Are there downsides to used upscale brands?

[trd1zz]

One thing I would point out--Toyota parts can be significantly more than BMW, down to a Corolla (example, OE power window switch on a Corolla is 3X that of a BMW 7 series OE). For all we know a BMW X5 M rack is cheaper (well this is the front and it is). Something non Lexus owners should know in advance. The car may be cheap, but the ongoing maintenance can exceed a German car.

But the power window switch or the rack on the corolla won't fail

 

[Ws6]

No Chrysler has offered a suspension like this.
Remember the QX80 is the international Patrol and gets raced at 100 mph up and down desert dunes again and again in the middle east.
This is the suspension that does it, comparable suspensions exists to my knowledge, only in the AMG versions of the G Class Mercedes benz.

I do own a '23 Armada but sometimes I wonder if it would not have been better to spend more and gotten the QX80.
Maybe when I am back in the US I'll pick up a used one.
Of course then, due to US domestic snails pace driving, I will no longer need that high speed capability the Q80 suspension offers, so its a catch 22.

Yeah, Chrysler had/has the "Quadralift" suspension. Anyway, I made the Chrysler joke because Nissan is the Chrysler of Japan.

 

[John105]

But the power window switch or the rack on the corolla won't fail

My experience is the Toyota power window switch does fail, but then again I'm talking about 10+ years down the road. Many don't care about that and only worry about 3. If one looks at the flagship car, almost all of the buttons and switches fail, the engine does not.

 

[John105]

Yeah, Chrysler had/has the "Quadralift" suspension. Anyway, I made the Chrysler joke because Nissan is the Chrysler of Japan.

Having owned a 1998 Maxima SE 5 spd brand new, first new car ever, I had wanted great things to happen with that co. But it seemed to just go downhill, at least the Maxima did with each new generation.

 

[Ws6]

But the power window switch or the rack on the corolla won't fail

Maybe not, but Toyota has issues with their quality, as I discovered buying a RAV4 Prime, so I'd put NOTHING past them.

May just randomly catch on fire due to damaged part during assembly:
https://www.kbb.com/car-news/recall...=Toyota explains, “A component that,Used 2022

Roof leaking:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10236192-9999.pdf

Can catch on fire when charged below 41*f:
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/...g to Toyota.&text=Looking for our newsletter?

Poorly designed cables corroding, causing $5K in damage:
https://www.torquenews.com/1/toyota...blizzard-vs-mud-bath-where-does-rust-run-wild

SO yeah, I have owned a Toyota. It had design flaws, as well as poor QA/QC, apparently, and I think people who think Toyotas are somehow special are just living in the past. They probably think BMW engines are finicky still. Spoiler: Toyota uses BMW engines in their sports cars for a reason.

 

[Ws6]

Having owned a 1998 Maxima SE 5 spd brand new, first new car ever, I had wanted great things to happen with that co. But it seemed to just go downhill, at least the Maxima did with each new generation.

Anything Nissan with a 5.6L or a SR20 derivative is a decent vehicle in many ways. Other stuff? hard pass.

 

[trd1zz]

My experience is the Toyota power window switch does fail, but then again I'm talking about 10+ years down the road. Many don't care about that and only worry about 3. If one looks at the flagship car, almost all of the buttons and switches fail, the engine does not.

I own 2 Toyota's both ~20 years old including the Corolla you are talking about. No window switches have failed.

I think most Toyota buyers expect that things are working well beyond 3 years old. But BMW or Mercedes, yeah, I agree with you, a much much much higher percentage of those cars are leased for 3 years and then dumped.

 

[John105]

I own 2 Toyota's both ~20 years old including the Corolla you are talking about. No window switches have failed.

I think most Toyota owners worry about things working well beyond 3 years old. But BMW or Mercedes, yeah, I agree with you, a much much much higher percentage of those cars are leased for 3 years and then dumped.

I own a 2006 LS430, which has the same power window switch as you do, only the module is different and it's all auto. I had to rebuild it because it's cost prohibitive to replace it. I'd be ok with $280 like it would be with a BMW 7 series.

 

[John105]

Maybe not, but Toyota has issues with their quality, as I discovered buying a RAV4 Prime, so I'd put NOTHING past them.

May just randomly catch on fire due to damaged part during assembly:
https://www.kbb.com/car-news/recall-alert-toyota-rav4-prime-lexus-nx-plug-in-hybrid-fire-risk/#:~:text=Toyota explains, “A component that,Used 2022

Roof leaking:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10236192-9999.pdf

Can catch on fire when charged below 41*f:
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/toyota-recalls-rav4-prime-and-lexus-nx-450h-for-short-circuit-condition-218174.html#:~:text=Come January 2023, the Japanese,improved design, according to Toyota.&text=Looking for our newsletter?

Poorly designed cables corroding, causing $5K in damage:
https://www.torquenews.com/1/toyota...blizzard-vs-mud-bath-where-does-rust-run-wild

SO yeah, I have owned a Toyota. It had design flaws, as well as poor QA/QC, apparently, and I think people who think Toyotas are somehow special are just living in the past. They probably think BMW engines are finicky still. Spoiler: Toyota uses BMW engines in their sports cars for a reason.

Toyota owners are fiercely loyal. Why, dunno. Cars are cars, the only person a buyer has to justify a purchase to is themselves.

One time on the LS430 forum, I said this car is hardly one that would do well in an autocross. You shoulda seen the forum jump on my back, how do I know, did I try it? Many forums, you cannot say anything negative about the vehicles of the forum. Heaven forbid the vehicle isn't perfect! Well, for one, the skidpad is .73 g, that's a 1970's handling number.

edit just thought of this, one reason I think people can be so fiercely loyal to one brand, is because that's all they have and have ever had. Variety is the spice of life. Right now? We have a Lexus, a BMW, and a Chevy. There are good and bad i.e. pros and cons of each. The BMW is the most reliable of the 3, purchased new (well not the Chevy it's new, compared to the Buick Envlave it replaced, which was the most unreliable, yet DIY helped). With the Lexus, many switches do not work, it's not a deal killer, have had it for 9 years to the BMWs 18.5. Just need to learn to rebuild, not replace, due to the high cost of Toyota parts.

 

[trd1zz]

I had to rebuild it because it's cost prohibitive to replace it. I'd be ok with $280 like it would be with a BMW 7 series.

Even if you'd have to replace it 3-4x as much? Go ask E46 owners how many times they've had to fix window switches in their car

 

[John105]

Even if you'd have to replace it 3-4x as much? Go ask E46 owners how many times they've had to fix window switches in their car

Why would I do that? I'm not a telemarketer

 

[Ws6]

Toyota owners are fiercely loyal. Why, dunno. Cars are cars, the only person a buyer has to justify a purchase to is themselves.

One time on the LS430 forum, I said this car is hardly one that would do well in an autocross. You shoulda seen the forum jump on my back, how do I know, did I try it? Many forums, you cannot say anything negative about the vehicles of the forum. Heaven forbid the vehicle isn't perfect! Well, for one, the skidpad is .73 g, that's a 1970's handling number.

edit just thought of this, one reason I think people can be so fiercely loyal to one brand, is because that's all they have and have ever had. Variety is the spice of life. Right now? We have a Lexus, a BMW, and a Chevy. There are good and bad i.e. pros and cons of each. The BMW is the most reliable of the 3, purchased new (well not the Chevy it's new, compared to the Buick Envlave it replaced, which was the most unreliable, yet DIY helped). With the Lexus, many switches do not work, it's not a deal killer, have had it for 9 years to the BMWs 18.5. Just need to learn to rebuild, not replace, due to the high cost of Toyota parts.

The one thing I'll say for Toyota is that those rabid fans hanging on to yester-year DO prop up their resale value.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

I don't think many cars are what they " use" to be because of the bean counters and CARB standards. I don't consider my 13' CRV EXL AWD to be a " luxury version" of a CRV. It has a better sound system, aluminum wheels, and a power driver seat. Big whoop. The black pleather is garbage. So, basically, I don't have to re-paint the steelies that a regular CRV comes with. Salt belt does a number on steelies. There are very few added options to the EXL, like heated seats, which I don't use anyway. Wanted the pleather bc it's easily cleaned. Don't even use the sunroof.