Toyota or Lexus

It is a valid question but it changes over time as well...... for example for many people felt a read or front camera was absurd, then enough people had them and wanted them and now rear cameras are mandatory. The same has happened with blind spot monitoring, heated seats, specific tire gage indicators and other things.... there are still some old heads that say AC isn't necessary.

 

I had a Corolla for 15 years and now I have an NX300H. All else being equal, if you can afford it and drive a lot, go for a Lexus because it is like sitting in business class vs economy.

 

Given the choice between the two for similar models, Id choose Lexus every time. Its just built better and more solid.

 

Nope. Just firsthand experience of being an owner of both a camry and a es350 at one point.

 

People have been saying that for years. I'm sure when they started taking out the crank on the front of your car to start it, they said technology was out of control. Nevermind cars are way more reliable nowadays than they were even just 15-20 years ago. Back in the 80's or so, if a car ran reliably for 100,000 miles, it was probably incredible. Nowadays, if it doesn't run reliably for the first 100,000 miles, you got a dud. Ok, I'm exaggerating, but you get the point.

 

I have a 2005 camry with the 3.3L engine from that was also used on the RX350/ES350..
While it's true Toyota owns Lexus, that doesn't make the Camry or Avalon the same as the ES350.

There are crossover between platforms and parts but the Lexus variants do seem to have a more "premium" feeling.

Another point that folks don't always compare is the dealership experience, especially service. Go see how they treat you at the toyota dealership and how they treat you at a lexus dealership.

I have had the same experience owning a Honda Pilot and an Acura MDX. People said oh both are Hondas....I totally disagree.
And I would say people who have owned the regular band and the premium brand will say the same.

Just like a Q5 is not the same as a Tiguan or Macan.

In terms of value...
If you want to buy and own for a long time, then a middle trim Toyota is the good.
If you get the premium trim, might as well jump up to a Lexus.

Personally, I would buy a used Lexus over a new Toyota next time. 3-4 year old Lexus is the same price as a high trim Toyota.

 

lol right? As if these folks that say that are keeping it for 50 years.
Average length of ownership in the US is like 5-6 years..

 

While this may be true, I saw this recently:

www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/09/28/cars-on-american-roads-keep-getting-older.html

All the more reason to own a Toyota product

 

Also that's the average age. The average time of ownership I've seen is anywhere from 6-9 years. In either case, this ain't the 80's and 90's for sure. I told myself long ago I wouldn't even think about getting rid of any car I own before 150-200k miles, and that was when I was driving 20-30k per year. Now that I'm not driving much at the moment, I know I won't get rid of cars before 7-8 years minimum. There's really no point. I have a 2014 Acura that had initial quality problems that drove me nuts, but didn't really cost me anything. In the 120k miles since then, the only major payment I think I've made on it was replacing the timing belt as scheduled around 100,000 miles. Outside of that, it's just been fluid and tire changes.

 

In 2019, I finally traded in my 2004 Toyota Tacoma (bought brand new from the dealership), and had about 160,000 miles on it. Never any real maintenance issues with it, and the only real reason I got rid of it was because I was tired of driving an old truck and there were some wear items with the interior falling apart after 15 years.

Traded that thing in for a 2020 Toyota Tundra but recently got my catalytic converters stolen! Shop told me 6 - 8 weeks before I can get the OEM cats in from Toyota, I f@cking hate thieves

 

There is a certain point where things do get over-engineered.

For example, Honda took away the volume knob on many of their recent vehicles and replaced it with a touch capacitive slider.

Everyone hated it. It was finicky and incredibly difficult to accurately manipulate when driving. It was "cool" but totally impractical. Reminds me of Tesla's door handles. Slick looking, but both the pop out and the hinge handles are not ergonomic or practical at all.

There's a similar story in most manufacturers when it comes to removing of time-tested, tactile inputs. When you bury every option within some touch screen interface it becomes a huge PITA to operate your own vehicle, and nearly impossible for people who aren't the owner/regular driver.

Shiny, neat things are fine until they get in the way of actually using the product. One example of this type of over-engineering done right are those cool ground illumination effects on doors and in cupholders. If they die/break, it's not a big deal. Stuff that enhances the experience but doesn't become a problem or burdensome over time is the ideal.

 

The one thing I absolutely hate is when a car manufacturer moves away from a traditional shifter and uses buttons. My wife's MDX has buttons for gear selection and I'm thinking "Why????" Maybe there's a science to it that makes for a better driving experience but it was an annoyance the first couple of months owning that SUV.

 

I'm sure these sensors are better now, but these things were more trouble than they were worth for cars from the maybe late 90s through 2000s? I've seen issues with this on probably 3 or 4 cars. They just always say there's a tire pressure problem no matter what. Reset it and it just comes back on. Mechanics say it's not worth fixing. Ugh. Tire indicators and printers are my most hated technologies.

 

There are reports on it out there. I have read them as well, although most of them are in trade industry magazines. One of my really good friends runs an exotic car dealership and he and I have talked about it..... plus it is my observation being in the car culture.

That doesn't mean that people in their 30's aren't ever buying Camrys ..... they are, just that the perception of the brand has changed.

 

I don't feel like this is accurate at all. There's a huge enthusiast culture and following based around the 4runner and Tacoma right now. Especially with the post-Covid "let's get outdoors" movement.

I would guess the Tacoma & 4Runner are both among the top 5 vehicles in the 18-35 age group, when it comes to after-market modifications purchased. Go find that data.

Camry? Who cares.

 

I test drove a Tacoma a few months ago....I am still waiting for it to get to 60mph. One of these days...

But Chads love it though.
Buy truck.
Lift it.
Profit?