I don't like Lexus.

"Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To" (murdersofa) 06/25/2020 at 18:52 • Filed to: None

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Between my IS300 and the LS400 I used to have... I just don’t really like this company all that much. Weirdly expensive parts for no reason, they aren’t super prolific, the aftermarket kinda sucks, and they’re generally awful to work on . And the result is an inferior BMW. Buy a BMW.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/25/2020 at 19:23

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I can confirm that buying a vehicle they only sold only   ~3, 100 over 4 model years does make parts-hunting rather frustrating. I looked for the best one I could find and basically recommend anyone else do the same.

Maintenance is certainly not for the faint of heart. Whoever has the car after me will be grateful I footed some big bills to enjoy.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/25/2020 at 19:23

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Don't buy a BMW. It will break your heart.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 06/25/2020 at 19:26

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I regret not getting a 330i E46 instead of this. Having worked on several E46s they are an absolute joy compared to this thing.

notsomethingstructural > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/25/2020 at 19:38

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Counterpoint, the build quality of a Lexus is the best you will find in an automaker for  under 100k. I’ve also found them extremely easy to work on because they have features like push-to-collapse plastic rivets (instead of the ones you pop with a screwdriver and always break) and replaceable metal springs for trim. Everything is galvanized and nothing rusts. I would work on nothing but Lexus cars for the rest of my life if I had the option. 

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > notsomethingstructural 06/25/2020 at 19:40

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Yeah this shit right here. I live in the midwest, and my Ls's have less rust and are easier to work on than anything 10+ years newer that ive touched. And they dont smell like crayons (looking at you, Honda)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > notsomethingstructural 06/25/2020 at 19:43

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I think it’s just a poor fit for Jake because he drives his cars -- hard. I also believe that off-road incident didn't help the suspension either. Fixing a Lexus isn't like fixing a Corolla, which is something I knew going in. 

ranwhenparked > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/25/2020 at 19:46

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Alan Partridge seemed to have good luck with his IS300, nobody spray painted obscenities on it or anything. 

notsomethingstructural > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/25/2020 at 19:52

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Weird, I didn’t have much difficulty with any I’ve touched. The g35 sedan I have is comparably a nightmare. The bumper attachment brackets are riveted to the bumper, and basically inaccessible under the headlights. You have to work blind with a crescent wrench to get them out after you remove the fender liner. Plus the undertray is like a structural brace for the air dam - oh, and it s also connected to the fender liners .

I don’t even attempt to do work under that thing.

sony1492 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/25/2020 at 19:52

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You should buy a second gen mini to really get to know bmw

notsomethingstructural > notsomethingstructural 06/25/2020 at 19:53

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Also, everything is made of rust and has to be drilled and replaced. 

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > notsomethingstructural 06/25/2020 at 20:08

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“Everything is galvanized and nothing rusts.”

LM AO

did... did you watch the video by chance?  

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > sony1492 06/25/2020 at 20:08

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That’s a hard pass on so many levels.

sony1492 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/25/2020 at 20:42

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What could go wrong!?

ranwhenparked > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/25/2020 at 20:58

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I just watched the video - did you just start an online feud with Scotty Kilmer? Not saying it doesn’t need to happen, but the guy seems to have some powerful allies, I think ChrisFix went down that road before. 

thatsmr > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/25/2020 at 21:07

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So a 20 year old car, heat, age, and ozone alone even before being beaten on dirt? And you have issues with bushings? Which early 2000s Camry do you think this is? There are many outfits who will repair and spray a single stage on the bumper for a couple hundred bucks. Not an engineer nor much of a mechanic nor canny enough to know a low dollar body work man

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/25/2020 at 21:19

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Midwest is brutal,  I got no rust.  Not sure if you can blame Lexua on that one.

glemon > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/25/2020 at 22:07

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I like your video, I don’t agree with it, my brother has a similar era E46, I have an IS300. We both do our own work. He has many stories to tell of repairs and maintenance and hard to access parts. My 2002 IS just keeps going. I have replaced the control arms with the big bushings, it was an easy morning’s work, and so far the only thing that has worn out on the suspension after 100,000 miles. I bought the car at a little under 60,000 miles about 5 years ago. It still drives and feels like new. I have looked at newer cars for my wife with a third the years and less than half the miles and they drive like they are the car that is x times older than Lexi.

All modern cars have bits that are hard to access and require major disassembly just to get to. About the one way to avoid that is to get an old truck

Or a Triumph Spitfire

I do agree about the fault points you found with the suspension and the low pressure port for the A/C, and you make a nice bnice video, but you can find  as many or more weak or difficult to access points on most any car.

JBT > notsomethingstructural 06/25/2020 at 22:34

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This. Especially compared to BMW. Generally the point of owning a Lexus is that you don’t have to work on it. You’ll note that he’s not replacing a blown transmission  or an engine top end that he’d be doing on a comparable model year 3 series.

JBT > notsomethingstructural 06/25/2020 at 22:44

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Also, once you’ve changed crank position sensor in a GM 8.1l v8, nothing will ever be difficult to reach again. Very simple sensor. Except... GM put it inside the bell housing. Yep. Inside. And.. you get  t o pull the cab off to get access to it if it breaks. For a very basic sensor that could just go on the front like everyone else.

Seth Keith > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/25/2020 at 22:52

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My 1990 Lexus LS400 is one of the most reliable cars that my family has owned so far and it hasn’t had nothing major done to it actually it really hasn’t need any big  maintenance stuff on it so only oil changes. Well now it needs O2 sensors which the ones on it are OE so that’s good and plus it needs new shocks which are still the OE ones that came on it in 89. Now I can agree that prices are ridiculous for parts but nonetheless it’s a very reliable car pushing 270k miles but she’s keeping on ticking like new

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 01:14

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Nice vid. My SAAB has a  somewhat similar lower control arm arrangement. I just replaced them all as the (permanent) ball joints were quite loose. I think it might have a similar problem as you describe moving fore and aft. It clunks a bit if you brake heavily then hit the gas. Oddly it’s exactly the same with the new bushings so whatever. 

Louie-Sp8 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 02:13

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I'm a die hard small block V8 Americana fan and love RWD impractical gas guzzlers and totally disrespectful to the EPA. However, the only foreign brand of car that I have owned and will continue to buy in the future is Toyota's lux brand Lexus. That's by far the most reliable and longest lasting lux brand in its class and you can't go wrong with it. There's endless examples from the 90's with 300k miles on them still being daily driven and still smooth. I sold my 93' GS300 (to pay for school) and would happily find another. The LS has always been a great car since day one (1989) . Only downfall is certain Lexus-specific parts are harder to come by and definitely not cheap. 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 06:34

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Well, you had a fun time with that one.....I feel bad that you just kindof abandoned working on it from being fed up/stumped and just started working on the bikes, lol.

Why not replace the Lexus with an ‘06-’10 Accent hatch like mine that is as simple as a bent nail? :P

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > glemon 06/26/2020 at 08:28

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DD a Spitfire. It’ll be fine.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > sony1492 06/26/2020 at 09:38

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I’ve driven a bunch of modern Minis including the absurdly expensive JCW and just... a Fiesta ST has better driving dynamics. The new Minis are such mediocre cars all around. They look okay and the interior is super neat but they’re super uninspiring to drive.

Now, an old classic Mini? Gib.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > thatsmr 06/26/2020 at 09:40

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I have had a lot of 20 year old cars with far more abuse and 3x the miles as this.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > MiniGTI - now with XJ6 06/26/2020 at 09:40

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My Mazda6 had the front/rear clunk even worse. The wheel would move enough to rub the fender liner. It only took 20 minutes to swap the entirety of the front control arms. All simple dogbones with one bolt on either end.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 06/26/2020 at 09:41

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Right now I have the Miata for me, the Insight for the wife, and the Lexus is probably going to go away once I fix it to be replaced by a constant rotation of weird crap to make videos about.

bob and john > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 09:44

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lmao.

I get being frustrated...but its a car. not a chunk of wood.

you will need to work.

LOL BMWs being easier. it would be just as hard, if not harder, and FAR more often.

just admit you are fucking hard on your cars. 

Arrivederci > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's 06/26/2020 at 10:01

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That MB-tex interior material Mercedes uses smells like crayons.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 10:07

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I approve! :P

The wife doesn’t mind driving the hooptie Insight? :O

GottEeem > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 10:35

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Tis video should be called “guy buys wrecked/ragged 20 year old niche market limited production car and blames manufacturer for his experience with it” - see comment from "notsomethings.." for a better take. 

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > bob and john 06/26/2020 at 11:01

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None of my complaints have to do with the fact it broke, or was weak, or was underbuilt, because it’s not and that isn’t even remotely the point I made . T hey have to do with the fact it’s intentionally obnoxious to work on and with little consideration given to repair ability even compared to other brands (the rear suspension on my NC comes to mind).

And don’t tell me how BMWs are, I’ve worked on plenty. Working in the engine bay of an E46 is a joy.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > notsomethingstructural 06/26/2020 at 11:07

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G35s are so tempting but I’ve heard absolutely nothing good about working on them. Don’t they eat those weird hydraulic motor mounts like they’re candy?

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > glemon 06/26/2020 at 11:09

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I don’t think I’ve ever beheld a car easier to work on than a 4cyl first-gen Mazda6. My V6 Mazda6 was a joy to work on except for all the “FWD DOHC V6" annoyances. The only fault with the 4cyl ones is the headlights are still a bastard to get to and the composite core support makes everything miserable in the nose.

The amount of engineering in that car that appears to be done for no reason other than to make it easy to work on is phenomenal. The door design is artwork.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 06/26/2020 at 11:09

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She likes the tossable handling and absolutely loves the fuel economy.

Singular9 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 11:41

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Savagegeese just made a video about why Lexus is great.

Screw your POS german wallet burner  o n wheels

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 12:59

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Nice!

Youknowme > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 13:15

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You buy a Lexus to take it off roading  its a luxury car go buy a Subaru if you plan on that. Any car is gonna last on how you treat it I owned a Lexus for 4 years now the only maintenance has been fluid changes and it still sounds and feels like new. I can almost guarantee the a.c. is leaking from your hard joy rides having that motor bounce and shake a cting like thats regular driving like most people do with a Lexus .

theonewhobreaks > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 13:21

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In the 10 years I owned my IS300 (2009 to 2019) and put 100k miles on it. the only things that went out on it were 2 O2 sensors, 2 ball joints, and one pair of shitty aftermarket headers. 

1JZMk3 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/26/2020 at 14:07

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I have had my 02 SportCross for over six years and it has 271,000 on it. Other than routine maintenance, I have only had to replace the fuel pump. That took less than a half hour and was easy. They just don’t break and everything I have done had been easy. I also have an E46 wagon with 197,000. After you take off the front bumper, remove the headlights, and radiator, it’s not difficult to withing on the front of the engine , but you have to get to that point.

They both have their tricks, but I have to fix the E46 way more often.

steevmitch > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 18:17

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Sorry but you couldn't be more wrong. I had a 2003 IS and it was fantastic. Great equipment, rode like a dream, great solid engine. I loved it. Never a problem. Only thing I didn't like was the shitty mileage but that's not why I bought it. Old Lexus are some of the very best equipped and built cars on the road. 

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 18:17

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Right, on the SAAB you replace the arms and get new bushings and ball joints. It was pretty easy really.  I’m just not sure why the clunk is exactly the same. Engine mounts maybe. 

ANDREW AGUILAR > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 18:36

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The most reliable car company in my opinion is the Toyota corp.Based on personal experience and that of associates of mine who have worked as automotive professionals for decades all agree that Lexus(Toyota) is a wiser purchase than a BMW or Mercedes.I've had superior quality with all the Lexus Vehiclez I've owned,I think this guy either came across a lemon(which can happen with any car make), or he didn't care for his vehicle very well. I will only drive Lexus or Toyota!

Demsarenuckinfutz > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 22:32

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Yeah you are out in left field bro. I had both a 2004 528 and a 2007 es350. One I had to fix abs ,power windows, ac , radiator, water pump, u joints, and on and on and on....the other? I change the oil regularly. 

DerW220 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 22:40

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LOL. This has to be a troll, right? Right?

OEM Lexus parts have an incredible standard (not talking about the Altezza, which isn’t really a Lexus). Quality parts cost. Quality parts do not get much cheaper to produce just because time passes. If you want to compromise then use aftermarket. Aftermarket absolutely does suck. Also, all Lexus and only 90s (some 2000s) BMW are easy to work on.

Yeah: I don’t want to be that rude, but you are basically a charlatan with some things you talk about here. Essentially, the suspension was designed that way *because* it compromises longevity for ride and handling benefits and cost . Deal with it and replace anything with OEM Toyota parts.

RTordie > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/26/2020 at 23:00

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I’ve got 340k miles on my 2003 IS300. Tires, brakes, regular oil changes is all I do to it. Spent $2200 in 2011 on new belts, hoses, tune up etc. And have had zero problems until last summer when I had to  put a new alternator on. Hands down THE BEST car I’ve ever owned. I’ll drive it till it dies.

notsomethingstructural > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/27/2020 at 00:48

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Eh, I’ve got an automatic, so I don’t really notice it like I would in a manual. I would be guessing.

It’s an OK car and if you’re gonna beat it I’d think you can get rid of some of the goofy shit and make it good enough to work on . The biggest downside is it rattles like a bucket of nails. You chase one away and two new ones pop up. But you can gut the interior and take care of most of that. If you got rid of the center undertray and did some sort of turnbuckle to brace the bottom of the bumper (instead of the tray) it would help a lot with taking the aggravation out for front-end and undercarriage repair stuff , too . But there’s no way to get around the rust, and the weird “that’s just how it be” stuff really piles up. Ebrake drum assembly is terrible. Nissan arbitrarily changes the size of gaskets and stuff and keeps the same part number, making part compatibility a huge irritation at times. I test drove several and none of them had 4 good wheel bearings .   I need to change the valve cover gaskets and I have to remove the upper and lower plenum, which has something like a total of 17 bolts in 4 sizes that have to be torqued in order twice. And rust. Just weird shit like that. And your reward for all this is a VQ35 that’s got some pull but sounds like its asthmatic or recovering from COVID. Oh, and did I mention rust?

My RX300 was an absolute joy by comparison.

Brian C. > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 06/27/2020 at 05:37

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My wife’s 2015 GS350 is pretty awesome to work on with the few things I have worked on so far (This is the first car I let the dealership maintain until they quote me an absurd price, so I have not dug in to it as much as my other vehicles). I really like that the front brake calipers do not have to be removed to replace pads. The Toyota/Lexus engineers really thought of ease of maintenance on that one there.