Anyone noticed the latest JD Powers news? This survey of long term
durability, more than the "initial quality" survey, is the most important.
Most people will deal with a few bugs from production that are fixed under
warranty. But how the car will fare years after it's built is the real sign
of quality. It was amazing how poorly Mercedes and Audi did. And, frankly,
how well General Motors did. But Lexus was still king with Toyota, overall,
just behind. I have had MANY Mercedes and Audi's as well as all the American
brands. Just last year I realized that of all the cars I had, my 1990 LS400
was the absolute best followed up by my 1987 Honda Prelude. After coming to
that realization, I bot my 2002 ES300 and have been happy since. Why hassle
with the others?

"B.D. Newman" <bnewman43 (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote

Yep. I agree. While I have posted before on my MB nightmares, they
are over. S600 with 56K and $8K in repairs over 1 year is gone and my
LS 430 arrives next week. My cars for the last few years: honda
Accord 1988, 4 Runner 1990, T-100 1994, Land Cruiser1995 (wrecked,
otherwise would still have it), 1995 S-600, 2002 Sequoia, and soon
2003 LS 430. The only car that has ever given any trouble is the MB.
The T-100 has had a broken clutch bracket, all others just routine
maintenance. The MB: From 45-56K miles has had O2 sensors go out,
leaking cylinder head, malfunctioning wiper motors, malfunctioned skid
control computer, fiber optic fuel flow connections go out, and
transmission work. Couldn't really enjoy the superior drive and room
so downsized but upqualitied.

you sure have owned quite a few. which do you still have?

wayne wrote:

Buckshot LeFunk <buck (AT) Lefunk (DOT) com> wrote

Yeah, I guess I do get the itch every 3 or 4 years but I don't chase
women and don't play the ponies, so my wife is OK with that. Still
have the T-100 and no reason to update, although the new club cab
coming out this fall looks great . The Land Cruiser was a one-time,
forever purchase but someone hit it and destroyed same. Not much
damage to occupants, though, which is one of the things Cruisers are
famous for. I couldn't find a Land Cruiser at the time, so got the
Sequoia. Had traded the 4 runner for the Land Cruiser. The MB was
supposed to be a forever thing as well with obvious results. Didn't
mind the dollars so much, as any luxury car will deteriorate 5-10K per
year, just couldn't stand the trips to the dealer and the breakdowns
on the road after the years of Toyota reliability. Plan to keep the
Lexus for 4 years at least. If the 2006 is radically different, the
bugs should be worked out by about 2007. I hope the redesign of body
is a bit more aggressive, but that may just be me.

I still have a 2001 benz. Beautiful car, but what an electronic nightmare. I
should have known. After all, when was the last time I bought a German stereo,
VCR, DVD player, etc.?

Lexus GX470 ...... you're mine next!

This is when all the jealous Euro car owners try to put Lexus down by calling
it "just a Toyota".

What used to be qualifty cars in Benz is now less reliable than its Chrysler
component.

While MB owners complain about MB not making cars like they used to, at least
Lexus keeps making them better than they used to..............

Man I should have bought a Lexus!

Yeah, but I don't "get" the GX470. What idiot designed those 3rd row seats?
You have to be a contorsion artist to operate them.

"H8That" <h8that (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote