Why are the newer Lexus models so undesirable compared to the old ones?
Posted by JustSomeGuy095@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 34 comments
I recently bought my first car 2 months ago. I got a Lexus ES 350 and I love it! It’s got 234K miles, but it was only $2,500 and it was in absolute perfect condition. It had 1 owner for its whole life who maintained it perfectly (aside from some wear and tear on the seats)
I loved it so much that I was looking to save up, build my credit and upgrade to a newer model when I hit 300K miles. I went on their website and looked at their inventory and my god, their newer models are so ugly! They discontinued the ES 350 which was their best looking car, in my opinion. They’re going hybrid with electric which I don’t like. And the interior of their new sedans are just so…. Bland.
Lexus really doesn’t seem like THE brand to buy like it was when I was growing up in the 2000’s.
theLogic1@reddit
Those noses looks bad. That is why
UnderwhelmingAF@reddit
Main thing that turns me off to them. The front-ends on the newer ones are hideous.
theLogic1@reddit
Yep. Absolutely this
HamsterCapable4118@reddit
Lexus bench-marked previous generation _Toyota_ models for NVH in their latest models. They decided that consumers just didn't care enough about that. So a latest gen RX will have the ride quality of a previous gen Highlander for example.
And the latest gen Toyota models took a step down as well, in order to maintain the hierarchy.
Major_Enthusiasm1099@reddit
Expensive
9BALL22@reddit
For me it's the ugly spindle grill that became the "Lexus look". The other reasons you state apply to almost all cars now.
SilencerXY@reddit
Idk why Toyota thought that giving almost all the models Hitler mustaches was a good idea
tads73@reddit
Japanese cars in the 2000s were made to uphold their reputation, now primarily to uphold shareholder value.
PetriDishCocktail@reddit
Japanese vehicles from the late 1990s up through the mid to late 2000's are often referred to as the Golden age or Golden era of cars. Basically, Japanese manufacturers had a roughly 10% or $2,500 advantage over their American manufacturing counterparts, largely due to nationalized healthcare and nationalized retirement schemes. The Japanese automakers overbuilt their cars by about 10% or $2,000 each. They focused on reliability and longevity. Later, they began reducing this amount and have been more focused on profitability. The 2012 Honda Civic is a perfect example of the cost cutting. Honda cut too much, it was a flop. They had to rapidly redesign it for the next model year.
Minimum-Reward3264@reddit
Redesigned for China. But undesirable is wrong. Lexus has least days of cars in U.S. All of the inventory is going to be gone in a month or so.
XOM_CVX@reddit
I think the new ones look nice
7eregrine@reddit
The RC is hands down one of the prettiest modern cars, imo.
rubenthecuban3@reddit
The NX looks great. Agree a little the RX I don’t like as much
otterland@reddit
I think they're ugly as shit but pissing your pants about rock solid hybrid technology that's been proven for nearly thirty years is infantile on your part.
DFLDrew@reddit
Lexus was never “THE brand to buy”. It’s always been expensive Toyotas
New-Cry-5427@reddit
My problem with Toyota/Lexus is they went away from the straight 6. Be it the stump puller of the FJ/Crusier or the M series(yes, the 7M is a decent and reliable motor, don't believe the hype) even the JZ with the drift boi tax.
Low-Carob9772@reddit
Older Lexus cars especially the LS platform were built with impeccable standards because lexus(toyota) wanted to break into the American luxury market. Now that they have a good brand name in America they have let that slip a bit. They have leaned more into fancy gadgets and technologies and less focus on perfection and reliability... because most Americans just don't keep and maintain cars for their entire life.. drive it 100k miles or som and trade it in for a new one... I have 22 year old LS 430 that is all around a better car than the newer models...
_MadSuburbanDad_@reddit
Lexus design language is both dated and uninspired. The spindle grille (which is going away, thankfully) just got out of hand. If you're looking at used models from recent years, they all still have the same dated design styling. Interiors are definitely pretty bland compared to some of the Korean and high-end European cars.
FormerLaugh3780@reddit
Because Toyota quality and reliability are in a state of decline. Yes, slower than their competitors, but still in decline.
el-art-seam@reddit
Reliability has gone down hill at least for me. I’ve had to replace a fuel and water pump in 9yrs and less than 100k. The engine I’ve got is known for a timing chain cover oil leak or something that could pop up at any time now. That’s a several thousand dollar repair I hear.
I’ve had several toyotas and this is some bullshit. But then again this is the new age of automotive engineering. I suppose relative to other brands this is now considered bulletproof.
ZealousidealMonk1728@reddit
I think their decline is more drastic than other car brands. They are coming down from a very high level.
Example: They went from legendary 80, 100 and 200 series land cruisers to the current generation with a fundamentally flawed engine, that can potentially blow up any day. Meanwhile Range Rovers were always unreliable so nothing much has changed.
Delicious_Oil9902@reddit
I’m in the market for a mid to higher end 3 row SUV and naturally an option for me is the Lexus TX. What bothers me is that it has a 4 in it instead of a 6, the same as the Highlander. The inside also looks almost to be a carbon copy of it as well - this is a personal opinion but I hate the way the media screen is set up which is the same setup as the RAV 4. If I’m spending $80k on an SUV I’d like a Lexus not a leather wrapped rav 4. At least an aviator (not interested in ford) starts with the 6 cylinder and the media screens and other accoutrements are upgraded to make it almost seem like a completely different interior
navlgazer9@reddit
The new cars simply have too many un necessary electronics and sensors and computers for me to even consider anything built after about 2005ish
phoenix823@reddit
I really love how my new RX looks. The PHEV means I get terrific mileage, get a luxurious 35 miles on electric only, and the Atkinson cycle drive train is simpler than a traditional gas engine. It's super comfortable and capable enough to do whatever I need it to. There's nothing really undesirable about it.
Advanced-Elk-7581@reddit
You don't have to buy one. Plenty of alternatives. They appear to be doing just fine.
MarkVII88@reddit
You can still upgrade to a newer Lexus when you hit 300K miles in your 2007. Nobody said anything about buying a new one. Maybe get a 2017 ES350.
Unusual_Steak@reddit
You’re literally just some guy and this is just some guy’s opinion.
unhappycamps@reddit
Well at least its reddit so we know that one guys opi ion times millions equals accuracy.
imperialfrog@reddit
It’s not that Lexus has changed its lineup to undesirable cars. It’s your subjective opinion that they are undesirable. YouEd is only one opinion in a sea of them. Sometimes changes are going to hit with you, sometimes they don’t, but the fact of whether it’s bad or good isn’t as cut and dry as what you make it out to be to anyone else but you.
JustSomeGuy095@reddit (OP)
You’re right, but I just can’t help but feel like their designs dropped off of a cliff after the 2010’s. I wish they didn’t try to make everything so sharp and sporty now. But maybe in a few years I will change my mind when I’m ready for a new vehicle.
jonnyt88@reddit
As an owner of an A8L, you look at their interiors and they look kinda bland as well. Especially since mind didn't have the fancy cross stitched leather seats.
However, the seats are extremely comfortable, adjustable in MANY ways, the suspension is smooth, and you can use normal conversation voice at 90mph - so quiet.
The point - don't write it off because it looks bland, get in one and take a drive.
dumpin-on-time@reddit
car fanboys are terrible with change and severely overestimate their ability to judge quality and progress. every car fan base has its own group and they all act predictably the same. whenever a new generation is released, they whine and lament how shitty they've become and how the quality just isn't the same as it used to be and that they are selling out to make more money and have lost their identity
m4a785m@reddit
Because they’re all junk. My LS400 is better than any bum ahh car they come out with now
JustSomeGuy095@reddit (OP)
I don’t think the new RX’s are junk. My mom has one, and objectively speaking, the thing is great. But it’s personally not something that I would want to buy