Lexus RX 330

wwest

Personally I shut off the screen to avoid it as a possible distraction and rely only on the nice lady's voice.

But fair warning, the system resolution outside of major cities leaves something to be desired.

alolewis

I am very impressed with the navigation System in my RX330. It is very handy in a city where you have a general idea of how to go but not sure of specifics, i.e. one way streets, etc. In San Francisco when I am ready to head for home, just hit home and it always directs me right onto the nearest freeway. I am amazed at some POI's that are in the database and shocked on ones that aren't, the POI has a almost complete list of Chinese Grocery Stores in the area but not of REI, go figure. We have several freeways and streets that change names and it is sometimes funny to here the lady say "Exit straight ahead onto I-880" from US 17. The backup camera is also much more useful then I anticipated, I love it now and hate to drive my wifes Saturn which doesn't have a backup camera (Now if they only had a switch so you could look at the person behind you at a traffic light) Expensive option but worth it in my opinion.

bennb

who posted information. Still haven't decided to buy, but all the information I've gotten has been great from you all! I don't think I'm going to wait for the 400h if I buy ... may wait for the 2005 330s though ... even though there won't be THAT much difference (probably none). Maybe a transmission adjustment (slight?).

I think I like the Millenium Silver with the Gray leather interior. Other Options --

Premium Plus
18" wheels
Heated Seats/Rain Sensing Wipers/headlamp washers
Tow Prep Package
Cargo Mat/Wheel Locks

I really have no need for the Navigation system (here in Nebraska), but would like the nicer sound system. I'm not as much of an audiophile as I used to be, but what does everyone think of the standard soundsystem? Also wanted to ask if the Rain-sensing wipers work well or if you still find yourself manually fiddling with them anyhow? Curious if anyone has the multi-panel moonroof? The standard moonroof seems a little small. I'm thinking it might be tough to deal b/c it's the only Lexus dealer in town and only 1 of 2 in state and really within 200 mile radius. I really like the RX 330, but I don't have any qualms about driving my car for a while longer if I can't get the deal I want.

buckeye1

In hybrids, would you actually purchase a Ford over a Lexus given the choice???

wwest

Keep in mind that the average highway crusing ambient noise level even in the LS400 series is 60 to 70db. Today's CDs can reproduce music with a wide range, 0 to 120db.

So driving along at 65 per, you going to miss a LOT of the content of your audio system regardless of how good it is.

So my advice would be to go with the standard OEM system and spend some money on sound deadening, undercoating inside the wheel wells, and quiet tires like the Bridgestone Turanzas, etc.

wwest

I bought a 2003 Prius and cannot say that I'm not pleased with it.

But if you forced me to make a choice between the RX400h with V8 performance and the Ford with the I4 I would choose the Ford every time.

IMMHO the RX does NOT need more get-up-n-go.

Widen my choices to include an AWD RX330 and an AWD HL hybrid based on the Toyota I4 and I would choose the HL.

Sure wish I had the money to fund a rear engine rear drive I4 hybrid with that same (rear) 30HP RX400h motor to drive the front wheels for AWD mode.

Perfectly balanced drive system.

tomtomtom

Personally, I hate it and turn it off every time I drive my wife's RX. It turned itself on a couple of times when there was sprinkle from the overpass and it made the windshield messy. It can also damage the blazes when it starts to wipe when it is too dry.

mfullmer

When used properly they are a great help and I wouldn't have a car without it now. The wipers are not meant to be left in the "Auto" position all the time. They are meant to be put in "Auto" when you first start noticing rain. It sure beats having to constantly adjust the setting. Here in Atlanta you can go from a slight drizzle to a gully-washing downpoar and back to a slight drizzle every evening on the commute home during this time of year. It's a great, great feature when used properly.

wwest

in auto....

And just what do you use as a reminder to turn them off??

tsheer

"And just what do you use as a reminder to turn them off??"

A functioning brain, in my case. My most valuable driving accessory.

jfz

A little courtesy is a fine complement to a functioning brain.

I must admit that I have had the same experience as wwest in leaving the wiper on auto. However, I have found that the rainsensing wipers are much more effective and less distracting when the windshield is treated with a product like Rain-X.

mfullmer

I've always made it a practice to turn the wipers off every time I turn the car off. There's nothing worse than leaving the wipers on (especially in the "up" position) and then having them start up when the ignition is turned.

This is my third vehicle with auto wipers and I've never stopped turning the wipers off when I turn the car off.

finch3

It's a neat feature. They come on when the rain comes, off when there is no rain. It's no-brainer not to use them.

lovemylexus1

I also love this feature... on our RX. I can't stand it on our Mercedes C230 sport sedan. The Germans can claim they are the best at engineering fine cars but they have yet to perfect the rain sensing wiper IMHO.

I keep mine "engaged" all the time... except when the car happens to be parked outside at work during a heavy snowfall.

I agree with jfz that using the auto wipers in conjunction with a Rain-X like product works well.

cwayne

I averaged 23.6 with speed of 75 mph on my trip from Florida to North Carolina on my 2 wd X330.
The display on dash said that I was getting about .8 more. I was into a head wind most of the way and fairly heavily loaded.

donna

How do you turn off the auto wipers?

I go in Wednesday for my 5,000 mile checkup and was going to ask but if you could tell me it would save me looking stupid.

mfullmer

Move the lever up as far as it will go (The "Off" position).

wwest

is actually at 7500 miles.

mfullmer

Actually, the Maintenance Schedule states 5,000 or 7,500 miles, depending on the driving situations.

The service indicator will begin to flash at 5,000 (after an oil change) in any case.

donna

I had never messed much with the settings on the wipers.

donna

Not with Westside Lexus. I have the oil changed, a number of things inspected, road test,and at no charge at 5,00 miles so I was told.

stevestein

Just bought an RX for my wife(not delivered yet), so checking in here from the LS board. Had these in my LS for three years and my MB for 3 years before that. Never turned them off except at gas stations and here's why I do it there. First time an attendent tried to wash the windshield, that big single wiper on the MB took the squeegee out of his hand and launched it across the station. Fortunately no one got hurt, but it could have been nasty. Given that windshield washes are rare unless you do them yourself, you still need to be carefull. They will cause the wiper to come on. otherwise, no need to ever do anything. On the LS there is an adjustment on the stalk to change the sensitivity of the sensor to match your taste, but it's a one-time setting.

wwest

Was the ignition switch left on while fueling?

stevestein

I'm in NJ, bastion of full service stations. Usually just leave the car running...I know that's dumb, just a bad habit that many people have. Our COSTCO just started selling gas and they're the only ones to ask you to turn it off. That said I don't know if the wipers work on retained power (switch off but haven't opened a door yet) like the radio, pwr windows and lights. I'll have to try it on my LS next time it rains.

tomtomtom

instead of remember the times you have to turn it off, wouldn't it be easier to turn it on only when there is rain and let the automatic take over at that point instead?

stevestein

The attendent drives it in, hooks it up and then turns it off. Seriously, in the six+ years I've had this feature the times when they washed the windshield at a gas station are the only time I ever touched it, and with a 400+ range on my LS those stops were infrequent. I also found the water used at the stations to be grungy, and rarely asked for a wipe.

niraj724

Thank you you everyone for your inputs, i finally bought myself the RX 330 over the weekend. the details are:

2004 RX 330 AWD
premium plus
18 wheels
h/s and r/s wipres
navigation/camera
mats

selling price 40337. i hope i did well.

I wanted to pamper the car so went to stores to buy some polish/leather conditioners etc., but was confused by so many options. Any suggestions what should I get?

Which gas (87,89,91) is everyone using?
thanks
P.S. gardencar, I contacted stevenscreek dealer and they won't sell to a out of state

wco81

How good a deal was Stevens Creek offering? They're just a couple of miles away from me.

niraj724

Hello
the best deal I got was from serramonte. The same vehicle as I described in my earlier e-mail minus the navigation for 37500.

johnnieliu

Zaino! I am a believer! Do a google search.

ladyofluxury

Afternoon everyone! Just checking in on everyone's continuing experiences/problems with the 330. After driving the 330 and 4Runner Limited back to back this weekend, I am utterly and completely in LOVE with the 330. So I have decided to purchase one in the next couple of weeks. The internet manager had actually made me a very sweet deal but I chickened out as I still have my baby (94 Honda). I have multiple buyers interested in purchasing my current car but after having a car for 10 years from birth to old age it is VERY hard to let go. As my husband says "it's time to let go and upgrade" but it is difficult and I am realizing how attached I have grown to my car. ARRRGGGHHHH Well, hopefully I will build up the guts to say goodbye to my Honda and hello to a new 330 sometime soon. I will keep you all updated! And may be posting in the "Buyers experiences..." thread soon :-)

wwest

No son, daughter, brother, sister or other close relative that would treat your 94 Honda with loving care?

tidester

it is VERY hard to let go.

Trust me, you'll get over it! Take the plunge. :-)

tidester, host

stever

Surely you've seen this discussion?

Zaino Car Polishes/Products--Your Experiences (Part 2)

Steve, Host

cotmc

I just wish I had "multiple buyers interested in purchasing my current car" whenever I upgrade!

cotmc

"Surely you've seen this discussion?"

Yes, I have; and don't call me Shirley. (Sorry, just 'polishing' up on some old airplane humor.)

stever

Yeah, but you're not Johnnieliu. It is nice to see a Zaino-phile visit other discussions every once in a while :-)

Steve, Host

johnnieliu

I have not seen the Zaino discussions on Edmunds. Thanks for the link! I was intimitated at first due to the number of items one has to use for the application. But after the first coat on my wife RX330.....DANG. It made the subsequent coats much easier to put on after seeing the results of the first coat.

BTW, niraj724, Lexol also produces a nice leather conditioner. No shinny leather after application. I've heard that Zaino's leather conditioner smells better, but I'm pretty happy with Lexol.

ladyofluxury

No children here...My younger brother was initially going to purchase it from me but in keeping in fashion with the "immature younger sibling" stereotype, he never saved the money he had promised and now has no money to buy it nor can he afford insurance etc. So he is out. Aside from that all my relatives generally lease their vehicles and so they always have something "new". They call me the packrat. But the host is right it's time to let go, I'm sure I'll get over it. I will let you all know :-/

shap1

Johnnieliu: Did you do every step (i.e. Dawn, claybar and all??)? I did all of 'em on my BMW, but on my RX I'm thinking just Zaino wash, polish and polish lock. You're right, you'll get addicted and feel compelled to keep adding layer after layer as the finish gets shinier.

johnnieliu

Yup! Dawn-Z18(claybar)-Z7-Z5-Z2/ZFX-Z2/ZFX-Z2/ZX. I started at noon, and finished at around 7PM. I bought the kit which didn't include Z1, "polish lok".

You've got to claybar. I don't think I could have gotten the car that "slick" without using claybar.

After I was done, the wife thought the car looked to shiny.

stever

Love the clay bar - Mother's and some other brands have them for around ten bucks US. I use Lexol on my leather seats too, fwiw.

I haven't been sucked into the cult of Zaino.

Yet :-)

Steve, Host

jfz

My Lexus was delivered with the paint in a cleaner condition than my previous MB or my son's BMW. However, it always amazes me how much junk is removed from the surface when I use a claybar. I never skip that step in my annual exterior detailing. This applies to brand new and older surfaces.

gardencar

Congratulations on your new RX. The price seems very fair. That's too bad that Stevens Creek wouldn't ship out of state, but you did just fine!

gardencar

Holy cow! Seven hours of buffing, polishing, and waxing? That Zaino stuff must be really good! Where is a good place to get it? I'm not convinced that any shine is worth seven hours!?

gardencar

Great decision. I knew you'd go with the RX! It's the correct logical and emotional decision.

About your Honda, it's perfectly natural to feel separation anxiety for something that's served you so well. However, it'll last as long as it takes to drive your new RX from the dealer to your house! Believe me.

Joking aside, find a new owner for your Honda whom you feel will treat it well, and you'll be just fine. Really, LOL, go out and get that RX that you so deserve, after all this time, and start enjoying it!

jfz

Once your familiar with Zaino, the first session takes two hours. Repeats without clay take less than an hour.

johnnieliu

Yeah I know. It was my first application, so I took my time. I had to wash the car with Dawn to strip the old wax, and then applied the claybar, which caused me to wash and dry the car a second time. I also put about 4 coats of polish, thus the 7 hours. My second application only took me 2 hours to wash and put on 2 coats of polish. I'm not sure if I can post the URL of where I bought the Zaino, but do a google search for zainostore. I bought the starter kit for around $84.70 . I was skeptical at first.....but after seeing the results, I'm a believer.

ladyofluxury

Good to see you're back! I am trying hard to let go of course but, to my husbands annoyance, I have sabotaged a few deals :-/ I know it's bad but 10 years is a long time.... My goal is to be in the RX330 by the end of this month, so I have a few weeks to mentally prepare myself. I will keep you posted! :-)

wwest

My wife says I'm so in love with my 78 Porsche 911 Targa she's planning on burying me in it. In the meantime it mostly sets in the garage gathering dust.

If you can afford to, simply park it until the right time, buyer, comes by.