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Economy down and poor sales figures and having to provide financial support for single marque dealers (and their non-profitable service shops)having an adverse impact?
~alpha
Sure, Lexus had to become more "flexible" when pricing out the RX to compete. I was a few hours away from taking delivery on a long-awaited MDX about 18 months ago when I walked thru a Lexus showroom to pick up my LS400 from their service dept. By the time I left, a few hours later, I had signed a contract for the "newly competitive-priced" RX instead.
As for "single-marque" (ya gotta love it!) service bays being unprofitable and gathering dust - not at any Lexus dealer I've been to. Three in my general area have just enlarged their service depts to handle the crowds. Got to inspect and re-torque all them bolts don't ya know...
That brings up a point, WW - how are you determing that Lexus service departments are unprofitable? 'Cause you don't buy an A/C filter there every 3 years?
And if, as you claim, Lexus is gouging for service, wouldn't that then make them profitable? I believe your baseless accusation boarders on libel. Get real, wwest.
Steve
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Lexus MUST gouge their service customers becuase the product is TOO DAMN RELIABLE. And having enough money to buy an upscale Lexus vehicle usually means that person can more readily recognize a scam.
I don't think that follows. Impecuniousness fosters vigilant attention to spending often lacking in those more well off.
tidester
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Steve
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So, the spy photo makes it seem like Lexus is copycatting BMW's highly successful X5. (I wonder how many people are suffering in the rest of their lives just to own this vehicle. I see them EVERYWHERE here in SoCal.)
The RX330- I like the larger wheels and don't care for the lines around the doors. The rest is too covered up to see the real deal. But, my first reaction was, "X5".
As to the station wagon comment, anyone who thinks an "SUV" is any more than a baby boomer station wagon, is really kidding themselves. I cringe when I have to use the term "SUV". I was at Lowes buying a large item and the guy asks if I have a large enough car. I had to respond by using "SUV". I don't mind telling you it really bugged me.
Each model features NAVTECH(R) data, which currently powers all U.S. automotive navigation systems. Joining 43 models already offering navigation, the models newly featuring NAVTECH data include the Jaguar X-Type, Lexus IS300, Lexus ES300, Lincoln Blackwood, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Nissan Maxima, Oldsmobile Aurora, and Toyota Camry."
Doesn't Navigation Technologies also supply the digital map data for the Lexus RX300?
Amazing how successful they are with all the problems you cite.
I've always turned it off before shutting the car off, but Lexus seems to have a program in place that gradually brings the speed of the fan up when the a/c is left engaged at engine shut off.
Is there a difference to the load on the compressor if you turn the a/c off before shutting down the engine? Transversely, is it bad to start the car with the a/c on already? Any feedback is appreciated.
Another poll type of question--
Does your RX300 ever need to have oil added between changes?
So no harm can come from leaving the A/C in whatever mode you typcially use it.
On start-up, especially on a hot day the A/C blower motor will not start up until the A/C evaporator has had a chance to cool to some degree. This is so you will not be discomforted by a lot of HOT air hitting you in the face.
When the A/C compressor first starts up there is a delay, measured in seconds, before liquid refrigerant becomes available to cool the A/C evaporator. Then as the A/C evaporator declines to a predefined level of "cool" the blower starts up "slow" and then it's speed will continue to increase as the A/C evaporator declines toward its design target of 34F
Of about a dozen Lexii, including Bill Gates 90 LS, a 91 LS now with over 100K miles and a 92 with 80k miles, I have NEVER had to add oil between changes. I put in about 5.5 qts and tyically drain about 5 qts when I change oil and filter.
Also absolutely NONE of these vehicles have EVER had the diff'l, tranx, steering, radiator, or brake, fluids drained and replenished.
The only "exception" I know of is about a quart of antifreeze was added to the 92 about two years ago.
Yikes!
Bill
Pete
It appears that the engine coolant "flow path" in the/any Lexus is so well sealed from the various contaminants that might find their way in that the only remaining problem is loss of coolant due to evaporation.
Addressing the need to replace perfectly good fluids otherwise to a known dealer advocate is beneath my dignity. If you can convince YOUR customers to help put YOUR kids through college then more power to you.
In my own personal cars I always change fluids regularly. If nothing else, brake fluid alone should be changed as it is hygroscopic.
And, of course, transmission fluid does get heat-cycled and does lose its' effectiveness over time.
I spend a huge amount of money on my personal cars, especially the ones that I have restored/am restoring. I just spent over $700 completely renovating the braking system on my '61 Vauxhall Cresta. But I can see how $30-40 a year to keep moisture from entering that braking system could be viewed as frivolous. After all, a reliable braking system is nowhere nearly as important as frivolous nitpicking of an AC system, right?
Bill
I currently own two 1978 Porsche 911's, one with only about 90k and the other with 170k miles. I have owned the 90k one since 83/37k and never bothered with the brake fluid. The only problem I have experienced with either of those was caliper pistons seizing due to o-ring wear. Both were recently upgraded to the new Boxster front calipers and the 88 rear calipers.
Have you even bothered to check with the people who make your tranx fluid? I have little doubt that they would really like to sell you even more but I would bet money that their basic honesty will prevail and they will inform you that tranx fluid does not need to be changed out in anything less than 100 to 120k miles unless it has been over-heated. Not heated to within the range of its design mind you, or heated and cooled 25,000 times or something of that nature.
Now, I basically don't have any problem at all with a SKILLED mechanic or technician "messing" with my tranny or brake fluid, but it has become quite clear to me that not even Lexus dealers use skilled, expensive, help for routine tasks.
In the end I would sooner take my chances with whatever level of moisture may sneak its way into my system than trust some ex-high school football jock with my brakes.
"$30-40 a year to keep (Keep?) moisture from entering". If you're only spending $30-40 a year then you are NOT doing a very good job of completely replenishing your brake fluid. Water and brake fluid DO NOT MIX. If there is water in your brake fluid it is "pooled" in in the bottom of the caliper and in small spaces/crevices in the bottom of the cylinder bore, and around the pistons in your brake calipers and the only way to remove it is a thorough disassembly and cleaning of all pistons and calipers.
If you are just flushing new fluid through the system and thinking that will remove any moisture, or even most of it, then you are not accomplishing that which you expect.
Flushing WILL remove gas bubbles which "float" to the top of the caliper, that's what the procedure and the various mechanical "accommodations are there for. Simple brake "flushing" at least as most of us understand the term and often make use of, will not typically remove even a minor portion of moisture (if there really is any) trapped within the brake system.
Unless you see them actually do it you likely would never know.
Ford et al recomend changes.
Dot 5 fluid is silicone base, non-hygroscopic and therefore does not retain moisture. Moisture in these systems drops out at the lowest point(s) in the system.
I am not trying to to get into a p_ _'ng contest with any members of this forum- just trying to elicit the facts.
Does Lexus use Dot 4 or Dot 5?
My guess is the "rolling" security code in the key that doesn't work has somehow gotten out of sequence with its master.
Hygroscopic means it will "suck" gaseous water out of the air, literally. If you leave a can of brake fluid open for a period of time it will soon become so contaminated with moisture so as to be useless. Its boiling point will be below the normal operating temperature of the system during severe braking.
Boiling = gas = spongy brakes.
Hygroscopic vs mixing vs suspension.
This is my grey area. Does the fact that it "attacks" moisture mean that it will forever "mix" with that water?
It has always been my impression that the water will evenually separate (due to physics {mix ratio?}, pressure, heat??) and pool at the lowest point possible.
Okay, tidester, you're up, no talking down now.
Rear only, and not very effective for stopping except as a last resort.
Steve
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DOT #5, on the other hand, is silicone based, has a higher boiling point and is not hygroscopic. In this case, water contamination can separate out and water can find its way to the brake shoes as it is heavier than silicone.
I found this source that will tell you more than you ever wanted know about brakd fluid!
tidester
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You mean the automatic transmission's parking "pawl" with the "weight" of the vehicle against it, gets stuck in the park position.
Common problem, I get around that one by turning a wheel into the curb (if one exists), letting it roll up against it, then put the transmission in park.
The parking brake seems to hold just fine with the nose downhill, but backwards it hardly ever does the job.
I would wait until September/October for the '03 LX470; however, I need transportation for my wife beginning in August '02. We currently have a LS400, and are familiar with the RX300 as a courtesy car.
What lease deals have you seen on the '02 RX300? Also, do you have any recommendations for someone that wants a '03 LX470, but needs a car now?
Your help is appreciated.
Thanks!
As a replacement for our LS400 my wife is perfectly happy with our 01 AWD RX300. I'm quite sure she will not be willing to go back to an LS.
Every one seems to be aware of an upcoming refreshening (April 03) of the RX/HL series, so be aware that an RX/HL investment at this point in time may be a poor choice when it comes to resale or trade-in time.
I would suggest a used 01 or 02 ML320 or X5 3.0. Those would give you the feel of a REAL SUV, the RX/HL is predominantly FWD (has your wife ever experienced torque steer?) and you will find it much easier to transition to a RWD/AWD LX from either of these.