Which is why only a looney buys the first model year!!! I learned my lesson when young with a 1954 Mercury, the first year with the OHV V8. I have spent a lifetime trying to forget the experience.1991 Lexus LS400. Probably the most reliable car ever produced. 1993 Toyota Supra. Solid as a rock. Both first model year cars.
Toyota learns from "lesser cars". If you drive a 1989 Cressida, you'll know where Lexus got it's refinement. They constantly refine parts and tecnologies and use the resulting products in newer models.
Case in point is the Prius. They didn't start out with a Lexus hybrid (which is coming). They started out with a econobox.
They totally respect the luxury car buyer by supplying them with a car that has the benefit of proven parts and technologies. Put another way - Lexus owners are never beta testers.
There's an excellent review of the Toyota Prius in AA's "Westways." The owners say its a great car and it climbs hills better than the old conventional engine Toyota Camry they had and it accelerates quickly on freeways. Maintenance has been surprisingly cheap: $5-60 every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Although the car needs a Prius-certified technician, most of the maintenance is fairly routine. Quite simply put, like Toyotas in general, its a reliable car and the company is learning how to build better hybrids. The battery will kick in when you don't need the power or speed. An on-board computer manages everything smoothly. And oh yeah, the battery is warranted to last 10 years or 150,000 miles and Toyota has successfully tested it for longer periods. A hybrid might be a good buy if you love the joy of passing a gas station.