My lease on my 2016 GS200t will be up in September. The gf currently drives it and wants a CT next that she will be purchasing. Probably in the Dec-Jan time frame. It will probably be a slightly higher mile vehicle because we want to be in the $18k range. Just depending what we can find. I work at a Lexus dealership and have seen a few CT's purchased and serviced over the years I've been here. I've always thought of the CT as a pretty solid car. The only head gasket issue we've seen on a CT is when a body shop didn't realize there were 2 coolant systems and forgot to fill the engine coolant system. Otherwise, we've never seen this issue. Granted the CT was never a great seller around here but there have been a few. So our data set probably isn't the greatest. And I also realize what may be in the forums may only be those who are having problems vs the overall public. So am I taking my chances buying a CT? Or can I just relax?

 

You can relax. 2015 on up is the best year w/ the newest most up to date engine. 2014 saw a few upgrades but 2015 saw them all.

So get a 15 or newer.

around 150-175k i'd start to look into a DIY replacing the EGR cooler and egr valve just as preventive maintenance.

 

Its easy to DIY to clean the EGR. This is a very reliable car still.

 

Thanks for the info! I didn't know they updated the engine (I'm not a technician ). That's good to hear. I guess when the time comes, I will look for the best example we can afford. I REALLY want the luxury package with leather as that gets you ventilated seats (VERY important in hot & humid SC) and memory seats. But finding leather in a CT is damn near impossible!

 

Honestly I don’t think Toyota really finds it to be a problem because the HG only fails in high mileage vehicles. (Yes I know they have the extended warranty thingy, but they also changed rings and pistons). But Lexus definitely doesn’t think it’s a problem. They tried to blame my engine failure on “inferior ignition coils” where the coils never even saw 10 miles. Plus I’ve mentioned in another thread, stereotypically speaking, owners of CTs have a higher probability of driving less miles, paying the dealer for any repairs (most Lexus owners aren’t trying to pinch pennies), or trade-in the car before any real issues develop. To say the issue doesn’t happen just cuz your at Lexus IS a phallacy since it’s a Prius with different lipstick. So you really need to look at ALL drivetrains of the same make for a true answer.

but as said above you’re fine with anything 2015 or newer.

 

Thank you for your post. You make good points. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, just that we haven't seen it happen. Like I mentioned, the CT never sold well here to begin with. So that also sort of limits the amount we service as well.

 

Also warmer climates should mitigate the problem somewhat.

 

I'm not sure there was any substantial engine changes ..... it never got the Gen 4 Prius that went into the 2016 Prius. Our 15's had the intake service action -- the new intake should help with the rough starting issue in colder damp weather. It also has redesigned ports from the EGR -- so maybe that will help.

The Lexus dealers don't see enough of them -- my dealer sold quite a few ... but ..I had to tell them about the intake and EGR problem and specifically asked the mechanic to note condition of any soot in the intake .... they only had 40k .. so I was not expecting much. In CA emission states -- it's a 10 year 150k warranty