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Comments
However, lights should turn off automatically in a $40K vehicle if you manage to ignore the headlight warning chimes.
However, lights should turn off automatically in a $40K vehicle if you manage to ignore the headlight warning chimes."
We've done it. Our prior Volvo wagon and current E320 have an automatic shut off. Although it's not likely, I agree, there's no reason not to program this feature in even when lights are in manual (not auto) mode.
Since our last two cars have been Audi's I've gotten used to controlling the lights manually. One advantage of this is less wear and tear (usage) of the Xenon's. Having them go on and off for very short periods of time is supposed to greatly shorten their expected lifespan. When I have the lights set on Automatic in my new FX45, they will sometimes go on just when I pull into the garage, either at work or at home, just before I'm going to turn off the car. I see this as unnecessary wear & tear so now I've gone back to controlling them manually. Haven't yet tried to see if they will turn off by themselves if I should ever forget myself - interesting question and I will try this tonight (if I remember :-)).
Just how many times do you think the equivalent electrical "arc" goes on/off in your spark plugs before they fail?
In your visits to the dealerships are you seeing any remaining RX300s sitting on the lot? Just wondering if there might be a few good buys left.
Thanks
Modern day ignition systems use an extremely high voltage, as high as 50 kilovolts, to "strike" the initial arc across the spark plug gap and the individual step-up transformers are specially designed to maintain a spark duration at a comparatively low voltage.
The old mechanical point/coil system sustained the arc using the magnetic energy stored in the coil during the time the points were closed.
http://www.jdpower.com/presspass/pr/images/2003028cfull.gif
She did say next year, when hybrid SUVs come out, she'll be one of the first in line to get one.
Maybe she liked Larry David's Prius.
TIA
Ray
So, they are out there. Don't know what deals they have though.
Good Luck.
How does this affect battery life?
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/headlines.hmtl?TACH
(Link not working properly-once on autochannel homepage, scroll down to previous articles, and click, then scroll down to 2 May article)
The RX300 invented a segment. The RX330 is far from that, and will probably sell under MSRP pretty soon. It's hard to believe that Lexus dares to ask $42k - $45k for a Camry based vehicle (BTW the sales person acknowledged that the pricing is too high).
Since our RX300 lease is up soon, I've test driven both and they're obviously intended for different markets. Infiniti was smart to not go after the luxury, medium-size, car-like SUV market that Lexus dominates with the RX and, and on the other hand, the RX330 doesn't pretend to be a sports car G35 on stilts like the FX.
Two very different markets and two different vehicles, both with pros and cons.
With that being said, I live in a community with a large Lexus dealer on one side of the street, unable to keep RX330s in the SHOWROOM, let alone on their lot, and an Infiniti dealer 800 feet down the same street with 20-30 FX35/45s parked in their lot for the last 45 days or so.
Further, the FX board in TH reports 10% discounts off MSRP already and a 36-month lease residual of 49%. Compare those numbers to the RX330 where it's difficult to get more than 3% off MSRP and the 36-mo residual is around 60%.
Steve, Host
Just for the record, I am no brand fanatic. I could live easily with an FX and an RX in my driveway :-). It so happens that the RX didn't impress me today.
Jeffmust2 makes some very good points. The FX & RX are too different vehicles, each with pros and cons. Where I differ is that I believe FX & RX are really operating in the same market, the luxury SUV/crossover market--started by Mercedes but fully energized by the RX300, which became the 1000lb gorilla segment leader. The Lexus success not surprisingly prompted other automakers to quickly get in the game. IMO, that's a good thing. Now this segment is teeming with solid offerings that give the consumer much to choose from. In fact, if one looks over the automobile landscape it would be hard to find another segment that is as vibrant and exciting in its product offerings as this one.
Lexus reaction to all this is a study in corporate culture. As the segment leader, do you stand pat? Or, do you evolve your product in an attempt to remain the leader, but at the risk of alienating your core consumer base. Not an easy decision, but its obvious that Lexus chose the latter. No question, the 330 is a marked improvement on already a solid product. Personally, I (and particularly my wife) was always interested in the 300, but timing was never good. Fortunately, timing lined up perfectly with the 330 introduction and we've never been happier with a vehicle. It has a great blend of features I demand in a vehicle; performance, ride, quietness, fit, and reliability. In addition, the edgier styling appeals to me more than the 300. Will the 330 appeal to everybody? Of course it will not. If I still had kids at home, needed more room, had other competing requirements for my money, or were a strong sporstcar enthusiast, I would look elsewhere--and there are great offerings out there. However, for my wife & I the 330 is just about perfect for our needs.
It will be quite interesting to observe what happens in this market segment over the next year. Will the segment continue to expand or become stagnant? If it becomes stagnant, with all the new offerings, then who loses? If it continues to expand, will it be enough to make most of the products in this segment profitable? Will Lexus gain or lose market share? Will another 1000lb gorilla emerge?
I will definitely stay tuned.
Check with the service department, they have a list of all the C-BEST programming features have for the RX. The list goes on.....
IMO - I like having DRL's for safety reasons. As far as I know the DRL's are running off the high beam headlights at 30-40%(?) lower wattage.
Not expensive to do so it's worth a try.
Perhaps r1_97 could post what brand CD-R he/she uses successfully?
Now car stereos are starting to support CD-ROMs with MP3 files. This is good but much better would be a line-level input so that you can plug your iPod or similar MP3 players which can store your entire music collection.
Before the dot com flameout, the car makers were supposedly working on getting computer functions as well as mobile internet access to the cars. Quaalcom was said to be streaming digital audio to specially equipped cars near it's San Diego headquarters with its 3G technology.
But I guess wireless kind of flamed out too.
Geez. Is it so unique that a family needs to buy two cars in the space of a couple of months? I'm not part of an underground conspiracy to destroy the RX330's reputation.
Is this true? Thanks.
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-heTeyylcVlF/ProdView.asp?s=0- &c=3&g=39200&I=500TMXR705&o=m&a=0&cc=01&a- mp;avf=N
Seems like most 7" screens have about 334k pixels. One exception is an Alpine unit with over a 1.1 million pixels.
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-heTeyylcVlF/ProdView.asp?s=0- &c=3&g=102200&I=500IVAD900&o=m&a=0&cc=01&- amp;avf=N
One nice thing about these after-market systems is they have A/V inputs (not sure if they include S-video) so that you can connect something like an iPod directly, instead of using an FM modulator.
If there was AC power, you could hook up video games to these screens.
You also hope that they use progressive scan.
Should we use this one for the hybrid or have a new thread for it?
1. How old is the LX470, how many miles, the condition, etc. - how much warranty is left?
2. How much space do you need (third row seat)?
3. Do you go off-road or need to tow large loads?
4. Do you like a lighter, more agile car-like ride around town, or would you prefer a heavier, smoother ride for long trips?
5. How much value do you put on some of the new features found in the RX330 that would not be available on a used LX470?
6. How important is the difference in fuel economy and cost to own? (the LX, depending on No. 1, would cost more)
7. Which do you think is more fun/enjoyable to drive?
8. Image and status important? The LX looks and IS more expensive, but its body style has been around longer).
9. Price difference?
After considering all of the above, and maybe more, only you can decide!
Most of the time when I need, or suspect I will/might need, AWD capability I take the old reliable Aerostar.
Have you considered a new GX or the new 4runner?
Otherwise, absent any foreseen need for on-road TRUE AWD capability I would choose the RX330 any day.
Lexus 's interior is probably the best amongst all othercontenders including ML and X5.
I paid MSRP and did not negotiate as the Lexus dealer was kind enough to lend me an old RX 300 for a month.
I love RX 330 and not to mention ML which is a big asset for an audiophile like me.I am very pleased with my choice .
And please guys stop comparing Toyota Sienna with Rx 330 There is absolutely no comparison . I mean its allright to compare RX 330 with XC 90, MDX, or X5 . Sienna is an old fashioned simple plane VAN with no glamour , whereas RX 330 is a new generation SUV with all the curves and luxury you can think of.
The way it is now, I have to push the unlock key to open the rear doors to get something I left on the rear seat or floor.