scottgolf

just curious, I wonder what it will be like? I have a feeling it will be to high tech for me like the 460 is. Way too much crap to break on the 460, I still think the 430 has the best ballance of electronics and simplicity for reliability. I know I am the only one, but I wish toyota would build them strong like the 430 again

caddyowner

My theory is that generally various automakers build models that are gems for only a few years. A vehicle may be good and then they make a minor tweak to make it great. With the next tweak or reworking, they may lessen the luster. Sometimes the luster may return with a later change, but often not.

The only way you can know if a car is gem, is to give it a few years, say 3-8, to age in the marketplace. This allows the cars reliability history and reputation to mature. You can then buy it used as a daily driver before mileage, rust, and simply old technology renders it less than desirable. We've enjoyed that with the LS430 and now wonder what's next.

Another good example I point to is the Mercedes 300d from 1983-85. The 300d in 81 & 82 was a good car, but slow with the non-turbo engine. With the addition of the turbocharger in 83 they became great, reliable, and thrifty cars. The body change in 1986 took away the luster and introduced a number of problems.

I think the LX and Land Cruiser experienced their apex with the 03-04 models. They have some improvements over my 01 LX, especially the 5 speed transmission, and retain the meticulous built quality from Araco before the Toyota takeover in 2005.

Quipper

Very insightful, Caddyowner.

I'm thinking about the Huyndai Equus a little, thinking that maybe an updated 2013 model may be great in 2016--who knows?

Marklouis

Since this will be another re-tooling stage for the LS, just like all new models - only time will tell. they always start out as a gem at first, but all products are a joint effort of different companies - a big gamble on new vendors, suppliers promising thier products are "top notch" only to find that certain company's products go south quick and they file for bankruptcy or just drop the product line totally leaving Lexus high and dry.

Most Vendors today bet numbers on quantity and sellability over quality of the product. we may never again see the great quality and the disciplined noteworthy build of our LS's we drive now.

since they are trying to pull in the younger generation into the Lexus Buyer's market - they may incorporate more techno-junk than ever.

Quipper

Marklouis, that's a dire outlook! You may be right, but then again....

Marklouis

Im hoping that is not the case for the new Lexus models they are revealing - that is just my experience in the business-market world. I really hope they have lined up a good crop of vendors and suppliers. only time will tell as Caddy pointed out.