When is it better to just give in?
So far it's been a pretty good car: comfortable, although shy on the headroom unless the panel under the moonroof is open. Mine is a beige 92 (with the matte wheels -- no chrome for me) with about 125,000 miles. No major repairs yet except the very expensive milestone services and then the timing belt replacement. The color's kind of boring looking, but then I bought it, didn't I. The lines on the new ones are just not as sporty as the 92's lines.
The problems I have with it, most nitpicky things:
Carpet, passenger side, going up the center console. This popped out almost immediately after I boght it, and the dealer wouldn't fix it. The pin holding it had broken -- the carpet is just stretched too tightly. I hear that changed in later models.
Power antenna stopped retracting, will only extend partway. OK, I can live with it. Sounds like a gear's stripped, maybe.
Moon roof seal doesn't seal anymore -- lots of air noise. OK, turn the stereo up!
Drivers side headlamp burned out. It was kind of a pain to replace, felt like I was gonna break the housing reaching in there, but it works. I notice the headlight lenses get cloudy (not condensation) over time.
The fast blinker problem just started - passenger side. All the lights still seem to work though. In the old days, wasn't there just a little silver condensor that needed to be replaced? Do I really have to change all the blinker lamps?
Nearly all the needle indicators but one are burned out. Only one back light works. Sounds like a reasonably expensive repair, too.
Gas guage stocks half the time, won't go above 1/4 tank, but does work on the way down. I get about 20mpg, so I can be my own gas guage with the trip odometer.
Be careful replacing the air filter: my corrugated hose cracked slightly once, and the problem (stalling and generally poor operation) was difficult to find.
Drivers side seat leather has holes warn through and the center seam has ripped. I've since learned I should have used leather cream on it.
The air conditioner mildew problem. I've tried a few things, but it still comes back.
Too bad there seems to be no cabin air filter to replace in the 92.
The dash finish causes the inside windshield to develop a haze. Moreso when a sun shield is used. More an annoyance that I hope Lexus has fixed in new models.
If you replace the tires, don't go for high mileage variety: go soft and sticky. I replaced the sport tires with some Continental touring tires, and the ride is very hard now. I should have gone for the Goodyears.
But it still passes the smog test.
The BMW325, Volvo convertible, and saabs are starting to look good. The BMW X3 I drove was a very nice vehicle as well. Are the new ES's worth a look?
