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Comments
HID: is not standard on any model yet, but included in certain option packages. You can in fact add aftermarket Xenon lamps, but I don't believe they will be "auto-leveling".
Speaking of auto-leveling, what the heck is that anyway?
"Many affluent respondents take joy in
driving vehicles that do not denote
so-called high status. They are more
interested in more objective measures
of value. ... The members of most
wealthy households don't drive luxury
imports. ... Their preference is to
invest much of their income in assets
that appreciate"
So Tony, maybe the next time you see a happy owner driving their Santa Fe, you will be looking
at a millionaire who knows real value. Please, a little less arrogance would be appreciated.
To the others on this board, this is in no way a slam against the Rx or those who drive them.
The truth of the matter is that one doesn't go jewelery shopping at Kmart the same way one does at Tiffany's. It's a fact of life. For some, the Kmart jewelry is sufficient, and there is nothing wrong with that.
You are clearly someone who defines himself by the fact he picked "the right car." I feel sorry for you that you would get upset everytime someone says something disparingly about the car you chose. At the end of the day it's a piece of sheetmetal, get over it.
I once considered buying the Santa Fe because I thought it was a good value for the money. But after I test drove it and thought about it further, I then determined that the engine wasn't sufficient enough for me, there were luxury and safety features it didn't provide, and it's safety record was unproven. A friend encouraged me to look at the RX300 and I was hooked by the proven reliability, safety features, performance, luxury, and customer service.
Are there things I dislike about the RX300? Sure, but no car is perfect. I could care less what folks say about the car, because guess what? I didn't buy it for them! I bought it for my family. And I don't own Lexus, so why should I care if they sell one less car because someone said something bad about it.
I feel really bad for you because you had to "find me here." You need a hobby.
TC
BY THE WAY....JEWELRY APPRECIATES IN VALUE WITH AGE....CARS DO NOT!
When we had it serviced at Lexus for the 5 miles service, my wife explained that there is a strong smell that can be best described as diesel fuel and heated brakes that can be experienced after the car is driven for any length of time. The service manager explained that it was just the brakes getting broken in and was normal. Two weeks later, the complaints from the wife begin to peak so we trade cars for the day. She's right. Within 10 minutes of my commute it smelled like I was driving behind a diesel truck and were drawing the fumes into the cabin of my car, even though I wasn't behind any traffic. It's very strong and almost nauseating. She took it to the dealership yesterday and even though the service manager was extremely eager to help and cooperate he couldn't detect the smell, and ran diagnostics and found no engine problems, or anything else. She didn't have time to leave it for a test drive so I plan on another trip back soon. The only reason I know that we are not losing our minds, at least on this, is that we have had two different sets of friends that were not informed of the problem, take notice and make mention of the strong smell. Thanks Much and sorry about the length of the post !
Have a nice day!
Can't you leave it for a day and get a loaner car from the dealer?
As usual, the Europeans are way ahead of the game in motor vehicle regulations, and have required headlamp leveling systems (either manual via a dashboard switch, or dynamic auto leveling) for years now. The European or Australian MLs, for example, have a manual switch next to the steering column. Factory HID equipped MB vehicles have automatic headlamp leveling systems in addition to the headlamp washer systems. The latter is also to reduce glare to oncoming drivers. It also beats having to get out of your car to push the snow off the headlamps! (the washer jets and fluid are heated).
Drew
Host
Vans and SUVs message boards
Wow, cool....
Thanks, losthat1, for your post #509. I needed a good laugh today and you provided it.
Apparently you lost what your hat was resting on as well.
TC
Drew
Host
Vans and SUVs message boards
thanks,
Roger
As far as the brake smell goes, I would have thought that any "break in" would have happened prior to 5K miles. Seems "fishy" to me. I have less than 1K on mine, but no brake problem. Press the issue and please keep us informed.
properly locating the new badging will likely be you greatest challenge.
little
each of the HID headlamp assemblies. Each time you start up the lamps are over-driven (beyond level) upward and then down to the "level" position. The direction of the last movement, downward, is so whatever "backlash" is in (or develops as the car ages) the positioning mechanism will only allow the lamp to move further down, never up.
Pete
now she does not want to take it to the dealer. Radio works fine, she says. Sure, but the car looks like crap with the broken external antenna.
I've replaced antennas on Toyotas before and I'm guessing that you simply need to replace the metal antenna itself w/o necessarily accessing the motor unit. (You would def. need to get to the motor if you broke the plastic strip that rests inside the antenna--I do not think you did this) Just replacing the mast w/o accessing the motor should take a mechanic w/ the right tools just 10-15 minutes.
If all else fails and they quote you a ridiculous price, you might want to buy the part from irontoad.com and install it yourself. . Getting the antenna nut off w/o damaging the body can be tough though (snap tools makes a specific wrench for this but is not readily availabel to the public) Good luck.
What would be an appropriate money factor, capitalized cost and residual value for the lease based on 12K miles per year? I live in Northern Virgina and have excellent credit.
I will personally put 89 and above in mine, checking the MPG on the trip computer to see what gives the best results. YMMV
TC
wwest's point about the AC compressor is a good one and you might want to suggest it to the second dealer if they come up with nothing.
TC
One more question: did you get the kit from Lexus or did you go through a third-party source? Cost?
Good Luck!
Or you could tell the dealer that your other car is a 92 LS and you knew it didn't extend the antenna with the CD on so you didn't think this one would.....
Try a place called Carnica. They are located in Des Plaines (Oakton/Manheim). They are experts in scrath removals and paintless dent repairs. Highly recommended.
To avoid scratces, I would also reccommend putting on a clear film. This is a 3M's 8 mil clear-coated urethane plastic. It is specifically designed to preserve the beauty and integrity of exterior automotive finishes without compromising or altering the appearance of the vehicle. The material itself is guaranteed by 3M for 5 years against manufacturers defects and not to yellow, crack or craze. All kits come with detailed written and video instruction guide. You can also have someone install if for you. I had mine done for $400 (parts & labor). It front bumper, hood, mirrors, rear bumper top, and rear bumper.
This product intrigues me, but I in no way want to compromise the look or quality of the paint.
Comments appreciated.
Yes, I had in put on my RX 300. The plastic does not harm the paint, nor does it compromise the appearance. It can be removed without damage to paint. The plastic is barely visible from 3 feet away and hardly visible on dark or silver color models. I'm very satisfied, especially knowing it will be protected from the damage.
Also, all the RX 300 loaners from my Lexus dealership have the 3M plastic put on also.
Just out of curiousity, how would you get it off if you wanted to? If it came off easily on it's own, then it would never stay in place due to washing, the elements, etc.
I aplogize for asking all these questions, but this stuff really intrigues me.
based on the position my seat is in when i get it back from valet parking, i realize that lots of people (everybody but me?) like to drive with the seat in a reclined position,but is there anyone out there with a new rx whose driver's seatback goes all the way up, or is the dealer right? if so, does anyone want to buy a brand new lexus with 1000 miles on the odo?
strongest on the short trip from the commuter parking lot to my house. I thought it was from sitting on the bus for and 1hr. I am going to bring it up next month during the 5K. Anybody else with the funky diesel smell, Plese Post
Pete
Second : I too have the diesel smell. It gave me a headache. I was parked in a driveway waiting for my son to come out, the car was idiling. At first I thought it was the sealer on their driveway but, I have had it since at other places.
Third: I really like the car but I sit up straight and the dealer said the drivers seatback can not go any straighter. "I cannot drive reclined, so I bought a pillow and tied it to the headrest. It does not look so good but, it feels much better. I have never used a pillow before in any car. The passenger seat goes much straighter. I had posted on this before. Thanks
High pressure washes will not affect the kit as long as you avoid spraying the high pressure wand directly into one of the edges from an inch away. It can be removed easily and will not damage the paint. To remove the film, you must heat the surface to approximately 150°F while working a corner of the film with your fingernail. Once you have enough of the material free from the surface to hold on to, slowly pull the film from the paint. Think of it like a adhesive laminating paper or a window tint film.
To install the film do they have to do anything special to the surface where the film goes? Can you do a clay and wax before the install? Once installed, can you wax the car with no residue showing on the edges?
Sorry for all the questions, like Tony, I'm curious as to how this works.
Thanks.
I guess I'm still on the fence about this stuff until I see an example in person.
I will post what they find out next week.
check out that site, they explained the whole process and to answer your question about the residue on the edges. (FAQ)
Still, I want to see one in person.