I have an interesting story. Today I saw my 2004 LS430 in a parking lot. I traded this car in with 40,000 miles in October 2007 for an LS460 that I still have. I recognized my old car by a bumper dent that the dealer did not fix. Anyway, the owner saw me and we started talking. He's a high mileage driver...the vehicle now has 120,000 miles. He said it's been flawless except the NAV screen cracked...whatever that means. He said the unit is $7000 but the screen itself was about $1000. It wasn't until I was gone that I wondered what he was talking about. What does the $7000 repair do that the $1000 does not? And is this a common problem? Might it be an issue for our 460s when they age?

 

the screen might be 1000, but you can't get just the screen. you have to replace the whole navigation display unit, together with the trim, electronics at the back, and also the climate control unit. that together is 7000 or more

 

Isn't THAT the reason we buy Lexus instead of Mercedes. Because catastrophic repairs are generally not required after the warranty (and before) has expired?

 

i am not sure if i really understand your point. lexus has better quality i think that's pretty well known already, but no one ever says lexus never has problem. it's a matter of probability and especially on electronics, it's a matter of time before something breaks. the longer it is, of course it's more likely something breaks. that's simply life, even for lexus. i don't hear a lot of problem with nav screen on lexus, that's the bottom line

 

I get it that with millions of cars stuff, even expensive stuff, will happen with cars at 120,000 miles. I guess I was just "venting" that it seems that stuff that critical (can't control the heat/cool with no screen) should become a catastrophic (in terms of dollars) repair on a Lexus with "just" 120,000 miles. I guess I don't even understand my point myself!!! Just disappointed I guess.

 

And it's not even my problem!

 

now i see your point. i think it's becoming a trend for all the brands. things are getting integrated together and become bigger and bigger units, racking up the unit price higher and higher.

 

you never know, maybe it was some type of user error? That is one negative in touchscreen, too much pushing up against the screen may have somehow affected the screen in the long run, not to mention scratches and so forth.

 

That is true. I don't know how the car was used/abused. It's in good shape, but even the owner might not know how his wife or kids drive it when he's not around.

 

I wish you had asked to look at the screen ... I'm still struggling with the notion of the screen being "cracked".

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Good point. I also wonder what that means/looks like.