Lexus RX 330

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Comments

  • stevecarbuyerstevecarbuyer Member Posts: 6
    I have been trying to buy an AWD, Neptune Blue, Ivory Interior, NAV/ Mark Levinson Package, RSES-Rear Seat Entertainment System, HH-Heated Seats & Rain Sensing Wipers RX330 for six weeks.

    After waiting on four weeks of allocations to my local dealer to see if they would receive the vehicle I wanted, I called Lexus customer service. It seemed that my local dealer wanted me to buy from what they were receiving rather than widely search for a trade or place an order for me. The same day I called Lexus, my dealer called to inform me that an RX330 in the configuration and color that I wanted was coming off production in Canada on Nov. 11th. When I asked for a confirmation on my order, the vehicle production sheet sent to me shows the vehicle as FWD. (See my previous post re: FWD vs. AWD)

    My dealer tells me it may take two to six months to find the RX330 I am looking to buy. Is this true? I am feeling pressured to take the FWD model. Am I being too picky? Is there a big difference between the FWD and AWD?

    Why is it so hard to get the RX330 I really want ---especially when I am paying over $40k?!

    A Very Frustrated Potential Buyer
  • indiana97indiana97 Member Posts: 58
    To Stevecarbuyer:
    If you live in an area where you have "Winter" weather, I would buy the AWD for sure. Resale value alone would justify the AWD. If you live in the Sun Belt I think you would be just as happy with the AWD and resale shouldn't be a big deal. I drove a RX300 FWD as a loaner while I was getting my RX300 serviced during the Winter. There was a light snow and I could tell the difference and was happy to get back in my AWD. Good Luck.
     
    Also, I am waiting for Monday. I will be taking delivery of my new RX330 AWD. I know that it's hard to wait to get your new car when it has been ordered. I hate to say it, but I feel like a kid again waiting for my birthday or Christmas!!!
     
    A Midwest Driver
  • myk_amyk_a Member Posts: 70
    I ordered my AWD RX 330, flint mica, back in September and just took delivery a week ago (Nov. 1st). I got tired of waiting and wanted to bail out but thought that I really wanted it. Guess what, it's WORTH THE WAIT!

    I've had no problems with it and it's performing as expected.

    Check out the message board: "Lexus RX330: Purchase Price & Buying Experience". There's lots of good posts there regarding this topic.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Here's the link:

    Lexus RX 330: Prices Paid & Buying Experience

    Check out FWD vs AWD too.

    Steve, Host
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I am also concerned about having to wait two or three months to get what I want.

    I don't see why you would be concerned about that. It's not like you have your $40K tied up during that time.

    I'd be more concerned about having ordered AWD and getting the FWD instead. I wouldn't accept that.

    tidester, host
  • chitungchitung Member Posts: 18
    My wife noticed this sound first after a few days we bought the car, and she asked me streching my ear from my head to listen to it. I can hear the ticking sound coming from engine compartment. This ticking sound can be clearly heard when you:
    1. Roll up all windows
    2. Turn off your sound system
    3. Parking at red light and light traffic street intersection. At night is much easier to hear.
    I found this is extremely annoying because this has absolutely never been heard in my 99 Camry Solara 3.0L. I then went to another dealership in Fremont, CA to test driver another RX330 with exact drive configuration (AWD), and, again, I can hear the ticking sound. My wife said that that was the new introduced "feature". I still feel uncomfortable about it, and I thought because Lexus cabin insulator isolates driver from the road, only engine noise can be heard. That's why we can hear the ticking sound. So, my assumption is RX330 engine comparment insulator is not good enough.
    I then went to a Toyota dealership in San Jose and test drove a Highlander with 3.3L AWD limited edition. I can barely hear the ticking sound because of the busy street, but when parking the car in the car lot, I can hear the ticking sound.
    My conclusion is we cannot do anything about it. It's the new "built-in feature" from Toyota. This sound seems to be louder as time goes by because your easily is trained over the time. :(
    I love everything about this car except this ticking sound and loud engine noise. My 99 Solara engine is much much much smoother. But I think because RX330 is an SUV, loud engine noise is inevitable.
    Sad :(
  • indiana97indiana97 Member Posts: 58
    I think my 1999 RX was recommended to run premium gas or at least (91). I have seen posts that people are running regular (89) and getting good performance in their RX330's What does Lexus recommend? What are others using. I am taking delivery of my new RX 330 this week. I had a 2001 GS and I was told to run premium too.
    Thanks
  • johnnieliujohnnieliu Member Posts: 34
    The color you want, Neptune Blue, is one of the colors that is hardest to get. Lexus isn't making many vehicles in Neptune Blue, nor Black Forrest Pearl. Change you color to Black or Flint Mica, and your wait will be much shorter.
  • stevecarbuyerstevecarbuyer Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for the feedback on my difficulties in obtaining the RX330 vehicle I want.

    With your feedback, I e-mailed my local sales consultant and declined the FWD version and asked him to make a clear order or vehicle trade with a firm delivery date rather continue to wait through their allocation processes.

    I hope I can get this worked out. I never thought I would have to work a luxury vehicle buying process so hard to : (1) get an order placed and to (2) get what I want.

    Thanks Again! / Steve
  • finch3finch3 Member Posts: 113
    Hard to believe. Here's what you do..........Live with it!
  • myk_amyk_a Member Posts: 70
    Yup! I finally heard that infamous ticking sound... just late last night (actually early in the morning at 2am) when the wife and I parked. It was very faint and cannot be heard unless it's TOTALLY quiet.

    I hear the same sound on our 2001 RAV4L but never thought much of it.
  • lehighlexuslehighlexus Member Posts: 94
    Should not be a problem to get, depending on where you are. We have 2 coming in by the end of the year, and all we get arte AWD. I'm sure they can look around and find you one. Also, to make your wait a little shorter, go without the RSES. Alot easier to find, and you can get it installed anywhere.

    Gas type is regular on RX's. Move up to 89 for better perrformance and gas mileage. I wouldn't use above 89.
  • myk_amyk_a Member Posts: 70
    The manual says that it could take regular gas. I've been using 89 and have not had any problems. Gas mileage is right on target 18-24. Acceleration is brisk as well.
  • tsheertsheer Member Posts: 23
    I've had 2 with AWD, and one with FWD. I didn't notice any difference, except the FWD got about 2 mpg more in city driving.

    I'm in Southern California, so this is all dry road experience.
  • gmenendezgmenendez Member Posts: 2
    lehighlexus:
    Interesting that you say that the RX 330 in Neptune without the RSES would be easier to get. I don't have children so I did not want this option but the dealer told me that it would be much better at resale and that it would be easier to get since "once you order the NAV/Mark Lev option the other comes with it more often than not". Since I am in Memphis I opted for the FWD and the one that SteveCarBuyer has just declined fits perfectly to what I have asked for except for the ivory interior as I asked for the gray.

    I'm still being told 2 to 4 months because the Neptune Blue is so difficult to get. Sounds like there is a greater demand than anticipated.
  • gmenendezgmenendez Member Posts: 2
    I just got a message from my dealer since I had seen the vehicle that SteveCarBuyer had just turned down and it is close to what I have been looking for. I asked if he could see if this car had already been reallocated and if not then could he see if he could get it for me. He said, "That is not the way Lexus works, they allocate cars to each dealer and since we are a small dealer we only get a small allocation." Now this kinda goes against the grain of "we'll find you one if someone else gets one allocated and they don't have a buyer for it".

    So how does it really work with Lexus? If they don't trade back and forth on allocation then maybe I should be the one to trade dealers.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    except your dealer... apparently.

    My 91 LS gets serviced in Memphis but I've never had any dealings with them otherwise.
  • newlexusownernewlexusowner Member Posts: 7
    You said that RSES is can be installed later. Are you referring to aftermarket vs. the $1700 Lexus installed RSES? I should of gotten this when I purchased my RX330 but decided not too plus I didn't want NAV and was told RSES only came with NAV unless specially ordered. So now I'm looking for a RSES alternative. All the aftermarkets will cost about $1500+.
  • wco81wco81 Member Posts: 594
    http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/11/10/BUG6B2T6U- 81.DTL

    Latest rage in cars, Direct TV.
  • rx331rx331 Member Posts: 6
    Curious to know if you could not open the RX330 rear lift gate with either of your car keys, or the rear lift gate button on the dash board? (Rear lift gate lock in the glove compartment is correctly positioned to open it)
  • tsmith67tsmith67 Member Posts: 19
    Are you sure that all of the doors are unlocked when trying to open. If so, make sure that you are holding in the button for aporx 2 seconds.
  • myk_amyk_a Member Posts: 70
    Same thing happened to me. Always be sure that ALL doors are unlocked and hold the remote key for about 2 seconds. To use the button on the dash, be sure that the key is in the "ON" position and that ALL doors are unlocked. Then hold the button for about 2 seconds as well.
  • myk_amyk_a Member Posts: 70
    I'll probably wait until the price goes down before purchasing this. A start-up system is around $3K with roof-mounted antenna, floor-mounted monitor, and receiver. Also, their web site (kvh.com) states that the picture freezes or is lost when going into tunnels/under bridges. On the other hand, picture quality is great and uninterrupted once you're out of the city.
  • lehighlexuslehighlexus Member Posts: 94
    Maybe it is a matter of location. I'm in Pa, and we don't ever order RSES. The reasoning is most people do not want it. Dealers do trade allocations. And make sure about the ML because most RX's coming through are not with ML even if you get nav. Like I said, it could be location, but I have yet to see an RX with Mark Lev. It tells you they come together in the brochure, but we can't order it. So, check to make sure. And remember, 4wd helps in rain as well as snow.
  • scottphillipscottphillip Member Posts: 249
    Overall I am quite pleased with my RX330. I have the RSES and never use it. I have a noisy A/C compressor, and a new compressor has been ordered for me.

    The service department treats everyone like royalty. They even make a point of opening doors for you.

    I am in FL and have the ML and NAV. I enjoy both.
  • rx331rx331 Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for the tips!
      
    I made sure I hit the door unlock button on the key twice, then saw the yellow turn indicator lights blink and also heard the clicks of the doors unlocking. I then depressed the rear lift gate button on the key for >2 seconds, with no luck. The problem started intermittently and has now progressed to the current state. All the same I will re-try and visually verify that all the doors are indeed unlocked, just to make doubly sure.

    Meanwhile, any other tips are welcome.

    Thanks again.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    You might want to try the re-learn procedure, assuming the rear door servomechanism is of the anti-pinch type.
  • avery1avery1 Member Posts: 373
    RSES?
  • aqbqcqaqbqcq Member Posts: 14
    Anyone checked these guys out? They seem to have deals that are too good to be true. I welcome all of your thoughts.
  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    What is the RSES? Do you want to know what IT is? The RSES is in the rear seat. You cannot smell it or taste it, but you can see it when you look up, and you can hear it when you pop on the headphones. It is the entertainment media that is pulled over your eyes to blind you from the real world. It is the system of mind bondage that enslaves you to the Lexus.

    Unfortunately, nobody can be told what the RSES is. You have to experience this rear seat entertainment system for yourself, (or not...)

    Morpheus
  • avery1avery1 Member Posts: 373
    Thank you oh master of the RSES.
  • rx4merx4me Member Posts: 58
    This has occasionally happened to me also. As a work-around when all else fails, try opening the back hatch manually and then closing it manually by pushing down on the back hatch to make sure it's closed securely. Now, try using either the remote fob or dash button, making sure it's depressed for at least 2 seconds. It's worked everytime for me whenever I work it manually and then soon afterwards use either of the two methods indicated in the manual. Give it a try.
  • indiana97indiana97 Member Posts: 58
    Just got my RX330. I can open the rear door by pushing the button on the dash. Need to hold it for about 2 seconds. The door opens. I did this with doors unlocked but I did not have to have the key in the on position, it was in the off position.
  • vetpathologistvetpathologist Member Posts: 30
    Does anybody know when the 330/400 hybrid vehicle is supposed to hit the US market?
  • rx331rx331 Member Posts: 6
    Visually verified that all the doors were indeed unlocked, just to make doubly sure, then pressed rear lift gate button for >2 seconds...still no luck!
  • jeffmust2jeffmust2 Member Posts: 811
    Anywhere from April04 to Aug04 depending on which source you believe.
  • rx4merx4me Member Posts: 58
    Have you seen my post (#2098)? Give it a try.
  • lovemylexus1lovemylexus1 Member Posts: 101
    I have experienced the door refusing to open twice. On both occasions, all doors were unlocked. The door wouldn't open with the remote. It wouldn't open using the dash button (located with the mirror toggle). The last time this happened, I did open the door manually BUT it wouldn't close with the button on the rear door (so I closed it manually).

    On both occasions, I opened the glove box and pushed the rear power lift button on and off a few times before leaving it in the "on position." Then the door opened fine...without the need to have the key in the ignition. I then ran through the entire sequence of opening and closing the door from inside and with the remote.

    I am not sure why the door suddenly decides not to work but I suspect that it might have something to do with the fact that I am quick on the fly. By this I mean I hit "lock" on the remote before the door is fully shut. Maybe this messes up the sequencing.

    I must say both times the door has failed, I really needed the door to work. So I am not happy that this seems to happen without warning. I am contemplating re-setting the button in the glove box on a weekly basis to hopefully ward off any future "failures" until Lexus can figure out the problem.
  • myk_amyk_a Member Posts: 70
    What do you use to clean/protect the soft-leather upholstery? Is Armor All Leather wipes good? Won't it shrink or damage the leather? How about Stoner Fabprotex (from the makers of Invisible Glass)? What about the wood trim? Since it's real wood, would Pledge be a good cleanser? Will it cause the wood to fade?
  • rx331rx331 Member Posts: 6
    Opening the rear lift gate manually did fix the problem!! However I suspect the fix is just temporary in nature until the root cause is found out.

    I'll try hitting the "Lock" on the remote before the rear lift gate is completely closed, to see if the condition duplicates.

    Again, thanks for the tips!
  • cfgrosscfgross Member Posts: 54
    I use Leatherique products (Pristine Clean and Rejuvinator Oil) with spectacular results on my Jag and now the Lexus. I don't think you can get it in stores. I got mine online at http://coventryperformance.com/ (click on "Leatherique" on the left hand side of the page). I have also used Zaino leather products which are very good also ( http://www.zainobros.com ).

    Craig
  • myk_amyk_a Member Posts: 70
    I definitely will try one of them. Thanks!
  • timhaydentimhayden Member Posts: 4
    I have used Leatherique cleaner and oil on both of my 80's Ferrari's I've had with wonderful results. It can help even dried out leather much less leather in good shape.
  • stevecarbuyerstevecarbuyer Member Posts: 6
    Related to my posts from last weekend, I followed up with my dealer and have direct ordered a Neptune Blue RX 330 with all the options I want. I chose this route due to the fact that the dealer stated that what I was looking for was not produced very much if at all.

    As a tip and advice to others, it seems like my Lexus dealer did not fully understand the direct order process through Canada until recently. Additionally, the plant is closed during December and therefore my order will not be produced until January with a projected February delivery. If you are looking for something specific, be sure to inquire about the direct order process early and expect to wait 8 to 12 weeks for delivery.

    I thought hard about buying a BMW X5 since the process was encumbered and delayed, but I really want the RX 330.

    Best of luck to all asking their dealer to trade or wait through their allocation process. I am sharing this information for others to help them avoid any disappointments like I experienced. My final route may not be necessary for you but since your dealer may not understand the direct order process with Canada educate them and ask them to reasearch this method.

    / Steve
  • rx331rx331 Member Posts: 6
    Tried hitting the "Lock" on the remote before the rear lift gate had completely closed, in at attempt to duplicate the problem....the problem did not re-create.
  • rx331rx331 Member Posts: 6
    What is the "re-learn" procedure?
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    There is a procedure for the windows in my C4 and I'm sure if you look in the owners manual the RX also has one.
  • 330bear330bear Member Posts: 2
    I'm halfway towards getting a 2004 rx330 lexus here in Honolulu, Hawaii. I got the premium Plus package but unable to get the dvd rear entertainment feature because according to the only local dealer here, the rear dvd option is not available to Hawaii.
    Is there a way to get the lexus dvd system added to my package thru placing a special order?
    Please advise.
  • tsmith67tsmith67 Member Posts: 19
    Yes, you can special order it. However, I would advise against it. It would not be worth the wait in my opinion. I too thought that I had to have the factory system from Lexus and was led to believe that is exactly what I was getting by the sales person, however, he lied and put in an aftermarket system instead. I found this out before taking delivery, and had the option to void the sale, but I chose not to wait for a special order with the lexus system. I have to say the aftermarket has more of the features I would prefer anyway. The main being a built in tv tuner. I can watch the football game while by wife is in the mall shopping. Can't do that with the factory system. They put in an audiovox prove 8, which is a 8 inch screen. I have been very pleased with it. Good luck and I hope this helps.
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    My local dealer told Toyota only makes 2% of RX330 with nav./ML system and DVD RES. A long wait for this combination. My sales person didn't mention any discount but he or sales manager will deal with me. Also, about 70% or more with nav. system only are being built these days. It looks like the AWD with Premium Plus is more easy to get (in stock or less wait time) with $1500 or more off MSRP here in MA. My sales person also told no RX from Japan (unlike some Camrys still coming from Japan), only from Canada now. Also still no info on multi-panel sunroof. I can't remember if I saw one on the road. It travelled so fast. It was black and with no roof racks.
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