Canadian. However, I did find a Japanese one, which is also AWD.
BTW, how were you able to check inventory?
Last edited by willinak; 10-25-05 at 08:00 PM.
10-26-05, 06:41 AM
#10
Originally Posted by willinak
Thanks for checking! I had a feeling that I had seen an AWD '06 JTJ on the lot a few weeks ago, but I didn't write it down. My dealer says that no AWD's are coming from Japan now.... hmmmm!
BTW, how were you able to check inventory?
BTW, how were you able to check inventory?
Typically, dealers that have their own website (in addition to the "standardized" Lexus site) allow you to search their new car inventory. In my area, there are 2 of those: www.iralexus.com (this is the one I checked yesterday) and www.herbchambers.com. The others just have the standard fare where you can only search used car inventory.
10-27-05, 10:54 PM
#11
Well...no matter where is made for the first year redesign (2004) they will always have all sorts of problems. That's why they always suggest NOT to get the first year's model. You gotta wait till all the bugs get fixed first!!
But, in my opinion....The cars made in Japan have a better quality inspection than those in Canada. I've heard too many problems from the Canadian built ones.
But, in my opinion....The cars made in Japan have a better quality inspection than those in Canada. I've heard too many problems from the Canadian built ones.
10-28-05, 04:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Lextranny
Well...no matter where is made for the first year redesign (2004) they will always have all sorts of problems. That's why they always suggest NOT to get the first year's model. You gotta wait till all the bugs get fixed first!!
But, in my opinion....The cars made in Japan have a better quality inspection than those in Canada. I've heard too many problems from the Canadian built ones.
But, in my opinion....The cars made in Japan have a better quality inspection than those in Canada. I've heard too many problems from the Canadian built ones.
Well, that has been my take all along. What I am running into is that the dealer says that all '06 AWD's are now made in Canada. I'm having a little trouble believing that, but I suppose it is possible. Most 400h's I've seen are Japanese.
Does anyone here have a Japanese (JTJ XXXX) '06 AWD ?
10-28-05, 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by willinak
Well, that has been my take all along. What I am running into is that the dealer says that all '06 AWD's are now made in Canada. I'm having a little trouble believing that, but I suppose it is possible. Most 400h's I've seen are Japanese.
Does anyone here have a Japanese (JTJ XXXX) '06 AWD ?
An easier way to tell if an RX is Canadian or Japanese made is the glass etching on all the glass pieces. The Japanese glass uses regular white etched lettering with Lexus and Nippon Safety on it. The Canadian ones are all black lettering. Both are the same solar energy absorbing green glass either made by United or LOF.
Last edited by flipside909; 10-28-05 at 08:23 AM.
10-28-05, 11:25 AM
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I have a 2004 RX made in Japan and it has not lived up to the build quality I found in my previous two Lexuses.
The tranny is wonky and I have a couple of annoying squeaks and rattles. Also, the trim panel on the back of the driver's seat wasn't installed properly and had to be fixed at the dealership. And, some of the electronics weren't programmed correctly at the factory (like the moonroof conttrols) and I still have some weird electrical issues, like the rear tailgate refusing to open and the side mirror sometimes pointing downward when I back up and sometimes not.
I'm strongly considering a new IS350 but worry about the same 'first year' problems.
The tranny is wonky and I have a couple of annoying squeaks and rattles. Also, the trim panel on the back of the driver's seat wasn't installed properly and had to be fixed at the dealership. And, some of the electronics weren't programmed correctly at the factory (like the moonroof conttrols) and I still have some weird electrical issues, like the rear tailgate refusing to open and the side mirror sometimes pointing downward when I back up and sometimes not.
I'm strongly considering a new IS350 but worry about the same 'first year' problems.
Last edited by OUMalibu; 10-28-05 at 11:28 AM.
