So much for people not liking the Nav. It appears that Lexus has SERIOUSLY underestimated the demand for NAV, or at least in our market anyway (Our Zone is noth Jersey, Brooklyn, Westchester, NY City and part of LI)
We are allocated 8-10 a month. We have 28 sold! :O
I've used the same system quite a bit and love it and have found the problems to largely be down to incorrectly calibrated systems.
Would appreciate a little more detail on this. How does one determine if your Nav is calibrated correctly, and what is the procedure for improving it when necessary?
I attended the Lexus Luxury Redefined Tour last weekend. Highly recommended, Lexus puts on a nice event, good food. Competitor suv's are there for test driving, including ML550, Volvo, Acura, BMW. IMO Lexus topped its competition with Acura being a reasonably close second.
I never considered the RX beforehand, but now I will. I currently drive a 2000 GS400 (lease ends in December)and purchased wife a ES300 last fall. After doing some landscape work around the house, we now see the advantage of a vehicle that looks nice and is capable of hauling more than our present cars. Also the AWD should be great during our Chicago winters.
We hope that by the time we are ready to do our transaction that dealers will be more flexible than current deals I have read about on this board.
I think people who knock the nav system are the one's grieving b/c they don't have it or aren't willing to pay for it b/c they think it will be a waste. It is a worth while option not to mention the reverse camera. Being a home health nurse I have had numerous experiences of it taking me right to a patient's door after programing in the address. The POI option is a boon if you are in an unfamiliar city. I have also found that 911 ready communities are easier for the nav to navigate, many smaller areas have only major streets labeled.
Have any of you noticed premature paint nicks on the hood? I have just over 3k and have 2 medium sized nicks on the hood. My dealer doesn't even have the parts list for touch up paint numbers nor can they tell me if a bug shield or mud guards are available. Any takers??
Car dealers will get the money from you or the bank (if finance) so it makes no different to them. You can just fax or email all your nearby dealers the options you want and how much you are willing to pay. If they are willing to work with you they will contact you.
My only complaint about the RX330 nav is that I can't do much while on driving. Yes, I can enter the presets and home, also emergency locations, and POI on the screen, but it's not quite enough.
I can make full use of my Acura CL nav while driving, and from what I hear, Acura is the only make that allows that, MB, Lexus, BMW, and so on makes you pull over to punch in destinations.
I do agree the RX330 nav seems a little more complicated than the Acura, but it has a lot more features. Willard, I don't know which nav you are talking about, 911, rx300, ls??? All I know is you dont have a RX330 yet. so don't knock it if you ain't got it yet.
Either way, this is my second nav car, I will not buy another car without a dvd nav. Cd rom navs however, is why I did not buy an MB, BMW, Land Rover, etc.
And yes, just like any other mapping system, you can get lost due to road changes, or new roads. Get over it. Who here has updated city maps for every town they drive in?? Get real, I dont even think every map on the market is updated.
You can imput a destination while stopped but not while you're moving (unless it's a preset add-on dest., home, marked spot, poi, emergency, or by moving the screen cursor), as far as I know. I'd like for the capability of a passenger to enter whatever options you wanted (the vehicle can already determine if someone's in the seat). later, ldf
Have an 01 RX300 w/nav and all of the problems I have seen have to do with the firmware (NAV "DOS"). I only tested the RX330 for one of the firmware flaws, bugs, and it had it.
When you compute shortest time route and then compute shortest distance you often find that the shortest time route computed takes longer than the shortest distance route.
So always have the system compute both to be sure.
I believe that when you drive below 9 MPH, you could enter addresses into the NAV. The RX 330 with DVD entertaintment system has an input for external video sources such as VCR or playstation/X box next to the electrical outlet (the car has a built-in AC converter) in the cargo compartment. Has anyone found mudguards or bug/stone deflector for the hood?
A few weeks ago I received in the mail a Lexus RX330 promotional USB memory key. I inadvertently lost the instructions on how to download a driver for a Windows 98 computer. If anyone still has the instructions for this gadget, would you please post them here.
You are more likely to get a "deal" on a GX depending on your market. As a rule, dealers in the NYC area are NOT discounting them as we all have a 3+ month backlog of orders for Navi RXs.
A GX may well be less than $5000 more than an RX.
We are not discounting them a dime. 8-10 a month on allocation, and we have 28 orders.
They have a short advertising movie about the RX330 and then an interactive file that tells about the RX330 features. The neat thing about the memory key is that you can erase all the files and use it as a memory device for your computer.
By the way, I did finaly the URL for the WIN98 drivers.
I also got the key, viewed the material several times, and am now using it to move files between computers. Just 16 MB of space though, but it beats floppies @1.44.
> 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'm 6'4" and have no problems with our RX330. I recline the seat a little though (as I do in all cars).
I'm also in the PNW. Can you share the dealerships name in Seattle and OR? I've been waiting for the prices to drop below MSRP. Did you have a trade in with this deal?
6'2" here and no problem with headroom either. I don't feel like I even need to recline the seats. On a recent road-trip with friends - 3 of us each over 6' - we had no trouble with either head room or leg room - even in the back seat. The back seat has tons of room. On the 550 mile (each way) road-trip the car did great and after the trip was over - going and coming back - I was not as wiped out or tired as I often was on much shorter trips in my MB. I guess the comfort of the seats, softer ride, and quiet interior are less fatiguing. I thought the laser cruise worked great. Approaching a slower moving car, the RX slowed down and if approaching too fast it actually began to brake. If you were dozing off or not paying attention this would certainly startle you to your senses. I liked it alot but when the others drove they preferred the normal cruise. But then again they had not just gone out and paid for it! The only complaint on the car was the fuel economy. The trip computer said I was getting 22.3 or so MPG on the highway; calculating it myself it came out lower - around 21.8. I am disappointed that the 26 mpg rating was so far off from actual. It was interstate driving at about 75, I was running 93 octane premium fuel, the roads were flat and the weather was good. Other items to note - on the navigation. I was really pleased. I had never driven through central Florida and Orlando and left home without a map. Before I left, I registered one of my presets with my hotel. I relied on the navigation the entire time and it seemed to take me where I needed to go quite well. Occasionally while in Orlando/Disney area it suggested routes that probably were not the best or quickest, but using my gut I started driving the way I thought we needed to go and the navigation adjusted the route accordingly - but not after telling me to make a legal U-turn several times. I do have a question - when your destination is set - and you are driving down the interstate and you then display POI's - say gas stations or restaurants. They do not show up on the screen - regardless of the scale until you slow down to city driving speeds. I had hoped that I would be able to look ahead down the interstate to see where food and fuel were, but the icons did not show up until I was off the interstate - usually waiting at the light at the end of the ramp. Is this normal?
One local Lexus dealer quoted $39680.00 for RX330 (AWD) with Premium Plus package. He mentioned rear spoiler and limited slip differential. I am not sure if they are add-on options or not part of the premium plus package. The MSRP is $41471.00. I assumed they are add-on options. The factory invoice is $35K plus $700 holdback (2% of base MSRP) = $36262 dealer invoice. And that is still $3400 different from his quote. Is $1000 over dealer invoice reasonable?
I started the trip with about 600 miles and ended with about 1700. I'll keep my fingers crossed on the mileage.
Did you have a 1000 mile scheduled service? During the sale they told me the oil would be changed and the car would be checked out about 1000 miles. I've obviously reached that but am having trouble getting my salesman or the service department to call me back to schedule the visit - actually I leave messages and they won't call back.
Is there anything in the check that is serious or critical? I've got a couple of other things I need them to check out if I ever get in. The power rear door makes creaking and snapping noises when it opens and there's some fading of the paint on the driver's side A-pillar and door frame. There is a distinct line between the good and bad paint - looks like maybe where the protective transport plastic may have been.
I am hoping that the local Lexus dealer is not as bad as the MB or BMW dealers...... but with the after-sale performance I've seen so far I am afraid. The dealer only has 3-4 new cars on the lot at any one time - they even put used cars in the showroom. And, service is at the next-door Toyota dealership.
off topic, but what is my old friend brentwoodvolvo doing quoting prices in a Lexus forum in New York, when I thought you own a Jaguar dealership in Florida...or am I just confused beyond all hope of recovery???...:):):)
The unit arrived switched to the "ON" position and the little light doesn't light up. Does this mean the unit won't transmit info and I can forget about it or call for another one?
Would anyone who knows write me at redrider@webtv.net Thanks
Sounds like you are stuck with a non-full service Lexus dealer. Service at the Toyota dealer next door? Hmm...I'd be cautious too. What kind of loaner car do they provide? The 1000 mile service is basically an oil change, vehicle check, and a chance for you to cover any issues with the vehicle--and it's free. I didn't have any issues so my service took 30 mins. BTW, you shouldn't be going through that kind of hassle to get a service scheduled.
It takes a little while for these new technologically-advanced engines to break in, so based on what I've experienced your mileage should improve over time.
I am also disappointed with the m.p.g. I did trade my 2002 in for a 2004 with hopes of better gas millage. Since the sticker on the window said 20 city and 26 highway. With the 2002 combine driving I was getting 22 m.p.g. Highway I was getting 27 m.p.g. plus. Maybe after the break in period I shall get better. The best I can get on combination driving is 18 to 19. I do have to say I enjoy 330. I am very happy with my purchase. They have done an outstanding job with the new upgrades. Much better then the 300. I chose the navigation model with the upgrade audio system. Am very happy with both. If anyone who owns a 300 and is thinking about purchasing a 330 I'd say do it. You will not be disappointed.
If you're an RX 330 owner who has adaptive headlights (that rotate on turns, etc), and are willing to be quoted in print about your experience, would you please contact me at jfallon@edmunds.com with your daytime phone number asap no later than Friday, June 13? Thanks much, Jeannine Fallon PR Director Edmunds.com
1) Lok888, there's no way you can get this car for $1000 over invoice, period. They're popular now, and it will take a while for the prices to go down. Don't compare buying this car with a Chevy Lumina or any other GM product.
2) I'm just venting, but I will rip out my own intestines if another person writes another post about "what if a dealer says no to my offer..." or "can I get a RX330 for $500 or $1000 over invoice"... If you want the RX330, and can comfortably afford to buy it, and you're not upside down in another car... just go buy the darn thing. It's a great car, will be reliable and have excellent resale value, etc -> who cares about an extra $500 or a bit more? We just got our Flint/Gray RX330 and happily paid a bit under MSRP for it. If the $500 or $1000 is a problem, wait a year until the demand cools off, buy a used one in 1-2 years, or don't buy it because it's not good to buy a mid-lux car than may cause financial problems.
Sorry, just a bad day at work. Buying cars should be easy: Do research, find the car you like in a comfortable price range, and buy it. I'm not pro-dealer; but on the other hand, people either have no idea what they're doing buying a car, people take all the enjoyment out of buying a car, or people are just totally fixated on price. Price is just a (small) part of buying a car, especially if you're buying a $40,000 car. Of course, this does not apply to a lower-middle class family who's trying to buy a honda civic as their only means of transportation.
Williard, The calculation issue is not a firm ware issue. The old navs calculate based on 60mph highway, and 30mph (i think) non hwy streets.
When you select shortest, its the shortest distance, but may theoretically take longer in time due to the 30mph calculation. Fastest route is always highway and tollway if required.
The new RX330 nav has a fix for that. You can set calculation speed, I actually set my highway at 80, and in town at 45 to make calculations more accurate.
Anyway, entering destination at 9mph does help on a highway. Also, I did not notice local POI not showing up at high speed. I will pay attention though.
(1) Don't be sorry! It is the full moon and the Friday the 13th. You've never know you may get a good deal even during this early production... like some customers cancelled their orders, some color people don't want, etc. If money is not an object to you or you have no idea how to spend $40K or more, that's not a problem. The fun part is to beat the dealer. I am sure many of us would not pay thousands more just because we want to be the first one on the block.
(2) The easy way to avoid seeing these message is to scroll down to the next message or hit "ctrl", "alt" and "delete" keys. I am sure you will see a lot of these questions and comments on pricing. I hope you breath easier now. Have fun with your new RX!
I had a fleet sales guy tell me that of the 600 or so slotted for the region in June, 400 are to be used as loaner cars and not available for sale. Why have them as loaners when they are supposedly flying out the door?
He tried to make you believe the supply is short and won't give you a good deal on the RX I guess. No dealers would use more than 5 same new model cars as loaner
We have exactly ONE RX330 available on the ground for sale. I'll bet $10K it won't last the next 24 hours.
I have about 25 incoming, 24 are presold.
SO guess what Lexus does.. they just sent us 13. ONE OF WHICH IS A FREAKING NAV! Arrrgh!! Guess what? Already allocated to the service department.. no we can't swap them for ESs, no we can't do anything.. they HAVE to go for service loaners. And it is the stupidest thing I have ever seen. I have customers waiting up to 12 weeks for a Nav truck and they go handing them out to service >:(
Dealers are selling for below MSRP. I emailed dealers in WA,OR,CA and even FL, and they all came back with a best price of about 40k or under for a RX330AWD+Premium Plus. I was able to get quotes for about 39k from dealers in WA and OR for the vehicle, making it about $2600 below MSRP. The RX330 maybe selling well, but I think lexus is discounting them to make them move. I think the economy and lots of competition from other makes are making Lexus dealers more than willing to discount below MSRP.
Most folks are wising up and realizing that an expensive and "captive" gps/nav is no bargain ($400 for a DVD update). Some may be as put off with the ergonomics and firmware flaws as I.
My RX330 will NOT have Nav!
Allocating nav vehicles for loaners to expose more folks to the aspect makes a lot of sense to me.
Sometimes giving out free samplers can work wonders with sales. I remember watching some movie or TV show about a drug dealer literally flooding the streets with tons of cocain or heroin -- for free. Get them hooked and they'll mortgage their wives' underwear to get more.
There is no monthly fee. $2k gets the navigation system and backup camera only. The DVD video player is a separate option. The $400 fee is to get a new DVD disc if you want to get updates that will include the new or changed roads. There is a completely separate DVD player and screen for playing movies and it is an additional cost option not included with the navigation system. The movies play only on the screen in the back seat.
We are awaiting delivery of an RX330 with Premium Plus, Nav and rear entertainment. The DVD for the Nav is NOT a DVD player, it is a DVD-ROM only. Also, if you have both the Nav and the entertainment system, DVD movies do play on the Nav screen - if you are in "Park". As soon as you shift out of "Park", it reverts to the map (or whatever else was on the screen) and will NOT show the movie.
Comments
So much for people not liking the Nav. It appears that Lexus has SERIOUSLY underestimated the demand for NAV, or at least in our market anyway (Our Zone is noth Jersey, Brooklyn, Westchester, NY City and part of LI)
We are allocated 8-10 a month. We have 28 sold! :O
I've used the same system quite a bit and love it and have found the problems to largely be down to incorrectly calibrated systems.
Bill
I never considered the RX beforehand, but now I will. I currently drive a 2000 GS400 (lease ends in December)and purchased wife a ES300 last fall.
After doing some landscape work around the house, we now see the advantage of a vehicle that looks nice and is capable of hauling more than our present cars. Also the AWD should be great during our Chicago winters.
We hope that by the time we are ready to do our transaction that dealers will be more flexible than current deals I have read about on this board.
Have any of you noticed premature paint nicks on the hood? I have just over 3k and have 2 medium sized nicks on the hood. My dealer doesn't even have the parts list for touch up paint numbers nor can they tell me if a bug shield or mud guards are available. Any takers??
Ray
Horrible, I mean HORRIBLE, ergonomics doesn't help matters.
Yes, I do own an MDX, which in my opinion is better than the 300, not as good as the 330. Wish there was a 3rd seat in the 330.
And by the way, how did I try to "hype up" the MDX?
RX330 with my favorite option is $44000.
How much should I pay?
Could you tell me what I should do if dealer don't want sell the car at my offering price?
I'm going to pay in cash.
Is is any advantage? How much should I get discount more than other payments?
Thank you.
I can make full use of my Acura CL nav while driving, and from what I hear, Acura is the only make that allows that, MB, Lexus, BMW, and so on makes you pull over to punch in destinations.
I do agree the RX330 nav seems a little more complicated than the Acura, but it has a lot more features. Willard, I don't know which nav you are talking about, 911, rx300, ls??? All I know is you dont have a RX330 yet. so don't knock it if you ain't got it yet.
Either way, this is my second nav car, I will not buy another car without a dvd nav. Cd rom navs however, is why I did not buy an MB, BMW, Land Rover, etc.
And yes, just like any other mapping system, you can get lost due to road changes, or new roads. Get over it. Who here has updated city maps for every town they drive in?? Get real, I dont even think every map on the market is updated.
Do the Lexus DVD screen/players have inputs for external devices like make a game console or MP3 players?
When you compute shortest time route and then compute shortest distance you often find that the shortest time route computed takes longer than the shortest distance route.
So always have the system compute both to be sure.
The RX 330 with DVD entertaintment system has an input for external video sources such as VCR or playstation/X box next to the electrical outlet (the car has a built-in AC converter) in the cargo compartment.
Has anyone found mudguards or bug/stone deflector for the hood?
Thank you,
You are more likely to get a "deal" on a GX depending on your market. As a rule, dealers in the NYC area are NOT discounting them as we all have a 3+ month backlog of orders for Navi RXs.
A GX may well be less than $5000 more than an RX.
We are not discounting them a dime. 8-10 a month on allocation, and we have 28 orders.
By the way, I did finaly the URL for the WIN98 drivers.
thanks
But where I am that's a good $1100 under Zone average on a $41,478MSRP car.
It's a strong number, but then again, I am not too familiar with your market.
> 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'm 6'4" and have no problems with our RX330. I recline the seat a little though (as I do in all cars).
John
On a recent road-trip with friends - 3 of us each over 6' - we had no trouble with either head room or leg room - even in the back seat. The back seat has tons of room.
On the 550 mile (each way) road-trip the car did great and after the trip was over - going and coming back - I was not as wiped out or tired as I often was on much shorter trips in my MB. I guess the comfort of the seats, softer ride, and quiet interior are less fatiguing.
I thought the laser cruise worked great. Approaching a slower moving car, the RX slowed down and if approaching too fast it actually began to brake. If you were dozing off or not paying attention this would certainly startle you to your senses. I liked it alot but when the others drove they preferred the normal cruise. But then again they had not just gone out and paid for it!
The only complaint on the car was the fuel economy. The trip computer said I was getting 22.3 or so MPG on the highway; calculating it myself it came out lower - around 21.8. I am disappointed that the 26 mpg rating was so far off from actual. It was interstate driving at about 75, I was running 93 octane premium fuel, the roads were flat and the weather was good.
Other items to note - on the navigation. I was really pleased. I had never driven through central Florida and Orlando and left home without a map. Before I left, I registered one of my presets with my hotel. I relied on the navigation the entire time and it seemed to take me where I needed to go quite well. Occasionally while in Orlando/Disney area it suggested routes that probably were not the best or quickest, but using my gut I started driving the way I thought we needed to go and the navigation adjusted the route accordingly - but not after telling me to make a legal U-turn several times.
I do have a question - when your destination is set - and you are driving down the interstate and you then display POI's - say gas stations or restaurants. They do not show up on the screen - regardless of the scale until you slow down to city driving speeds. I had hoped that I would be able to look ahead down the interstate to see where food and fuel were, but the icons did not show up until I was off the interstate - usually waiting at the light at the end of the ramp. Is this normal?
Did you have a 1000 mile scheduled service? During the sale they told me the oil would be changed and the car would be checked out about 1000 miles. I've obviously reached that but am having trouble getting my salesman or the service department to call me back to schedule the visit - actually I leave messages and they won't call back.
Is there anything in the check that is serious or critical? I've got a couple of other things I need them to check out if I ever get in. The power rear door makes creaking and snapping noises when it opens and there's some fading of the paint on the driver's side A-pillar and door frame. There is a distinct line between the good and bad paint - looks like maybe where the protective transport plastic may have been.
I am hoping that the local Lexus dealer is not as bad as the MB or BMW dealers...... but with the after-sale performance I've seen so far I am afraid. The dealer only has 3-4 new cars on the lot at any one time - they even put used cars in the showroom. And, service is at the next-door Toyota dealership.
Bob
Would anyone who knows write me at redrider@webtv.net Thanks
It takes a little while for these new technologically-advanced engines to break in, so based on what I've experienced your mileage should improve over time.
Thanks much,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
2) I'm just venting, but I will rip out my own intestines if another person writes another post about "what if a dealer says no to my offer..." or "can I get a RX330 for $500 or $1000 over invoice"... If you want the RX330, and can comfortably afford to buy it, and you're not upside down in another car... just go buy the darn thing. It's a great car, will be reliable and have excellent resale value, etc -> who cares about an extra $500 or a bit more? We just got our Flint/Gray RX330 and happily paid a bit under MSRP for it. If the $500 or $1000 is a problem, wait a year until the demand cools off, buy a used one in 1-2 years, or don't buy it because it's not good to buy a mid-lux car than may cause financial problems.
Sorry, just a bad day at work. Buying cars should be easy: Do research, find the car you like in a comfortable price range, and buy it. I'm not pro-dealer; but on the other hand, people either have no idea what they're doing buying a car, people take all the enjoyment out of buying a car, or people are just totally fixated on price. Price is just a (small) part of buying a car, especially if you're buying a $40,000 car. Of course, this does not apply to a lower-middle class family who's trying to buy a honda civic as their only means of transportation.
Or at least thinking you have.
The calculation issue is not a firm ware issue. The old navs calculate based on 60mph highway, and 30mph (i think) non hwy streets.
When you select shortest, its the shortest distance, but may theoretically take longer in time due to the 30mph calculation. Fastest route is always highway and tollway if required.
The new RX330 nav has a fix for that. You can set calculation speed, I actually set my highway at 80, and in town at 45 to make calculations more accurate.
Anyway, entering destination at 9mph does help on a highway. Also, I did not notice local POI not showing up at high speed. I will pay attention though.
But other...
The thing actually computed a shorter distance AND time for the non-freeway route than it computed for "shortest time" on the freeway route.
It showed freeway route as being about an hour longer than shortest distance compute time.
I know it has a bias/preference for freeways but this one was ridiculous.
(2) The easy way to avoid seeing these message is to scroll down to the next message or hit "ctrl", "alt" and "delete" keys. I am sure you will see a lot of these questions and comments on pricing. I hope you breath easier now. Have fun with your new RX!
We have exactly ONE RX330 available on the ground for sale. I'll bet $10K it won't last the next 24 hours.
I have about 25 incoming, 24 are presold.
SO guess what Lexus does.. they just sent us 13. ONE OF WHICH IS A FREAKING NAV! Arrrgh!! Guess what? Already allocated to the service department.. no we can't swap them for ESs, no we can't do anything.. they HAVE to go for service loaners. And it is the stupidest thing I have ever seen. I have customers waiting up to 12 weeks for a Nav truck and they go handing them out to service >:(
I have NO idea what they are thinking sometimes!
Bill
My RX330 will NOT have Nav!
Allocating nav vehicles for loaners to expose more folks to the aspect makes a lot of sense to me.
Ah, marketing....
What does the $2k option get you, a DVD screen and player and a backup camera?
If you're using the NAV, does that mean you need to have the DVD-ROM in the drive rather than any movie? So the rear DVD would have its own drive?
There is a completely separate DVD player and screen for playing movies and it is an additional cost option not included with the navigation system. The movies play only on the screen in the back seat.
So with the DVD ROM for the NAV, you could have 3 drives?
Craig