Lexus RX 330

wco81

Is that list almost in inverse proportion to price?

The newness probably boosted it over the Acura which is cheaper generally.

adb3

Nope. MDX is lower priced. XC90 is similar. X5, ML, & FX includes all models. Culling out the 3.0, 350, & 35, that are similarly priced to the 330, the difference in sales are even more remarkable.

The XC90, FX, and Aviator are NEW models.

Check the sales figures (available for all to review)--the 300 has ALWAYS outsold the MDX, even before the 330 came on the seen. The gap is now just wider.

The price of the Cayenne probably places it in a different category from this group.

tomtomtom

I'm surprised by the Cayenne number, I guess Porsche knew what they were doing after all. It would be interesting to see these numbers after VW's Touareg comes out this month.

bodble2

The heat factor as mentioned, plus unless you have time to wash your car every other day, black just looks horrendous. And every scratch shows up. One more thing, and I know some will disagree, but I think the clear taillights don't go well with black, or any of the dark colours.

tomtomtom

I have no problem with the the clear taillights. They match the dark color exterior like the headlights do in the front. Agreed, you really need to keep the car clean for dark colors but light colors will not look as good as the dark colors after waxing it.

hypecat

"the 300 has ALWAYS outsold the MDX, even before the 330 came on the seen."

That's because they build 3 times as many, they will always outsell the MDX because of it. When RX inventorys get high, they discount to move product. The local dealer has been selling RX330s for $1000 over invoice, not bad, but it will get better. The MDXs still sell for MSRP, But they also will come down very soon because the RX330 has turned up the heat (especially when you can buy a comparably equipped RX330 for less than the MDX).

I'll take a 330, but I'm patient and will wait for better pricing.

cotmc

I totally agree with you. Lower MDX production, by default, limits the sales numbers. It's not as if Acura dealers have large quantities of MDX's sitting around collecting dust. Some dealers may be discounting them from MSRP now, but it doesn't seem that long ago when some of the dealers were trying to charge $2K over MSRP.

Question: Was that a typo when you wrote that your local Lexus dealer is selling RX330s for $1000 over invoice? That seems too good to be true. If that is not a typo, then can you please pass on the name of that dealership?

albdoc

I educated FX discussion group abou the information you supplied us . FX enthusisasts have labled RX 330 as a female vehicle, which I do not agree to.
I guess the volume explains the truth.
You will not regret your investment in RX 330.

adb3

Interesting observation, and I somewhat agree. However, I must point out that if the product is not good I don't care how many you build, when you have to shell out at least $40K a pop, people ain't going to buy it. The 300 had a solid 5 yr run of good product and reliability which is one of the reasons the interest was so high for the 330 and that subsequently has translated to strong sales.

adb3

I'm the last person that cares about what others think about the 330 or Lexus in general. I'm on my 3rd Lexus and currently own a GS & RX. Bar none, these are the overall best and most trouble free vehicles I have ever owned. I'm a car enthusiast in general and I just think this particularly SUV segment is one of the most exciting in the vehicle market. With all the new offerings and the high stakes at play with car companies jostling for market share, it will be interesting as to how everything will play out. No matter how anyone spins it, there will be winners and losers. I only report the sale numbers as a point of reference. However, numbers are telling. Even in this slower economy environment, an awful lot of people are snatching up 330s, and at the end of the day that is probably the best barometer as to how good this vehicle is.

cotmc

All,

Have any of you purchased a new RX330 with the basic Premium Package? Have you seen any at the dealer? Here in the Southwest, the Lexus dealers are not ordering any 330s without a minimum of the Premium Plus Package. If we decide on a 330, we prefer to save the ~$1300 and not get the wood steering wheel or the power liftgate. I'm just curious whether this is an option in other regions of the U.S.

ukkonen7

I remember a comment in a review that people 6 foot and taller should be concerned with the 330. I have not seen any comments concerning the head clearance if one is 6 foot and over. Is this a concern?

I am considering the 330 but in our town there is no Lexus dealer to check the previous out.

I would really appreciate anyone that is a taller owner to comment.

maxhonda99

"That's because they build 3 times as many, they will always outsell the MDX because of it. When RX inventorys get high, they discount to move product. "

RX's high production is due to continued high demand for the product. If Acura built 80K units for the US, the MDX would have to be discounted heavily to sell. Whereas, for the RX330 to sell 80K units wouldn't require heavy discounting.

hypecat

You are certainley entitled to your opinion. I feel the MDX was better than the RX300, not as good as the RX330. I think Honda/Acura could sell vehicle for vehicle at a higher price when compared to the 300, not so with the 330.

Speaking of discounting heavily, RX300's are way cheap!

adb3, my price was miss quoted, they are selling for somewhere between $500 and $1000 under MSRP, I am waiting for $1000 over invoice; it will happen by fall.

tomtomtom

Most dealers are willing to sell $1000 to $1500 under MSRP now.

maxhonda99

huh, I wonder why RX300's are cheap right now.

The RX300 is cheap right now, relatively speaking, because the RX300 has been replaced by a new model. When any new model is redesigned the old one is discounted heavily to move them off of lots.

ddasol

I'm going to buy rx 330 awd with nav and m/l options. It may be $46000 msrp and $40000 invoice. how much will be a good and fair price?
$1000 under msrp? $1000 over invoice?

And Could you recommend which option would be needed? or not?

thank you.

knock

I got my fwd 330 with nav/ml for 1.5k off MSRP.

knock

With ml package, there supposed to be 11 speaker altogether. But I can only find 9. Anybody know where are the rest of the 2?

hypecat

I realize WHY the RX300's are cheap. I was just mentioning the fact.

Got a burr under your saddle there or what?

I'm guessing you own a 300?

maxhonda99

hypecat,

No, do not own a RX300. Just trying to clear up some misinformation.

I guess you own a MDX and therefore are just trying to hype it up.

adb3

Did you locate the two tweeter-like speakers at the front corner of the driver & passenger side windows?

knock

Yes, I saw the 2 tweeter-like speakers, plus 3 on the console and 1x4 on each side door, the total is only 9.

marsha7

on Edmunds, unless I misunderstood it, it seems that the ONLY way to get a Levinson sound system is to buy the navigation system...I can read a map and do not care for nav...does that mean no ML stereo for me, or can it be a separate option?

trillium1

The speakers in the rear door are coaxial speakers with 2 speakers in each housing.
This web site explains the design and construction of the ML sound system in Lexus RX330
http://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/marklevinson/mark_levinson_rx330- .htm

wwest

Cannot be trusted and ergonomically its a disaster.

jeffmust2

You're wrong.

And the overwhelming majority of people that have the RX Nav system agree with me.

In fact, I can't remember another poster in a RX board contending that their Nav purchase was a waste.

Just you.

Get a map next time and quit whining.

s852

Is great, you can always store a map in the vehicle as a backup just in case there is some problem.
The only major problem is that it does not add much to the resale value compared to the initial purchase price of the option.

laterldf

I like and use the nav unit when often, especially when we take road trips. BUT, it has (at least) two glaring deficiences: You can not just enter a city and either program it in or put in a street or highway name and then the city--you must enter an entire address and then it might or might not be correct or even be listed for a particular city; and if you try using the intersection option, they might or might not be listed for a particular city (many are not).

tnguy1

I love the NAV. My experience has been great. One time, I was driving locally looking for a specific address on a familiar street. Without entering the destination, I just kept pressing the MAP button to find out my current numbered block location (ie 3300 block of Magazine street) until nearing my destination. Just yesterday, while in my driveway, a lady pulled up in a Benz looking for a street, I impressed her by just locating the street using the touch screen NAV (because I knew the street was nearby).

tomtomtom

I wish the Nav in the RX 330 has the voice activated and phone number search features. I am so used to the great Pioneer Nav I have in the other car.

wwest

It only has to get you lost once, then you'll know NEVER to trust it again...

knock

Thanks trillium1. That's great info.

cotmc

I believe Marsha's point is that Lexus should be more flexible with the option packages on the RX330. Whether or not this NAV system is one of the best systems available, a good percentage of potential customers prefer not to spend the extra ~$2K for it. As somebody pointed out, a typical factory NAV system doesn't retain much resale value. (Maybe $400 after 3 years?) Unless my facts are wrong, Lexus is packaging the new RX so that we cannot buy the ML audio system or the DVD entertainment system w/o NAV. That's a shame!

jeffmust2

"It only has to get you lost once, then you'll know NEVER to trust it again..."

You got lost once.

We have to read about it over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and...

Try and concentrate while you're driving - the remaining deer population would appreciate it.

jholz

I just purchased the RX330 3 weeks ago and the night I drove it home, I noticed that at low beam there was a distinct horizontal demarcation line between the high and low portions of what you see in front of the car. I cannot see the freeway signs until I get close to it. I also cannot see the stop signs. All I can see at a stop sign is the lower portion of the post. I think it is very dangerous to drive the car at night. The dealership where I bought the car was not very helpful and so was Lexus USA. I think the high intensity lights in this car has a design flaw. Has anybody noticed this problem?

mrrogers

Patrick Bedard tests the RX330 in the July issue of Car and Driver magazine. His last sentence: "Leaving aside the navigation glitches, the RX330 is a sweet way to get where you are going." C & D tested a car that listed for $43,313. In Frank Markus' counterpoint section, he stated, "I'd opt for the monk's version: a front driver with cool, grippy cloth seats for $35,600. My RX would be quicker, more efficient, and best of all simpler than this one."

tomtomtom

I agreed we shouldn't be totally depended on the Nav because the DVD ROM is at least few months old BUT the best feature of the NAV is its ability to take you home from a strange place. That alone worth $2K.

jrdowney

jholtz,

Assuming you have the HID headlights that is the way they work. Much more distince cutoff between light and dark. See the April issue of CR for a discussion of this. Could also be aimed too low.

Jim d.

maxhonda99

All HIDs have very sharp cutoffs. Due to their inherent brightness, car makers have to make them with sharp cutoffs so that oncoming drivers get less glare.

marsha7

and my point (or, my question) was missed...do not care to discuss the pros and cons of nav, as I personally believe it is ridiculous to pay 2 or 3 thousand dollars for an electronic map that looks ugly, takes up dash space, and never adds to the looks of any dash it is installed in...the query was simply, does lexus force nav on those who want an ML system, or is it a stand-alone option???...why would any manufacturer force a stupid nav option on anyone who wants better sound, but it seems like lexus is doing just that...am I right, or did I miss something???

wco81

On the Fox show "24," they get shot up and get in an SUV with an injured passenger. The guy looks up the nearest hospitals or urgent care clinics nearby.

Do the NAV have such features?

Would be cool if it could be mated with a web mapping site so that you could look up the nearest McDonald's or whatever.

tomtomtom

Nav system provides info. on nearby POI, restaurants, gas stations, banks, hospitals, and etc...

tomtomtom

I guess Lexus thought people who are into great sounds also like state of the art electronics stuff. I guess they're wrong. Also, I (Car manufacturers) think Nav system becomes part of a must have thing for luxury car just like CD player or wood dash a few years ago.

laterldf

Yes, the units on the 330's have that option. Just hit the dest. button, and you then see the option(s) of hospital, police station or dealer. It lists the ones closest to your present location by distance and then directs you to the one you've chosen. Pretty nifty, and fast. later, ldf

laterldf

BTW, the emergency feature is one of the few destination options that can be used while you're moving. later, ldf

albdoc

I do agree that Lexus should be flexible for people like Marsha.
But I strongly disagree that NAV is just an elcetronic MAP. I love it . It has helped me lot of times . It is not only an electronic MAP . I personally think that Dashboard looks great with the NAV.I have been able to locate major stores , nearby hospitals and other elcetronic features such as maintainence , schedule reminder are awesome.
Also I do not have to make phone calls to get directions and carry computer printouts from Yahoo to reach a place . it may b enot be 100 percent accurate , but similar is true for the internet directions .
I wish it was voice activated and had speker phone as well as tomtotmtom stated

wco81

You have to look at the screen then?

albdoc

The NAV in RX 330 does have voice guidance and it does read directions, however does not have voice activation ,meaning that you cannot say commands such as " take me home" or "Mcdonalds "or "nearest gas station".
Rx 330 NAV does not have this feature but LX and GX I think are equipped with a voice activated NAV.

plsgm

My father is 6' 6'' tall, and just purchased his second RX300, and loves it.