SW20S

I remember that! Lol

Yes the LX is a great vehicle, and should be very reliable…although that new 3.5 TTV6 is an incredibly complex engine…

I had 7 Lexuses, LS400, LS430, ES300, ES350, GS350 and two LS460s. They aren’t perfect, in fact I don’t think any of them had nothing that went wrong under warranty. Maybe the GS…but I will say the dealer service is better at Lexus. I wouldn’t go back to Lexus though simply because they don’t make the kinds of cars that appeal to me any more. The LS500 isn’t competitive, and they don’t make any proper RWD unibody SUVs. If they made a 3 row SUV on the GA-L platform then I would be all about that, but they don’t and they won’t.

wildta

I moved over from an RX and this is 100% my experience. Comfy and reliable as a daily driver but absolutely soul less. I never thought about how it had poor handling in the rain until I read your comment and it echoed my experience. Replacing with Michelin tires helped but it doesn't feel the same as the GLE I have now. The newer Lexus lineup have stepped up their game but I still think I'd be making a step backwards, overall for my needs and wants, if I returned to Lexus.

SW20S

Thats the big difference between an RX and a GLE, the GLE is a proper luxury vehicle with a longitudinal engine, RWD layout with multi-link front and rear suspension. An RX is an economy car platform with a transverse engine and FWD layout and inexpensive macpherson strut front suspension, as found in Camrys, Accords, Corollas etc. The RX can never be what a GLE, X5 etc is. It has way more in common with my Pacifica minivan than a GLE.

When you get into the real luxury Lexus vehicles like the LC and LS and IS etc then you have a proper premium platform and suspension and it is much closer, but still they lack the engineering prowess to make a car that feels both extremely refined and comfortable, and also alive. My LSs for instance were beautiful riding cars and very quiet and refined and well made, perfect build quality, but there is just something about the S Class that is alive...

mikapen

The LS600 is part of Toyota's move to a single body on frame platform. The Land Cruiser, the 4Runner, and others are now all on the same chassis.

So they're staying old school, not competing with the luxury brands. It just depends on what you're looking for.
Unfortunately, this new era over the last couple of years has launched Toyota into the same dilemma that all manufacturers find, when they start upgrading their technology.

SW20S

There is a place for BOF, Escalade and Navigator for instance are BOF. It has a lot of positives depending on your use, towing is a big one. For me, in a vehicle I drive everyday and I don't need that specific benefit a unibody vehicle is a much better choice.

nc211

BOF feels like you're "on" the car, whereas unibody feels like you're "in" the car. Each has their appeal and feel. We've not had a BOF since trading in that 05' 4Runner in December 2011 for a Volvo XC90 (huge mistake). When we drove the Ford Bronco last fall, we were instantly reminded of the difference, and really loved how it drove and rode. Solid rear axle, front Indi suspension, felt very familiar to that beloved 4Runner. Hope to see ours next month, before my midlife crisis subsides..

nc211

...but to the OP, even Toyota has their issues sometimes. This, from the news today. Applies to the new Prius! Never thought they had ejector seats actually! I'd pay extra for that feature!!

W205C43PFL

Not defending MB but even Toyota is not building cars like they used to now. Major car companies are more interested in profit nowadays...

chassis

Are you getting a new generation 2025 4Runner?

We had a 2005 4Runner SR5 for 10 years and ran it for 205k miles. What a vehicle. Almost perfect.

nc211

That’s what we had too, the 2005 SR5 with the V8. Took it to 140k miles. Was a mistake to trade it for the Volvo. Looked at the new ones hard, but ultimately wanted something completely different that I’ve never had before. Gave the Cayenne a very very hard look too, probably my favorite german SUV in general. But decided I don’t want fast and hair raising handling. In the mood for a cigar and some Steve Miller in the slow lane instead for a while. Went with one of these. Mine will look exactly like this except will be green. 2024 Bronco OuterBanks, all options except the “Sasquatch” off-road stuff. Hard top for the winter, soft top for the rest of the year. If I need a roadtrip, I’ll take the GLS. Otherwise, it is one arm out the window, one on the wheel, and enjoying the breeze!

mikapen

It's the tech.
Look at all those reliability reports.

If you have no tech, you're reliable.
If you have new tech, people are bewildered, and you not only have more bugs, but more complaints as well, as people are befuddled by menus.

mikapen

I don't subscribe to the Body on Frame being a superior tow vehicle.
The frame flexes too much for a suspension to have a good working platform, and they bounce all over the place on anything other than smooth roads.

In my opinion, having towed quite a bit with both, you have to go to at least a 3/4 ton truck to better towing experience than with our GLEs. Maybe 1T these days.

But you still don't have the ability to steer around an obstacle, and with their puny brakes, you can't stop either.

BOF SUVs or Vans are much better than pickups, which need the additional reinforcement from a full body.

We got rid of our 1 ton pickup in exchange for a 3/4 ton van for our race hauler, and it ended our White knuckle towing experience.

Navigators do ride nice. And some of their sound systems are quite good.

The biggest towing advantage of BOF TVs, are bigger towing capacities. Probably add 500 to 800 lb, compared to unibodies.

Land yachts. Yes they do have their place.

SW20S

I’m not a person who tows, but everybody I know who does prefers a BOF vehicle for towing.

You’re right about tech, clearly MB has issues beyond tech with this model but one of the reasons why Lexus is so highly rated is they have old tech and old proved naturally aspirated powertrains.

Now that everything has turbos, we will see. Google turbo replacements in the 3.5 TTV6 in the Tundra, it requires a cab off, no hot V.

W205C43PFL

Well, that might be a reason indeed.

streborx

Very true -- never had a problem with my '95 Wrangler YJ. Menus are indeed befuddling -- I guess that's why they get continually redesigned just about the time I'm getting one figured out.

nc211

Screams “PASSWORD”!!!

mikapen

"Off" is good.

I just got an Audi Q5 rental, Prestige+ S Line with with a bunch of options. And the obligatory 250 page owner's manual.

I'm a threat on the highway while I try to figure out all this stuff. I totally blew the cruise control, causing a bunch of angry drivers, with the ensuing crazy passing by everybody who felt Macho at the moment.

So I spent last evening trying to figure out how to work the cruise and to reset the TPMS, because the tires became 8-10psi over inflated - probably to get rid of TPMS warning.

Maybe it's a marketing strategy.
I wasn't going to buy my 21 GLE 53 (a Cayenne this time, again), but I know that my wife had trouble getting used to anything but MB. She hated her Macan because of the tech.

So, in our case, the learning curve for a new brand thwarted the change.

Smart marketing?

Splaktar

Sounds like a great idea! I have also been looking at Broncos lately. I need something with a rubber floor and a drain valve for going to the beach (we live 5 minutes away). I also want a convertible, but need more utility than a sedan can provide. The top off Bronco seems like a great option for getting around A1A.

nc211

took 5 months for mine to come in, picked it up yesterday with 7 miles on it. OBX with Lux package, 4.27 locking rear differential, 2.7V6 twin turbo, steel bumper with brush guard, tow package, dual tops. Minus the tires, $63.9. Tires are 285/65/18 on stock wheels. 5 of them, $2k. Have about $1k of aftermarket accessories to put on. So, call it $67k all-in. We absolutely love it! Nowhere near the ride smoothness of our GLS, not even remotely comparable comparison by any stretch of the imagination. However, my wife made the comment today that “it makes my Mercedes look like a minivan now”. Perfect weather today, took the first section top off and went to lunch together. She is trying to work her magic in swiping it from me!

It truly is fun! Drives wonderful for a body on frame truck. Wouldn’t be my first choice for a 2 day road trip, but wouldn’t have any issues for a 5-& hour trip at all. Fun fact, to split the car into two, is just 7 bolts, 5 wire harness clips and 2 hoses, the body comes right off the frame/engine/transmission. Apparently takes less than 30 minutes for the shop to do, making it a very easy vehicle to service and repair, which is exactly what I wanted to hear! The 400+ of torque out of the V6 and 10 speed gearbox makes it absolutely effortless to get up to speed. Literally takes about 1/10 of throttle to get moving quickly!

AKSwift

Congratulations. Looks like a nice car and, as you say, it scratches a different itch to the GLS, but does so very well. Hope you enjoy it!

Splaktar

Congratulations! I love that Eruption Green! Sounds like you are off to a great start with your mods!

There are so many more first and third-party mods for the Broncos compared to to my MY24 GLS! MBUSA still shows zero accessories available for my vehicle. Unbelievable that they won't provide any guidance at all on all-terrain or off road tires.

That won't be a problem with the Bronco!

SW20S

Congrats! You'll have a lot of fun in that

nc211

First mod I did was name him..and in the 48 hours that I’ve had it, I’ve had probably half a dozen honks with “thumbs up”, chatted up at the gas station, Costco parking lot, and a very happy car of college dudes pass by me after sitting behind me at the light to honk and scream “Tommy Boy!!” Clearly they understood his name…

this thing is an absolute riot to drive! Twin turbo v6 against a 10 speed transmission, it’s utterly effortless. Haven’t a clue how fast yet, only at 80 miles, breaking in gently!

EWL5

There's a certain CEO who would more than likely shed a tear to see his dearly departed cousin remembered on one of his company's cars!