I'm not one of those pda guys, but it'd be nice to have one at the dealers, since Edmunds' content is available for your wireless device or internet phone:
...is anywhere near $6000 - I think it's 2-3% of the vehicle so if the sticker reads $45k, that's $900-1350.
Also, the initial allocations are packaged the way regions want them - lots of AWDs in one region and then it can change to FWDs later in the year.
Some dealers are comfortable ordering exactly what you want if the vehicle can be built that way, some dealers don't like doing it because there's a downside for them if you back out.
I never meant that the dealer was getting $6000 in dealer holdback alone.
The MSRP on this particular RX330 is $46,808. The dealer invoice is $40,687. The initial dealer profit is $6,121 and I have not yet added the dealer holdback of 2 to 3% (another $900 to $1,350). This would bring the total profit to the dealer in the range of $7,021 to $7,471. Sorry for the confusion.
I don't consider myself an expert audiophile, but collecting and listening to music is one of my hobbies. Therefore, any vehicle I own must have a quality sound system (factory installed is a plus). IMO, the stock pioneer system that Lexus installs in its vehicles is very good and overall of high quality and should meet the needs of most. On the other hand, the ML is considered one of, if not the best audio system that can be installed in a vehicle.
Bottom line, if you are a discriminating audiophile, then the ML is for you. If not, then the OE audio system should meet your audio needs just fine.
The question is, is the vehicle quiet enough that you can hear that fidelity? 210 watts is not much for a car system. After market systems can do a lot more.
ML makes huge amps for high-end home audio which are tens of thousands by themselves. Somehow, a mass-produced system for a car which is a part of an options package probably does not meet the standards of ML.
Who makes the speakers anyways? I dont' think ML has any standing in speakers or for that matter, CD players.
I'd rather have two good high quality speakers than a dozen of the type typically selected with bean-counter oversight.
And I really can't imagine the usefullness of a high fidelity/quality sound system in the range of the ML for any vehicle other than the LS430 "class".
I should correct that to say no need for a sound system of extraordinary quality/fidelity. Most modern day inexpensive OEM systems deliver better sound quality (once one replaces the cheap speakers) than one can readily distinguish between and an ML or Bose.
Personally I would invest in a good set of summertime only quiet tires before investing in an audio upgrade and maybe a lot of good sound absorbion material to stuff into body and door panels here and there.
When outside the vehicle, with the doors locked, the RX330 rear hatch can only be opened with the remote keyless entry. Since I use my trunk constantly (20-30 times a day), I would prefer to be able to lock the rest of the vehicle and keep the rear entry unlocked. But this cannot be done since there is no independent "hard" key for the rear. In other words, I cannot lock all doors except the rear hatch. Does this bother others or is this problem unique to me?
actually, it does matter the number of speakers in a car. In order to get a better sound the high, mid and low should be separated like the speakers in your house. Most 2 or 3 way auto speakers have the tweeter set on top on the woofer and it would distort the output of the woofer. More speakers in a car means they are able to separate different speakers to different locations and different high level for our ears. And I do agree, a set of good speakers are better than a bunch of crappy speakers.
"actually, it does matter the number of speakers in a car. In order to get a better sound the high, mid and low should be separated like the speakers in your house. Most 2 or 3 way auto speakers have the tweeter set on top on the woofer and it would distort the output of the woofer. More speakers in a car means they are able to separate different speakers to different locations and different high level for our ears. And I do agree, a set of good speakers are better than a bunch of crappy speakers. "
You're talking about coaxials or triaxials where the drivers share the same center. I didn't think they made those. The standard systems which come on most luxury cars have separate tweeters from woofers.
Low frequency output is a lot less directional -- you feel it more than actually hear it. So you don't worry about the location or whether it's obstructed.
I bought KEFs, which come with separate tweeters and bass/midranges. I wanted to place the tweeters high, as close to ear level as possible. But the installers, who worked for a higher-end audio store, said imaging would not be adversely affected if they were put in the OEM speaker location, low on the door, where the bass/midrange driver would be.
They were right, as if the drivers were separated too much, there would be a disembodied quality as the tweeters would dominate the sound, being closer to the ears.
Has anyone bought this option and can comment on its usefulness? I understand you can program it to kneel for entry/exit but do all other functions have to to manually activated? ie. does it lower automatically at a certain speed, or can you maintain any level you wish at any speed?
you are correct the tweeter should be seperated from the mid (usually) but not too far apart that the sound becomes seperated. I didn't pay attention to the speakers numbers or their locations while test drove the RX that's why I asked the question.
The 330 has 4 air suspension modes--3 can be manually set in. The "High" mode (raised a little over an inch higher than normal) is only for rough terrain/hazardous driving conditions and is limited to speeds of 31 MPH or less. The "Normal" mode is for regular driving, however, above the speeds of 62 MPH the suspension automatically lowers (1/3 of an inch) to provide better cornering/handling. The "Low" mode (a little over 1/2 an inch ) is for more performance or high speed driving. Finally, if the switch is on, the easy access mode automatically lowers the vehicle (a little over an inch) to provide ease of ingress/egress and loading.
I have this option and the change in performance is particularly noticeable in the Low mode.
"It came down to the RX330 vs. the FX45/FX35. I test-drove the FX. It was amazing! The performance and handling were unbelievable! Not to mention the Intelligent Key feature. Check out (all) the rave reviews.
As soon as the RX330 prototype arrived at the dealership, I beat a path down there to check it out. I liked all the features, told myself the wider D pillar made it look a lot more masculine than the RX300, tried to warm up to the placement of the interior's aluminum trim and faux wood, and figured I could get by with the limited headroom (I'm 5'11).
Then, I had the opportunity to drive an RX330. It left me VERY disappointed. The suspension was definitely softer and it provided a more "luxurious" ride than the Infiniti FX, but the RX's handling was "mushy" and there was a lot of body roll. It felt very underpowered. I guess it's not fair to compare 315 HP to 230 HP, but pricing for the additional thoroughbreds is comparable to the RX. And you can get a (280 HP) V6 FX35 with Technology Package for the same cost as a fully loaded RX. So that's the way I decided to go. I've had the FX for a couple weeks now, and am having a blast!"
Formerly Rx330Guy
"Dear Former...glad you found The Best SUV Ever (For Former).
I just have one question - I'm 6'2" and have a RX300 (with moonroof); I fit just fine in the driver's seat, even with the seat in it's max "lift" position. I sat in a new RX330 at the Auto Show and it had more headroom than our 2001.
You're 5'11" and have no headroom? Wow, must be a pair of really short legs in there somewhere. You know the driver's seat bottom adjusts up and down, right?
Oh - one more item. I'm an ex-Infiniti owner - start preparing for the fact that six months from now, the FXers will be going out the door $100 under invoice and first year's depreciation will be hitting the proverbial 25% fan.
Of course, that's just a guess...based on every model Infiniti has ever sold. I'm sure your mileage will vary."
JeffMust2
Hmmmm. I wonder what JeffMust2 was doing in the Infiniti FX45/FX35 forum recently, with the impending FX depreciation and all! Could he be rethinking his position?
I believe Former RX330Guy said "I could get by with the limited (RX330) headroom." Not "I have no headroom." I have to agree with Former. I felt cramped in the RX's interior.
As for your suggestion that we proud new owners of FX's "Start preparing for the fact that six months from now, the FXers will be going out the door $100 under invoice and first year's depreciation will be hitting the proverbial 25% fan", I think that's highly unlikely Jeff, given that NNA/Infiniti vehicle sales projections have been 85% realized so far. Pretty good considering the state of the economy. Anyway, most of us based our purchase decisions on the simple fact that we love the car. Not what the depreciation may be.
I guess you're just a little sensitive having to drive around in your wife's ubiquitous car. And talk about depreciation, I hope your're in a short term lease, because you're not going to be able to give that thing away otherwise.
Anyway, to each his own. Congratulations to Former RX330Guy on your FX purchase! Enjoy!
Carperp - when you come up with something new, please post, be it on a Lexus board or Infiniti or any other board - who cares.
But simply repeating month-old posts in their entirety is just NOT the sign of an intelligent life form.
The new RX330 will still be setting new sales records long after French-owned, theme-of-the-month vehicles have set their own records -for fast depreciation and the longevity that comes from sitting for months on dealer's lots.
As my son put it - "Dad, those FXs look like every bad car sketch done by the Future Felons in detention class after school - with huge rims that belong on Escalades and everything else out of proportion." So whenever we see one we think of it as "The Detention SUV."
But then again I could be wrong - but I don't think so.
Where I live there's a large Lexus dealer on one side of the boulevard and an Infiniti dealer on the other side; I've purchased vehicles from both over the years.
There's not a single RX330 to be seen on the Lexus lot - just one they keep on the sales floor to play show & tell. Why? At last count, they have the next 100 or so RX330s pre-sold. As soon as they get off-loaded from the transport truck, they're in the staging area for delivery and then they're gone to buyers in a day or two.
As I stopped at the light in front of the Infiniti lot a few days ago, I counted more than a dozen FX35/45s on the lot - and a couple more on the sales floor. Guess that copper color must be popular - they had about five of them.
I'm sure the FX is a fine vehicle in its own right. With the poor depreciation track record of Infiniti, however, it's just not right for me. But, come to think of it, many of the auto sales professionals in Town Hall highly recommend Infiniti's because they're such good deals at half off in 18-24 months. That's probably a better approach -
"If you like it new, wait a while - the fire sale at Infiniti is always just around the corner."
I wouldn't have said anything but as jeffmust2 points out, the FX45/RX330 post was posted on another thread (bet you can guess which one) some time ago. So, what was the point of posting it here? I don't have a problem with someone comparing vehicles and then explaining why he/she chose the vehicle they purchased. And certainly, the RX330 will not appeal to everyone's taste (nor any other vehicle for that matter). That's why there are so many vehicle types on American roads today. However, this re-posting on this board makes me suspicious that the motive behind it is not so innocent. So be it.
I admire Nissan/Infiniti for the aggressive and bold direction it has taken with its recent vehicle offerings. From being on the brink of bankruptcy just a few years ago to now operating in the black is quite an accomplishment. In particular, the styling cues of the FX35/45 are quite bold. I've spotted one on the road and your eyes are immediately drawn to it. No doubt, there is nothing on the road quite like it. The question for Nissan/Infiniti is whether they can sell 40,000 vehicles a year, as projected. The bold and somewhat radical styling will certainly appeal to some, but a projection of 40,000 takes you out of the niche arena and into mainstream territory. Additionally, the biggest complaints from reviewers focus on the somewhat harsh ride (less so in the FX35) and the relatively small cargo space. Once again, will these shortcomings sell in Peoria? Only time will tell.
One thing most will have to acknowledge, whether you liked or despised the RX300, is that the RX330 is a significant improvement over a vehicle which is still the top-selling vehicle in its class even though it's in the 5th year of production. However, with all the new SUV offerings in this class, Toyota/Lexus couldn't afford to stand pat even though tinkering will a successful product is always dicey. IMO (all politics are local and vehicle choices are personal), it struck a great balance with the changes and overall accomplished its mission. Even though I'm a previous Lexus owner, I wasn't drawn to the 300 for personal reasons. However, upon completing my research on the 330 I declared it would be my next SUV purchase and I promptly went down to my local Lexus dealer and put down a deposit. With no ax to grind, I can honestly say the 330 has more than met my expectations. The styling is more aggressive, the fit and finish are superb, road feel, handling, and overall performance are much improved, and all the luxury appointments have worked as designed. This is my wife's daily commuter and she is getting increasingly paranoid about all the stares and pointing she's receiving as she travels to and fro.
In the end, the consumer will decide success. I can't speak to the FX35/45 but as for the RX330, I believe it will continue to be the sales leader in its class.
All this stuff sounds cool and I'm as much of a technophile as the next guy but I wonder about the reliability and repair costs of things like the air suspension, adaptive cruise control, the adaptive headlights, the motorized hatch and some of the other new features in this model. Actually I remember the old Caddy my dad had 30 years ago had air shocks and you could hear that thing re-level each time you parked but it probably wasn't performance-oriented.
Even relatively older things like all the air bag systems, automatic climate control, the memory seats and so on makes me wonder how they hold up and whether you're stuck going to the dealer for service rather than independent mechanics who often provide better service for lower prices.
I haven't been in the new car market for about 15 years -- my old Acura still runs well and I'm only putting 200 miles a month. So I have a lot to catch up with and trust to build. I was interested in the A4 3.0 but I wondered about the reliability of the CVT for instance.
I'm interested in the hybrid version especially if it meets some of the incredible claims for mileage and performance. But of course, that's another new technology, not to mention the computerized AWD system.
Maybe I'm more worried about the prospect of buying a car which will be around $50k out the door.
Has anyone dealt with Lexus of Manhattan? How was your experience? Were they willing to make any kind of deal? I'm about to take delivery of 330 with nav and air suspension. I only got $500 off, which seems about par for this car.
I've had very bad recent experiences with the Manhattan BMW dealer, which is just one reason I didn't go for the X5.
With respect to actual AWD capability I have always been torn between the Chrysler AWD T&C minivan and the AWD RX300. The Chrysler definitely wins the AWD contest.
I have owned three AWD T&Cs, a 97, a 98 and a 2000, and unlike others, have had absolute success with their overall reliability. Had to have the rotors turned at 20k on the 2000 is about all.
I had all but decided to buy a new RX330 once the market cools a bit, say late fall before the snow flies.
Today I discovered the new MY2004 Toyota Sienna AWD minivan.
WOW !!
It has exactly the same engine, transmission, driveline, VSC/Trac, and "virtual" AWD system that the new MY2004 AWD RX330 has.
It doesn't have air suspension. Maybe only a minor negative.
But it does have room between the rear tires and the suspension for snowchain installation.
I was about to pay approximately $43k for an RX330 with air suspension but I can get an AWD Sienna XLE Limited that seats 7 (or 8) for about $37k.
Anyone see any downside that I don't?
Oops, almost forgot another BIG advantage of the T&C and the new Sienna. Electrically open/close the rear quarter panel winglet windows from the driver's seat.
Eliminates the really PAINFUL helicopter BOOMING problem of the RX and Highlander.
It all depends on what YOU really want. Both the 330 & Sienna are getting great reviews and as pointed out, the engine and drivetrain are essentially the same. I'm not a minivan person, but if I were, the Sienna would be at the top of my shopping list.
Willard, The April 2003 issue of Consumer Reports magazine listed the depreciation of the RX300 as much better than average, while the Sienna is listed as better than average. If you intend to trade often, that could be an issue. One option might be to invest the $6K savings to offset the depreciation hit.
I just ordered a 330 AWD crystal white/grey interior with multi-panel moonroof option, heated seats, 18" alloys, & ML stereo. Dealer said it would be 90-120 days. I figure if I'm going to have it a while, I'd might as well get exactly what I want.
Hi--I'm starting to look at the RX330, which looks to be a terrific vehicle, and could benefit from knowing a few good dealers in the NYC/northern NJ area. I work in NYC, and so I imagine leasing from Manhattan Lexus would be an advantage in that for servicing I can drive to work, leave the vehicle with the dealer during the day, and then drive home, instead of doing the loaner thing. But, if Manhattan Lexus gets bad reviews from you, I'll pass on them. Also, any feedback on what kind of basic lease deal I should be looking for (3 yrs, 15 mi/yr) would be helpful. Many thanks, Marc
Just went over 1000m with absolutely no problems to report. No squeaks or rattles and all the gizmos that come with the VP/NAV build work as intended, every time. Maybe because I only get to drive the 330 on the weekends (even for that short period of time my wife is reluctant to give it up) but it seems to ride better every time I take it for a spin. For those with/getting the VP option, I put the sequential shift through its full paces. I was immediately transformed back to my stick-shift days. This is an incredible simple system that allows upshifts/downshifts at the touch of the shifting knob; and better yet there is no clutch! It's really fun to be truly engaged, once again, in driving a vehicle. Sequential shift significantly increases off-line responsiveness and the engine seems to cherish revving through the gears. Kudos to Lexus for developing this feature to simulate a "normal shifter" vice putting the shift functions via buttons or paddles on the steering wheel. IMO, it gives the 330 a much more authentic sports car-like feel.
I recently ordered an RX330 from Bob Ciasulli in Little Falls NJ. I spoke to Manhattan Lexus but was unimpressed with the sales agent I spoke to. Seemed like he really didn't want my business. Didn't want to discuss pricing and didn't seem eager to answer my questions. On pricing, flatly stated, "we only deal in MSRP". Also Manhattan Lexus is closed on Sundays.
Cannot respond on service quality or if their lease program is reasonable as I did not buy from them and am purchasing (at a considerable discount off of MSRP) rather than leasing.
I don't want to misrepresent the entire franchise, again I only spoke to one salesman and decided to go elsewhere.
Have talked to many dealers in the central region and they basically have limited the selection for the RX330 to 4 configurations. Supply on the lots for any of them are very thin. I have the following questions that some one may be able to answer:
1. Any one seen the Black Forest Pearl or Neptune Blue Mica? Comments? 2. Maximum I have been quoted is $500 off MSRP and stating may be a little more toward end of May due to limited supply and demand. Is anyone seeing better deals in mid-west? 3. Also same as earlier question if anyone has heard about special editions coming out.
I have a Black Forest Pearl 330 that came in 3/26. There was also a Blue Neptune one which was also taken the same day. Both are metallic based colors which look black at times but change according to the sunlight. When I looked at the dealers allocation there were very few of these colors coming in. I got $500 off (Kansas City) and haven't heard of has done better than that so far in the midwest. later, ldf
I am in the Bay Area. I bought the RX330 FWD with the $7808 Navgiation/ ML Options. Actually, you can get $1000 off MSRP when you buy from carsdirect.com. I told them about it and $42000 was the final price.
Comments
Edmunds2Go
Ok, what else can I plug around here?
Steve, Host
Also, the initial allocations are packaged the way regions want them - lots of AWDs in one region and then it can change to FWDs later in the year.
Some dealers are comfortable ordering exactly what you want if the vehicle can be built that way, some dealers don't like doing it because there's a downside for them if you back out.
Pays to get what you want IMO.
The MSRP on this particular RX330 is $46,808. The dealer invoice is $40,687. The initial dealer profit is $6,121 and I have not yet added the dealer holdback of 2 to 3% (another $900 to $1,350). This would bring the total profit to the dealer in the range of $7,021 to $7,471. Sorry for the confusion.
Bottom line, if you are a discriminating audiophile, then the ML is for you. If not, then the OE audio system should meet your audio needs just fine.
ML makes huge amps for high-end home audio which are tens of thousands by themselves. Somehow, a mass-produced system for a car which is a part of an options package probably does not meet the standards of ML.
Who makes the speakers anyways? I dont' think ML has any standing in speakers or for that matter, CD players.
I'd rather have two good high quality speakers than a dozen of the type typically selected with bean-counter oversight.
And I really can't imagine the usefullness of a high fidelity/quality sound system in the range of the ML for any vehicle other than the LS430 "class".
I should correct that to say no need for a sound system of extraordinary quality/fidelity. Most modern day inexpensive OEM systems deliver better sound quality (once one replaces the cheap speakers) than one can readily distinguish between and an ML or Bose.
Personally I would invest in a good set of summertime only quiet tires before investing in an audio upgrade and maybe a lot of good sound absorbion material to stuff into body and door panels here and there.
You're talking about coaxials or triaxials where the drivers share the same center. I didn't think they made those. The standard systems which come on most luxury cars have separate tweeters from woofers.
Low frequency output is a lot less directional -- you feel it more than actually hear it. So you don't worry about the location or whether it's obstructed.
I bought KEFs, which come with separate tweeters and bass/midranges. I wanted to place the tweeters high, as close to ear level as possible. But the installers, who worked for a higher-end audio store, said imaging would not be adversely affected if they were put in the OEM speaker location, low on the door, where the bass/midrange driver would be.
They were right, as if the drivers were separated too much, there would be a disembodied quality as the tweeters would dominate the sound, being closer to the ears.
I have this option and the change in performance is particularly noticeable in the Low mode.
Also, does the air suspension consist also of tauter springs and shocks, and is there a noticeable decrease in ride quality?
Ride quality...
IMMHO my 92 LS with "air" was/is more comfortable than the mechanically sprung one.
Lowering the RX at speed would undoubtedly increase the ride quality..
"It came down to the RX330 vs. the FX45/FX35. I test-drove the FX. It was amazing! The performance and handling were unbelievable! Not to mention the Intelligent Key feature. Check out (all) the rave reviews.
As soon as the RX330 prototype arrived at the dealership, I beat a path down there to check it out. I liked all the features, told myself the wider D pillar made it look a lot more masculine than the RX300, tried to warm up to the placement of the interior's aluminum trim and faux wood, and figured I could get by with the limited headroom (I'm 5'11).
Then, I had the opportunity to drive an RX330. It left me VERY disappointed. The suspension was definitely softer and it provided a more "luxurious" ride than the Infiniti FX, but the RX's handling was "mushy" and there was a lot of body roll. It felt very underpowered. I guess it's not fair to compare 315 HP to 230 HP, but pricing for the additional thoroughbreds is comparable to the RX. And you can get a (280 HP) V6 FX35 with Technology Package for the same cost as a fully loaded RX. So that's the way I decided to go. I've had the FX for a couple weeks now, and am having a blast!"
Formerly Rx330Guy
"Dear Former...glad you found The Best SUV Ever (For Former).
I just have one question - I'm 6'2" and have a RX300 (with moonroof); I fit just fine in the driver's seat, even with the seat in it's max "lift" position. I sat in a new RX330 at the Auto Show and it had more headroom than our 2001.
You're 5'11" and have no headroom? Wow, must be a pair of really short legs in there somewhere. You know the driver's seat bottom adjusts up and down, right?
Oh - one more item. I'm an ex-Infiniti owner - start preparing for the fact that six months from now, the FXers will be going out the door $100 under invoice and first year's depreciation will be hitting the proverbial 25% fan.
Of course, that's just a guess...based on every model Infiniti has ever sold. I'm sure your mileage will vary."
JeffMust2
Hmmmm. I wonder what JeffMust2 was doing in the Infiniti FX45/FX35 forum recently, with the impending FX depreciation and all! Could he be rethinking his position?
I believe Former RX330Guy said "I could get by with the limited (RX330) headroom." Not "I have no headroom." I have to agree with Former. I felt cramped in the RX's interior.
As for your suggestion that we proud new owners of FX's "Start preparing for the fact that six months from now, the FXers will be going out the door $100 under invoice and first year's depreciation will be hitting the proverbial 25% fan", I think that's highly unlikely Jeff, given that NNA/Infiniti vehicle sales projections have been 85% realized so far. Pretty good considering the state of the economy. Anyway, most of us based our purchase decisions on the simple fact that we love the car. Not what the depreciation may be.
I guess you're just a little sensitive having to drive around in your wife's ubiquitous car. And talk about depreciation, I hope your're in a short term lease, because you're not going to be able to give that thing away otherwise.
Anyway, to each his own. Congratulations to Former RX330Guy on your FX purchase! Enjoy!
Carprep
But simply repeating month-old posts in their entirety is just NOT the sign of an intelligent life form.
The new RX330 will still be setting new sales records long after French-owned, theme-of-the-month vehicles have set their own records -for fast depreciation and the longevity that comes from sitting for months on dealer's lots.
As my son put it - "Dad, those FXs look like every bad car sketch done by the Future Felons in detention class after school - with huge rims that belong on Escalades and everything else out of proportion."
So whenever we see one we think of it as "The Detention SUV."
But then again I could be wrong - but I don't think so.
Where I live there's a large Lexus dealer on one side of the boulevard and an Infiniti dealer on the other side; I've purchased vehicles from both over the years.
There's not a single RX330 to be seen on the Lexus lot - just one they keep on the sales floor to play show & tell. Why? At last count, they have the next 100 or so RX330s pre-sold. As soon as they get off-loaded from the transport truck, they're in the staging area for delivery and then they're gone to buyers in a day or two.
As I stopped at the light in front of the Infiniti lot a few days ago, I counted more than a dozen FX35/45s on the lot - and a couple more on the sales floor. Guess that copper color must be popular - they had about five of them.
I'm sure the FX is a fine vehicle in its own right. With the poor depreciation track record of Infiniti, however, it's just not right for me. But, come to think of it, many of the auto sales professionals in Town Hall highly recommend Infiniti's because they're such good deals at half off in 18-24 months. That's probably a better approach -
"If you like it new, wait a while - the fire sale at Infiniti is always just around the corner."
Kinda catchy, doncha think? Especially in copper.
I admire Nissan/Infiniti for the aggressive and bold direction it has taken with its recent vehicle offerings. From being on the brink of bankruptcy just a few years ago to now operating in the black is quite an accomplishment. In particular, the styling cues of the FX35/45 are quite bold. I've spotted one on the road and your eyes are immediately drawn to it. No doubt, there is nothing on the road quite like it. The question for Nissan/Infiniti is whether they can sell 40,000 vehicles a year, as projected. The bold and somewhat radical styling will certainly appeal to some, but a projection of 40,000 takes you out of the niche arena and into mainstream territory. Additionally, the biggest complaints from reviewers focus on the somewhat harsh ride (less so in the FX35) and the relatively small cargo space. Once again, will these shortcomings sell in Peoria? Only time will tell.
One thing most will have to acknowledge, whether you liked or despised the RX300, is that the RX330 is a significant improvement over a vehicle which is still the top-selling vehicle in its class even though it's in the 5th year of production. However, with all the new SUV offerings in this class, Toyota/Lexus couldn't afford to stand pat even though tinkering will a successful product is always dicey. IMO (all politics are local and vehicle choices are personal), it struck a great balance with the changes and overall accomplished its mission. Even though I'm a previous Lexus owner, I wasn't drawn to the 300 for personal reasons. However, upon completing my research on the 330 I declared it would be my next SUV purchase and I promptly went down to my local Lexus dealer and put down a deposit. With no ax to grind, I can honestly say the 330 has more than met my expectations. The styling is more aggressive, the fit and finish are superb, road feel, handling, and overall performance are much improved, and all the luxury appointments have worked as designed. This is my wife's daily commuter and she is getting increasingly paranoid about all the stares and pointing she's receiving as she travels to and fro.
In the end, the consumer will decide success. I can't speak to the FX35/45 but as for the RX330, I believe it will continue to be the sales leader in its class.
Also, the guy who went with the FX over the RX 330 said he tried to warm up to the Lexus' faux wood - doesn't he know Lexus only uses real wood?
Even relatively older things like all the air bag systems, automatic climate control, the memory seats and so on makes me wonder how they hold up and whether you're stuck going to the dealer for service rather than independent mechanics who often provide better service for lower prices.
I haven't been in the new car market for about 15 years -- my old Acura still runs well and I'm only putting 200 miles a month. So I have a lot to catch up with and trust to build. I was interested in the A4 3.0 but I wondered about the reliability of the CVT for instance.
I'm interested in the hybrid version especially if it meets some of the incredible claims for mileage and performance. But of course, that's another new technology, not to mention the computerized AWD system.
Maybe I'm more worried about the prospect of buying a car which will be around $50k out the door.
I'm not a Luddite, honest!
Which, IMMHO, increases the reliability factor significantly.
Factory design flaws are yet another matter.
I've had very bad recent experiences with the Manhattan BMW dealer, which is just one reason I didn't go for the X5.
I have owned three AWD T&Cs, a 97, a 98 and a 2000, and unlike others, have had absolute success with their overall reliability. Had to have the rotors turned at 20k on the 2000 is about all.
I had all but decided to buy a new RX330 once the market cools a bit, say late fall before the snow flies.
Today I discovered the new MY2004 Toyota Sienna AWD minivan.
WOW !!
It has exactly the same engine, transmission, driveline, VSC/Trac, and "virtual" AWD system that the new MY2004 AWD RX330 has.
It doesn't have air suspension. Maybe only a minor negative.
But it does have room between the rear tires and the suspension for snowchain installation.
I was about to pay approximately $43k for an RX330 with air suspension but I can get an AWD Sienna XLE Limited that seats 7 (or 8) for about $37k.
Anyone see any downside that I don't?
Oops, almost forgot another BIG advantage of the T&C and the new Sienna. Electrically open/close the rear quarter panel winglet windows from the driver's seat.
Eliminates the really PAINFUL helicopter BOOMING problem of the RX and Highlander.
Nah, can't be right. Come to think of it, got a dollar sez it'll never happen.
Can't you just see the "Letters I've Sent to Toyota" and the factory responses? No, you can't - because Toyota won't bother to respond.
Oh well, it was a Good Feeling - for about 10 seconds. Heck, if dreams like THAT only came true...
The April 2003 issue of Consumer Reports magazine listed the depreciation of the RX300 as much better than average, while the Sienna is listed as better than average. If you intend to trade often, that could be an issue. One option might be to invest the $6K savings to offset the depreciation hit.
Cannot respond on service quality or if their lease program is reasonable as I did not buy from them and am purchasing (at a considerable discount off of MSRP) rather than leasing.
I don't want to misrepresent the entire franchise, again I only spoke to one salesman and decided to go elsewhere.
1. Any one seen the Black Forest Pearl or Neptune Blue Mica? Comments?
2. Maximum I have been quoted is $500 off MSRP and stating may be a little more toward end of May due to limited supply and demand. Is anyone seeing better deals in mid-west?
3. Also same as earlier question if anyone has heard about special editions coming out.
Thanks
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What kind of options?