I lean toward the school that these modern cars will not function at high mileage and long age as previous generations have - the fatal bug will be the electronics. People often think of that only in relation to infotainment, but the reality is any mechanical systems, like the engine, transmission, even the brakes, rely on their electronics. It is now common to read about a recall for, say, the brakes, which can be fixed by a software update - so mechanically they are fine but they “brains” aren’t giving out the correct instructions. If electronic components for major driving elements fail I can see car makers creating a system whereby the car would not work in some cases, to protect their own liability. Brake software failed? Sorry, unsafe to drive and the car will not move.

Like with cell phones, how long will those electronic components, hundreds of them, linked together and talking to each other in many cases, continue to work and how long will manufacturers continue to stock parts. Those parts are made by many different vendors, some of whom may not be in business by the time you need a replacement. Remember too, that many cars also rely on over the air updates, which can also be eliminated over time. Prior to my current ’22 ES I owned a Mercedes E350; toward the end of ownership a notice came out that the communication module used was 3G and would no longer be supported by any cell carrier beyond a certain date, so the ability of the car to link to MB would simply cease, for which Mercedes was offering no fix.

Could other companies step in and create workarounds, electronic add ons that could replicate lost functions? Probably, but how reliable and safe would they be and would they integrate well with other onboard systems? In short, the likelihood or holding current cars long into the future, whether for actual daily use or for collectors, looks less likely as time moves on.

 

Phones cost 1k, cars cost 50k though.
Planned obsolescence.
I can change the phone every year if I wanted to but I ain't spending 50k every 3-4 years when the new gen comes out.
I don't like how cars are turning into driving smartphones, very expensive smarphones...
"Like with cell phones"

 

Exactly my point. A recent personal example was my 10+ year old HP All In One computer. I got a notice from HP last year that they would no longer support or repair it because the electronics were obsolete. I'm now typing this on my new HP All In One computer. The "chiplets" discussed in the article I posted are being created by companies that don't do business with the automotive industry. The last paragraphs state they don't even talk to each other.

 

That's not what the article says. That's what you concluded from reading it. Big difference.

 

I don't create threads to have these types of discussions. First you say your eyes glazed over. Now you indicate that you read the article and that I interpreted it incorrectly. If you are here to contribute that's great.

 

No, I didn't.

Now THAT'S what the article says. Thank you.

 

Are you a journalist - editing what people actually say to be able to craft your response?

 

I think the important question is which modern cars will continue to work after the infotainment system and other cabin electronics break. In the past my friends had cars where the entire dash had gone dark and the car continued to work till the rest of it fell apart. I had an '83 Porsche 944 where the radio had to be disconnected due to vampiric draw and the odometer had stopped working at 77K but it continued to work for the almost 5 years that I owned it.

On the flip side, I had a 2007 GS350 which I sold earlier this year with every feature still working including cabin electronics. Most of it was obsolete or useless but apparently the electrical and electronic parts had been built resilient enough to last so long that I never got to test if the car would continue to work even if they had failed. Maybe modern cars will end up going down this path 18+ years from now. If my infotainment screen died but the car continued to work 18 years from now, I'd consider that acceptable. The digital dash failing would be an issue though.

 

Today I saw Consumer Reports did a story on the 2026 ES. After seeing the picures and reading a few facts, I think I will keep my current ES as long as I can. It says the new one will be longer, which is not something I would want. Also, its just kind of ugly.. Looks kind of like a hyundai to me. Also, will not be available as a full gas option anymore.

 

God willing, I am hoping to keep my 2023 ES350 for another 10 years. I really hope the electronics allow that.

 

After 3 years of owning this car I don't see myself in another car. Car drives as smooth as it did on day 1 and I've learned to appreciate it more. That being said, the longest I ever had a car was 7 years so who knows if my feelings will remain the same 3-4 years from now. This is the most technologically advanced car I have ever owned and only time will tell how long the electronics in this car really last. It has been the most reliable vehicle I've owned so far and I look to this continued reliability for years to come.

 

After just 3 years? That's nothing.
What other cars did you own?

 

In my case with a '21 Lexus ES 350 Premium with 23,500 as a 1st time owner of this brand this tread is getting me thinking on the E reliability. I presently have a 1998 Infiniti I30 owned since 2000 with 186k and still doing well; prior to that a great 1985 Ford T-bird Elan V8 owned from '87 to 2000 and sold with 245k and it did well (loved the 25 gal tank with 670 mi highway range), my 92 300zx owned since '92 and sold in 2024, and many others over 67 years of cars and all did great and had no E problems and I did any mechanicals and maintenance as needed as a DIYer.

At 82 I hope the Lexus with all the high tech E stuff proves to be as good as my past corral of cars? I have no idea what the next set of wheels will be🤔 , a high tech E wheel chair Yikes! hope not 😉😃