New vs. Old lexus vehicles
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25,917
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From: Alberta
There is no way the mechanicals of a new Lexus match up to ones from 20 years ago. Back then everything was overbuilt, every part was spec'd as "lifetime" meaning it should never fail, ever. Today every component is designed to a specific tolerance and strength, this has to be the case to save weight and cost. As for interiors, some of you must be smoking the good stuff because 20 years ago a Lexus had incredibly durable materials that could take a serious beating and still look decent. The various interior bits now are very thin.
What has drastically improved is the overall look/design but that's to be expected. On the flip side, the original LS400 still looks good today inside and out. Compare it to other luxury cars of that era and they look extremely dated and crude.
What has drastically improved is the overall look/design but that's to be expected. On the flip side, the original LS400 still looks good today inside and out. Compare it to other luxury cars of that era and they look extremely dated and crude.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
There is no way the mechanicals of a new Lexus match up to ones from 20 years ago. Back then everything was overbuilt, every part was spec'd as "lifetime" meaning it should never fail, ever. Today every component is designed to a specific tolerance and strength, this has to be the case to save weight and cost.
As for interiors, some of you must be smoking the good stuff because 20 years ago a Lexus had incredibly durable materials that could take a serious beating and still look decent. The various interior bits now are very thin.
What has drastically improved is the overall look/design but that's to be expected. On the flip side, the original LS400 still looks good today inside and out. Compare it to other luxury cars of that era and they look extremely dated and crude.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25,917
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From: Alberta
You can see this just by closely looking at a new Lexus, it is beautifully made but doesn't have that "built like a tank" aura about it. This is from necessity not because Lexus couldn't do it. If they did, the car would weigh too much and would be priced right out of the market segment. There are some exceptions, the LS460 to me is incredible and has no compromises. I get the "built like a vault" feel from the Landcruiser.
The pursuit of F
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,296
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From: Toronto, Canada
You can see this just by closely looking at a new Lexus, it is beautifully made but doesn't have that "built like a tank" aura about it. This is from necessity not because Lexus couldn't do it. If they did, the car would weigh too much and would be priced right out of the market segment. There are some exceptions, the LS460 to me is incredible and has no compromises. I get the "built like a vault" feel from the Landcruiser.
Last edited by corradoMR2; Mar 29, 2014 at 03:18 PM.
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Ok we all know you aren't gunna find remote touch interfaces, key fobs, or laser guided cruise control in a 20 year old Ls400 or Es300, but with all this new technology... Has it come with a price? Do you think lexus has started cutting corners on some things or are they as good or better as they were 20 years ago? Has the quality suffered in them over the years? Do you think the current generation of lexus vehicles will still be rolling around mechanically sound 20+ years from now with faded paint and cracked leather like the ones of yesteryear are now? Will they even last as long? As someone that works for lexus, I can't say yay or nay on this topic but I'm very curious to see what others think about lexus of today vs lexus a long time ago. Do you think a 2014 ES350 will live as long as a 1994 ES300? Will a 2014 LS460 still be hanging on in 2039 like the 1990 LS400 is today?
We also need to take into account Lexus has never been higher in quality with lower defects and the cars are more complicated than ever. Its mind blowing that a complicated Lexus hybrid loaded to the gills is as reliable as anything that has ever been built.
As a long time OWNER of various Lexus models I am more than confident a 2014 model would last as long as a 1994 model. One difference is the models in the past changed very slowly while the new models change much faster or they feel obsolete.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,582
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From: Florida
^^^^ the hybrids.. Those are the ones that I'm really curious as to how they will be down the road 15 years from now. Like the ES300h. It's easy to drive and is very well made, but it's what is hidden Is horrifically complex.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,982
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From: California
If one measures the evidence, nothing has changed with Lexus from the 90's. One has to follow long-term tests, monitor these blog sites over the years, and pay attention to Consumer Reports judgements. Lexus has consistantly stayed on top with reliability. There is little chance of change ten years from now with today's models.
As LexFather mentioned, it's absolutely amazing they have maintained this level considering how much new tech and features have come into play. This is a window to see the level of attention Lexus draws upon to ensure the ultimate level of quality.
As LexFather mentioned, it's absolutely amazing they have maintained this level considering how much new tech and features have come into play. This is a window to see the level of attention Lexus draws upon to ensure the ultimate level of quality.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,285
Likes: 311
From: ON/NY
I think the body, suspension, and drivetrain on newer Lexus' are every bit as well built as the old ones.
As for if we'll see old ones hanging on like the early models, I don't know. When/if the climate control LCD blacks out on a first generation LS400, it still works fine, and costs maybe $100 to fix if you choose to. If the control screen dies on some modern Lexus', it would cost a grand or two to fix - and the heat/AC/stereo won't work without it. As the car depreciates that cost comes closer to the cost of the car, and more people would be likely to junk the car or dump it for cheap.
I'm hoping that technology will improve to where we can fix/replace such control units cheaper and easier. If they last all is well. If they don't, they're the achilles heel.
As for if we'll see old ones hanging on like the early models, I don't know. When/if the climate control LCD blacks out on a first generation LS400, it still works fine, and costs maybe $100 to fix if you choose to. If the control screen dies on some modern Lexus', it would cost a grand or two to fix - and the heat/AC/stereo won't work without it. As the car depreciates that cost comes closer to the cost of the car, and more people would be likely to junk the car or dump it for cheap.
I'm hoping that technology will improve to where we can fix/replace such control units cheaper and easier. If they last all is well. If they don't, they're the achilles heel.
Things like dual VVTi, electronic 4WD, power rear hatches, auto door closing (LS), pre-crash are all extra things that can just fail. Then add in all the stability, traction controls, various air bags etc, I would say the older Lexus models would last longer.
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Posts: n/a
If one measures the evidence, nothing has changed with Lexus from the 90's. One has to follow long-term tests, monitor these blog sites over the years, and pay attention to Consumer Reports judgements. Lexus has consistantly stayed on top with reliability. There is little chance of change ten years from now with today's models.
As LexFather mentioned, it's absolutely amazing they have maintained this level considering how much new tech and features have come into play. This is a window to see the level of attention Lexus draws upon to ensure the ultimate level of quality.
As LexFather mentioned, it's absolutely amazing they have maintained this level considering how much new tech and features have come into play. This is a window to see the level of attention Lexus draws upon to ensure the ultimate level of quality.
Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the most reliable Lexus are the SC 430 (which is a folding hardtop), the LS 430 and the current LS 460.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,285
Likes: 311
From: ON/NY
if anything, i think 2006-2010 was the "down time" for lexus in terms of quality and reliability. outside of that lexus has been strong as ever. drive trains wise i have never had doubt on any lexus, from 4 cylinders to 10 cylinders, they just run forever. while yes, other competitors are improving a lot too, but i still have more faith on lexus drive trains
electronics, i also have more faith on lexus overall compared to other brands, but i do expect things to break more easily compared to 20 years ago, simply because of the amount of technologies and stuff in the cars now. i think this is more of a nature thing than company quality
again, this is outside of 2006-2010, where imho lexus really got quite disappointing. but good thing is toyota is back and now the cars are very solid. ls430, sc430, and lx450/470 are widely considered as the strongest lexus built ever
electronics, i also have more faith on lexus overall compared to other brands, but i do expect things to break more easily compared to 20 years ago, simply because of the amount of technologies and stuff in the cars now. i think this is more of a nature thing than company quality
again, this is outside of 2006-2010, where imho lexus really got quite disappointing. but good thing is toyota is back and now the cars are very solid. ls430, sc430, and lx450/470 are widely considered as the strongest lexus built ever
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
A friend of mine drives a LS430 (bought it used) simply because he thinks the ride comfort is a lot better than on the LS460. I've driven an LS460 myself, though, and it's pretty darn comfortable....he thinks the 430 rides a lot smoother, though.
I don't know if the new ones are any more better mechanically. Toyota has not all of a sudden changed the way they design a vital component that they have been making for years.
Things like dual VVTi, electronic 4WD, power rear hatches, auto door closing (LS), pre-crash are all extra things that can just fail. Then add in all the stability, traction controls, various air bags etc, I would say the older Lexus models would last longer.
Things like dual VVTi, electronic 4WD, power rear hatches, auto door closing (LS), pre-crash are all extra things that can just fail. Then add in all the stability, traction controls, various air bags etc, I would say the older Lexus models would last longer.
I always compare my older GS to other cars and think to myself that the older lexus's were so well built IMO.... I agree older lexus models are more on the road today than BMW's and mercedes etc.. That says something about Toyota and the way there built... We can all agree that buying a Lexus is the best decision we have all made....