I wasn't aware of any of this...very interesting...
I just learned something regarding Sony as well as the Toyo/Lexus brand.
I've never driven an Avalon, and I understand that that make is the luxury sedan for Toyo, but I find it hard to believe that spec-wise its the "same car", even if just generally speaking. I just don't buy that.
After I submit this reply, im going to Google "Toyota/Toyoda Century".

EDIT:
You know whats funny Devh,
The moment an image populated for the Toyota Century, the first thought that came into my head was: "Wow, that thing simply LOOKS like it built like a tank!"
I liken its subtle classy features to that of an LS. Its nothing fancy but it does possess a very commanding presence.
And something about this car (as does the LS) just looks...I don't know...it just looks well made. Without even touching the car or getting into it, it just looks like great craftsmanship.
Am I alone regarding that observation?
Just curious...

 

The funny thing about that comment is that the Avalon is now the basis for the ES350/ES300h. They are now mechanically the same car, with different exterior styling and very different interior styling. There isn't a Camry-based Lexus anymore.

Of course the LS has far more presence than either ES or Avalon in person, thanks to its size and RWD proportions.

 

The Century looks odd, bland,1960's styling and Daewooish. No commanding presence or sculpture lines like the LS. It could be built like a tank but nothing distinctive like the LS. Just my observations and each to their own.

 

The few repairs I've had a dealer do, have resulted in major frustration on my part. I just got through sending my Corolla to a dealer to do a airbag replacement (recall). I didn't want to send it, but since my son will begin driving it soon, I was having nightmares of the airbag deploying out of the blue and injuring a passenger. I would have done the repair myself, if they would have let me.

So the dealer monkeys replaced the passenger airbag. The car went in in good shape, reasonaby clean. The car was delivered back with greasy finger prints all over the dash, scratches AND GOUGES on the dash in the airbag door area, and the friggin airbag door was not even snapped down fully into place. Smaller scratches and smaller gouges, but gouges and scratches nonetheless. And it pissed me right off. That's why I call them monkeys. They take no pride in their work, they just slam through it trying to beat shop time.

I photo'd all the issues, made a ppt presentation, and sent it to TMS. TMS contacted me, but nothing they could ever do would make the dealer budge on any kind of ammends. After I photo'd all the mess, I cleaned it all up and fixed the door, and took more photos from the exact same vantage points. My ppt was set up to be a BEFORE owner cleaned / repaired, and an AFTER owner cleaned and repaired.

The point is, if I can do maintenance or repair myself, not only do I save money, but when I am finished I KNOW it was done right. Then I have high confidence in the condition of my vehicles. That makes me feel really good about myself and my vehicles. I use the money saved for hookers and blackjack.


7milesout

 

I can see what you mean..
I do admit it appears to be dated in the way in which it shows itself, but when I mention the fact that, to me, it has a commanding presence, to clarify, I was more so referring to the size and brute appearance it seems to have.
Perhaps I shouldn't have said "similar" or "liken to" regarding this vehicle and the LS.
The LS is definitely much more fluid and has more of a subtle opulence about it, but the Century is, again- to me, like a tank on wheels.
Whether in interest or disdain, it would garner a second look if seen amongst traditional vehicles.

7
I hate hearing that about the Corolla.
The respect for vehicles and the owners by these dealership techs and just techs in general has greatly, greatly diminished.
Ironic that as of recently, when I began seeking out an indy mechanic, I not only took into consideration their mechanical aptitude and capabilities, but would stop by unannounced and made small talk with the person (or two) answering the phones and setting appointments, while watching how the guys in the shop would handle the cars from how they were entered, door "slamming" vs door "closing", indy 500 accelerations or normal acceleration, care with how the lift arms were placed at appropriate lift points on vehicles and how the vehicle was actually worked on...
You learn a lot from simply watching someone when they don't realize they're being watched....

 

The Century is mostly a niche vehicle that has been around a long time and is slated for an update. The updated model will look exactly like the old model which is essentially a heirloom design. A company that makes heirloom like my La Pavoni lever espresso machine reeks of class.
It shows that Toyota is not a start up company that makes just economy cars but also one that has a wide range diversity and tradition. It's funny because those makes that have the sigma of supposed "high class" are trying to make budgeted small cars and failing at it.

 

You stated that perfectly.
Its not so much that the Century is a great looking vehicle, but it absolutely reeks of class.
In my opinion, as you stated, when dealing with heirloom design, and its executed well, I think in many cases, it classic, classy and timeless.
I'll be going to Goolge again to see what a La Pavoni is...
I think that Toyota is overlooked for its wide array of achievements and successes its attained in such a short period of time.
Regarding your closing statement, namely Cadillac (ATS), MB (CLS); complete satire.

 

[QUOTE=Devh;9179385]. A company that makes heirloom like my La Pavoni lever espresso machine reeks of class. QUOTE]

As I suspected, it s a beautiful, classy design.
Timeless.
It not only serve a purpose, but its nearly a decorative counter item as well as a conversation piece.

 

I'm lucky here in Peoria, IL - best dealership service department EVER. Hands down. Period. They do everything possible to make sure the customer is 100% satisfied.

They recently called me about a first free CPO oil change - not only did they use the correct TGMO 0W20 (without me even mentioning it), but they detailed the car and fixed a minor issue (steering column groan when turning lock-to-lock, there was a TSB for an updated steering shaft and they replaced it) promptly and professionally.

So, I would advise those having issues with their local dealers to find a different dealer with a service department like mine - it makes all the difference in ownership satisfaction. I literally look forward to visits to my dealer.

 

Apologies for going OT even further...

I look at the Toyota Century, and the word "class" or more properly "classic" doesn't come to mind. Bear in mind, these types of observations are very subjective. Taken as such, to me, a classic car is one that both has a pedigree and a certain esthetic, one that evokes pleasure and appreciation of a vehicle's beauty, exterior and interior. The Century doesn't do it for me.

People have derisively called the LS a "luxo barge". I don't know enough about the earlier iterations to have an opinion, but I definitely wouldn't call 3rd or 4th generation LS's "barges". Nor would I classify Rolls Royces and Bentley''s as barges. They are cars and works of art. The Century just doesn't give off that vibe to me and it screams barge to me, regardless of how exquisite its engine is and how plush the interior is.

I'm the first to admit that I've probably been indoctrinated by clever marketing, but as I said, this is all very subjective anyway. Here's my epitome of a car that exudes class and isn't out of reach: the prior generation of the Jag XJ. So why didn't I buy one? I prefer the more contemporary styling, better ergonomics and interior lighting, more sophisticated tech, and vastly better reliability of the LS460 or if I wanted a saloon, the LS460L or better yet, the LS600h L. For me, the rear legroom and rear seat comfort of the LS460 SWB is tops compared with other SWB's I'm familiar with, including jaguar.

I have to say that although I love the slightly agressive yet understated stance of the LS460 (the current XJ generation takes this too far IMO) and I'm a big fan of its interior, the upgraded wood and some of the leather work in the Jag van den Plas and above trim levels of the previous XJ generation are knock-outs! They aren't enough to compensate for the other deficiencies, though.

Again, apologies for the rambling...

 

[QUOTE=CRowe14;9179410]The La Pavoni that I own is an updated model that pays homage to Stradivarius the famous instrument maker. Unlike other coffee machines that you throw out you actually rebuild these for as long as you live. Conservation at it's best but there are always those that will ask "why don't you just go to Starbucks". These are the same people that buy into the false sense of class. What people think of class has been greatly distorted and it's often confused with flash. Lexus has lost sight of it but I suppose they too need to sell cars.

 

This isn't a panacea for all dealership maintenance and repair issues, but when I realized I needed work done on my newly-acquired CPO LS460 (some of the buttons surrounding the nav screen weren't properly backlit), I made an appointment with service manager at my local dealer (I bought the car from a non-local dealer) and introduced myself.

Even if the service manager has one of his advisors do the follow-up for the work (as is usually the case), I'd prefer to initiate the request through the manager, which (to my mind) makes him part of the process should issues arise from the work.

An example: as part of the navigation system replacement, the hard disk had to get replaced too. I told the manager to please ensure the map version on the replacement hard disk was the same, most current version as on my original hard disk. When I picked up the car, I immediately noticed that the map version upgrade hadn't been done. The manager wasn't in, and the service advisor who was handling the paperwork was unsure about how to proceed. I simply said: "I've already discussed the upgrade with the manager, so please check with him". I also left a polite voice-mail for the manager, reminding him of the situation and telling him about the problem. I took the car home for the weekend, the map upgrade was ordered, and it was installed. Naturally, there was no charge.

Service Managers can't and won't do everything you might like, but I figure my best chances of success that a repair goes well is to start at the top. As the expression goes: "The buck stops here". And whenever I see the manager or an advisor I've worked with, I make sure they know how much I'm enjoying my car. Truer words were never spoken.

 

Well, I guess call a cheap person cheap really gets under their skin.

I do most of my own maintenance so I lump myself in the same category. I also place a value on my free time. So $279 that may take me two hours to save $80 is not worth it. A brake job that I can do in 2 hours that saves me $800+ is worth it.

I have a Cayenne as well which has been a maintenance glutton. Lexus prices are tame compared to Porsche. Yes, I have an independent Porsche mechanic and he does an awesome job.

As far as people getting offended by being called cheap, if thy own eye offends thee, pluck it out.

 

LOL, you make zero sense.

You realize that there are plenty of people out there that will call you cheap too, right? What if $800 isn't worth 2 hours of someone else's time? Why should you use an independent instead of the Porsche dealer? Why so cheap?

And now you do your own maintenance?!? So your original post had absolutely no point except to be rude.

 

I swear SW15LS, when I read his statement last night after midnight, I felt the exact same way.
But it confused me, as I was tired and trying to make ration between what was said in the original post and what was said most recently, and my mind was failing me...
I couldn't agree more and feel as though your point is very accurate.
But why the notion to be rude in the first place? Especially when you take it upon yourself to DIY...