I don't think 24mpg at 80mph is that much of a stretch, at least with our 2WD model. We've done a few hours of flat highway cruising and I think we've achieved close to 24mpg. Around here, I wouldn't think of driving any slower than 80mph on the rural interstates, as that is the typical flow of traffic in these parts. We have 75mph speed limits, and our state has been considering allowing them to be raised to 80mph (if you can believe it!).
In early July we'll be taking a long trip across Arizona and up through the Bay Area of California. By then, we'll have over 15K miles on our RX. I'll report back our overall average fuel economy. By the way, knowing what the fuel prices will likely be in California, we'll typically be running 87 octane!
Here's my take: If you are a conservative driver, and you want comfort over handling, then save the $200+ and go with the 17" wheels.
Another benefit should be longer treadwear. The 17" wheels come with "S"-rated tires. The 18" wheels come with "V"-rated tires, which are a couple grades up in performance from "S". Quite likely, the 17" tires will be a harder compound in the tread, allowing them to wear longer.
For my wife and I, we wanted the look and better handling of the 18" rims and tires. Although these tires may not last as long as the 17" tires, they will have stronger sidewalls and better build quality (based on typical "V" vs "S" tires).
In my opinion, Lexus provides a better choice of tire models for their 18" rims than the 17" rims. For instance, I believe the RX330 comes with Goodyear Integrity or Michelin LX4 tires when equipped with 17" rims, and the Goodyear Eagle RS-A or Michelin MXV4 S8 when equipped with 18" rims. We've driven the 17" Goodyear Integrity's on our previous MDX, but I think our current Goodyear Eagle RS-A is a better tire.
I think I found a good change to have your dealer make. Currently, when the doors are locked and you approach the vehicle, you click your remote once to unlock the driver side door and click a second time to unlock the rest of the doors. You can have this changed to unlock all the doors with one click.
There is no downside to this because as soon are you're underway, the doors all lock. Actually, you could change that also, but I think it's good to lock the doors when moving, unless you expect to be sinking in a lagoon or something.
Thanks for the input on the 17 vs. 18" tires. I live in Oregon and 17" tires are not available even though 18" are an extra. I did see 17" tires on an FWD in San Diego. The wear, cushion and protection from road obstacles are still a concern.
When we bought our 92 Lexus my wife complained about all the doors unlocking simultaneously. Her thought was that it was much safer for her if only her door opened and there was no opportunity for someone else, an UNWANTED someone else, to hop in via another unlocked door.
My wife also likes the idea of unlocking only the driver's door upon the first button push. This provides a little extra measure of safety when she works late, or when she is out shopping after dark.
For my BMW, we had our two smart keys programmed so that my own key unlocks all 4 doors with one button click, while her key requires a 2nd click to unlock the passenger doors (similar to our RX330). It's too bad Lexus doesn't offer similar unique programming capabilities for each key. (Or do they??)
I just got back from a whirlwind shopping trip to Chicago (a few hundred miles round-trip from my house).
My AWD RX330 averaged 25.5 miles-per-gallon on the trip.....most of which was straight highway driving on relatively flat terrain.
I calculated my average speed from my trip computer readings at 62.5 miles-per-hour (this reflects some minor street driving I did along the way). On the highway, I normally set the cruise between 70 and 72MPH.
And for anyone interested.... I had 88 octane fuel in the tank.
You might want to raise the tire size issue in the Tires, tires, tires discussion where we have a representative from tirerack.com to answer your questions.
1-Anyone know if you can COMPLETELY turn off the auto re-lock feature (if you don't open the door within a minute or so after unlocking, it re-locks itself)? It's a race to the finish sometimes (esp if unlocking for someone else remotely, and want to leave it unlocked until the person makes it to the car door). My owner's manual says "see the dealer," but they indicated it cannot be turned off? 2-anyone towed a boat with a FWD 330? How goes it?
I just saw your post and thought I would add my thoughts. I purchased a used 2002 RX300 2 months ago, and it promptly went in the shop for a tranny replacement (under warranty thank goodness) so I had a loaner 2004 RX330 for 2 weeks. All in all, I liked the 300 better for myself. Things I liked in the 330 were telescoping steering wheel, dual climate control (hubby likes it cold, I like it hot), better storage areas, heated seats (mine doesn't have them), rain sensing wipers, and better turning radius.
Things I didn't like were TOO BIG, it just felt as bulky as my hubby's Explorer, console interferes with seating position for middle rear passenger, it really is a 4 passenger car 5 th person is not going to be comfortable, use of chrome and wood, one or the other please!, worse gas mileage regardless of epa ratings, sloping lines of rear interfere with practical use of rear cargo area, noisier to drive.
Overall, I was happy to give it back and get my smaller 300 back. Other than the large turning radius I just like it better, it is the right size for ME, not for everyone I know. If you are one the fence, wait for the hybrid version to come out and see what you think of it. With only 50K on it, yours ought to be good for a long time yet.
Thanks for the reply on the CA pricing. Getting $5K off of MSRP is really good. Has anyone else seen deals like this? I am not shopping for an AWD, so I don't know if they are dealing those more than others.
Any other pricing insight off of MSRP from those on the board? TIA
In response to "the RX330 seems much bigger", I feel just the opposite. After driving the 300 for 4 years and the 330 for a few weeks, I see no difference. At 6'1" I do fit better, head and knee room wise. It was always a challenge trying to find room for my right knee with the 300 and now, not a problem. In the garage, these is no discernable difference, but the true test is the shorter turning circle of the 330 makes the car seem a lot smaller..
Hmmm, this is the 2nd instance we've seen an RX300 owner complain about the center console within their RX330 loaner car.
Just to clarify for non-RX330 owners: The center console can slide forward and backward. It may be moved forward all the way to the front dash. The release lever is within the cupholder compartment. My guess is that the dealers are sliding the console further back because they don't expect any rear seat passengers while these cars are out on loan.
Thanks for the info on the console. If I get another 330 loaner, I will definitely make that adjustment so the kids can have more leg room. Don't anybody get me wrong, I think the 330 is a great car, it is just for me, I am a little more comfortable with my 300, at least for now. I do wish it had some of the cool new toys on the 330 like rain sensing wipers, and my hubby loves the new radio that shows a print out of what song is playing and who sings it. I would be willing to trade in for the hybrid when it comes out, but will have to wait a couple of years at least for the price to come down a little.
Hello, everyone. I have not posted in a while because I've been away and decided to "rough it" and not bring my lap top!
About the tires, I completely agree with cotmc. The improved looks and handling are worth the extra money and small penalty of increased road noise. Gotta go for the 18" wheels. You will make up for the extra expense at least in ease of sale, if not increased resale value when the time comes.
About the tow hitch, battambangblue, if you still need it, the part umber for the 3500# hitch is PT22848045. The price was $265 at Serramonte Lexus in the SF Bay Area, and they did have to order it. Your dealer should have heard of it by now. As far as installing, I had a reputable body shop put it on for $50, so I'm not sure if the tie down bracket had to be removed. I know that the storage compartments had to be, in order to fasten the holding brackets for the hitch. Sorry I'm getting this info to you so late!
Now, a towing report. I decided not to tow my bass boat to the Bay Area, from Clear Lake; a distance of 110 miles, much of it up and down winding mountain roads. I opted to dewinterize it and detail it at Clear Lake, instead. However, I did tow it the much shorter distance between the storage area and the launch ramp. For that short distance, the RX handled the 2500# boat with ease. There was no apparent strain on the engine and although it was naturally not as quick, the engine did not seem to labor while towing. The rear end did not drop excessively, and the brakes were more than adequate for stopping the combined weight of boat and vehicle. Although the RX330 will not be my primary tow vehicle, overall, I think it can handle a 2500# vehicle quite adequately.
We where thinking of putting a dog barrier in our RX330 so we could us it to bring along our two large labs.Our neighbor had one installed in there volvo suv at the dealer that was not bad looking.Has anyone here had one done and would recommned or advice.Thanks in advance.
No problem about the reply, I understand. Thanks for the info. gardencar! I asked a dealer nearby and he told me it costs $400 for the tow package. I wonder why they charge so much for it. It looks the same thing that you described about yours, with harness plug included. You got a good price on the tow hitch. It does look nice!
I wonder if Serramonte Lexus, would be able to ship it. Glad to hear you had fun on your towing trip! And thanks again for the reply.
Hey battambangblue, you are most welcome. About the pricing, I called several dealers and received prices as high as $450! The price I got was list price, without dealer mark up. I have been doing business with Serramonte for some time, buying parts and service for my LS400. I would call around to as many dealers in your area, as far as you would be willing to drive. You can also ask the sales rep who sold you your car to give you list price if he wants your repeat business and referrals. Finally, you can also call around and state that you have a friend who purchased the hitch for $265 and you would like to get it from them if they would match the price.
$400 is an usurious price. Do not pay it! I know that a previous poster, doubletrack, I believe, purchased the hitch plus installation for $400. Don't forget, if you have Lexus install the hitch, they will charge you about $200, making the price of the tow hitch plus installation, a grand, whopping total of $600! Outrageous!!!
Could it be the price they quoted you included installation?
Hey gardencar, I was considering sending out an All Points Bulletin throughout all of Town Hall. Great to see you back!
Regarding hitches, I decided to check further into a Curt hitch. The last info reported within this forum on Curt hitches (I believe from Gardencar) was that they weren't originally designed to wrap around the 18" spare tire. Some sort of spacer would need to be provided along with the hitch.
I first called Curt's distribution center located here in AZ, and that fellow did not know of any issues with mounting their hitches on an RX330 equipped with 18" tires. Next, I called Curt Manufacturing's home office and asked to speak with one of their hitch experts. Thank goodness, this next gentlemen knew all the details of this issue. He explained that Curt had already performed a design modification to their hitch, so that all new RX330 hitches would not require any spacers. I asked if he was certain that all their distribution centers stocked only the updated version of this hitch, and he responded with an unqualified "yes".
I should also mention that there wasn't a large supply of RX330 hitches available in their distribution centers. They didn't have any in AZ, and there were only two of them in TX.
I was also given the name and number of a couple Curt hitch dealers near my side of town. One of the local dealers wanted $145 + shipping costs from TX. The other dealer wanted only $110 + $25 for the shipping from TX. (Note: I believe there would have been no shipping charges if I was willing to wait a few weeks for local inventory, but I wanted the hitch more quickly.) I gave them a $20 deposit over the phone last Friday, and my hitch should be arriving today. They also offered to answer any of my questions if I have any trouble installing it; or if I give up, they will do the job for $60.
Since this hitch is primarily to be used only for a bike rack, I am not worrying about hooking up a wiring harness. (BTW, these prices did not include a harness!) Hence, I really don't expect any problems, just as long as I have the strength to loosen those 6 bolts!
Yeah $400 is a high price just for a tow hitch. Now that I got the part# I can ask around. Thanks for the advice! The price he quoted for me was $400 and doesn't include installing it either. So, the price will probably be around $600.
And also, did your Rx330 have the extra big radiator and transmission cooler when you bought it. The tow hitch I saw at the dealer had a sticker that read 2000lbs., with the tow prep package it would be able to tow 3500lbs. I asked the parts guy and told me it was rated for 3500lbs, but I forgot to ask him if that was due to the tow prep. package.
Hey, cotmc, thanks for the concern and I'm glad to see that you are finally getting hitched! I agree with you that since you don't need the wiring, the Curt hitch should be quite adequate. Interesting update on the redesigned Curt hitch. If you ever do decide to "go all the way" and get the wiring, I would try the Highlander wiring harness first as it appears to be identical to that of the RX but retails for $45 versus $80 for the Lexus.
Here's some advice if you are planning to install the hitch yourself. Fasten a large, flat piece of plank or plywood to a floor jack. You can use a car jack, if you can stabilize it to keep it from tipping. The plank or plywood should be large enough to hold the hitch steady after you place the hitch on top of the wood. Back the RX into position above the whole shebang, make final adjustments to position the hitch exactly into place, and jack the hitch right into position to fasten the bolts.
Before you do any of this, you will first have to fasten a pair of left and right brackets, included with the tow hitch, onto the frame of the vehicle, on the rear underside.
To answer your question, yes, I do have the tow pack with the extra large power steering and transmission coolers.
About the tow hitch ratings, the first Lexus hitch had a max tow capacity of 2500lbs., whether your vehicle had the tow pack or not. The newer hitch can be used to tow up to 3500lbs, but only with a tow pack equipped RX. The 2500lb. rating they put there is the tow vehicle's maximum capacity, if not equipped with a tow pack. Therefore, the higher rating of 3500lbs. is the tow hitch's maximum capacity, while the lower 2500lb. rating is the tow vehicle's maximum capacity, if not equipped with a tow pack.
Your info. was quite helpful! I should of gotten the tow pack. But there wasn't to much of a choice, they had the silver one I wanted that was being delivered. And I didn't want to wait until they have one. I got mine near end of May of last year. Still running good at 13,000.
Is the miles calculator in the Info section accurate. When I fill up, it says about 300 miles to go before empty. One of our trips is a little over 300 miles. Does this mean 300 miles before the gas tank icon comes on? Anyone checked it out?
Battambangblue, it is not too late to have a tow package installed, afermarket, on your RX330. In the past, I have had them put on some unlikely vehicles that I have used for towing, a Saab Turbo and a Volvo GLE. Aside from a tow hitch, you just need an attachment to your radiator to increase the capacity and flow of coolant, and a heavy duty transmission cooler. In the case of the RX330, you will also need an additional power steering cooler, if my memory serves me correctly. You may be able to have these put on by Lexus. However, since RX's with factory tow packs come with extra large radiators, you might have to replace yours entirely, rather than simply adding a radiator attachment. If Lexus won't install the tow pack aftermarket for you, plenty of towing and trailering shops will. I personally know that most U-Haul shops do an adequate job. First check with Lexus before you do any alterations to your vehicle, to make sure you won't be voiding your warranty. By the way, what will you be towing, that you anticipate using all of the 3500# capacity of the hitch? The hitch and the frame of the RX are quite able to withstand the strain of towing up to 3500lbs. It is your transmission, motor, and power steering components that will need extra cooling (and coolant), when towing more than 2500lbs.
Ladyofluxury, great to hear from you again and glad to see that you have not become ladyoftoyota, or have you? To answer your question, with my AWD RX,I have been getting 16.5 mpg in the city, 22mpg on the highway, and 18 to 19.7 in combined driving. I obtained these numbers the old fashioned way, using a calculator at the pumps. I found the trip computer to be a tad optimistic. The numbers where much lower during the break in period, for the first 1500 miles or so. Hope this helps, and good luck with your research!
Finch3, I have heard that some owners have gotten even more miles past what the computer predicts on the cruising range. I remember running the tank down to the warning light once, and thinking that the car could still go longer than the five miles showing on the trip computer. However, I try to fill up shortly after passing the halfway mark because prices of gas are constantly fluctuating (almost always upwards) in the SF Bay Area.
I remember a post where someone, I think doubletrack, commented how they would prefer if the doors did not lock automatically, once the car was in motion. You can disable this feature by depressing the Lock/Panic button three times in succession. Make sure the lights flash and the alarm chirps all three times. The next time you get in and drive away, the locks will remain unlocked. To reset the locks, simply repeat the procedure the next time you get out of the car.
Does this mean 300 miles before the gas tank icon comes on?
It depends on how fast you drive and other factors. The 300 miles is an estimate. I'm not sure whether the estimate is based on the computer's assessment of your driving habits - someone else here may know. Anyone?
I can't decide between the Black Onyx and the Savannah; I was a Gold RX300 owner previously.
To me, the Black Onyx looks best vs the Savannah. I hear that the Black will show chips and scratches more than any other color. I live in the sunny South so I'm sure the Black Onyx will absorb lots of heat. The Black Onyx also doesn't come with clearcoat, like the other colors. Anyone regret their choice of color? I need to close my deal soon and I don't want to regret my color choice since I plan to keep this car for a long, long time.
I guess I need to change my name to ladyofindecisiveness. I just like to have all my ducks in a row before making my decision. I am one of those drive your car forever kind of people. Currently still in my 94 Accord that I bought 10 years ago! Anyway, I asked the same mileage question in the 4Runner room and received lots of replies but just based on your calculations the 330 and 4Runner are receiving about the same mileage give or take a mile.That's very interesting considering I expected to see atleast a steady 2 mpg higher reading from the 330. Guess my intuition was wrong... And so the search goes on...
P.S. Gardencar I'm always around, lurking mainly. I have been quite busy as well because we recently relocated offices at work, and next Monday my husband and I are closing on a new home. So it's been extremely hectic, but I'm always around. Hopefully, I will be posting in the 'Buyers' section soon enough :-) And as always thanks for your informative post, you are a great help!
I have RX330 Black Onyx with Ivory and had the same colors on a 1999 RX300. I will admit that Black Onyx is not a low maintance color. You need to use high quality wax. I use Zaino Brothers wax, wash. I had a GS300 that was silver and when I got a chip and had to use touch up paint you could really tell. It seemed that there were many chips on my GS. I find that road chips are easier to touch up and not as noticeable on the Black Onyx. I have 6000 miles on my RX and I recently returned from a 3000 round trip to FL and found only one small road chip. Other then that I have few if any other chips. Some owners have voiced concerns regarding many chips on their RX's with other colors. Overall if you enjoy detailing and pampering your cars like my spouse and I do, get the onyx black. If you like running your RX through the car wash, hate to wax and detail I would strongly suggest another color. I have said it before and will say again, all the RX colors look great. One last thought. When I look at RX300's and see a shiney Black Onyx one they still look the least dated of all the RX300's. Good Luck with your decision. Any decision will be a good one.
Here are a couple of notes on these items, hope they're helpful:indiana97, I have a new black onyx 330, and while I don't usually buy black cars, it's great. Main thing on these cars, whatever color, is they attract front end 'bug traffic' more- not sure why. ladyofluxury, I have a Fwd and it gets 18-20 town, 25-28 hwy, much better that a 4Runner would get (that's why I didn't buy the 4Runner). The 330 has a smaller engine and more favorable rear axle ratio (but of course lesser tow capability). Overall, I prefer it to the 4 Runner because it is one smooth machine on the highway (most of my miles) and the Dvd is great. battambangblue, my 2500# hitch receiver at Lexus (NC) was $499 installed, w/wiring (they wanted $599). Then, thanks to the earlier posts, I learned about the 3500# hitch, which was installed for free because of the "error" in the marketing materials.
Are those mileage readings from the dash or from your own calculations? I do about 75% Highway 25% City, so I'm assuming I would get the upperend of any estimate but 25-28 hwy, that seems AMAZINGLY good!!
Thanks for Info! It would be nice just to have in case I were to tow something over 2500#. If I were to have Lexus install the heavy duty transmission cooler, power steering cooler, and large radiator. I think the total would be well over $1000, for the hitch and tow prep. Half of the cost would probably be for labor charges.
I think another option would be the Curt Hitch that sells for $118, plus $17 for shipping. But I saw a post that said before it wasn't designed for an 18' spare wheel. And now supposedly they have fixed the design. Havn't seen someone post, if they ran into any problems with the new design of the Curt Hitch. Wondering if they are any good or equal to the Lexus Hitch?
You're quite helpful gardencar! Any other things you have learned about Rx330 that would be of use? Thanks!
Both. I checked behind the on-board for a while, and it's generally accurate. The car seems to be much more efficient (28 mpg) at a steady 60 mph, but considerably less efficient @ higher speeds or in city driving. (Mine is also Fwd-- I believe Awd on the EPA ratings is 2 mpg lower than the Fwd.)
You're both very welcome and it is a pleasure to post on this awesome forum, where others have helped me out with my RX queries. One common denominator that I have found among RX owners is how willing they are to help out a fellow RX enthusiast!
Battambangblue, you are probably right about the hitch and tow pack costs. As for the Curt hitch's quality, I don't think you have to worry much because tow hitches are fairly straight forward in design, and they are good for at least up to their ratings. Over the years I have used many brands, such as Valley, Draw Tite, and even U-Haul, and have been happy with all of them. Just remember to wash them along with your car, rinse them off after submerging and launching your boat, and an occasional wipe down with WD40 is always good to protect against corrosion.
I don't know if Lexus is even making their own hitches. They could be out sourcing them. Wouldn't it be ironic if after all this, they were commissioning Curt Manufacturing to build them? I decided to go with the Lexus hitch, hoping that at least Lexus had designed it, and because it came with the wiring neatly mounted on the side (the receiver cover with the Lexus logo on it was also a small plus.) I think you'll be fine going with Curt. I know that cotmc has a Curt hitch on order that he is planning to install himself. You can wait until he posts his opinions regarding the hitch, before you order one. Cotmc always has interesting and detailed posts and they are also very reliable. Good luck.
Ladyofluxury, you can take my mileage numbers as the low end of the range, since I tend to drive faster than slower. It's great that doubletrack is getting such great mileage. I'll have to change my driving habits to get numbers like his. By the way, you don't have to change your name. You are doing the wise thing by researching thoroughly and not plunging into the large investment of buying a car. If you keep your cars for a long time, it is important to get the right one. However, whatever choice you make, I'm sure you'll be happy with it.
From my perspective, it seems you might be torn between the utility of the 4runner and the luxury of the RX330. Don't sell the RX short in the utility department, though. I'll have to confess I was guilty of that. However, I re evaluated after my experience yesterday. My wife, baby, and I took a trip to the Half Moon Bay nurseries, a trip usually undertaken in our Explorer because of its taller cargo bay. We took the RX since we only expected to get some low bedding plants. Instead, I ended up shoe horning four pots of sunflowers, a large pot containing six two to three feet tall foxgloves, a stroller, a large tackle box, a roadside power jumper, and most impressively, a large tree rose and pot over five feet in length. I only had to fold down the rear left seat to fit all this plus some miscellaneous baby parapharnelia. Needless to say, I was pretty pleased with the cargo capacity in the RX. Unless you are constantly in need of hauling large amounts for a business or a hobby, you probably will rarely need all the cargo capacity of the 4runner. For the few times that you might, there are countless gizmos to increase cargo capacity in the RX, from car top carriers, to platforms and even enclosed boxes that will attach to your hitch, eliminating roof strain and decreasing road noise. In the RX, you will always be bathed in luxury and comfort. However, there is only so much you can do to a 4runner, to make it more comfortable or luxurious. Just my 2 cents! Good luck to you and have a good time on the hunt.
I picked up our Curt Hitch from the hitch dealer Friday, and I installed it Saturday. The entire installation process probably took me 30 minutes, which isn't bad considering how mechanically challenged I am. If I didn't tighten up 4 of the bolts before making sure the last two sets of holes lined up, the install would have been a few minutes quicker!
I performed the install solo, as my better half was chatting with the lady from down the street while occasionally stopping to ask, "Are you sure you don't need any help??" I started by grabbing an empty chlorine tablet bucket and placing the driver-side corner of the hitch on top of the upside-down bucket. The bucket held the hitch bracket about 2 inches below the mounting frame. Then I lifted the passenger-side portion of the hitch bracket carefully around the muffler and held it up while installing the middle hitch bolt (on passenger side) into the frame. The rest was very easy, except that I needed to borrow a longer ratchet extension from my next-door neighbor, in order to tighten the bolt closest to the muffler.
The hitch is a nice-looking (imo) matte black tubular design. It is rated for 3500 lbs of towing. I guess it will suffice for our foldable bike rack! Our RX330 did not come with the tow prep package, and I am not currently planning on installing the wiring harness. (The hitch dealer seemed to indicate they could install the harness for me, but I didn't discuss any details with them.) During lunch today I stopped by the Lexus dealer and picket up a "Lexus" rubber end-cap for the hitch receiver.
By the way, this should confirm that the Curt hitch works just fine now with 18" spare tires. Curt did a good job with the tolerancing of their hitch design for this tire. I'm guessing there is only about 1/16" tolerance between the top of the tube and the edge of the spare tire cover. In other words, this hitch does not hang lower than absolutely necessary!
gardencar: Thanks for your assistance, and for your kind words!
Hey, cotmc! Congratulations on getting your hitched installed solo, with moral support from your wife, of course. It was very ingenious how you did it. Thirty minutes is certainly an impressive time as that is about how long the body shop guys took to install mine, including the wiring connection. Congratulations and happy hauling!
It was from Lexus of Riverside. We used the Internet to get best prices and theirs was 1,000s lower. We bought from them and it was a very painless experience.
Thank you for yet another insightful post, you are correct in your assessment of my indecisiveness. Maybe I am underestimating the true cargo capacity of the 330.
I truly commend this site for making the car buying experience more informative and fun as opposed to being stressful and tiresome. I have learned so much from the time that I have frequented these forums and other information packed sections. One of my favorites being the 'Comparison' page of course :-) To all, keep up the good work and keep on posting your experiences here to inform us prospective and those current owners who are looking to learn more about their vehicles. I will soon join the 'owner' side as soon as I make my decision.
It usually depends on the strategy of the dealership. Some like to use e-mail inquiries as a database to build prospective buyers and then proceed with the rest of the process via phone/dealership visits. Others have posted on here that they have done basically the whole negotiation online and just went into the dealership to sign paperwork and pick up their vehicle. I admit it is difficult to decipher which type of dealership you would be dealing with considering they all ask for a valid phone number for you to even inquire about price, but hopefully you will find one that matches your buying style. Goodluck and keep us posted!
I don't think there is a particular inverter that might be best for the RX330. I have used different ones on boats that I've owned but they were equipped with two to four deep cycle batteries. Since the RX only has a single starting battery (at most 450 amps)that is not designed to be constantly drained down, I wouldn't use anything larger than a 150watt to 300watt inverter, and only with the engine running if I needed AC power for a length of time.
I assume you'll be using it to power a lap top, portable DVD player, or something similar. Prowatt makes good small inverters with one to three outlets. They have audible alarms to warn you when your battery drops to 10.6V. West Marine and US Boat stores carry them, or you can get them online. I'd ask Lexus service first, before getting an inverter. Good luck.
Although I'm not a huge fan of Radio Shack, they do have the advantage of being just about anywhere I travel, so replacements are always at hand. I used a RS 140W inverter (no longer on their website) for three years in my RX300. I powered a laptop, several NiCad and Li-ion battery chargers, and an occasional video monitor (although not all at once) from that device and was very happy with its performance. RS now sells a similar inverter on the back of a cigarette lighter plug, which could be a mechanical problem.
Because I powered several small devices at once, I plugged the inverter into the 12v outlet in the rear compartment and connected the single 110v outlet to a powerstrip. The original "brick on a string" power supply for my old IBM laptop ran VERY hot, but caused no problems with the inverter - evidently it was a problem for the manufacturer who recalled the power supply and replaced it with a much cooler-running unit.
My RX330 (w/RSES) has a built-in inverter that has the advantage of being switched from the driver's seat - once you understand the "braille" method of determining which is the "on" position. Wish it had a warning light of some kind... Are you listening, Lexus?
You mentioned you saw a multi-panel moonroof at the dealership near you. What state are you in? I'm very interested in that moonroof but don't hear much about it. Any info anyone has on this topic would be appreciated. Thanks!
I MADE THE MAJOR MISTAKE OF NOT BUYING THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH THE BACKUP CAMERA BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE THE NECESSITY. BUT AFTER A FLAWLESS DRIVING RECORD FOR 30 YEARS, I HAVE HAD 2 BACKING UP ACCIDENTS WITH THE 2004 RX330. I CONTACTED LEXUS AFTER THE FIRST ACCIDENT ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO TO COMPLAIN THAT THERE IS MINIMAL VISIBILITY AND LOTS OF BLIND SPOTS AND THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN - WHY WAS THIS EQUIPMENT OPTIONAL? THEIR RESPONSE WAS "WE'LL PASS THE INFORMATION ON - THANKS - THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU". CUSTOMER SERVICE FIRST HUH? I JUST HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. DIDN'T SEE THE OTHER VEHICLE COMING FROM MY RIGHT TO SAVE MY LIFE. TO REITERATE, I HAD A FLAWLESS DRIVING RECORD FOR 30 YEARS- MY ENTIRE DRIVING LIFE UNTIL PURCHASING THIS DEATHTRAP.
I am sorry to hear about what happened to you. I don't mean to be insensitive or anything but didn't you notice the blind spots when you test drove the car before you made the purchase. Also, even though the rear camera is wide angle but I think the camera is more helpful on seeing things right behind the car not things from the sides.
Comments
We know that and we were just having a little fun with your obvious typo. We do appreciate your sharing your experiences. Thanks!
Carry on!
tidester, host
In early July we'll be taking a long trip across Arizona and up through the Bay Area of California. By then, we'll have over 15K miles on our RX. I'll report back our overall average fuel economy. By the way, knowing what the fuel prices will likely be in California, we'll typically be running 87 octane!
Another benefit should be longer treadwear. The 17" wheels come with "S"-rated tires. The 18" wheels come with "V"-rated tires, which are a couple grades up in performance from "S". Quite likely, the 17" tires will be a harder compound in the tread, allowing them to wear longer.
For my wife and I, we wanted the look and better handling of the 18" rims and tires. Although these tires may not last as long as the 17" tires, they will have stronger sidewalls and better build quality (based on typical "V" vs "S" tires).
In my opinion, Lexus provides a better choice of tire models for their 18" rims than the 17" rims. For instance, I believe the RX330 comes with Goodyear Integrity or Michelin LX4 tires when equipped with 17" rims, and the Goodyear Eagle RS-A or Michelin MXV4 S8 when equipped with 18" rims. We've driven the 17" Goodyear Integrity's on our previous MDX, but I think our current Goodyear Eagle RS-A is a better tire.
There is no downside to this because as soon are you're underway, the doors all lock. Actually, you could change that also, but I think it's good to lock the doors when moving, unless you expect to be sinking in a lagoon or something.
For my BMW, we had our two smart keys programmed so that my own key unlocks all 4 doors with one button click, while her key requires a 2nd click to unlock the passenger doors (similar to our RX330). It's too bad Lexus doesn't offer similar unique programming capabilities for each key. (Or do they??)
My AWD RX330 averaged 25.5 miles-per-gallon on the trip.....most of which was straight highway driving on relatively flat terrain.
I calculated my average speed from my trip computer readings at 62.5 miles-per-hour (this reflects some minor street driving I did along the way). On the highway, I normally set the cruise between 70 and 72MPH.
And for anyone interested.... I had 88 octane fuel in the tank.
Please tell me the name of the dealership that you purchased your 330 from. The price you paid is very good!!
tidester, host
2-anyone towed a boat with a FWD 330? How goes it?
Things I didn't like were TOO BIG, it just felt as bulky as my hubby's Explorer, console interferes with seating position for middle rear passenger, it really is a 4 passenger car 5 th person is not going to be comfortable, use of chrome and wood, one or the other please!, worse gas mileage regardless of epa ratings, sloping lines of rear interfere with practical use of rear cargo area, noisier to drive.
Overall, I was happy to give it back and get my smaller 300 back. Other than the large turning radius I just like it better, it is the right size for ME, not for everyone I know. If you are one the fence, wait for the hybrid version to come out and see what you think of it. With only 50K on it, yours ought to be good for a long time yet.
Good luck
Peggy
Any other pricing insight off of MSRP from those on the board? TIA
Scott
Anyway, I was just at my lexus dealer this morning and saw one produced 03/04 with the multi-panel roof.
Just to clarify for non-RX330 owners: The center console can slide forward and backward. It may be moved forward all the way to the front dash. The release lever is within the cupholder compartment. My guess is that the dealers are sliding the console further back because they don't expect any rear seat passengers while these cars are out on loan.
About the tires, I completely agree with cotmc. The improved looks and handling are worth the extra money and small penalty of increased road noise. Gotta go for the 18" wheels. You will make up for the extra expense at least in ease of sale, if not increased resale value when the time comes.
About the tow hitch, battambangblue, if you still need it, the part umber for the 3500# hitch is PT22848045. The price was $265 at Serramonte Lexus in the SF Bay Area, and they did have to order it. Your dealer should have heard of it by now. As far as installing, I had a reputable body shop put it on for $50, so I'm not sure if the tie down bracket had to be removed. I know that the storage compartments had to be, in order to fasten the holding brackets for the hitch. Sorry I'm getting this info to you so late!
Now, a towing report. I decided not to tow my bass boat to the Bay Area, from Clear Lake; a distance of 110 miles, much of it up and down winding mountain roads. I opted to dewinterize it and detail it at Clear Lake, instead. However, I did tow it the much shorter distance between the storage area and the launch ramp. For that short distance, the RX handled the 2500# boat with ease. There was no apparent strain on the engine and although it was naturally not as quick, the engine did not seem to labor while towing. The rear end did not drop excessively, and the brakes were more than adequate for stopping the combined weight of boat and vehicle. Although the RX330 will not be my primary tow vehicle, overall, I think it can handle a 2500# vehicle quite adequately.
Happy driving to all!
I wonder if Serramonte Lexus, would be able to ship it. Glad to hear you had fun on your towing trip! And thanks again for the reply.
$400 is an usurious price. Do not pay it! I know that a previous poster, doubletrack, I believe, purchased the hitch plus installation for $400. Don't forget, if you have Lexus install the hitch, they will charge you about $200, making the price of the tow hitch plus installation, a grand, whopping total of $600! Outrageous!!!
Could it be the price they quoted you included installation?
Good luck to you and happy hunting!
Regarding hitches, I decided to check further into a Curt hitch. The last info reported within this forum on Curt hitches (I believe from Gardencar) was that they weren't originally designed to wrap around the 18" spare tire. Some sort of spacer would need to be provided along with the hitch.
I first called Curt's distribution center located here in AZ, and that fellow did not know of any issues with mounting their hitches on an RX330 equipped with 18" tires. Next, I called Curt Manufacturing's home office and asked to speak with one of their hitch experts. Thank goodness, this next gentlemen knew all the details of this issue. He explained that Curt had already performed a design modification to their hitch, so that all new RX330 hitches would not require any spacers. I asked if he was certain that all their distribution centers stocked only the updated version of this hitch, and he responded with an unqualified "yes".
I should also mention that there wasn't a large supply of RX330 hitches available in their distribution centers. They didn't have any in AZ, and there were only two of them in TX.
I was also given the name and number of a couple Curt hitch dealers near my side of town. One of the local dealers wanted $145 + shipping costs from TX. The other dealer wanted only $110 + $25 for the shipping from TX. (Note: I believe there would have been no shipping charges if I was willing to wait a few weeks for local inventory, but I wanted the hitch more quickly.) I gave them a $20 deposit over the phone last Friday, and my hitch should be arriving today. They also offered to answer any of my questions if I have any trouble installing it; or if I give up, they will do the job for $60.
Since this hitch is primarily to be used only for a bike rack, I am not worrying about hooking up a wiring harness. (BTW, these prices did not include a harness!) Hence, I really don't expect any problems, just as long as I have the strength to loosen those 6 bolts!
And also, did your Rx330 have the extra big radiator and transmission cooler when you bought it. The tow hitch I saw at the dealer had a sticker that read 2000lbs., with the tow prep package it would be able to tow 3500lbs. I asked the parts guy and told me it was rated for 3500lbs, but I forgot to ask him if that was due to the tow prep. package.
Here's some advice if you are planning to install the hitch yourself. Fasten a large, flat piece of plank or plywood to a floor jack. You can use a car jack, if you can stabilize it to keep it from tipping. The plank or plywood should be large enough to hold the hitch steady after you place the hitch on top of the wood. Back the RX into position above the whole shebang, make final adjustments to position the hitch exactly into place, and jack the hitch right into position to fasten the bolts.
Before you do any of this, you will first have to fasten a pair of left and right brackets, included with the tow hitch, onto the frame of the vehicle, on the rear underside.
Good Luck!
About the tow hitch ratings, the first Lexus hitch had a max tow capacity of 2500lbs., whether your vehicle had the tow pack or not. The newer hitch can be used to tow up to 3500lbs, but only with a tow pack equipped RX. The 2500lb. rating they put there is the tow vehicle's maximum capacity, if not equipped with a tow pack. Therefore, the higher rating of 3500lbs. is the tow hitch's maximum capacity, while the lower 2500lb. rating is the tow vehicle's maximum capacity, if not equipped with a tow pack.
Good luck and hope this helps!
Again thanks, gardencar!
Ladyofluxury, great to hear from you again and glad to see that you have not become ladyoftoyota, or have you? To answer your question, with my AWD RX,I have been getting 16.5 mpg in the city, 22mpg on the highway, and 18 to 19.7 in combined driving. I obtained these numbers the old fashioned way, using a calculator at the pumps. I found the trip computer to be a tad optimistic. The numbers where much lower during the break in period, for the first 1500 miles or so. Hope this helps, and good luck with your research!
Finch3, I have heard that some owners have gotten even more miles past what the computer predicts on the cruising range. I remember running the tank down to the warning light once, and thinking that the car could still go longer than the five miles showing on the trip computer. However, I try to fill up shortly after passing the halfway mark because prices of gas are constantly fluctuating (almost always upwards) in the SF Bay Area.
I remember a post where someone, I think doubletrack, commented how they would prefer if the doors did not lock automatically, once the car was in motion. You can disable this feature by depressing the Lock/Panic button three times in succession. Make sure the lights flash and the alarm chirps all three times. The next time you get in and drive away, the locks will remain unlocked. To reset the locks, simply repeat the procedure the next time you get out of the car.
It depends on how fast you drive and other factors. The 300 miles is an estimate. I'm not sure whether the estimate is based on the computer's assessment of your driving habits - someone else here may know. Anyone?
tidester, host
To me, the Black Onyx looks best vs the Savannah. I hear that the Black will show chips and scratches more than any other color. I live in the sunny South so I'm sure the Black Onyx will absorb lots of heat. The Black Onyx also doesn't come with clearcoat, like the other colors. Anyone regret their choice of color? I need to close my deal soon and I don't want to regret my color choice since I plan to keep this car for a long, long time.
P.S. Gardencar I'm always around, lurking mainly. I have been quite busy as well because we recently relocated offices at work, and next Monday my husband and I are closing on a new home. So it's been extremely hectic, but I'm always around. Hopefully, I will be posting in the 'Buyers' section soon enough :-) And as always thanks for your informative post, you are a great help!
Overall if you enjoy detailing and pampering your cars like my spouse and I do, get the onyx black. If you like running your RX through the car wash, hate to wax and detail I would strongly suggest another color. I have said it before and will say again, all the RX colors look great. One last thought. When I look at RX300's and see a shiney Black Onyx one they still look the least dated of all the RX300's. Good Luck with your decision. Any decision will be a good one.
ladyofluxury, I have a Fwd and it gets 18-20 town, 25-28 hwy, much better that a 4Runner would get (that's why I didn't buy the 4Runner). The 330 has a smaller engine and more favorable rear axle ratio (but of course lesser tow capability). Overall, I prefer it to the 4 Runner because it is one smooth machine on the highway (most of my miles) and the Dvd is great.
battambangblue, my 2500# hitch receiver at Lexus (NC) was $499 installed, w/wiring (they wanted $599). Then, thanks to the earlier posts, I learned about the 3500# hitch, which was installed for free because of the "error" in the marketing materials.
I think another option would be the Curt Hitch that sells for $118, plus $17 for shipping. But I saw a post that said before it wasn't designed for an 18' spare wheel. And now supposedly they have fixed the design. Havn't seen someone post, if they ran into any problems with the new design of the Curt Hitch. Wondering if they are any good or equal to the Lexus Hitch?
You're quite helpful gardencar! Any other things you have learned about Rx330 that would be of use? Thanks!
Battambangblue, you are probably right about the hitch and tow pack costs. As for the Curt hitch's quality, I don't think you have to worry much because tow hitches are fairly straight forward in design, and they are good for at least up to their ratings. Over the years I have used many brands, such as Valley, Draw Tite, and even U-Haul, and have been happy with all of them. Just remember to wash them along with your car, rinse them off after submerging and launching your boat, and an occasional wipe down with WD40 is always good to protect against corrosion.
I don't know if Lexus is even making their own hitches. They could be out sourcing them. Wouldn't it be ironic if after all this, they were commissioning Curt Manufacturing to build them? I decided to go with the Lexus hitch, hoping that at least Lexus had designed it, and because it came with the wiring neatly mounted on the side (the receiver cover with the Lexus logo on it was also a small plus.) I think you'll be fine going with Curt. I know that cotmc has a Curt hitch on order that he is planning to install himself. You can wait until he posts his opinions regarding the hitch, before you order one. Cotmc always has interesting and detailed posts and they are also very reliable. Good luck.
Ladyofluxury, you can take my mileage numbers as the low end of the range, since I tend to drive faster than slower. It's great that doubletrack is getting such great mileage. I'll have to change my driving habits to get numbers like his. By the way, you don't have to change your name. You are doing the wise thing by researching thoroughly and not plunging into the large investment of buying a car. If you keep your cars for a long time, it is important to get the right one. However, whatever choice you make, I'm sure you'll be happy with it.
From my perspective, it seems you might be torn between the utility of the 4runner and the luxury of the RX330. Don't sell the RX short in the utility department, though. I'll have to confess I was guilty of that. However, I re evaluated after my experience yesterday. My wife, baby, and I took a trip to the Half Moon Bay nurseries, a trip usually undertaken in our Explorer because of its taller cargo bay. We took the RX since we only expected to get some low bedding plants. Instead, I ended up shoe horning four pots of sunflowers, a large pot containing six two to three feet tall foxgloves, a stroller, a large tackle box, a roadside power jumper, and most impressively, a large tree rose and pot over five feet in length. I only had to fold down the rear left seat to fit all this plus some miscellaneous baby parapharnelia. Needless to say, I was pretty pleased with the cargo capacity in the RX. Unless you are constantly in need of hauling large amounts for a business or a hobby, you probably will rarely need all the cargo capacity of the 4runner. For the few times that you might, there are countless gizmos to increase cargo capacity in the RX, from car top carriers, to platforms and even enclosed boxes that will attach to your hitch, eliminating roof strain and decreasing road noise. In the RX, you will always be bathed in luxury and comfort. However, there is only so much you can do to a 4runner, to make it more comfortable or luxurious. Just my 2 cents! Good luck to you and have a good time on the hunt.
I performed the install solo, as my better half was chatting with the lady from down the street while occasionally stopping to ask, "Are you sure you don't need any help??" I started by grabbing an empty chlorine tablet bucket and placing the driver-side corner of the hitch on top of the upside-down bucket. The bucket held the hitch bracket about 2 inches below the mounting frame. Then I lifted the passenger-side portion of the hitch bracket carefully around the muffler and held it up while installing the middle hitch bolt (on passenger side) into the frame. The rest was very easy, except that I needed to borrow a longer ratchet extension from my next-door neighbor, in order to tighten the bolt closest to the muffler.
The hitch is a nice-looking (imo) matte black tubular design. It is rated for 3500 lbs of towing. I guess it will suffice for our foldable bike rack! Our RX330 did not come with the tow prep package, and I am not currently planning on installing the wiring harness. (The hitch dealer seemed to indicate they could install the harness for me, but I didn't discuss any details with them.) During lunch today I stopped by the Lexus dealer and picket up a "Lexus" rubber end-cap for the hitch receiver.
By the way, this should confirm that the Curt hitch works just fine now with 18" spare tires. Curt did a good job with the tolerancing of their hitch design for this tire. I'm guessing there is only about 1/16" tolerance between the top of the tube and the edge of the spare tire cover. In other words, this hitch does not hang lower than absolutely necessary!
gardencar: Thanks for your assistance, and for your kind words!
Seems like they want to harvest phone numbers.
I truly commend this site for making the car buying experience more informative and fun as opposed to being stressful and tiresome. I have learned so much from the time that I have frequented these forums and other information packed sections. One of my favorites being the 'Comparison' page of course :-) To all, keep up the good work and keep on posting your experiences here to inform us prospective and those current owners who are looking to learn more about their vehicles. I will soon join the 'owner' side as soon as I make my decision.
I am think about getting one for utility use.
any recommendations?
Thanks.
I assume you'll be using it to power a lap top, portable DVD player, or something similar. Prowatt makes good small inverters with one to three outlets. They have audible alarms to warn you when your battery drops to 10.6V. West Marine and US Boat stores carry them, or you can get them online. I'd ask Lexus service first, before getting an inverter. Good luck.
Because I powered several small devices at once, I plugged the inverter into the 12v outlet in the rear compartment and connected the single 110v outlet to a powerstrip. The original "brick on a string" power supply for my old IBM laptop ran VERY hot, but caused no problems with the inverter - evidently it was a problem for the manufacturer who recalled the power supply and replaced it with a much cooler-running unit.
My RX330 (w/RSES) has a built-in inverter that has the advantage of being switched from the driver's seat - once you understand the "braille" method of determining which is the "on" position. Wish it had a warning light of some kind... Are you listening, Lexus?