Ever see an oxidized Lexus?

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bcwang

New member
I'm just wondering if anyone out there has ever seen a Lexus with original paint that was either faded or oxidized. Thinking back, I can't remember ever seeing a Lexus where the paint didn't still look pretty good, even original ls400s from the early 90's. Is their paint really good or have I just missed all the bad ones out there?
 
A Lexus is just a rebadged Toyota and I haven't seen any difference in the paint quality. Its like my Acura is just a Honda with different badges. The paint on red Integras fades and oxidizes just as fast as red Civics. Its paint coming from the same place.



I've seen a few oxidized Lexus cars in my day. The problem that I've had with Lexus, as well as Toyota, is that the paint doesn't appear to be very thick and there seems to be more orange peel than a car should have. I've cleaned up several different colors on a Lexus and it seems that the dark green ones give me the most problem with oxidation and I've seen it more on the ES300 than on other models. I don't know if its the age of the car that is the factor or the color or the model. I don't do a ton of them but I do end up doing 5 or 6 a year and that is just what I've noticed. Even when walking through a parking lot (a true Autopian observes and scrutinizes every car he sees everywhere he goes ;)) I see that the older Lexus cars have a bit of oxididation.



One thing that keeps most of them looking good is the fact that they aren't cheap cars no matter how old they are. If you are in the market for a 10 year old Lexus then that car is probably going to cost more than a 10 year old anything else in the same catagory. People tend to take better care of the cars that cost more money. Maybe they just take them to a brushless car wash more often than the person in the Cavalier. Who knows...? What is saving their paint is that they are taking better care of the cars and not just because the paint is a better quality is what I think. The ones that aren't cared for will oxidize just as quickly as a Ferrari or a Honda that isn't properly cared for.
 
Hmm, guess I just haven't got much exposure to them I guess. I was thinking about it when I saw a red ls400 recently of the original introductory model that looked like the paint was still pretty good. At around the same time I saw a red infinity q45 whose top panels were completely faded and peeling.



I remember when lexus first came out, their brochure went over how they used some special 7 layer paint process.
 
I've seen a few oxidized Lexuses (sp?) as well, but most of them are still pretty good. I also believe they use a different paint process with the cars. I also remember reading something about the special paint process, I'll see if I can dig up a brochure that explains it.
 
bcwang said:
I'm just wondering if anyone out there has ever seen a Lexus with original paint that was either faded or oxidized. Thinking back, I can't remember ever seeing a Lexus where the paint didn't still look pretty good, even original ls400s from the early 90's. Is their paint really good or have I just missed all the bad ones out there?
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At least from my memory, Lexus has not used anything but base/clear paint since their start of production. I may be wrong though. If a Lexus looks oxidized it is more than likely just scratched up making the paint look dull.
 
Also contributing; High-end cars tend to be garaged as opposed to the average grocery getter.



People do tend to take a bit better care of cars of that ilk.
 
Jngr, The paint quality and fit and finish quality are both much better on the Lexus brand then on the Toyota brand. moreso than Acura and Honda or Nissan and Infiniti, although Infiniti's finish is becoming more upscale. Lexus and Toyota vehicles are painted in totally different facilities using different technologies. In fact, they're about to move most RX330 production to their Canadian plant, and they just built and all new state of the art paint facility there specially for it and only it. There are also colors and finishes for the Lexus that are unavailable on the Toyota.



I also have to disagree about the paint finish on the Lexus, I've had two, one LS400 and now my ES300. First, I find the finish is about equal on both, smooth with no ornage peel. I personally see far more Mercedes and BMWs with orange peel and crappy finishes then I do lexus....
 
Lexus paint to me seems to look like a work of art.



I own a new '03 SC430 in Red.



However, I'm starting to find that although it is beautiful, it comes with a price. The new formulation of paint seems brittle. With the lack of lead in paint, and everything now water-borne, it just does not hold up well to daily driving. See my thread on Lexus attempt of paint repair.



I had a RX300 previous in black, but never had problems with that finish.



Once cleaned and polished, it is one of the best looking finish out there. I find the Lexus finish better looking than say Mercedes Benz or BMW or other Euro cars, with the exception of a Ferrari Enzo (next car... wishfull thinking).



This is just my opinion..



Deanski
 
I dont understand the point of the LX470/Land Cruiser. They need to pick one or the other. The MSRP for a loaded Toyota Land Cruiser is 64k and the loaded price for a LX470 is 67k. That is a $3000 difference. What do you get? An "L" in the grille instead of a "T" .



The suspensions are both adjustable air suspension and identical. The wheels are either 17's or 18's and are almost identical. The interiors are almost the same except for the Lexus backlit speedo cluster.



Anyway, sorry for the hijacked thread. The rebadged Toyota comment got me thinking agian.
 
i saw a very badly oxidized old maroon lexus in my old apartment complex in los angeles. but recently, i haven't seen one. i haven't seen a late model one with bad paint ever.
 
i got a 91 burgndy LS400 and my paint is still pretty nice. i believe its clear coated because i dont see any color come onto my pads when waxing. my paint isnt perfect..when i got it there was alot of paint defects, alot of swirl marks and embeded dirt. i havent clayed barred my car yet but i will, i usually only wax it but it still looks great.
 
There is no insult in calling a Lexus a Toyota. They make some of the best cars in the world without a doubt. Appearance of paint on most quality vehicles depend on the care. This car is exposed to environment 24/7 (3 classics and Z28 convertible get all my at home garage space :cool: ). Would have to disagree with Jngr about the clearcoat. Lexus seems to have a rather thick clearcoat. I noticed this because of it's ability to make even sealants like Zaino, UPP, and VM and MW appear deep, unlike my GM black which requires a depth enhancing product. :nixweiss.



Not bad for a 9 y.o daily driver under autopian care. ;)
 
thevolvoguy said:
I dont understand the point of the LX470/Land Cruiser. They need to pick one or the other. The MSRP for a loaded Toyota Land Cruiser is 64k and the loaded price for a LX470 is 67k. That is a $3000 difference. What do you get? An "L" in the grille instead of a "T" .



The suspensions are both adjustable air suspension and identical. The wheels are either 17's or 18's and are almost identical. The interiors are almost the same except for the Lexus backlit speedo cluster.



Anyway, sorry for the hijacked thread. The rebadged Toyota comment got me thinking agian.
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Landcruiser does not have height adjustable suspension. Lexus has 4 year warranty and 6 year powertrain. Also much better service. I would pay the 3k more, that is if I even liked the truck.
 
Agree with Al. For only a 3K diff I'd buy the Lexus every day and not for the suspension.



I thought Toyota was supposed to be the economy/value brand, offering people high quality cars at reasonable prices? If there are two words one CANNOT associate with a $64,000 Toyota, its "economy" and "value".
 
bretfraz said:
Agree with Al. For only a 3K diff I'd buy the Lexus every day and not for the suspension.



I thought Toyota was supposed to be the economy/value brand, offering people high quality cars at reasonable prices? If there are two words one CANNOT associate with a $64,000 Toyota, its "economy" and "value".
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...very brand faithful and Toyota offers these buyers quality products as they migrate up the economic scale. Why would a buyer purchases a low end Merc (c-class) when they can purchase a high end Honda ( Acura) or Nissan ( Infiniti) for the same price and in most cases receive more for their money.

Brand loyality or in some cases false status.:rolleyes:



These ironies in the automoble business are boundless. $70,000 VW's, Porsche SUV's, GM's present performance offerings (none, excluding Corvette), $40,000 trucks, Chrysler's failure to put their V8 Hemi in a sporty car, the new Viper offering, etc, etc, etc.
 
I think there are a lot of reasons to buy a "low end" Merc over a Honda or Nissan or Toyota. Same with "low end" BMW, Volvo, Audi, or Saab.



I agree that Toyota makes a high quality product but if someone can afford to blow $64K on a Toyota, I think they've migrated quite high up the ol' economic scale. There's nothing ironic about a $64,000 Toyota.
 
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