Reflecting on Lexus Quality
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 7
From: TX
Hey, Burnaby - I still have a dwell meter and timing light to go with my feeler gauges.
But I remember, too, when we would gap the points with a match book cover in an emergency. Ditto for the voltage regulator when THOSE contacts stuck!
And remember those balky automatic chokes that liked to stick?
Those were the good old days ...
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But I remember, too, when we would gap the points with a match book cover in an emergency. Ditto for the voltage regulator when THOSE contacts stuck!
And remember those balky automatic chokes that liked to stick?
Those were the good old days ...
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Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 26
From: Sakon Nakhon
Hey, how could I forget overhauling a carburetor? Now that was Hi-tech. Darn things never seem to go together the same way every time. But they worked... (Ooops, shhh! the young 'uns are listening) 
(Ooops, shhh! the young 'uns are listening)
Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: VA
I remember trying to "save time" and subsequently dropping a jet or spring down the carb intake.... profane rage ensued.
It's funny to look back. I never thought as I was driving my '64 Chevy pickup with a 3 speed column shift that we'd end up with 8 speed autos.
It's funny to look back. I never thought as I was driving my '64 Chevy pickup with a 3 speed column shift that we'd end up with 8 speed autos.
Driver
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Behind You
They don't.
Well people spend more on the German competitors knowing there will be issues and no *****ing/whining from them. What do you mean by you get what you pay for in a $25k car? Seems like an elitist comment no?
Sure parts nowadays are better than before but you didn't take into account the amount of electronics/gadgetry and complexity which were not present then.
I'm looking for an LS460 and am expecting issues, with the amount of technology that car has I highly doubt nothing will go wrong. Test driving the LS, honestly there was absolutely no thrill when compared to driving the s-class/7series. The thing the LS has is the fact that it is more reliable and more affordable, that is not meant as a bashing comment since that is basically what drove the LS to success.
When you spend so much on a car, one tends to be rather upset if and when things go wrong. You wouldn't get too upset if a $25,000 car gave trouble - inconvenient yes, but you mostly get what you pay for.
Having said that, cars are amazingly reliable compared to years ago and when you consider the complexity of the modern automobile and the abuse they take (both during driving and inadequate maintenance!) the industry has done well in building good machines.
I love my Lexus(s), for the over-engineering, obsessive attention to detail, the thrill of driving them and for showing the world how to build truly luxury cars.
Having said that, cars are amazingly reliable compared to years ago and when you consider the complexity of the modern automobile and the abuse they take (both during driving and inadequate maintenance!) the industry has done well in building good machines.
I love my Lexus(s), for the over-engineering, obsessive attention to detail, the thrill of driving them and for showing the world how to build truly luxury cars.
Sure parts nowadays are better than before but you didn't take into account the amount of electronics/gadgetry and complexity which were not present then.
I'm looking for an LS460 and am expecting issues, with the amount of technology that car has I highly doubt nothing will go wrong. Test driving the LS, honestly there was absolutely no thrill when compared to driving the s-class/7series. The thing the LS has is the fact that it is more reliable and more affordable, that is not meant as a bashing comment since that is basically what drove the LS to success.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 457
From: Pennsylvania
By the way, the quality of my kid's $25 Honda CRV ($28 actually) is comparable to Lexus. Not the fit and finish, not the better materials, not the more refined ride. But "quality" as defined to mean reliability and good build.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 310
From: TX
Here is a question for you former carburetor re-builders: How many carburetors did you have to rebuild before you had enough parts left over to build an spare?
Driver
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
My experience WAS similar. Bullet proof cars dating back to 1991 (3 LS, 1 GS).
Enter my current 2007 LS - all changed. Mainly the unresolved wind noise. A couple of TSB's. Lexus attitude that the wind noise is a feature not a problem. Some design issues ( the inside moldings on front doors tend to scrape - since redesigned).
Some vibration when new - fixed.
The car is still very reliable - but in my opinion Lexus no longer has the edge it enjoyed and no longer justifies the higher LS price.
4 months to go and LEASE ENDS...... Yeah...
Enter my current 2007 LS - all changed. Mainly the unresolved wind noise. A couple of TSB's. Lexus attitude that the wind noise is a feature not a problem. Some design issues ( the inside moldings on front doors tend to scrape - since redesigned).
Some vibration when new - fixed.
The car is still very reliable - but in my opinion Lexus no longer has the edge it enjoyed and no longer justifies the higher LS price.
4 months to go and LEASE ENDS...... Yeah...
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
This has to be the 1st time I can remember the LS model(LS460) having issues of this amount ever. I'm hearing more disappointed buyers/leasers than I can remember in years! Im very saddened by this because I could always tell Benz/BMW/Audi/Jaguar buyers why the Lexus was the best. Mainly I leaned on less problems and it being priced lower as well as reliability.
I'll admit, I never liked the new exterior of the LS460 and it looks to much like a Mazda or a cheaper model car(nothings wrong with Mazda but, I expect more from the luxury brands when it comes to exterior-Benz/Jag/Audi/BMW/etc.) and thats not cool. That said, the one thing about the Benz, I never saw a bad looking one nor the BMW. If Lexus intends on keeping people who lease or buy there cars they must either keep up with having minimal complaints and or make a better looking exterior car on the next body style change! Still a Lexus fan, just dont want to lose the reliability edge Lexus has!L.G.N.M
I'll admit, I never liked the new exterior of the LS460 and it looks to much like a Mazda or a cheaper model car(nothings wrong with Mazda but, I expect more from the luxury brands when it comes to exterior-Benz/Jag/Audi/BMW/etc.) and thats not cool. That said, the one thing about the Benz, I never saw a bad looking one nor the BMW. If Lexus intends on keeping people who lease or buy there cars they must either keep up with having minimal complaints and or make a better looking exterior car on the next body style change! Still a Lexus fan, just dont want to lose the reliability edge Lexus has!L.G.N.M
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
Oh, by the way. The new Acura TL looks amazing to me as well as the new VW! The VW looks like the Jaguar but, looks great anyway to me. Lexus needs to look into better designs for there cars. If your going to have wind noise then might as well make sure the car looks great exterior wise. The interior of the LS and all the models of Lexus are tos in my book. L.G.N.M
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