Plastic instead of glass? Really? and why?

[BullElk]

Why oh why did Lexus decide to switch headlamps from glass to plastic and why haven't they reaiized the mistake and switched back ?

Am I missing something I need not miss?

 

[reznunt]

Probably because it's cheaper/easier to manufacture, lighter, etc. I love my 98 glass headlamps... almost two decades old and still crystal clear, no yellowing.

 

[BullElk]

To me that is the most glaring mistake Toyota has made. It just has no business on such a fine machine. Don't get it at all.

 

[Couvi]

I thought all 100's had glass, my 04 does. What year is yours?

 

[BullElk]

2000 has glass but the 2006 has plastic.

 

[bctlex]

What year does Toyota or Lexus switch to plastic? I just saw an 05 LX and it has plastic. It was all yellowed. I do not think any car / any manufacturer use glass anymore.

 

[Warde]

Cause plastic looks just fine on the show room floor and is much cheaper. They dont care about what the car looks like when it is resold. THis goes for all brands

 

[DuckLN]

Can you put glass in a 2006?

 

[LEX]

It's the only reason why I've decided against going with the 1 piece headlamps. They look fantastic, but I just prefer glass.

 

[Manhattan]

I agree - and do wish the headlights were glass. But... if you take care of them / maintain them just like the paint, they'll stay looking great. My 2006 lives outside, has 115,000 miles on it and the lenses look new. They were "restored" via a 3-step process (polish-polish-sealant)