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They have been living on their reputation for years now. Really since 2007 their quality has been lacking. The Camry, ES, and LS were disasters that year for instance.
I disagree. The LS460 is the best sedan they ever made and the last competitive car they offered in the high end segment vs contemporary rivals. They stopped trying in 2013
The Germans have always designed a super impressive engine bay, well laid out, convenient, finished well...they have always done this better than the Japanese with a few exceptions.
BUT, all those connectors in your Lexus will last a lifetime. Talk to some mechanics or just look on the board here, it may look like those edges will cause problems, but they don't. Connector failure and electric failure in a Toyota or Lexus product is extremely rare, even when they become VERY old. You can't say that for German cars or American cars even if they are finished and presented better.
You can buy a 20 year old Lexus and get in it and start driving it 1,000 miles a week and have no problems. Getting in a 20 year old Mercedes or BMW and doing that you will start to see those components fail.
As my friend and Lexus master tech once told me, Toyota doesn't spend as much effort to make things look impressive on the surface, but they spend that time and money below the surface to make sure that their products have longevity. My experience shows that to be true.
I think they took the best approach with my LS460s, just cover the whole damn thing up lol
how it looking like there's no engine "premium"? if you can't explain it, it can't really be obvious, can it?
I like to watch Mecum auto auctions, and many of those cars have shots of the engine bay. Pretty "premium" looking when they are fetching tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Is a C8 Corvette with a glass engine cover not "premium"?
And all that plastic was WAY higher quality than what was used in the LS460's engine bay, that intake in front is better plastic than most carmakers use on interior lower door panels...
how it looking like there's no engine "premium"? if you can't explain it, it can't really be obvious, can it?
I can explain it. But I’m hoping you can come to the realization yourself.
Originally Posted by SW17LS
And all that plastic was WAY higher quality than what was used in the LS460's engine bay, that intake in front is better plastic than most carmakers use on interior lower door panels...
For sure. They usually find ways to skimp it a bit
here is my 4Runner. I like how they make an effort to cover some stuff
My engine cover only lifts up. Doesn’t remove unless you have tool
how it looking like there's no engine "premium"? if you can't explain it, it can't really be obvious, can it?
I like to watch Mecum auto auctions, and many of those cars have shots of the engine bay. Pretty "premium" looking when they are fetching tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Is a C8 Corvette with a glass engine cover not "premium"?
I think it depends on the engine. When the engine is beautiful, and the compartment is well laid out then not covering it up with a cover makes sense, you want to look at it. The 4 cyl engine in an NX is not beautiful...and its a mess of hoses and wires, it would look way more premium if they just covered everything up.
That engine does have "covers" in that they designed it to be attractive to look at. Its the same thing, the covers are just cheaper way to make an engine look nice.
The Germans have always designed a super impressive engine bay, well laid out, convenient, finished well...they have always done this better than the Japanese with a few exceptions.
There is no way you've worked on any German cars, with few exceptions they range from annoying to a complete nightmare. Maybe they look nicer to you that does not translate into better in any practical sense.
BUT, all those connectors in your Lexus will last a lifetime. Talk to some mechanics or just look on the board here, it may look like those edges will cause problems, but they don't. Connector failure and electric failure in a Toyota or Lexus product is extremely rare, even when they become VERY old. You can't say that for German cars or American cars even if they are finished and presented better.
Toyota has gone cheap with their electrical systems it is very obvious. Thinner insulation, cheap connectors, poor abrasion mitigation and a whole host of things Toyota would never dare to do in the past, Toyota's electrical systems are starting to remind me of Hyundai 15 years ago.
BTW, Toyota is more and more sourcing parts from China and Mexico in some cases I now prefer aftermarket replacements.
02-05-23, 08:51 AM
