Fender and bumper alignment and annoyance
03-02-22, 06:21 PM
#61
You're very right about this and I've seen this occur with the Kentucky made Camry as opposed to the Japanese made Prius. I've leased 4 different Camry cars and 1 Prius in the last 10 years and I noticed that the quality of the materials on each Camry was not as good as the quality of the materials that were used in the Japan made Prius. The materials on the Prius were more solid and better quality than the ones on the Camry. I'm hoping that the Lexus ES350 has higher standards of quality than the Camry.
As for quality comparisons between the Camry and the ES, I'll just say this: If you inspect both and can't tell the difference, buy the Camry. You'll still get a reliable and durable car, and you'll save over $10,000.
03-09-22, 09:34 AM
#63
Hi Folks I'm new to this forum. There's a lot of great information here. I am currently looking for a luxury car to replace my 2012 Buick Lacrosse. I am not looking for a "sport luxury sedan" since I already have a sports car. That rules out the German cars, because they do not cater to those of us who just want a nice smooth, quiet-riding car. So, I looked at Lexus, and Genesis. Drove both, and felt the Lexus ride was better, and for less money. So, I ordered a 2022 ES 350 UL. I know from reading your posts I could be waiting for a while.
Then I found this website, and been watching for a few weeks. I have to say I am dismayed by this thread concerning the fit and finish of a car that will cost me just short of $60,000 OTD. I would not expect mis-aligned panels , paint drips, wrinkled leather seats, or door rattles on a Lexus. From my readings, years ago the company would not have tolerated these defects. I went back to the dealership to look at the ES 350 I drove as a demo. Sure enough, it has the same panel misalignment, and paint drip.
My Question...Do you think Lexus management is aware of these quality control issues? And if so, do you think they will ever do anything about it?
Steve
Then I found this website, and been watching for a few weeks. I have to say I am dismayed by this thread concerning the fit and finish of a car that will cost me just short of $60,000 OTD. I would not expect mis-aligned panels , paint drips, wrinkled leather seats, or door rattles on a Lexus. From my readings, years ago the company would not have tolerated these defects. I went back to the dealership to look at the ES 350 I drove as a demo. Sure enough, it has the same panel misalignment, and paint drip.
My Question...Do you think Lexus management is aware of these quality control issues? And if so, do you think they will ever do anything about it?
Steve
03-09-22, 01:38 PM
#64
Hi Folks I'm new to this forum. There's a lot of great information here. I am currently looking for a luxury car to replace my 2012 Buick Lacrosse. I am not looking for a "sport luxury sedan" since I already have a sports car. That rules out the German cars, because they do not cater to those of us who just want a nice smooth, quiet-riding car. So, I looked at Lexus, and Genesis. Drove both, and felt the Lexus ride was better, and for less money. So, I ordered a 2022 ES 350 UL. I know from reading your posts I could be waiting for a while.
Then I found this website, and been watching for a few weeks. I have to say I am dismayed by this thread concerning the fit and finish of a car that will cost me just short of $60,000 OTD. I would not expect mis-aligned panels , paint drips, wrinkled leather seats, or door rattles on a Lexus. From my readings, years ago the company would not have tolerated these defects. I went back to the dealership to look at the ES 350 I drove as a demo. Sure enough, it has the same panel misalignment, and paint drip.
My Question...Do you think Lexus management is aware of these quality control issues? And if so, do you think they will ever do anything about it?
Steve
Then I found this website, and been watching for a few weeks. I have to say I am dismayed by this thread concerning the fit and finish of a car that will cost me just short of $60,000 OTD. I would not expect mis-aligned panels , paint drips, wrinkled leather seats, or door rattles on a Lexus. From my readings, years ago the company would not have tolerated these defects. I went back to the dealership to look at the ES 350 I drove as a demo. Sure enough, it has the same panel misalignment, and paint drip.
My Question...Do you think Lexus management is aware of these quality control issues? And if so, do you think they will ever do anything about it?
Steve
It's good to remember that an Internet forum like this one is not a representative survey. By its nature it attracts the most dedicated owners, those who most notice the details. And of course, there's no reason to post "My leather is perfectly unwrinkled" or "Nope, no rattles here," since that's not news. Statistically, Consumer Reports, which IS a legitimate survey, reports that the Lexus ES ranks better than the average new car in freedom from problems, while the Genesis G80 ranks worse.
Speaking just for myself, I received a 2022 UL built in January. It has the misaligned wheelwell edge on both sides (no drips), but it's so inconsequential I'd have never even noticed it except that a poster specifically asked owners of my paint color to look for it. I consider myself reasonably picky, and IMO, the car built for me is rattle-free, all trim aligns, body seams look terrific, leather is perfect, and the paint is rich and beautifully applied. Only problems I've seen (other than that no-biggie fender edge) are a bit of wavy optical distortion through the far right of the windshield when viewed from the far left, a memory seat that doesn't remember, and exactly one harsh shift from the automatic transmission in my first 500 miles of ownership.
My guess on your question is that Lexus is fully aware of the paint imperfection and is letting it go because they're under the gun to produce more than no cars at all. My opinon on the quality of the resulting cars is this: If you want the most involving sports ride, you don't want any ES. But if you "just want a nice smooth, quiet-riding car" with extraordinary reliability, durability AND build quality as the cherry on top, you still can't do better than the ES for pretty much any price.
Last edited by LexFinally; 03-09-22 at 01:43 PM.
03-09-22, 01:45 PM
#65
Lexus Test Driver
The G80 is a nice car but you'd be out of your mind to spend 15 or 20k more on that vs an ES.
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landonm86 (03-11-22)
03-09-22, 01:47 PM
#66
I could make a case for the fully loaded V6 G80 deserving its higher price. It's faster, handles better, has newer tech toys, and looks more expensive inside and out. But superior build quality wouldn't be part of that case.
03-10-22, 06:01 AM
#67
I can't speak for other owners or for Lexus, only from my own experience and published information. But...
It's good to remember that an Internet forum like this one is not a representative survey. By its nature it attracts the most dedicated owners, those who most notice the details. And of course, there's no reason to post "My leather is perfectly unwrinkled" or "Nope, no rattles here," since that's not news. Statistically, Consumer Reports, which IS a legitimate survey, reports that the Lexus ES ranks better than the average new car in freedom from problems, while the Genesis G80 ranks worse.
Speaking just for myself, I received a 2022 UL built in January. It has the misaligned wheelwell edge on both sides (no drips), but it's so inconsequential I'd have never even noticed it except that a poster specifically asked owners of my paint color to look for it. I consider myself reasonably picky, and IMO, the car built for me is rattle-free, all trim aligns, body seams look terrific, leather is perfect, and the paint is rich and beautifully applied. Only problems I've seen (other than that no-biggie fender edge) are a bit of wavy optical distortion through the far right of the windshield when viewed from the far left, a memory seat that doesn't remember, and exactly one harsh shift from the automatic transmission in my first 500 miles of ownership.
My guess on your question is that Lexus is fully aware of the paint imperfection and is letting it go because they're under the gun to produce more than no cars at all. My opinon on the quality of the resulting cars is this: If you want the most involving sports ride, you don't want any ES. But if you "just want a nice smooth, quiet-riding car" with extraordinary reliability, durability AND build quality as the cherry on top, you still can't do better than the ES for pretty much any price.
It's good to remember that an Internet forum like this one is not a representative survey. By its nature it attracts the most dedicated owners, those who most notice the details. And of course, there's no reason to post "My leather is perfectly unwrinkled" or "Nope, no rattles here," since that's not news. Statistically, Consumer Reports, which IS a legitimate survey, reports that the Lexus ES ranks better than the average new car in freedom from problems, while the Genesis G80 ranks worse.
Speaking just for myself, I received a 2022 UL built in January. It has the misaligned wheelwell edge on both sides (no drips), but it's so inconsequential I'd have never even noticed it except that a poster specifically asked owners of my paint color to look for it. I consider myself reasonably picky, and IMO, the car built for me is rattle-free, all trim aligns, body seams look terrific, leather is perfect, and the paint is rich and beautifully applied. Only problems I've seen (other than that no-biggie fender edge) are a bit of wavy optical distortion through the far right of the windshield when viewed from the far left, a memory seat that doesn't remember, and exactly one harsh shift from the automatic transmission in my first 500 miles of ownership.
My guess on your question is that Lexus is fully aware of the paint imperfection and is letting it go because they're under the gun to produce more than no cars at all. My opinon on the quality of the resulting cars is this: If you want the most involving sports ride, you don't want any ES. But if you "just want a nice smooth, quiet-riding car" with extraordinary reliability, durability AND build quality as the cherry on top, you still can't do better than the ES for pretty much any price.
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LexFinally (03-10-22)
03-10-22, 06:42 AM
#68
Thanks for your candor LexWannabe. You are correct in that these forums do seem to attract comments that tend to be on the negative side. However, there is much positive, helpful information here, and I am glad I joined the forum. I am going to check out the Cadillac CT5 when my dealer gets one in. I would be interested in comments from anyone who has compared the CT5 with the Lexus ES...
I can tell you what independent reviewers have said about it: Drives well, but the interior ambiance is dragged down by cheap plastic that looks straight out of a Malibu. Even the reserved Edmunds said it "lacks genuine luxury feel and build quality," and that "the ride quality is pretty poor for a luxury car. The CT5 crashes over bumps rather than absorbs them, and uneven roads can make the car rock like a boat."
03-10-22, 08:03 AM
#69
Because I utterly don't trust GM for reliability and durability, I frankly didn't bother shopping the CT5 last summer. (I did shop Audi A4/A6 and Acura RLX). And indeed, Consumer Reports survey data rates its reliability as worse than average for new cars (2.0T is only version with sufficient data to be rated).
I can tell you what independent reviewers have said about it: Drives well, but the interior ambiance is dragged down by cheap plastic that looks straight out of a Malibu. Even the reserved Edmunds said it "lacks genuine luxury feel and build quality," and that "the ride quality is pretty poor for a luxury car. The CT5 crashes over bumps rather than absorbs them, and uneven roads can make the car rock like a boat."
I can tell you what independent reviewers have said about it: Drives well, but the interior ambiance is dragged down by cheap plastic that looks straight out of a Malibu. Even the reserved Edmunds said it "lacks genuine luxury feel and build quality," and that "the ride quality is pretty poor for a luxury car. The CT5 crashes over bumps rather than absorbs them, and uneven roads can make the car rock like a boat."
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LexFinally (03-11-22)
03-10-22, 09:04 AM
#70
Pole Position
Personally, I think people are making too much of this for a car at this price point. If this car was priced in the six figures, I might be able to understand the consternation, but for a 45 - 55k car it just seems like we are making too much of such a minor imperfection. I haven’t seen any photos (or my car) that would cause me a second look. I prefer to look at a car in a macro sense and just don’t get caught up nitpicking it to death or I will never find a car that I like. This car is reliable, comfortable and has generally very good fit and finish. So it isn’t perfect! I’m really OK with that.
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03-10-22, 11:13 AM
#72
Instructor
American quality issue for sure. My previous car was a Tesla, American built too, far worse than Lexus build quality. Thus why I prefer to buy Japanese built vehicles. American quality overall is poor for vehicles at least. Has always been that way.
If I had the choice, I'd await a Japanese built ES, but I have no choice but to accept American built. Oh well at least it's better quality than other US automakers...
03-10-22, 11:27 AM
#73
Instructor
For there to be a misalignment like this, either the edge of the fender was made too big or the front bumper is molded too small. Which of the two is it?
03-10-22, 11:40 AM
#74
The question is why they are doing this since 2018? Where is the QC?
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LS500Fan (03-10-22)
03-10-22, 01:28 PM
#75
Pole Position
My ES is from Japan. It has the same appearance where those panels come together. I don’t see how this can be blamed on country of origin.
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dklanecky1 (03-11-22),
lesz (03-10-22)