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almost all '03's are being delivered with lexus link. this is a rebranded GM onstar product. i believe that the basic service is included for one year. currently, the charge is about $200 annually for service plus another $200 for the "premium" service (includes route assist and concierge services and some other features).
as for having a long climb out of/into the lx470... why not get in the habit of the toggling the AHC button down to its "low" setting, just before you park it? fyi- it won't work if the e-brake is on, and it won't work if a door is opened.
as for the 18"ers... i have the 16's on mine, and feel that the ride is quite good. lots of sidewall with the 70 series tires. the 275/60-18 and the earlier 275/70-16 are interchangeable, as the difference in rolling circumference is approx. 0.5%, or about 0.3MPH at 60MPH.
fundamentally speaking, a tire with less sidewall should ride more harshly, however the composition of the tires in question can be equally important. i believe that most, if not all, of the 16's were Michelin LTX M/S. don't know what the 18's are...
IMO the contributing biggest factor for ride degradation is the potential that the 18" tire/wheel combo most likely weighs several pounds more than the 16" combo. and while an increase of a few, maybe 4 or 5, pounds for each wheel doesn't sounds like much... that unsprung weight can easily cause the ride to "feel" different, not to mention a shorter life for the suspension components.
just my thoughts,
ace
as i mentioned earlier... the rolling circumference between the 16" and 18" tires is only 0.5%. no gauge recalibration necessary.
please tell me that you didn't enter into a 10 year lease!
ace
How did you figure that? I get 12.5%
tidester, host
keeping in mind that the tire sizes are different. the 16's are 275/70-16 and the 18's are 275/60-16. the radius of the 18's have 27.5mm ((70[aspect ratio]-60[aspect ratio])*275) less sidewall, which almost exactly offsets the 1" (25.4mm) of additional rim.
three methods: (1) the easiest, go to a website that has a tire conversion calulator... in my case, i use the one on miata.net, (2) the least practical, run a tape around each of tires, assuming consistent inflation and tread depth, or (3) you could do the geometry.
94117... your odo and/or speedo is reading 3%slow. i read a good article in a popular car mag that demonstrates that this is not typically the case when a vehicle comes from the manufacturer, for a number of reasons, so it suprises me to hear about a slow reading. a question: did you determine the error by using the time at set speed over known distance method, or did you get it checked out by a laser/radar gun? 3% is less than 2mph at 60, so it's not gooing to get you in trouble, but considering that your vehicle is a mucho $$ lexus, and it's under warranty, you might want to get it checked out.
ace
My truck is noticably more harsh in sport mode and like an LS400 in comfort setting. I like the way the 18" tires fill out the truck but I'd rather have the great ride than the looks of the 18" tires.
This is the best SUV on the road as far as I'm concerned. My neighbors just got the new Range Rover (problems already after a month) and though it is upgraded substantially it does'nt ride like an LX. Another friend has an H2 and its much harsher than the LX or RR.
Corine - best of luck. Definitely lower the truck the two inches after you park. Its sounds like nothing but what a difference it makes getting in and out.
Maybe it'll be worth a couple hundred more at trade in time.
Road Test Follow-Up: 2003 Lexus LX 470
Steve, Host
http://www.carsdirect.com/researchcenter/research_compare?acodes=USB30LES091A0,USB30LES071A0&modelIds=430,141
What's New for 2001
The LX 470 finally adds the all-important optional DVD-based navigation system (and if you turn down the nav, you get a compass on the rearview mirror). The optional Nakamichi audio system is gone in favor of an optional nine-speaker Mark Levinson system. The standard audio system is enhanced with an Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL). Last year's optional wood and leather trim on the steering wheel and shift knob is now a standard feature. New security features include a key card immobilizer and a free-wheel key cylinder that prevents people from opening the door with anything other than the LX 470 key. Second-row passengers will benefit from child seat anchors and improved cupholders in the rear of the center console. The standard alloy wheels have a new surface treatment, and chrome wheels are optional. The fuel cap now has a tether to appease the absent-minded. Two new exterior colors will be offered - Mystic Sea Opalescent and Blue Vapor Metallic.
I have both the LX470 and LS430.
I'd base my decision more on what the physical needs of your driving are and any gas milage requirements you may be looking for. For example do you want the SUV for the snow, heavy hauling or maybe just to load some big items into from the stores (TV's etc). It's amazing how much stuff you can put into the LX470 with the third row folded up and the second row folded down. On the other hand it gets a pretty steady 16mpg vs. 23-24mpg on the LS430. Remember also that the LX470 is large and it's not fun to back out of parking spaces particularly if a car seat partially obstructs your view. If you go that route (or the Navigator) you'll find yourself always looking to park so that you can pull right out rather than back out. You can forget those tight spots near the mall entrances. Lastly my LX470 doesn't have a tether holder whereas the LS430 does.
I can't speak for the Navigator but the LX or LS are at the head of their classes in my opinion so you can't go wrong either way. The LX ride is silky smooth (amazing for a truck of its size) and real quiet - not all that far removed from the LS400. Other than my Denon stereo system at home I've never heard anything better than the Mark Levinson stereo when playing cd's so don't pass that up.
moj1 - the climate control is great on the LX. I wouldn't let the lack of either dual controls for air or the missing in-dash cd deter you from an LX. It's a fabulous truck.
Imagine shelling out $85k for an S-class and you still have the cd player in the trunk. The glove box isn't so bad.
By the way the new LX model will be bigger (Sequoia frame) more luxuriou still and more expensive when it comes in as a late 2004 or 2005 model. That's why they are introducing the GX which looks like a run away success already.
So, maybe things changed from 2000 to 2001 but I don't it could have been that significant. I thought that all this electronic wizardry might make up for the lack of locking differentials but that's not really true. There are cases where you can get stuck until you lock the central differential.
I actually have the same problem as yourself, have the ls400 and a jgc,(getting rid of jgc) been trying to decide whether to go with the lx470 or gx470, for loading the kids in the jgc somewhat easier, no third row seats but better upright position loading and unloading, kids just jump down they love it, when putting them(3 kids under 8) in the ls400 more room but alot of bending. I'm really thinking about that gx470 with the DVD installed
a must for kids(I use computer now w/dvd) but have been considering the Ls430, gas mileage no problem, what a decision to make in the next couple of months.
any more suggestions guys?
has anyone driven one yet?
how about you ljflx, driven or seen one yet?
dj
By the way my dealer said they can put dvd systems into any car or suv if it didn't come over factory installed. Price ranges from $750-$2000 depending on the type of unit desired by the buyer. The dealer also said that Lexus will likely offer factory installed dvd players on the LS and GS in the near future.
Corine - try Zymol - I've found it to be the best wax and it removes minor scratches. If it is a fairly deep scratch try GS27. That's a product that was always advertised on TV (though I haven't seen it recently) in those promo shows with the special offers. I bought it at the mall in one of those TV product stands and found that it did a great job.
corine
i'm sure that lexus will happily sell you a leather product. whetehr it works or not is another story, though.
good luck.
ace
Thx,
T
Can anyone confirm this?? Does it have EBD??
After the 2003 facelift, I'd be very surprised to see any signif. changes for 2004.
Also, 7 year changovers: 1991 + 7 = 1998. 1998 + 7 = 2005.
Ready for a change and the LX470 might be it (currently have a 96 LS400 & 98 GS300).