Lexus Management Shakeup
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 746
Likes: 83
From: MA
I wish I could keep a vehicle 10 years. I get the itch for something different after 3-4 years.
I want both reliability and innovation. Lexus was great at this in the early years, not so much anymore. Still built well, maybe a tick less and certainly not as tank like. The innovation and inability to keep up with trends in technological preferences is mind blowing. Within the next year, I will be in the market for a large SUV or crossover and Toyota/Lexus do not offer anything that I would consider. Maybe if an all new LX comes out, but they are painfully slow with redesign of these large SUVs.
I want both reliability and innovation. Lexus was great at this in the early years, not so much anymore. Still built well, maybe a tick less and certainly not as tank like. The innovation and inability to keep up with trends in technological preferences is mind blowing. Within the next year, I will be in the market for a large SUV or crossover and Toyota/Lexus do not offer anything that I would consider. Maybe if an all new LX comes out, but they are painfully slow with redesign of these large SUVs.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,224
Likes: 256
From: New York
They never used to be. The early nav was better than anyone's. The mark lev audio was better than anything in cars costing twice as much. The thoughtful touches of auto recirculation. Even the engine and transmission tech was amazing and state of the art. The gauges and headlights were amazing.
Now, besides reliability, what does lexus do better?
Understand, and no one does so it's not just a certain number of people. But ALL brands have become hugely more reliable, due to 'incentives' to compete with market-leading toyota/lexus.
Now, besides reliability, what does lexus do better?
Understand, and no one does so it's not just a certain number of people. But ALL brands have become hugely more reliable, due to 'incentives' to compete with market-leading toyota/lexus.
Lexus the brand made its initial mark on technology and advanced powertrains that were smooth and powerful.
Lexus had the best NAV on market in late 90s with one of largest screens, they had 5speed Autos when Others still had 4speed. Their engines were always more advanced with high HP ratings.
The Optitron gauges were amazing especially the ones that came out in 2GS.
From 1990 Until mid-2000s Lexus was great at innovation.
not sure what we're disagreeing on, you're absolutely entitled to keep your vehicles as long as you want! and i agree that LOTS of lexus buyers do the same.
i don't think so, especially when it comes to lexus.
agreed.
i think 'planned obsolescence' is largely a myth unless you're a monopoly because competition will take care of the obsolete part and i believe car makers want their models to be as viable as long as possible to recoup r&d and tooling costs and make hay in the out years.
because of competition. appliances are commodities built as cheaply as possible. it's like asking why does economy airline seating suck and now all the a la carte charges for boarding, seating, bags, food, etc.? it's because consumers have 'spoken' endlessly by their wallets that all that matters is ticket price.
so if whirlpool still made fridges that last 20 years but cost $100 more, no one would buy them unless they came with a 20 year warranty.
toyota is an interesting case, making very reliable products through careful supply chain management, monitoring, careful selection of features and methods, and carefully cutting costs in places where their customers won't notice or won't care.
but as competition has become more and more reliable, in the u.s. at least, toyota and lexus are down, while others are up.
I guess I'm the exception to the rule keeping a vehicle long term.
I agree, people I know that drive MB's,BMW... don't keep them long term and lease.
I could care less what Lexus business model is as long as they provide a reliable product that I want. In my opinion, planned obsolescence and profitability is what matters most in manufacturing.
I would say the appliance industry is a perfect example of planned obsolescence. Why did I throw my 8 yr. old Whirlpool fridge to the curb when my other Whirlpool fridge made in the 90's is still going strong?!
so if whirlpool still made fridges that last 20 years but cost $100 more, no one would buy them unless they came with a 20 year warranty.
toyota is an interesting case, making very reliable products through careful supply chain management, monitoring, careful selection of features and methods, and carefully cutting costs in places where their customers won't notice or won't care.
but as competition has become more and more reliable, in the u.s. at least, toyota and lexus are down, while others are up.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 623
From: South Carolina
Your statement of other brands becoming more reliable is what I don't agree with vs. Toyota/Lexus. Look over some of the MB,BMW... forums and look at some of the nonsense issues on newer cars they're dealing with. My gosh, I just scanned the Kia Stinger forum and can't believe the issues they have. Not slamming any Stinger owner here but,their quality control is ridiculous. It was actually this forum that reinforced my decision to purchase my RX and GS not JD Power, Motortrend... Look at Mini Cooper and Fiat, they're far from reliable. Family member sold their 2014 Mini in average condition to Carmax for $1000 because they couldn't generate any interest. Planned obsolescence in consumer goods is anything but a myth IMO.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,492
Likes: 386
From: ON/NY
Your statement of other brands becoming more reliable is what I don't agree with vs. Toyota/Lexus. Look over some of the MB,BMW... forums and look at some of the nonsense issues on newer cars they're dealing with. My gosh, I just scanned the Kia Stinger forum and can't believe the issues they have. Not slamming any Stinger owner here but,their quality control is ridiculous. It was actually this forum that reinforced my decision to purchase my RX and GS not JD Power, Motortrend... Look at Mini Cooper and Fiat, they're far from reliable. Family member sold their 2014 Mini in average condition to Carmax for $1000 because they couldn't generate any interest. Planned obsolescence in consumer goods is anything but a myth IMO.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Dec 8, 2019 at 12:02 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 623
From: South Carolina
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,492
Likes: 386
From: ON/NY
Exactly. Was listening to CR, while the Toyota infotainment system is a bit slower and somewhat dated, IT WORKS! I want things to work in the long term. There are some things I do not like about Toyota and Lexus, but there are still things I look at that they are doing right, but I view it from the purchasing perspective. One car I just adore, is the new Jetta, but I would never actually buy one, if I were gonna lease, oh yeah for sure I would like 2-3 years of that car.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Dec 8, 2019 at 12:14 PM.
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Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 623
From: South Carolina
Absolutely!! My 14 RX bought used with 6k on the clock, now have 50k on it. One issue since ownership, front grill replaced under warranty due to peeling paint. The car is totally boring and has the most ugly interior I've ever seen but it's never let me down. Can other competitors beat that?!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,841
Likes: 4,107
From: Maryland
Why would you want to drive a car that you think is boring and has the ugliest interior you’ve ever seen?!?
Why not just buy some Corolla or something then?
This is a luxury car meant to be proud of and enjoyed.
Why not just buy some Corolla or something then?
This is a luxury car meant to be proud of and enjoyed.
Last edited by SW17LS; Dec 8, 2019 at 12:32 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,492
Likes: 386
From: ON/NY
Absolutely!! My 14 RX bought used with 6k on the clock, now have 50k on it. One issue since ownership, front grill replaced under warranty due to peeling paint. The car is totally boring and has the most ugly interior I've ever seen but it's never let me down. Can other competitors beat that?!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,841
Likes: 4,107
From: Maryland
So, a little criticism of Toyota for you with Apple Car Play: Not well integrated. No way to use the radio or SAT channels on the 19 Avalon center with out going out Apple Car Play. If using Apple Car Play, all hell breaks loose with the sound system as the volume levels are not equal. Also, your phone alarm will broadcast all over the speakers of the car while in use. This would be a situation where I see why Toyota might have been hesitant to offer it
Luckily less and less people use radio and CD.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,492
Likes: 386
From: ON/NY