I put our ‘02 on a rack today. SS exhaust system looks like it could go another 24 years. What a great car!

 

You sure that's stainless? Maybe the heat shields are but the exhaust pipes don't think they are. Exhaust on my 2006 Highlander is still perfect after 250,000 miles, it is not stainless (magnet confirmed). Your car looks amazing doesn't get any better.

 

Now I will have to crawl under it tomorrow with a magnet to make sure. This is not fun when you are 79 years old with spinal stenosis, but I have to know.

Well I Googled it and:
Lexus used a grade of stainless steel (commonly 409, which has good performance and is better than mild steel) that is resistant to rust and corrosion, which contributes to the vehicle's reliability and longevity. While some owners note that this automotive-grade stainless steel may not be as corrosion-resistant as higher "marine grade" types over very long periods (e.g., 20+ years), it is still considered a stainless steel system designed for durability.

 

Ha, I had to know as well so I magnet tested. 409 makes sense the exhaust in my HiHy has a few rusty spots but minor. The bolts are looking rough though, sorta like your car notice the various fasteners on the exhaust are rusting.

 

Ferritic stainless steel is characterized by a high concentration of chromium and a low concentration of nickel. It features a body-centered cubic (BCC) crystal structure, which attracts them to magnets. Grade 430 and 409 stainless steel are both ferritic and, thus, magnetic.

 

Yep, magnet sticks to 409 stainless.
“She’s so fine my 409.”

 

If we humans could eat upside down, I'd eat off that thing.

 

The only parts that seem to fail in our exhaust system are the Y-pipe where it connects to the primary CATs (the flange cracks) and the back-boxes eventually rot from the inside out.
Even the highest grade of Stainless eventually rots, normally where it has been welded so some of the Chrome migrates away leaving normal steel in that area.
The Y-pipe looks rusty but it is only surface rust due to the temperatures it reaches. It is also thicker metal near the flanges.

Mine looked like yours before I had to have the Y-pipe repaired and the back-boxes replaced.
Now it looks rusty and nasty (but works great), so I may opt for an all stainless system when it goes again, if I still have it.

What is with the oil on the right-rear tyre?

 

I have a squeaky bushing that I was trying to identify so I sprayed some silicone on it.

 

is there any rust preventive paint or spay to keep rust out of exhaust components? Given it heat cycles...

 

Nope.

 

Maybe it's just me. Front struts looks wet.

 

They aren’t wet. They are BRAND NEW!

 

That explains it. It looks shiny!

 

All I want for Christmas is two new front struts - you lucky dog