Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.

Toyota Cost Cutting, really grinding my gears.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-08-19, 01:16 PM
  #136  
coolsaber
Lead Lap
 
coolsaber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: In your head
Posts: 4,086
Received 275 Likes on 246 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LexsCTJill


Give me a break design theme. They have spacers for the lock and unlock. As well as the steering wheel. No spaces on the hvac. So it's an incoherent design them then.
See what I mean, how would you spin it if given the chance? Bad design, incoherent design, cutting costs? If its really an issue, and I dont really know since not an owner, Toyota will eventually address it in the Mid Lifespan Refresh. Until then your guess is as good as anyones. However we can say that, Toyota loves to drag their feet and their judgement on things is the only one that really matters lol
coolsaber is offline  
Old 02-08-19, 01:23 PM
  #137  
Toys4RJill
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
 
Toys4RJill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ON/NY
Posts: 31,225
Received 64 Likes on 55 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by coolsaber
See what I mean, how would you spin it if given the chance? Bad design, incoherent design, cutting costs?
Total cost cutting IMO. There is no other reason for Toyota to remove after how many decades of the part design? It's not TNGA related as Lexus keeps the spacers. Same with no cruise lever
Toys4RJill is offline  
Old 02-08-19, 03:32 PM
  #138  
SW17LS
Lexus Fanatic
 
SW17LS's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 57,342
Received 2,740 Likes on 1,961 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LexsCTJill


Its not about boycotting. It's about differentiating whether it's cost cutting vs not needed. Toyota could go from hero to zero in no time, they could cost cut other stuff. My parents should not be complaining about their window switches opening both by accident. The space prevents this.
Except that as several people have said, the space doesn’t prevent this...

Sheesh. All this drama over a different window switch design.
SW17LS is offline  
Old 02-08-19, 03:36 PM
  #139  
tex2670
Lexus Champion
 
tex2670's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Southeastern PA
Posts: 10,099
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LexsCTJill


Total cost cutting IMO. There is no other reason for Toyota to remove after how many decades of the part design? It's not TNGA related as Lexus keeps the spacers. Same with no cruise lever
Ok, well, here's a different take. If Toyota wants to address cost-cutting by removing that "barrier" between the L/R window switches, instead of removing the lighting behind the switches, or some other change that clearly would save more significant $$--then that's a win.

My wife drives a CX-9, and only the driver window switch is lit, and Mazda owners on those forums were up in arms with that change.
tex2670 is offline  
Old 02-09-19, 09:13 AM
  #140  
Toys4RJill
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
 
Toys4RJill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ON/NY
Posts: 31,225
Received 64 Likes on 55 Posts
Default



Originally Posted by JDR76


Highlander’s illuminated stalk.
The Sienna does it too. So amazing

Toys4RJill is offline  
Old 02-09-19, 03:20 PM
  #141  
coolsaber
Lead Lap
 
coolsaber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: In your head
Posts: 4,086
Received 275 Likes on 246 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LexsCTJill


Total cost cutting IMO. There is no other reason for Toyota to remove after how many decades of the part design? It's not TNGA related as Lexus keeps the spacers. Same with no cruise lever
Isnt it more costly to design something new onto the steering wheel then keeping the same cruise control stalk?
coolsaber is offline  
Old 02-09-19, 03:57 PM
  #142  
Toys4RJill
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
 
Toys4RJill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ON/NY
Posts: 31,225
Received 64 Likes on 55 Posts
Default


Originally Posted by coolsaber
Isnt it more costly to design something new onto the steering wheel then keeping the same cruise control stalk?
The design costs money. But the manufacturing of a separate part for the stalk would cost more. Now it’s all built into one piece.

If you look at something they cost cut for the greater good. Look at the blind spot system. Toyota has moved it to a software based system, instead of having a dedicated button on the dashboard, now it’s all based in the overall system via the steering wheel info button etc.

Last edited by Toys4RJill; 02-09-19 at 04:15 PM.
Toys4RJill is offline  
Old 02-09-19, 04:42 PM
  #143  
SW17LS
Lexus Fanatic
 
SW17LS's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 57,342
Received 2,740 Likes on 1,961 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by coolsaber
Isnt it more costly to design something new onto the steering wheel then keeping the same cruise control stalk?
No doubt. Using the same stalk they’ve used for 30 years saves money.

Bottom line is, if it’s a change Jill doesn’t prefer its cost cutting.
SW17LS is offline  
Old 02-09-19, 04:49 PM
  #144  
Toys4RJill
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
 
Toys4RJill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ON/NY
Posts: 31,225
Received 64 Likes on 55 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by SW17LS


Bottom line is, if it’s a change Jill doesn’t prefer its cost cutting.
That is not true.

Ex, My 4Runner, you need to use tools to remove the interior hvac filter. Corolla and Matrix, none are required.

I understand you may not care, but some people do. In the new ES, some get the 4 way headrests, some of the models don’t. My 4Runner has them 4 way, my mothers does not.

An utterly dumb and usesless feature on my 4Runner is the soft touch rear close. Glad they removed it.

Last edited by Toys4RJill; 02-09-19 at 05:01 PM.
Toys4RJill is offline  
Old 02-09-19, 04:52 PM
  #145  
mmarshall
Lexus Fanatic
 
mmarshall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Posts: 91,314
Received 87 Likes on 86 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by SW17LS


No doubt. Using the same stalk they’ve used for 30 years saves money.

Bottom line is, if it’s a change Jill doesn’t prefer its cost cutting.

No need to bring Jill into it.

One thing about 30-year-old stalks I will say. Until the 1980s or so, most manufacturers used solid metal stalks that not only were solid in feel, but operated with a solid, fluid motion (or a loud "click") that at least gave the impression of solidity. Many manufacturers today (not necessarily all of them) use stalks of thin, flimsy plastic that feel and operate like one of the toys out of a box of Cracker-Jack.

mmarshall is offline  
Old 02-09-19, 05:06 PM
  #146  
SW17LS
Lexus Fanatic
 
SW17LS's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 57,342
Received 2,740 Likes on 1,961 Posts
Default

Despite numerous postings showing even a $500,000 Phantom has switches the same design doesn’t waiver her confidence this is cost cutting. This is not an objective viewpoint.

You ever think maybe plastic stalks are safer to have in a car than metal stalks?
SW17LS is offline  
Old 02-09-19, 06:31 PM
  #147  
bitkahuna
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
 
bitkahuna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Present
Posts: 74,987
Received 2,462 Likes on 1,615 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mmarshall
No need to bring Jill into it.
uh, LexCTJill did start the thread.

bitkahuna is offline  
Old 02-09-19, 06:33 PM
  #148  
mmarshall
Lexus Fanatic
 
mmarshall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Posts: 91,314
Received 87 Likes on 86 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by SW17LS
You ever think maybe plastic stalks are safer to have in a car than metal stalks?

My vote would be for metal. In a crash, Plastic stalks can break and have jagged edges, although a properly-functioning airbag and shoulder-belt might help prevent impact. Metal stalks usually don't break.
mmarshall is offline  
Old 02-09-19, 06:35 PM
  #149  
SW17LS
Lexus Fanatic
 
SW17LS's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 57,342
Received 2,740 Likes on 1,961 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mmarshall
My vote would be for metal. In a crash, Plastic stalks can break and have jagged edges, although a properly-functioning airbag and shoulder-belt might help prevent impact. Metal stalks usually don't break.
That doesn’t make any sense, but okay lol
SW17LS is offline  
Old 02-09-19, 06:38 PM
  #150  
mmarshall
Lexus Fanatic
 
mmarshall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Posts: 91,314
Received 87 Likes on 86 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by SW17LS


That doesn’t make any sense, but okay lol

What doesn't make sense? Have you ever seen how plastic stalks can break? I have. Doesn't happen that often, but certainly not rare.
mmarshall is offline  


Quick Reply: Toyota Cost Cutting, really grinding my gears.



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:13 PM.