^ Still, CR is a pretty good barometer. They are truly impartial on their reviews since they buy all the products they test (no freebies) and do not take payola from the mfrs like the other Car Rags (ever wonder why C&D & MT rave about Bmw). When they give out a black dot, that is truly a red flag, so buyer beware. . .

 

Nah, keep the car. But no doubt you'll find they included the Dashboard Rattles option package at no extra charge. All the trips we've made to the dealer to fix those count against the overall reliability.

 

I wouldn't know whether mine was reliable or not. It keeps going back to the dealer for stupid ***** that they do to it.

Had it flatbedded back last night because they cross threaded a lug nut and it overstressed the lug, allowing it to back out.

 

CR has for years NOT recommend MB,AUDI, & BMW because of electrical & mechanical problems. Now all of a sudden they turn the tables and Lexus is no longer a fine luxury vehicle or reliable as it once was ? Now they recommend BMW, Audi ? I don't see any improvements over the european marques, I still hear horror stories from my friends who own them. So are they truly impartial like you say? Lexus has been downgraded because of complaints of dashboard rattles ? If I were to chose a rattle over electrical or mechanical issues I'd do it everyday & anyday.

 

Lexus went thru some growing pains with the early 3GS and transmission flares on the new ES & Camry. They deserved to get dinged for this. CR still recommends the LS, IS & now the GS, so not sure where you're coming from. CR did say they will no longer give Toyota/Lexus an automatic recommend for new models like they have in the past. . .