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My wife has a 2019 Lexus GX460 ... I have a 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser and a 1973 Ford Bronco
If I want to change the ventilation fan speed in the FJ Cruiser ... it's a simple turn of a physical **** ... no need for "eyes-off-the-road". In the 2019 GX460 ... it requires pressing a button and then going down two menu layers before adjustment ... 3-4 seconds of "eyes-off-the-road" ... at 60 MPH = 264 to 352 feet traveled ... not a very safe design approach ... with "infotainment" not being much different in terms of driving distraction.
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The 2022 GX has two buttons that regulate fan speed. One button to lower fan speed and the other button to increase speed.
Friend is into vintage airplanes ... goes to all of the major air shows world wide ... asked me why I thought there were no planes in vintage air shows beyond 19xx (cannot remember the year) ... his answer ... because integrated electronics are no longer available, so the majority of vintage planes produced after are effectively grounded.
Hagerty recently wrote an article about the same ... argued that with modern cars ... the concept of "future classics" has become an obsolescence impossibility due to the same. So for me, simplicity is paramount. If one is a "Lease Flipper" ... then this is not an issue ... for those that drive their vehicles until the wheels fall off ... it should be pause for consideration.
The 2022 GX has two buttons that regulate fan speed. One button to lower fan speed and the other button to increase speed.
Yes, I understand that the 2022 finally addressed the past "menu buried" fan speed adjustment ... but I only used this example to make a broader point.
Bare in mind there are more infotainment repair shops than ever now. IMO: It is usually blown capacitors on most things... actually pretty easy to fix with some simple soldering replacements.
I can't tell you the thousands I've saved the last decade just knowing how to solder.
I hear you, but c'mon the cars we grew up with were absolutely horrendous. My first car in college was a 10 year old Plymouth Horizon - terrifying at over 70 miles an hour and fell apart way before 100k. Junk, along with almost everything else.
I hear you, but c'mon the cars we grew up with were absolutely horrendous. My first car in college was a 10 year old Plymouth Horizon - terrifying at over 70 miles an hour and fell apart way before 100k. Junk, along with almost everything else.
I think I am, but as I get older I am often a step or two behind. I thought we were suggesting that modern cars via increased tech are becoming less reliable and I think in general it is the opposite.
Bare in mind there are more infotainment repair shops than ever now. IMO: It is usually blown capacitors on most things... actually pretty easy to fix with some simple soldering replacements.
You're exactly right here. I think this is the takeaway. Really the more I think about it the sales rep was just trying to scare the **** out of me so I buy the extended warranty. I kind of stopped him and just was like dude... why are you now telling me the car isn't 'reliable' electronically, I'm buying a Lexus for the longevity. Wonder what he would say if I tell him I rather take the 4runner .. lol. Not a very good salesman. Read the room
I've decided to stick with the GX, and now I realize anything the sales rep says is most likely a lie. Do my own research, and like you said they have the infotainment shops now. I didn't even think of that.
After all the GX is a LC Prado and Toyota designs those things to last for 25 years.
I think I am, but as I get older I am often a step or two behind. I thought we were suggesting that modern cars via increased tech are becoming less reliable and I think in general it is the opposite.
Your point is valid ... vehicles today are infinitely more (mechanically) reliable than in the past. I believe the point of this post is that peripheral "infotainment" or more specifically "head-unit integration" has added a significant level of unnecessary complexity ... "cabin tech" ... that has absolutely nothing to do with a vehicle being a reliable transportation device. Yes, engine management computers and the associated closed loop systems have significantly improved gas mileage, the reduction of emissions ... while maximizing engine performance ... which is all good ... but "cabin-tech" is a totally different subject.
Your point is valid ... vehicles today are infinitely more (mechanically) reliable than in the past. I believe the point of this post is that peripheral "infotainment" or more specifically "head-unit integration" has added a significant level of unnecessary complexity ... "cabin tech" ... that has absolutely nothing to do with a vehicle being a reliable transportation device. Yes, engine management computers and the associated closed loop systems have significantly improved gas mileage, the reduction of emissions ... while maximizing engine performance ... which is all good ... but "cabin-tech" is a totally different subject.
Yeah exactly. The mechanicals as far as engine and transmission are bulletproof but the cabin tech has the ability to brick the whole car being that everything is routed through a central computer. So what's the point if the engine lasts 25 yrs when a computer breaks in the cabin rendering all climate control inoperable and it costs 15k to replace the computer. That's more expensive than a new engine
Yeah exactly. The mechanicals as far as engine and transmission are bulletproof but the cabin tech has the ability to brick the whole car being that everything is routed through a central computer. So what's the point if the engine lasts 25 yrs when a computer breaks in the cabin rendering all climate control inoperable and it costs 15k to replace the computer. That's more expensive than a new engine
Exactly ... marketers have convinced everyone that they cannot live without "the latest and greatest cabin tech" ... that a vehicle is "less than" if considered "behind" in this area. All the more reason I respect Toyota for being conservative.
I received the photodon.com screen protector for the IS350 (10.3” size). Width is good. It is a bit taller than the 2022 GX460 screen (see pictures).
I have a good Rototrim cutter — will trim the bottom edge of the screen protector about 1/8” to see if I can get a better fit. It’s dark outside now, so I’ll do that tomorrow. Will post those results.
Left side of the photodon IS350 10.3” screen protector is about 1/8” taller than the 2022 GX460 screen. Right side of the screen protector.
I received the photodon.com screen protector for the IS350 (10.3” size). Width is good. It is a bit taller than the 2022 GX460 screen (see pictures).
I have a good Rototrim cutter — will trim the bottom edge of the screen protector about 1/8” to see if I can get a better fit. It’s dark outside now, so I’ll do that tomorrow. Will post those results.
Left side of the photodon IS350 10.3” screen protector is about 1/8” taller than the 2022 GX460 screen. Right side of the screen protector.
I finished trimming the “test” Photodon.com 10.3” screen protector (I ordered two).
Trimmed the long edge. Started at about 1/16” of inch cut off and then eyeballed it on the Lexus screen. Took a bit more off and the result is in the pictures - where I have the screen protector sitting on plastic trim (it is not mounted on the Lexus screen). Looks like it should be an acceptable fit. You’ll want a very straight cut edge - I have a rototrim cutter which made that easy to accomplish.
I haven’t had time to do all the prep work on the Lexus screen (cleaning and dust removal) and I haven’t installed the screen protector yet. Possibly sometime this week.
Trimmed Photodon.com IS350 screen protector test Top right corner Trimmed screen protector on top of untrimmed screen protector showing amount of cut/reduction
03-06-22, 10:48 AM
