Modern cars are a great value
 

According to this video, the ES250 first released selling for a base price of $21,000 in 1990.
With inflation factored in, that's $53,000 in 2025. For a base ES.

Today's ES has a starting price of $43,000. $53,000 will get you an Ultra Luxury with Mark Levinson sound system.
I know people always say car prices are out of control. But for the same amount of money one spent 35 years ago, the car you get is unimaginable. I bet if you told someone in 1990 that for the same price of their ES, you'd get the ES of 2025... they'd say you are insane.

Great perspective plus think of the better quality and dependability. The infotainment system alone adds $5,000 plus all the computers cameras and safety features.

And don't forget the potential repair costs:(

Certainly safer and, overall, more reliable. I just wish they’d make them comfortable again. with at least the option for a softer ride and seats, with of which are far to firm/hard in most modern cars.

Think back to the cost of personal computers back then too. People were paying $2k+ and sometimes more for a computer that would be slow as molasses within 2 years.

ha ha ha.. Cars today have never been so unreliable. All manufacturers are deliberately making vehicles to only make it to the point where the warranty expires. This includes trucks Regrettably this is what manufacturers believe will make them the most money if they can sell everybody a $70,000 new car every 3 years.

You just described every non-Honda or Toyota manufactured up until the last 10 years or so. Things have gotten considerably better in terms of reliability across the board.

Modern cars, especially Lexus, are now more reliable than in the past. J.D. Power’s 2025 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) shows a steady decline in problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) over decades. For instance, 2005 models averaged ~200 PP100 after three years, while 2022 models (latest VDS data) averaged ~150 PP100.
Computer-aided design and robotic assembly have reduced manufacturing defects. Tolerances are tighter, and quality control is more consistent than in 2005, when manual processes were more common.
The only areas that have not improved are the complex electronics.

I fully expect my 2025 Lexus ES to last 200,000 miles as well as my Toyota hybrid. The only real issues that are apparent are the infotainment systems in some cars. You might note that Lexus provides a 6 year, 70,000 mile warranty on the drivetrain which demonstrates Lexus’s faith in their mechanical engineering. I bought a Lexus because of proven reliability that’s been noted in all automotive media. My 2015 Lexus 200T which I gifted to my niece is still problem free after 10 years. My 2017 GS 350 is also problem free after 8 years. Lexus has been consistently at the top of reliability ratings from Consumer Reports and JD Power. My homework is proven.

Absolutely especially American made vehicles have made big gains. Still need more but a big step.

Me and my family have owned numerous Toyota and Lexus products since Lexus launched in the US back in 1989. I owned a 1989 Lexus ES.. I owned a 2007 Toyota Camry XLE. I currently own a 2018 Lexus RX350 and I also have a ES 350 UL. I can say without any doubt that the quality of the vehicles since around 2019 have gone down hill considerably. My 2007 Camry lasted me over 300,000 miles easily and was far more luxurious than my current ‘25 ES350 UL which will never last that long. It’s not to difficult to see materials in it are too cheap. Your 6 year, 70,000 mile drivetrain warranty is not going be of any use to you when your electrical system fails in 3-4 years. Good luck with your hybrid too. ha ha. You’ll see. Hope you’re very rich.

If you mean IS200t, that car came out in 2016, not 2015. I know cause I got mine @ launch. brand new off the lot.

My 200T had a failed water pump @ 25k, replaced under warranty (see my post from several years back) not really being critical of that, just saying it can happen at an early mileage. other than that it was good except for an occasionally jerky transmission (down shifts coming to a stop)

it was the suv 200t which was one of my favorite cars, next to my GS 350.

I think what myself and others are pushing back against is your original reply saying "Cars" - meaning cars in general. Anyone who is old enough to have lived through the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00's, know that pretty much every brand aside from Toyota and Honda was not going to last more than a few years before some corrective repairs would be needed, and aside from the occcasional story about a Volvo engine lasting 200k, none of the brands had reliability long term.
Now, if you're saying Lexus and Toyota quality has gone downhill over the past couple of decades....I could certainly believe that. I have a '23 ES 350. Recently bought my son his first car, a '13 ES 350. His is much nicer in most regards (aside from outdated electronics), and it has about 130k more miles than my '23 does!