Yes, lots and lots of cars have beautiful HIDs I agree. Sharp-looking headlights are here to stay forever.

I remember some magazine said the neat DRLs will fade away and not age well--could not disagree more.

 

I think I might be a little closer than you. While my degree is in mechanical engineering, I have several certifications in Aerospace Lighting, including NVIS (Night Vision Instrument Systems), interior lighting, and exterior lighting. 24 years in the industry so far. I don't claim to be an expert in headlights, though. I'm going to stay in my lane.

(Tone doesn't come through in internet posts so know this post, while truthful, is in good fun)

 

LED lighting failures are pretty rare...

 

Not so rare read this forum outside of Car Chat.

 

I do read it, they're pretty rare.

 

I agree with you on this. I have constant fear from my headlights failing and having to try and repair them. HID is just toss a new bulb in but you do have to pay to play at this level....

Same story with air suspension etc

 

maybe this is more of an isolated incident but i'm having a tough time remembering a facelift durango that didn't have part of its tail light broken




and these cars aren't uncommon to see lol

 

I see it a fair bit on the road even on a Toyota/Lexus.
A modern headlight assembly can be $2500, this is on a Lexus. For German makes don't know probably more.

 

$3700 for some. Crazy expensive really since you can get a decent car for that sum

 

And the failure is probably due to less than $20 worth of components.

 

That is a very Durango specific issue. Water gets into the housing and causes LED failure.

 

Here's mine on a 2004 Lexus RX330.

As you can see, nothing that says branding in any way and not unique.
But, clean and tasteful IMO.

Post yours???

 

On the rx350, Lexus did something a bit different from other cars. The taillights have a bigger reflective surface, as opposed to other cars with the hundreds of small dots that forms into a single big dot. This set the car apart from something like Nissan. But honestly you can't tell unless you looked. To me, these taillights were boring lol. Its when you moved up to the RX400h that the taillights start to really shine. On this trim, they changed to LEDs with a unique chrome trimming and light guides.




On my 3GS, the base model has the same LED light guides, but it does not have the chrome trimming unless you get the GS450h.





I really love these taillights because they capitalized on the beauty of the light design through a paradox of simplicity and complexity. There's also bit of depth in there. The LEDs weren't just mindlessly slapped on nor did they try to make a representation of the brand through lighting. A lot of lighting designs today have no depth, a big sinner would the the 2023 Acura Integra. It looks like they slapped on a glowing sticker.

 

so if it's not as complex and you can understand it, it's 'well engineered' and does a 'great job'.

i grant you that modern headlights are very expensive to replace. but they are vastly superior to what came before. i came to the conclusion some time ago though that owning modern higher end vehicles outside of warranty brings potentially HUGE repair/parts costs (screens, lights, engines, suspensions). that's why i don't see me ever buying a car and keeping it for a long time, except maybe my LC500 because it's so simple and i don't drive it a ton.

 

I think your LC will last every bit as long as a proper Lexus should, easssssilllllily.