I have a 1998 LS 400 that is still going strong (I hope not to jinx it with this statement).
I've been looking at new cars, and there are some things I'm wondering if are still the same on the new Lexus models:
1) when setting cruise control, driver must turn cruise on first.
2) Even if it's set to outside air, when setting temperature at 70 or below, the air circulation goes into recirculate. Three taps are necessary to reset to outside air.
I have a Mercedes and a Land Rover, and these steps aren't necessary on them. One tap sets cruise control at the speed desired, and once set to outside air, it stays there until set to recirculate. I know these are minor, but as someone who gets in and out of the car all day it has become maddening.
Have these two things been changed or are they still the same? Thanks in advance.

 

Moving to the correct forum as this does not belong in the build threads subforum.

To address your concerns:

1- Afaik, every vehicle requires CC be turned "on" prior to setting the speed, it's a common safety feature to prevent accidental operation. Not sure how this is an issue, the button is on the same stalk...
2- This is only the case if the Blend Air is set to "Auto". If you manually set it to outside it won't react to temperature change. That said, there is a setting that can be changed by a factory scan tool (all toyota/lexus dealers have them) that allows the HVAC to keep a different "Default" position (ie- outside air as the default instead of recirculating).

 

On my gs400 I put my screen on gas mileage. Every time I shutdown and restart I have to put it back to gas mileage. Not sure why Lexus did that. On my gs400 in manual shift mode if I put it in 2 gear it will shift to 3rd if I reach 6000 rpm it should stay in gear and never change like a manual. That is what a rev limiter is for. If I put my manual shift in 5th it is exactly like drive. It should stay in 5th no matter what like a stick shift. I would also like it if I push traction control off it stays off even after restart till I turn it back on but the lawyers or the govt probably won't allow that.

 

These "quirks" would really prevent you from buying a Lexus again? And you own a Land Rover? Hmmm

 

Mercedes aren't exactly quality cars either

 

If those points prevent you from buying another lexus then all means buy german but in all reality...
1. Like PD stated, every single car brand and submodel will require you to "turn on" CC to set it. Doesn't just know when to turn on and off on its own.
2. Most car models with a temperature based climate control will automatically turn on the re-circulation button when dropped below around 70 because the car will usually automatically turn on the air conditioning. I know for a fact certain bmw's and Mercedes do this as well.

 

The biggest problem with Mercedes is the electronics, and that wiring fiasco they had some years back where the insulation just cracked off the wires and let them short out frying all the electronic control modules. I thought I saw it was an average of $10,000. fix and it was never a recall, isn't that strange too?

 

Yeah, but a W140 I my opinion looks pretty amazing compared to the UCF10/20. I would love one, only if I could afford the 10k a year to keep it maintained. That Argon filled doubled paned glass that never fogged up is super sick. People think it's bulletproof glass.

 

Naaa doesn't come close to the appeal the LS has. Now the CLK430's and I think its W129 ? and the SLS gullwing they are nice. I never did like the looks of any of the sedans.

 

Varying characteristics that we'll seek in a car. I'm more concerned about the engine, tranny, driveline followed by electrical issues. I'll adapt to the other characteristics.

 

As far as newish car dependability that is newer than 1989 since we are factoring in gen1 LS, I give the early Subaru Legacy's number 1, number 2 is believe it or not, Geo and Chevrolet Metro's, next is LS. The LS's just seem to have those normal problems that we can all list pretty quickly that is why they don't get my top vote. How about most dependable old car like into the 50's and 60's. I bet Billy could shed some light on that one.

 

Ford f350 van is 1 4runner is2 if I remember let me find the sight of most reliable cars with more than 100k miles and ill post it

 

I found the link its the f250 van
http://tradeinqualityindex.com/

 

i beg to differ, i had a w140 94s500 from 140k miles to 220k miles (put 70k miles) and only did oil changes and brake pads and one alternator and that was it.

 

LS is still king
http://longtermqualityindex.com/repo...ze_Luxury.html