I just don't think the additional luxuries that are in my wife's car equate to almost double the price of the 4runner. $40k difference between the two...the Lexus has about $8k worth of additional luxury (totally guessing on this). The only reason I ok'd the purchase is that we tend to keep our cars until they won't drive anymore...so I know we'll probably have both vehicles at least 15 years. I will say, though, the GX 460, with the basic all-weather tires installed by the dealership has done quite well in the snow here in Oregon.
The GX interior is really outdated. If it were on par with the RX or NX in terms of layout and aesthetics my wife would have bought it over the MDX we currently have right now. You're right about the long term aspect of owning a Lexus/Toyota though--my mom had a 93 LS400 that died with about 260k miles on it. That thing was a beast.
Both Toyota and Lexus are old people cars...... with dependable but dated technology... Toyota was ahead of its time, its assembly line was amazing but they just haven't kept up with modern technology.
Yeah.... I'm not starting a fight..... I am over 40 too..... for a long time Toyota was arguably the best overall car company in the world and was quite innovative, it colors how we view the brand..... just to younger people and those that are really into cars, they see Toyota and Lexus as dated. In the 80's and early 90's all the older people bought Cadillac's and Lincoln's...... those folks are dead, and now it is Toyota and Lexus.... with some Mercedes Benz' mixed in as well (another very dated brand). When you and I are in the ground it will probably be Kia's and Tesla's.
The one thing that frustrated the hell out of me was the fact that Toyota did not provide specific tire pressure PSI data. Like, I see my TPMS alert light on but which tire is it? Even 2007 Tahoes had that information and my Camry was a brand new 2013 at the time.
BWHAHA I have short sleeve hoodies and still jam with the old man track suits..... Adidas and Jump Man. What car am I driving? Right now I am driving a Dodge Challenger because my ******* wife wanted one, so I bought her one new and now she "doesn't want to drive it". Before then I had an F-250 ...... my wife had a Tesla. My wife calls me old..... embrace and keep the good parts and adopt the good new parts. Also, that Range Rover likely doesn't even run.... I had one 20 years ago, total POS.
Easily Toyota. The heritage. So many goods in the historical inventory. Tacoma, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, FJ, Supra, 2000GT. Lexus is practical, safe design choices, capable, but somewhat boring cars and suvs.
I didn't see that episode of Always Sunny.... love the show though..... maybe I will see if it is on cable after I watch 60 Minutes and before Nick at Night.
The higher prices of Toyota vs other brands (particularly compared to American brands) is what a lot of people call the "Toyota Tax". If you are looking to own a car for 10 or more years, then that Toyota Tax is well wroth it
I think of both as the same thing - like asking whether a Chevy Silverado or a GMC Sierra is a better pickup. Six of one, half dozen of the other. They are the same truck with some different finish options.
It really depends on what you want. I like Lexus interiors, exteriors, and options better, which isn't saying much since I'm not exactly enamored with their styling. There are going to be options on the Lexus you won't find on Toyotas. Toyotas are cool if you just want a reliable car that doesn't cost as much as a Lexus and you don't want the extra crap. I always thought Toyota goes goofy with the bolt-on plastic-looking bits. I mean, come on, it's a Camry -- stop trying to make it look like an F1 car. lol. I'd take either car for reliability, though. Pretty much consistently bullet-proof year-after-year. A Lexus is high on my list of "next cars" assuming I don't go electric. I just hope they update their designs.
I'll add that while it may not matter to a person thinking about buying a Lexus, that RAV 4 is going to run on regular unleaded. Having said that, while I'm not crazy about what they do to their grills these days, in general a Lexus is a really fine car.
sometimes i wonder how much technology you need in these cars now. It's just more stuff that breaks down.
