That's obvious.  It doesn't mean that I can't express my opinion.  It
doesn't mean that I'm going to lobby to have a federal law mandate
what I say either.   People can read what I wrote and form their own
opinions.

Amen!  Buy what you want!  We do not decide what you can afford.

What you're talking about are some mechanical items they share.
That's undeniable.  What I'm talking about are the items that they
don't share.  Things such as the luxury appointments.  Do you really
think that the materials of the seats are equal?  Do you think that
the Nakamichi system in the Lexus ES will even bolt in to a Camry?

It behoove your budget to have the ES oil changes at a Toyota dealer.
I'm not saying you shouldn't.  With that in mind, it seems fatuous to
me to purchase a GS430, for example, and go to Discount Auto parts for
brake pads.

Ha.  Go read the Wiring Diagram.  Go 'plonk' the sheet metal (it's
different) :-).  You haven't really driven them, have you?

Lexus are no doubt Toyotas.  Engines and transmissions are not similar
but not exactly the same.  The SC didn't used to be a stand alone.  A
derivative of the original was used for the Supra.  

If you believe that iridium plugs are scams, this may be a bit over
you but I'll attempt to edify you anyway.  The smaller tip better
ensures a better burn characteristic.  This becomes more important as
the pressure in the chamber rises such as high compression engines or
boosted engines.  Although most gains are seen in forced induction
engines, there are minimal gains in normally aspirated engines and
more significant gains on emissions especially as the mileage wears on
as iridium tips are harder than platinum tips.  The same was said of
platinum tips when they came out over copper plugs.  Don't take my
word for it.  Do some research.

I agree with you that Lexus is the better buy because they are made in
Japan and so are the parts, if you can afford it.  There are people
who also think that it shows you have a lot of money (hence the status
symbol).  I don't care for it myself.  I drive them because I like
what they do for me, not to try to impress my neighbors.

Hey, the only car platform shared by Toyota/Lexus us the ES. That leaves the
IS, GS, and LS as in no significant way related mechanically. Supposedly in
the next generation the ES and Camry link will be broken. Maybe then this
Lexus is "only" a Toyota whining will finally end. For some strange reason
some German car heads just cannot stomach that Lexus (and recently Infiniti)
make luxury cars that are better than the German brands. Go read the car
books, and in every comparison the Japanese luxo cars win on content. They
also are way more reliable than the German brands. (Not having to visit the
dealer every few weeks - the ultimate luxury.) MB, BMW and Audi heads should
be grateful to Lexus. Lexus slapped them upside their heads big-time in 1990
when the first LS rolled out and taught them the luxo barge buyers like
reliability and a fair price, too. Just imagine how much more crappy the
reliability of the German brands would be if the Japanese were not giving
them plenty of competition. Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti are the best things
that ever happened to German Car loyalists.

As for status symbols, to each his own. Me? I see a guy in an LS430, I think
"Nice car, smart car to buy it." I see a MB S-Class I think "Poor bastard
probably knows his service manager and the whole crew and maybe their
families on a first name basis. Wonder if he has his own parking spot at the
dealership?" I see a 7-Series and I think "Who is in charge at BMW that
would let Bangle do that to their cars. Did Bangle have photos of the BMW
board members doing naughty things with farm animals and black mail them
with the pics?"

Cheers.

- nopcbs

I didn't say to always bring the car in to the Lexus dealer for
service for what a Toyota dealer can do for less money.  If you read
what I wrote carefully, you will never see that.  What I was talking
about was putting lower octane fuel and putting aftermarket parts on
it.  I don't consider a Toyota Camry oil filter an aftermarket part on
the Lexus ES330. (Also read my responses to others).

As a matter of fact, I do believe that Lexus dealers are very highly
priced when it comes to service.  They have a smaller, more meticulous
clientele that they have to cater to.  Their overhead is higher so
they charge more.  Is it worth it?  Not for me.  I work on my own
cars, thank you.  They only see me at the dealer for vehicle
purchases, warranty items (hasn't happened yet), and OEM parts that
are not available at the Toyota dealers.

If you wish to clear a code from your car again, try pulling the
fuse(s) to the ECU for about 30 seconds.  Works for me
everytime...that is if the problem is merely an aberration and not a
mechanical failure.

That's pretty funny, after reading all the posts I planned on making a
Ducati/Honda comparison but figured not many would get it.  Nice bike
anyway!

Wrong guess.  I have a modified 1994 Supra Turbo.