I think the RX450 may have less of a gap simply because it has a different bumper cover and probably a different design in the placement of clips etc

 

Isn't it ironic just when Mercedes starts trying to get it's act together Lexus relaxes it's quality standards? The problem being discussed here is shameful for a company that waits to produce a world class car. If not for the customer service I would not even give Lexus a second thought now.

 

yes, i believe you are correct

really? i thought the regular RX and hybrid RX share the same bumper cover?

 

450h has the extra air inlet on the top of the front bumper, which might have some slight difference insides/outsides...

 

Is 450h made in Kyushu?

If so, Kyushu plant seems to produce ES, IS, RX, and RX Hybrid. But, I agree that RX Hybrid prodcution lines are the special setup insides Kyushu plant, most of Hybrid parts are definitely separated from other lines of RX.

 

A few months ago, while Lexus announced the recorded quarter loss and information about the old/new CEO, some of newspapers had indicated that Lexus made some mistakes from their strategies in the past years. 2 of them were most of Lexus vehicles were made insides Japan; Lexus' vehicles qualities are going down...

 

Not only is there a slit under the grill that defines the (h) model, the fog light inserts are completely different as well.

 

didn't know that. i guess i'm not observant enough!

 

I been saying this for the last 2 years and all I get is grieve in here when I say this. I have owned Lexus for more than 10 years and every one of the newer Lexus I have owned had poorer quality. The old LS was build like a tank, my 08 GS was build like a cheap Hyundai. Maybe its growing pain on the part of Lexus, maybe its Lexus' time to cash in on all the R&D money they invested in the pass years. Whatever it is, Lexus need to find a way to turn things around or they will be the next GM.

 

all brand new models have some sort of deficiency when first released, even mercedes and bmw are not exempt from this. lexus is no different. which is why everyone keeps saying don't buy a new model change when it first comes out, wait for the fixes in the 2nd or 3rd year.

now to say lexus will turn into the next GM - that's stretching it, even if you have a vivid imagination! GM's problems is a result of poor management and making cars that people don't want to buy. toyota is no where near this point of ineptitude. a lot of things have to go wrong before lexus becomes the next GM.

 

Well, according to J.D. Power, Lexus is still #1 in initial quality:

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/new...spx?ID=2009108

 

The early problems here in this forum have all been minor, considering its a brand new design, the RX is still doing pretty good. If any of you guys have owned a Lexus from say 10 years ago, you would never find a bumper falling off a brand new Lexus nor would you find headrest falling apart. German cars are some of the worst when it comes to 1st year issues.
I agree, Toyota is long way from becoming the next GM, but they have already taken the 1st three steps. Toyota's climb to #1, labor cost is going up and quality is dropping.

 

only time will tell if toyota becomes the next GM; i hope you're wrong

 

Something to note here is that when I took the 2010 to the dealership for this gap issue they did not count it as a defect. They tried to tell me that I caused it after 100 miles. Not a mark on the bumper that I can see and they blamed it the owner. They did not charge me to repair it, they knew better. But it was not counted as a defect. One way to get those high quality ratings, I guess.

 

if Lexus is 1st in initial quality, and with the defects listed on this forum... it's just sad to imagine how the other brands stack up against Lexus. I guess overall quality is now a thing of the past (?).. much like good customer service, but that's a whole new other topic.