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Please don't rely on a dealer for the correct info regarding this, simply contact your state's DMV for the definitive answer. If you are in New Jersey, here's the phone numbers you need:
NJ Motor Vehicle Services 24-Hour telephone information and assistance
For General Customer Information
1-888-486-3339 toll free in NJ
1-609-292-6500 from out of state
They only thing they can do to make it right would be to handle the plate transfer/registration for you at DMV and eat the DMV cost of transfering the plates. Dealers get special treatment at the DMV because they do bulk registrations, etc., so it should be no big deal in terms of their time.
All you have to say to them is that you'll go elsewhere for service and maintenance. Service is where most dealerships make their profits, it's not the new car sale. Threaten to take it to DiFeo Lexus which is within 35 minutes of your house.
Remember, be respectful/nice but firm. Let us know how it goes.
Everything else is simply a dealer SCAM!
Just out of curiousity, how did you feed the rear subs? Did you take speaker level from the two rear door speakers? Did the amp you use do the level conversion? What did you use to auto-on the sub amp?
With the separately powered subs now, I'm not sure it's worth it to separately power the other speakers. It is a pretty decent system for oem/stock. The best/easiest thing you could do would be to swap out the door midrange's and dash tweeters. Many brands should fit, though I have yet to hear someone confirm the diameter/mounting size of the dash tweeters. If they are not a popular 3/4 or 1" size, there could be a little custom dash work necessary.
Is $700.00 over invoice on a 2001 4x2 a good deal?
Yup, you past by my office, only you wouldn't find me since I don't have the Black Rex today. I guess that's the price you pay for having a spouse, i.e., having to share your toys.
market? What will be new features ? Are they ever going to
raise back seats?
Thanks..
Tarik
Just curious what others (tonychrys?) think about regular service intervals.
BTW, my dealer does quote $438 for the 30k checkup.
In general, scheduled service is the biggest money maker for any brand of dealership. I know this for a fact because I got into a detailed conversation with a dealer owner once, I'm always curious about different business models work, cash flows, net profits, etc. If you do the numbers you'll see that selling a car at $1000 or less over dealer cost will not pay the bills and allow for profits unless you can generate an incredible number of sales per day.
The service center has turned into the "lifesaver" for many dealers. What a service center can do to get more of your money in a non-illegal manner is propose "additional" services than what is necessary as deemed by the manufacturer. The problem is that most car owners don't question the proposed maintenance services. Notice I keep saying "proposed". If you question or push a Service Advisor on this issue they will eventually fess up that many of the proposed services are unecessary.
Example: I have a GM car, it has an engine that doesn't need a "tune-up" until 100K miles. All the owner's manual calls for is an oil change and tire rotation every 7500 miles under normal conditions. Should cost $60 or less, even with inflated dealer prices. My wife takes the car in and I get a bill for >$200! It seems they also changed several fluids (including the Xmission) and made several other checks and adjustments. They actually did the work they said, so it wasn't dishonest, but was it necessary? No, according to my owners manual. And the only thing that counts is the owners manual when it comes time to honor the warranty and you need to prove that you followed the manufacturer's maintenace schedule.
Side bar: Oil changes. This "change your oil every 3000 miles" is one of the biggest scams pulled on the public in a long time. Every new car I own has a manufacturer recommended 7500 mile interval for oil changes. Plus, most modern oils are so well formulated you could easily go 10k miles without a problem (under normal conditions0.
Ok back to your Lexus. I'm assuming that you're asking because you don't have an owners manual. If you do have an owners manual, shame on you. You already have your answer, you don't need mine or anybody else's opinion. If you don't have an OM, then for 30K miles the following is manufacturer recommended:
Replace brake fluid
Replace engine air filter
Replace engine coolant
Replace engine oil and filter
Re-torque drive shaft flange bolts
Rotate tires
And a number of items to inspect, too long to list. They will charge at least two hours labor for this, so you are looking at least $150 - 200 in labor alone. Start throwing in parts and fluids at dealer prices, and you are looking at least $250 - 300 overall.
Only if the vehicle is operated primarily while towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads, you should also:
Replace differential oil
Replace transfer case oil
That's it, unless they actually find something wrong with the vehicle. And guess what? If there is something wrong outside of normal maintenance, it's under warranty! Shouldn't cost you anything additional.
Hope this helps.
I have been hearing this noise too. It sounds more like a loud click and there is a pretty long time interval between the clicks.
FWIW I live in Florida.
I've had my subs/amps for 2 years now. It used to go in my old car. The subs improves the sound system by A LOT. I'm already very satisfied with the sound. However, I still have some leftover power in my amp that I was hoping to use on the front speakers. Since the Nav is hooked up to the left side, I don't think it'll be possible to power the front speakers with my own amp without cutting off the Nav voice.
Like engine oil, brake fluid doesn't wear out, but just like engine oil, again, it does become "contaminated". Brake fluid is hygroscopic, basically meaning it will suck moisture right out of the atmosphere, and as the moisture content grows over time, the boiling point of the fluid becomes lower. Brake systems, Pads, metal backing, caliper pistons can get EXTREMELY HOT!
If the boiling point of the fluid is low enough it will start to boil and gas bubbles in your brake lines is not something you ever want to experience.
But now a reality check...
A. Where and how is your brake fluid exposed to the atmosphere? At the filler cap and no where else. So don't open the filler cap unless absolutely necessary. I just opened the one on my 2001 AWD RX and it is very well sealed when closed, not even an air pressure equalization vent that I could see. So, unless you have had your brake system worked on, parts opened to the atmosphere, the probability that your brake fluid needs changing out becuase it has accumulated too much moisture is very low.
B. Replace brake fluid...
Simple sentence, can someone out there tell me how to implement it without inadvertantly mixing the old fluid with the new? And what ratio old to new will I have when they are done? Can't say for sure, yeah, thats right.
I know it can be done but I would never want to pay for the number of man hours it would take. First all the old fluid would have to be removed...ask the dealer how he plans to do that without disassembling the brake calipers on all four wheels, the master cylinder and the ABS pump and accumulator, and exposing all of those parts to the moisture laden atmosphere in the process.
2. Replace engine coolant.
MY 92 LS, 75,000 miles, is still running with the factory coolant plus maybe a quart or so of coolant I have added over the years when I did my own routine maintenance. I never add just plain water and I check it for freeze resistance on a regular basis.
3. Rotate the tires.
If you have a set of tires on your RX that have lasted for thirty thousand miles then yes, you should rotate them. But, be sure the rotation is both fronts to opposite rears. On the RX, even AWD, most of the engine torque is going to the front wheels and those wheels must also handle the steering loads.
Keep in mind, lubricating oils, basically do not wear out. Before I would change any oil other than the engine oil I would send samples to a lab for analysis.
Hydraulic fluids such as transmission and power steering are formulated to allow particles and contaminats to settle out into the bottom of the reservoir. If these fluids need to be changed due to contamination you had better find out where the contamination is coming from now, rather than discovering the gearing was chewing itself apart long after the warranty has run out.
The same goes for any lubricating oils, including the differential, if it needs changing you should find out why, not simply change it out and go on your way.
I would be happy to measure the voltage across specific colors for you but it sounds like you either have a faulty harness (easy to check via continuity test on each wire) or perhaps your fuse or fuse block may be having a problem.
What I saw when measuring mine (I made the assumption the MALE connector on the harness was ground even though the colors do not match what I always learned), was a voltage spike between it and the other pins that only lasted a second when measured. It did not remain measurable for more than an instant and I am guessing this has something to do with the newer "smart" electronics which require the proper load to be present on all pins (like a tail light that can become a flasher when the flasher goes out because it senses the open circuit).
Let me know if you want reading, I will gladly do them today. Also, sorry for the delay but I had a wedding to attend last weekend and with a baby on the way, it seems I am always running behind trying to get things done. Oh yea, I never disconnected the ground either, I assumed as you did that this was just a safety issue...
jfetter
-----
"Here's my problem. After installing the wiring harness and plugging in the 20amp fuse, I still don't have power to the harness!"
It's not about who's right or who's wrong -- it's about what the manufacturer requires, no matter how silly that might seem to some folks. Maintenance requirements are one of the things that any prospective buyer should check out before they purchase the vehicle. If you can't live with the terms of the maintenance, then you shouldn't buy the vehicle.
I'm done dispensing common sense, I'll let the experts take over.
As for the changes - what I think is going to happen is in 2002 (not model year, but the actual year) the RX will be introduced as an '03 in the fall. As for the '02 model year RX, nothing much, if anything, will change. For fall of '02 Lexus is planning on introducing an all new ES. It has been REAL hush, hush so no one really knows anything about it. Just that it is going to be much more technologically advanced...more luxurious.
Hope that helps you some,
-LexRX
It's made by Mother's and it's called "Back to Black".
I noticed the black trim pieces on my '99 RX showed some signs of fading thru whatever reason (oxidation?).
I recalled reading about this stuff and headed to a Pep Boys and picked up a bottle of the B2B.
Well, the results are really great and makes the black trim pieces look new again. I'm really impressed. The bottle costs about $5 (not cheap). but it's worth it, IMHO.
I applied it to the black door sill trim pieces as well as the front and rear wiper arms. They look they're practically "new" off the dealer lot...
Anyway, I was just so ecstatic about the results, I wanted others to know about it. :-)
But for me personally...
I truly believe in the overall reliability and build quality of Lexus vehicles.
I have enough experience maintaining and repairing all the vehicles I have owned over the years that I don't question my own ability.
I am more than willing to stand up to any argument the dealer/manfacturer wants to put up that "warranty coverage doesn't apply because...".
I had had too many instances wherein the vehicle came back from Maintenance in worse shape than it went in, Yes, even Lexus. When I bought my 92 LS it was a new experience, adventure, for me, (virtually all Fords previously) I was so impressed I decided that I could trust them to do my maintenance.
The next (free) oil change I got the car back with a deep scrape on the right front bumper. The area were the gofer washed and vacuumed the car was too narrow and he struck the wall with my car.
The next time around someone forgot to drain the old oil before putting the new in. After that one I decided never again.
So..
If it aren't broke don't fix it !!!
Remember, those are not all master mechanics or technicians that work on your car at the Lexus dealer, some of them would be better at flipping hamburgers at MC's.
a used one with Goodyear tires (21,000 miles).
They looked worn out. Are these SUVs rough
on tires. I have a Nissan van that chews them
up.
Thanks
Couple weeks back, Costco had $50 off on tires. I took advantage of that though I did not want to get rid of those "still good" Goodyears. Guess what, I have no regret. The new Michelin LTX M/S tires run like a brand new RX. Better traction, handling, no more viberations around 40 mph, quieter, and they looks great.
One other thing to note is that the prices for the maintenance varies significantly from Lexus dealers to dealers. I took my 00RX for 15K service. I was quoted $425 and $285 from two different dealers.
The 2002 RX will be exactly the same as this year's. The 2001 RX just got a face-lift, so don't expect it to change for 2 years. Fall of 2002 seems like the right time for Lexus to roll out a completely new 2003 RX.
I heard about a new Toyota Camry coming this year. The ES300 should come out around the same time... maybe fall of 2001?? The new RX will most likely share platform with those two cars.
Then again, the RX is a Camry platform and has AWD...
-Craig
I currently own a 00' AWD Rx, but i find that it is not as quiet as other Lexus products(IS and ES).It is more noticeable when I stop my RX in front of traffic light and i feel that there are some (little) vibration on my steering wheel. The engine noise is also noticeable. I couldn't notice any vibration and noise in IS and ES at all and even in Camry. So, is that normal? has anyone got the same problem?
Are there any new exterior colors for 2002. I need to order my 4x2 (Chicago mostly 4x4) soon.
wwest I'll take that bet on the ES going rear wheel drive any day. Camry/ES will remain front wheel IS 300 serves as Lexus' rear drive sport sedan.
With both Cadillac and Lincohn having RWD options and priced below the LS series they will attach a much greater segment of the luxury "barge" market, and my guess is they will be base priced right between the ES and the GS.
Another possibility is that the Avalon line will go RWD and that will become the new ES.
It all depends on what the definition of "IS" is...
From my past experience with my old car, the vibration of the car at stop lights is probably due to the engine mount. However, your car is a 2000, so I'm not sure if that is your problem. Personally, I don't have that problem with my RX. Perhaps you should get it checked.
Is there going to be DVD updates in the future... if so, how much do I have to pay for an update disc??
Remembering last time, when we got the car back with a few scratches more than it had before, we checked around it prior to dropping it off this time. Sure enough, some careless jerk put new scratches in the paint while in for service and - of course - greasy fingerprints on some of the interior panels. Upon my wife pointing this out to the SA, he wiped the areas in question with a dry rag (@&#$@%)!
I also wanted three little paint chips and a minor door ding repaired while doing the service work. My dealer claims to have a specialist there twice a week, who does nothing but fix small damages with an airbrush. We agreed upon a cap of USD150 for the cost of this repair and off I went. When my wife brought the car home, I almost freaked! Their one-of-a-kind-super-special-exterior-guy simply used a touch-up brush for his "expert repair". My wife said that she argued with the SA, but he explained to her that the would "only charge her USD85" instead of the agreed upon amount because of the quality (and, of course, she paid). Unfortunately, I had no chance to go see those losers this week, but on Monday I am going to have to question their sanity, I guess.
Why is it that noone seems to be able to walk their talk any more? Blowing hot air and getting paid for it is the benachmark these days - AAAAAAARGHHH!
Tarik