I don’t want that crap so I’m glad to hear there’s an option.

quote:

Originally posted by bryan11:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimineer:
Doesn’t technology and the various apps change too quickly for something that needs to last 20 or more years? Seems like an expensive option with a very specific form factor that will be difficult to maintain long term.

Getting one fixed 15 years after you drive off the lot seems impractical for Toyota from a logistics standpoint.

But this is coming from an engineer who listens to AM radio in my truck.

That's one reason I don't want a complicated, expensive touch screen with maps and various applications in a vehicle. Separate, non-screen controls for stereo, climate controls, and everything else would be best.

That's exactly why I ended up getting a 2019 4Runner
Has an engine/transmission combo that has proven itself millions of miles and the rest of the tech is "ancient" compared to some of the newest vehicles out there. There is an aftermarket that can fix most user gripes.

Another issue that makes no senses to me regarding Toyota and the TRD Pro models is the lack of a front locking differential and the tires they put on them are worthless off road. They don’t even come close to competing with the Rubicons, ZR2 (not to mention the Bison) or Gladiator and I imagine the new Bronco will be a better rig as well. If you are only hitting dirt roads OK but any serious off reading and the Toyota simply is not your best option which is surprising considering the 4Runner and Tacoma could be superb off road.

Granted, my 2007 Tacoma has been bullet proof but I certainly wouldn’t take it to Moab.

quote:

I don't know why Toyota has missed this boat so badly when it comes to these two integration systems, but there simply is no excuse, especially in a $80k+ luxury vehicle.

You're probably right about that... but I'm still a 4Runner fan.
But... it sounds like your friends knew what they wanted though and that wasn't important to them.
I'm sure you helped them get a great price!

quote:

Originally posted by Jimineer:
Doesn’t technology and the various apps change too quickly for something that needs to last 20 or more years? Seems like an expensive option with a very specific form factor that will be difficult to maintain long term.

Getting one fixed 15 years after you drive off the lot seems impractical for Toyota from a logistics standpoint.

But this is coming from an engineer who listens to AM radio in my truck.

I can only speak to android auto, but the way it works is there is a software hook in the infotainment system to connect to the App on your android device, all the software is running "remotely" on your phone.

When I got my M-5 last year they kept calling me to sign up for sirus radio or something. When I told them I had no use for it. The guy asked me:
"What do you listen to when your driving?"
"The engine"

Seems like most of the hardware can be added later. After the hands-free law passed, I was able to add U-Connect in an hour or so.

quote:

Originally posted by SevenPlusOne:
When I got my M-5 last year they kept calling me to sign up for sirus radio or something. When I told them I had no use for it. The guy asked me:
"What do you listen to when your driving?"
"The engine"

I couldn't agree more. Bought a truck over six months ago and the engine sounds much better than the stuff on the radio any day.

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
Another issue that makes no senses to me regarding Toyota and the TRD Pro models is the lack of a front locking differential and the tires they put on them are worthless off road. They don’t even come close to competing with the Rubicons, ZR2 (not to mention the Bison) or Gladiator and I imagine the new Bronco will be a better rig as well. If you are only hitting dirt roads OK but any serious off reading and the Toyota simply is not your best option which is surprising considering the 4Runner and Tacoma could be superb off road.

Granted, my 2007 Tacoma has been bullet proof but I certainly wouldn’t take it to Moab.

Is your Taco 4 wheel drive?? I’d say your not familiar with the limits of your Taco. I’ve built 3 4runners in the past including suspension lifts, re-gearing, F&R ARB lockers, you name it. They went anywhere I dared and got me home. I needed the front locker about 5% of the time. Manufacturers can’t put *everything* consumers want on their vehicles, they’d simply cost too much. I’ll stick to the Japanese made 4Runner and Land Cruiser long before I’d save money on a GM or Ford product.

quote:

Originally posted by mutedblade:
There is an aftermarket that can fix most user gripes.

You're kidding, right? So the guy who's looking at a $80k+ Lexus needs to shell out that kinda money and then go have the radio swapped out to get something that the guy who just bought a $14k econo-box got as a standard option. No sir, Toyota needs to get its damn act together and get Carplay 'and' Android Audio into all their models. Its 2020 for god's sake. Those interfaces have been showing up in cars for the past 5-7 years, and at this point, are looked upon by most as have to have's in a new car.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:
But... it sounds like your friends knew what they wanted though and that wasn't important to them.
I'm sure you helped them get a great price!

Yes, he was quite happy (and somewhat surprised) at the price I got him. Given they had no trade and were paying cash, it made the negotiation easy. They simply showed up with check in hand, signed the paperwork, and went to dinner. All in we probably spent 35 minutes with the sales manager. That's the way it should work for everyone. I really need to reconsider doing this as a sideline job.

Actually they had no idea what Carplay or Android Audio were, so they couldn't miss what they'd never experienced. However, he texted me recently to let me know he'd been in someone else's car who introduced him to Carplay. After seeing it in action and what it could do, he was rather disappointed Toyota didn't include it in the LX he bought.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
Seems like most of the hardware can be added later. After the hands-free law passed, I was able to add U-Connect in an hour or so.

quote:

Originally posted by SevenPlusOne:
When I got my M-5 last year they kept calling me to sign up for sirus radio or something. When I told them I had no use for it. The guy asked me:
"What do you listen to when your driving?"
"The engine"

I couldn't agree more. Bought a truck over six months ago and the engine sounds much better than the stuff on the radio any day.

Same here.
When I'm in the mountains with my dog on a trail I don't think too much about any apps. I have all of my music on a USB stick if I want tunes and my phone plays anything I want it to over blue tooth.
I suppose shame on Toyota a little for not keeping up but also maybe some folks place too much value in infotainment.

VW 2018 Tiguan does not shut off auto-start when the door is opened, but does require a locked condition to auto-start. But, if you try to put it in gear before touching the start button, it stops the engine. Why? You need to have the RFID key to get in the car, and the key has to be inside the car to drive it. Why have to touch the start button too? Makes no sense.

At least it has a large touch screen with Android Auto/Car Play that works well enough.

My problem with Toyota is not anything but aesthetics. Why are they so uniformly butt ugly? Mazda, Honda, and even Nissan manage to design bodies that are reasonably attractive, but (to my eye anyway) Toyotas, across the product line, are anything but. Especially surprising because the Japanese have long demonstrated aesthetic sensibilities the at least the equal of any other culture I can think of, and other Japanese manufacturers do not fail so consistently in this regard.

Stepping in late, and didn't read all the responses, but I'll say that that price is not out of the ordinary for a good vehicle these days. Sadly.

Six years ago I bought a top of the line Ford truck. Sticker? $62,000. Twice what my parents paid for their house that they raised seven children in.

Recently I had it in the shop for some routine maintenance. While there, I wandered around the lot looking at new trucks and MSRPs.

70s and 80s are not unheard of.

Ridiculous!

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
For the most part, the Japanese are to the Korean brands, what the American brands were to the Japanese brands when they finally found their footing in the early 90's.

Are you suggesting the Japanese brands are trying to catch up with the Korean brands?

I am a diehard Lexus fan. Despite the technology and power gaps to other manufacturers, the fact that I never need to take it to the dealership is the biggest selling point.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
VW 2018 Tiguan does not shut off auto-start when the door is opened, but does require a locked condition to auto-start. But, if you try to put it in gear before touching the start button, it stops the engine. Why? You need to have the RFID key to get in the car, and the key has to be inside the car to drive it. Why have to touch the start button too? Makes no sense.

Having the doors locked as a prerequisite for auto-start is likely an anti-theft thing. Let's not start it with the doors unlocked, right?

As for touching the start button AND having they key in the car before moving -- likely a safety thing. I would think you have to touch the start button with your foot on the brake before being able to move the vehicle.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
My problem with Toyota is not anything but aesthetics. Why are they so uniformly butt ugly?

Refer to the "ugly Toyota thread," here.

I cant imagine paying 80k for a car and No I'm not poor. it's just seems like stupid money for transportation no mater how nice it is , 4 years from now it will be worth 25k

Where to start... 3 things I guess

A) the Lexus LX has been the same vehicle since 2007 with only a front end refresh. Apple Carplay is only coming in the newest models or most recently redesigned with the modern infotainment setup.

B) the Lexus LX is an old school luxury vehicle, back when that meant bullet proof reliability and impeccable build quality. Modern 'luxury' just means tons of unreliable tech and brand prestige.

C) Lexus doesn't actively want to sell the LX. It's their lowest selling model they keep around just for the fans. It's so expensive because of where and how it's built. Its basically their halo car.

I am on my 5th 4Runner. For me it is just about the perfect SUV. Right size, great re-sale, legendary reliability. But the Entune interface is a POS. And about 15 months in they dropped Pandora from the menu?!? Just getting around to releasing CarPlay which has been around since 2016 is a big miss when looking for a tech-savvy demographic.

quote:

Originally posted by jezsuiz:
I am a diehard Lexus fan. Despite the technology and power gaps to other manufacturers, the fact that I never need to take it to the dealership is the biggest selling point.

Amen to that.

2017 Mercedes shuts off when you open the door. Restarting it seemed silly to me. I have to have the fob within 36”of the door to open it. Why does it have to shut off and have me restart it.

Ditched the Mercedes before we moved. I now have a Hyundai Sonata. It starts and stays running when I open the door. As soon as I step on the brake pedal, all the electronics come to life.