Thank you bluestar1; does make sense, and the Mid Year strategy; sure, why not?
wwest, I hear you, but you are "west" and oriente means "east"......Hey! waiting will let me peek at the Cadillac STS (Seville)in January, and just this morning I got additional gossip in support of the SWB A8 coming.
I just bought a 2000 Lexus ls 400 and I need an owners manual,a remote for the doors and,if possible,a service/shop manual.Car is equipped with the touch screen navigation system and I am trying to figure out how it all works.I do not intend to work on the car myself,but want to familiarize myself with where things are located on the car...So far,love the car.Had a 1995 Cadillac before buying this car,and it is a world of difference... Any helpful or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.I am on Long Island in NY ,and would also appreciate any comments on dealers in the area...Thanks.
I own a '99 which is pretty much same as yours. An owner's manual can be obtained form the dealership or buy one from ebay for $10 or so. Operating the touch screen Nav is real easy. Just fiddle around with it. If you have any specific question(s), I'm sure there'll be plenty of help out here for you.
Ready to go with the 04 LS, BUT while I think the EuroSport is for me, the dealer (Catena) has none available to test drive. Has no idea when there will be one to test drive. I've been driving the 98 GS400 for 5 years and hope the EuroSport LS would give me the firmness I like with less harshness over the broken streets and railroad crossings. Test drove the standard LS and I could be happy with it, but it seems crazy to decide without testing the EuroSport with which I might be happier. Please, somemore input from those of you who own or have driven the 04 EuroSport knowing where I'm coming from. Seems to be a lot of tests and opinion on the 03 and earlier, but the 18 inch wheels and the lower profile tires may change all that. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
I would think EuroSport would basically be a suspension tuning for the high speeds allowed there. Lack of "softness" in steering and handling, quick and responsive manuerverablity, at 80MPH and above.
Speeds not generally achieveable in the US.
It seems to me that the result of having EuroSport suspensions available in the US would result in most of the punishment (harsher ride)without any of the joy.
Might it be better to have the air suspension and set it on "hard(??)" if and when you want responsiveness?
Just wanted to add my thanks to you for posting the instructions on how to change the Nav DVD in the LS430. It gave me the courage to order the DVD from lexus-parts.com and install it myself.
For those who may have missed it, it was Message 4769.
I recently bought the above car and would like to get some opinions on the keys for the wheel locks,as the dealer did not have them to give me when I picked up the car.Most wheel locks are made by McGard,but since I dont have a key for the present locks,what is the best procedure to get the current locks off?Car is the Platinum edition with the special Lexus wheels.Ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. As an aside,I used to be a loyal Cadillac owner,but got worn out with the unreliability of the brand.I felt as if I was in an abusive relationship with an inanimate object....that damned Cadillac...!!After driving the Lexus for a few days,I wont be going back to Cadillac...ever again .
That's also where it was on my 1998 LS400 which was the first year of the 3 year cycle that ended in 2000. In fact I believe it was in the same place on my 95 LS400.
There's no comparison between an LS400/430 and the top end Caddy's. Lexus plays in a different world. Good luck with the car.
I have an 04LS w/sport. I think wwest is right except about the 80 mph speed. It is great at 40 hangs with the BMW 5's. If you have any doubt get the standard and use the hard button. Seven hundred miles and I like mine alot. It is just what I expected rides and handles great, harsh on cracks, tracks are not a problem.I did put on Michelin pilots a/s. My first Lexus and it is all I dreamed.
Just a brief note to say,"Thank You", to the memebers of this forum who got me pointed in the right direction re the wheel locks....they were in a case/pouch that contained a few other tools and was stored in a pocket above and to the right of the spare tire.I called 1-800-Lexus USA and they will mail me an owners manual at no charge...another suggestion from a very helpful member of this forum. I had been a loyal Cadillac owner for the past 18 years,but my early driving and ownership impression of the Lexus is that Cadillac is not in the same league re build quality,customer service,driving impression or marketing savvy.Thus far,I am very pleased.
I am thinking about bringing my own Mobil 1 oil for the next oil change on my '03 LS430. They sell it in containers of 1 quart or 5 quarts. Will 5 quarts be enough for a change with filter or should I buy more?
Also, now that I am complaining about Lexus engineering...the quality cannot be beat...but how come Mercedes and BMW have moved to 10,000 to 15,000 oil changes...with synthetic I think...and Lexus has not? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know someone will say it's best to change oil as often as possible, but it does seem like less frequent changes with better oil is the way of the future.
Back in the early ninties it was the Lexus dealers that became aggressive about earlier and earlier preventative maintenance procedures. Some even printing their own brochures and claiming factory origin.
With the engineering design "standard of the industry", the Porsche 911, having now recommended 15k oil changes I would think a few people would begin to get the message.
be at 7500 mile intervals. Your dealer, as with mine, is "touting" the 5000 "severe service" interval as the "normal" (revenue enhancing) interval. Consumer Reports proved that doing oil changes more frequently than THE FACTORY recommendations is a waste of money.
Anyway, again I ask how many quarts for LS430 from bone dry including filter?
According to CNBC, Infiniti had the biggest jump in luxury line sales last quarter at +41%, with their FX45 SUV fueling a +86% increase in SUV sales. Lexus was 2nd with +8.6%. Mercedes was -2% and 6th. Mercedes is also offering 2.9% financing on the entire line. So! go and get your V-12 S600 at 2.9% APR for those of you longing for a V12 in your future LS.
I think MB is starting to fall in the court of public opinion now. The buying public overlooked the quality issues for awhile but that's no longer the case with the people I know. Whereas many of these people spoke in awe about them in the past they are now looking to other brands - mainly Lexus and BMW for their replacement cars much the way you did. Personally I think MB is stretched too far by trying to be all things to all people and at the same time figuring out what to do with Chrysler.
By the way the V-8 is sufficient for me.
The gain at Infiniti shows that you don't necessarily need the flagship sedan to be a big success to make a comeback.
Just as a point of reference. I purchased an 84 Toyota Cressida NEW and changed oil at half the manufacturers recommendations(7500 miles)so I changed oil and filter every 3750 miles. I was religious about it and I sold the after 19 years and 235,000 miles. The engine had never been worked on. No valve jobs, ring jobs or anything. After 19 years the engine was just as it was when it came from the factory new, it had never been opened for anything. With my LS I don't put as many miles on the car so I change on the 6 month schedule and everything seems fine. Ron
Got the numbers from Lexus CS. Twenty(20) 03 LS 430UL with Black Cherry Pearl and Bordeaux Interior were shipped to the US. At least I won't see myself coming and going with this combo. Ron
Actually the 2.9% doesn't extend to the entire line, it excludes the SL, CLK, CL and all AMG models. I seriously doubt if the S600 is part of any special offer.
Those are only sales percentage increases, not overall sales of course. Since Infiniti's sales were just about a rounding error a year ago, it's not surprising the FX and G35 have livened up sales a lot. Taking sales from 1 to 3 is a 200% increase!
What do you mean by 'Those are only sales percentage increases, not overall sales of course.' ?
Your comment that Infiniti's 2002 sales were a rounding error is silly.
Infiniti sold 63,864 vehicles in 12 months ending 10/2002, and that +41% increase in SALES bumped that to 89,856. If you said that about Volvo, Jaguar, Porsche or Saab; you would have a valid point. For comparison purpose: Acura sold 126,227 for the same period. Acura was down 2.2% from 129,073 in 2002. Mercedes sold 153,692 in 2002.
Lexus was number 2 at 169,540, behind BMW.
For us LS fans, 18643 by 10/2003. Ron posted the 11/2003 update above. So the 2004 additions made a big splash!
My point was Infiniti doesn't have 41% of luxury car sales or anything, as you said, THEIR sales were up 41%. But if you're starting from a low number that's not very impressive.
Despite the 'huge' gain in sales, as you pointed out, Infiniti still only sells HALF as many cars as Lexus.
But there's no question the G35 and FX are hits which is great. The rest of the line though... not very impressive. I35 (yawn). QX4 (snore). Q45 (very nice, styling not for everyone though). M45 (so 80's, but fast).
Owning an "01 LS 430 and recently at the local auto show, I checked out the "changes" on the '04. Being an auto afficianado, altho not a gearhead, I was unimpressed with the '04. The changes are subtle at best and the dash is looking dated compared to other new designs IMHO. Of course, I did not drive the car and others have pointed out definitive improvements, especially with the Euro package. I'm not saying the car does not remain a benchmark, but I feel a change and true update is really due. Yup, I'll wait till 2005 or is it 2006?
The '95 LS 400 that I bought on ebay 3 weeks ago arrived by transport today. It is pretty much as i expected. There are more nicks on the hood and a few more scratches than I though there would be . The seller also didn't tell me that the hood struts don't work. The engine is pinging a little so i filled it up with 93 octane and will see if that helps. For $9775 I don't see how I could have done any better. I will keep you guys updated.
When Mobile 1 was first introduced more than 30 years ago, Popular Mechanics or was it Popular Science tested it in a Lincoln. They ran the engine for 100,000 miles with the same oil but changed the filters at specified intervals. After 100,000 miles they tore down the engine and found virtually no wear after not changing the oil for 100,000 miles. That said something to me, and I've been using Mobile 1 ever since.
Unfortunately, changing at least every 7500 miles is mandated by Lexus to preserve the warranty. Come on Lexus, you are ahead of times in most every thing else--it's time to play catch-up in this area.
Sorry about all those old messages I inadvertently copied into my post #5084.
I was trying to ask Feverhart just how Lexus makes it known that an oil change interval greater than 7500 miles voids the warranty??? And does changing the oil yourself rather than at a Lexus dealer also void the warranty?
I recently bought a 2000 Lexus LS400 and want to replace the broken amber running light lens in the right front bumper(passenger side),but do not see how to gain access to change the lens.No outward screws to loosen,so I am puzzled.Would appreciate comments and suggestions on how to replace the lens and where and how I can get access to same.Thank You.
Good point. Warranty would be voided if there were an engine problem and Lexus reasoned that it was due to untimely oil changes. You can change oil and filter (as I do)and remain under warranty but it should be backed up with records of changes and receipts for oil and filters.
Comments
wwest, I hear you, but you are "west" and oriente means "east"......Hey! waiting will let me peek at the Cadillac STS (Seville)in January, and just this morning I got additional gossip in support of the SWB A8 coming.
New GS-January or February of 2005
LX-shortly thereafter
IS-pretty much same as LX
No speculation on new LS, but Blue star could be pretty accurate with Year 2006, modeled as a 2007.
Any helpful or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.I am on Long Island in NY ,and would also appreciate any comments on dealers in the area...Thanks.
Congrats on the purchase.
I've been driving the 98 GS400 for 5 years and hope the EuroSport LS would give me the firmness I like with less harshness over the broken streets and railroad crossings. Test drove the standard LS and I could be happy with it, but it seems crazy to decide without testing the EuroSport with which I might be happier.
Please, somemore input from those of you who own or have driven the 04 EuroSport knowing where I'm coming from. Seems to be a lot of tests and opinion on the 03 and earlier, but the 18 inch wheels and the lower profile tires may change all that.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
Speeds not generally achieveable in the US.
It seems to me that the result of having EuroSport suspensions available in the US would result in most of the punishment (harsher ride)without any of the joy.
Might it be better to have the air suspension and set it on "hard(??)" if and when you want responsiveness?
For those who may have missed it, it was Message 4769.
As an aside,I used to be a loyal Cadillac owner,but got worn out with the unreliability of the brand.I felt as if I was in an abusive relationship with an inanimate object....that damned Cadillac...!!After driving the Lexus for a few days,I wont be going back to Cadillac...ever again .
There's no comparison between an LS400/430 and the top end Caddy's. Lexus plays in a different world. Good luck with the car.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/04ls430.htm
I had been a loyal Cadillac owner for the past 18 years,but my early driving and ownership impression of the Lexus is that Cadillac is not in the same league re build quality,customer service,driving impression or marketing savvy.Thus far,I am very pleased.
Also, now that I am complaining about Lexus engineering...the quality cannot be beat...but how come Mercedes and BMW have moved to 10,000 to 15,000 oil changes...with synthetic I think...and Lexus has not? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know someone will say it's best to change oil as often as possible, but it does seem like less frequent changes with better oil is the way of the future.
Daryll40
__________________
Although I would like to see Lexus get away from the timing belt.
Seems compleltely unecessary in this day and age.
They should be able to find a way to quiet the chains down with some kind of acoustical cover.
With the engineering design "standard of the industry", the Porsche 911, having now recommended 15k oil changes I would think a few people would begin to get the message.
wwest: are you suggesting that 15K oil change interval is OK ?
Anyway, again I ask how many quarts for LS430 from bone dry including filter?
My C4 gets its oil/filter changed once a year, in the spring, regardless of mileage, 12k at this point.
By the way the V-8 is sufficient for me.
The gain at Infiniti shows that you don't necessarily need the flagship sedan to be a big success to make a comeback.
With my LS I don't put as many miles on the car so I change on the 6 month schedule and everything seems fine.
Ron
Ron
M
Ron
Your comment that Infiniti's 2002 sales were a rounding error is silly.
Infiniti sold 63,864 vehicles in 12 months ending 10/2002, and that +41% increase in SALES bumped that to 89,856. If you said that about Volvo, Jaguar, Porsche or Saab; you would have a valid point. For comparison purpose: Acura sold 126,227 for the same period. Acura was down 2.2% from 129,073 in 2002. Mercedes sold 153,692 in 2002.
Lexus was number 2 at 169,540, behind BMW.
For us LS fans, 18643 by 10/2003. Ron posted the 11/2003 update above. So the 2004 additions made a big splash!
Despite the 'huge' gain in sales, as you pointed out, Infiniti still only sells HALF as many cars as Lexus.
But there's no question the G35 and FX are hits which is great. The rest of the line though... not very impressive. I35 (yawn). QX4 (snore). Q45 (very nice, styling not for everyone though). M45 (so 80's, but fast).
arrived by transport today.
It is pretty much as i expected.
There are more nicks on the hood and a few more scratches than I though there would be .
The seller also didn't tell me that the hood struts don't work.
The engine is pinging a little so i filled it up with 93 octane and will see if that helps.
For $9775 I don't see how I could have done any better.
I will keep you guys updated.
Unfortunately, changing at least every 7500 miles is mandated by Lexus to preserve the warranty. Come on Lexus, you are ahead of times in most every thing else--it's time to play catch-up in this area.
Ron
customer_satisfaction_inquiries@Lexus.com
Spaces between words have underlines.
I was trying to ask Feverhart just how Lexus makes it known that an oil change interval greater than 7500 miles voids the warranty??? And does changing the oil yourself rather than at a Lexus dealer also void the warranty?