Faults:

Transmission failed and replaced at 7600.

Driver's seat has started peeling.

Tire sensors go on and off frequently.

General Comments:

Let me start from the tough ride of this car, and how difficult it was for me to get used to uncomfortable seats after driving a perfect Infiniti FX35 for 3 years; I would say this was my biggest mistake in life, not buying that SUV at the end of the lease period.

The second disappointment came after noticing how much the ergonomics lack in the interior design. My hands never manage to find things, as I have been able to with all my previous cars.

Next issue was when the transmission just died in the 8th month, and the battles with the dealer who wanted to either send it for repair (and they gave me an economy crappy car as a loaner), or charge me for a new replacement!

Right after the 1st year, a bike hit the car at the rear and I noted how weak the body of this car is; thank God the insurance company was paying the dealer bill, not me! I am guessing this car's body is more in the league of a Tata Nano!

The other issue with the car/dealer is the tire pressure sensors, which turn on every now and then; I go check the pressure and it seems fine; I go to the dealer, they check everything and reset something and say that's fine. Then it comes back after a few months.

For sure I will not enter a new battle with the dealer for the seats; we might or might not have it when I return the car next year.

And finally last week, when I had an emergency stop on the shoulder of the road and had to tow the 4x4 SUV because of 2 inches of snow, I realized nothing should be expected from this piece of machinery.

My FX35 was a real luxury SUV, as my brother's Nissan Xterra is a real offroad beast, and as my colleague's Volvo XC90 is a real engineered SUV. This Lexus is however a caricature of all of them, which does not do anything as expected.

What a pity that I'll be driving it for another whole year.