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Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Well, I had some Zymol leather cleaner and conditioner left over from my Legend, so I tried it out on the front seats, which are dirtiest. Worked pretty well - didn't cause a sheen or shiny surface as I didn't want. I could not predict the outcome on the RX because my '90 Legend's leather has hardened over the years and could not compare to the Lexus'.
I'll read up on Lexol, Hide Food and Zaino and try one of those out too. I didn't condition the leather yet, but I'm going to wait on that until I find the best kind out there.
Despite many complaints by auto reviewers about the LCD display, I actually like it because I'm used to it now. Took a while to get accustomed to the readout and controls, but now it's become second nature. I still prefer the controls in the Legend (has radio controls right on the instrument hood), but the RX's are not bad at all - could be worse.
Off topic (but I figured if I put it with the leather comments I'll get this one past the Hosts, Ha!)
Don't let Willard get you guys hyped up. As we all can see he has a lot of time on his hands and yes it's hard to complain about a companies' products/features and be a repeat customer, and he may at times appear to be a few cans short of a six-pack, and he's been banned from other forums (SC430 ha!), and well you guys get the point. Give him a break!!!
Tony, glad to see your still around (saw you on the island last week)
As for Willard's being booted from the SC430 forum, that is just funny. I've gotta check out what he said there.
That's why I brought up the fact that I have used the Lexus product, successfully, for many years. Yes, it's expensive, and like you I suspect it is just a relabeled standard commercial product that could be purchased at K-Mart if one knew the brand.
I am by no means praising the product, just simply stating the fact that it has done a good job of preserving my seat leather for all these years.
Quick question: Is the GPS (Navigation System) is a factory or dealer installable? Or both?
Thanks...Alex
One other item of note that I found odd when I was discussing getting into a new Lexus a few weeks ago. If you plan on leasing, the vehicles that come equipped with the Navi actually have a lower residual than those without. I don't remember if this was mentioned here but the Navi also has no residual so you get to pay for the entire cost over the lease term.
Is it true?
Thanks... Alex
The open question is what is involved with upgrading/fine tuning the suspention of the base Rex to match the SilverSport?
The Silversport was too expensive - I was offered one for 'only $50' more a month in the payment. That's a lot of money for some trim changes and a sportier suspension. I think it was a bad move, although I'd seen quite a few on the road, so not everyone shares that viewpoint.
I like the RX as is, personally speaking.
"So let it be written; so let it be done."
I did try to make the my 2001 RX skid in an icy ski area parking lot (with lots of room)and it simply would not skid. My RX has never skidded at all, and it's experienced every conceivable road condition. I have to conclude that your experiment is failed and valueless, especially for those us who own the 2001 model.
Read your post on clublexus.com, to someone who was deciding whether to buy an RX300 or X5:
"If you are really serously considering the RX300 then you really should have a good look at the Chrysler T&C Limited AWD minivan ..."
Sure was good advice there buddy! I'm sure lots of people choosing between an RX and X5 also have that minivan on their lists.
Right up to the point where the front wheels lose traction totally.
It came to me the other day when I was responding to a concern by someone about the 911's tendency to "snap out". My response was that the 996 just simply doesn't have that tendency and the AWD model even less so. But then I went on to explain that if one were to get the 911 AWD to "snap-out" (oversteer) then the point that it would do so would be much more dramatic than in a C2.
And that's how I feel about the RX, it is predominantly a FWD vehicle and you are relying on the front tire contact patch for both purposes, lateral steering forces, and "motive" force.
TC:
Okay, having the rear wheels off the ground wasn't "real world". Can you see the analogy if I were to tell you I simply put two pans full of axle grease under both of the front then rear wheels? My point was that with the engine running and the transmission in gear I could hold my hand on the tread of either rear wheel, which I'm quite sure resulted in the opposite wheel spinning twice as fast. I have no idea why the Trac system didn't step in and brake the spinning wheel or wheels.
My point was to prove that the RX has three open differentials and without Trac to intervene, or LSD, one wheel losing traction and the RX will not move forward.
If it helps any I all I now am quite sure that both of my Jeeps shared this very same problem, except in the Jeep I had the option of bypassing the viscous clutch with a "solid" coupling.
Town & Country.
I happen to own both a 2000 T&C AWD and the 2001 RX300 AWD and I have the shop manual for both (2000 RX). There is no question that the T&C is predominantly FWD, Chrysler advertises it as such.
What amazed me was the great, substantial, simularity of the two drivelines, they are virtually the same. But the important point here is that the T&C clearly has a more complex and robust rear drive coupling (viscous, over-running, "dog-clutch") arrangement.
But the bottom line is that I see more simularities between the T&C (limited) and the RX than I do between the RX and the X5.
If you look around at some of the posts you will see complaints about the stiffness and harshness of the X5 suspension. The only complaint of this type I see about the RX is "how do I stiffen its too soft suspension".
No, the Chrysler T&C AWD Limited and the RX300 AWD are marketed to the very same group of folks, its just that Lexus chose to design their product along the lines, traditionally, of an SUV.
Allen
I just purchased a 2001 AWD RX300 with Goodyear Integrity tires. They are ok but had very thin sidewalls let alone a very nonaggressive tread for a SUV.
I went to SAM'S and purchased 5 Michelin Cross Trainer SUV tires at $129.00 apiece plus $9.00 for mounting, valves, road hazard warranty, free lifetime balance and rotations every 7500 miles.
Right now there is $50.00 rebate at SAM'S expiring Oct 31.
These new tires seem to grip the road better.
Noise level about the same. Can't wait to try these out on real snow!!
Hope this helps!
Excellent on wet roads, very strong sidewalls, quiet and an aggressive tread design. All in all very similiar tires other than the Bridestones are a bit more performance oriented while the Michelins probably give somewhat better tread life. Oh, and the Bridgestones cost about $35 less each and IMHO look better on the Rex.
You can't go wrong with either brand.
Results: better steering feel even than the Potenzas on my GS430, less tramlining, (as previously pointed out) more stable cornering feel. Also, quite a ways back, many posters complained of what sounded like alignment problems typically consisting of pulling to the right (tho some went left). Many dealer visits, many alignments, lots of incantations and rituals with front end components, not much result. Tire change seems to cure most, if not all of these woes.
No exp. with the Bridgestones, but these and the Michelins are what seem to be the predominant choice when tires have been discussed, here and on ClubLexus. Either is a VAST improvement over the Goodyears.
Thanks!
Is it possible to get a RX300 2002 with Nav for invoice price these days?
I am in Central NJ area.
Thanks... Alex
Sure it is, if your good natured brother owns the dealership.
DVD Player: $3500?!?!?!? No freakin way. I have the perfect solution: I recently bought a Panasonic portable DVD player for $500. It's the DVD-LV60 model. It's got a 5.8" screen, it's sleek as heck, and has loads of great functions (remote control, virtual surround sound, A/V output (for home use) AND input (using same connectors, just toggle b/w in- or output) for camcorder/playstation use. I connected the audio output to a cassette adapter, going into the car stereo. I place the player on the top of the dash (car parked, of course), and play my DVDs. The picture is great, it's comfortably watchable despite the screen size, and the sound through the Lexus Premium Sound System, with the player's Virtual Surround turned on, ABSOLUTELY ROCKS. It's pure luxury, at a rock-bottom price.
If I want to watch from the back seats, I simply place the player on the center console - it fits nicely because it's not a wide unit.
Power: the LI-ION battery goes for over 4 hours on a charge, or get a car power adapter set to 9V.
This is THE best solution for having a DVD player in the RX (it also plays CDs, VCDs, and MP3-CDs). I even get to use it in the other car, and in my home (basically anywhere).
Check it out - it's going for $600 in most places but I got it at a local electronics store for $500. I've seen it for $500 on the Internet, but if you'd rather play it safe, get if for a little more from reputable dealers. There are players with larger screens (7" or more), but I've read that their resolutions are not as good. The Sony unit had good reviews, but it is pricey!
I also have a laptop with a DVD player, and could do the same thing as the Panasonic, but it's much larger and would definitely NOT fit on the dash or console - I'd have to have it on my lap, which would not be comfortable and would not be watchable by anyone but me.
Next Gen RX: I saw a pic somewhere of the 2003 RX, which is basically the same as the current one but with headlights like on the new ES and Celica (pulled back look). I prefer the current headlights - much nicer. I dont remember where I saw the pic - some Japanese car site, maybe Toyota Of Japan ?
Tires: My 2001 RX came with Bridgestones ... anyone else have them? What are your thoughts?
RX at invoice: Ditto on that "good-natured brother" comment. Ain't no Lexus dealer gonna sell an RX at invoice. Maybe an IS close to invoice, but not the RX.
It's tricky to install, and makes a permanent change to your dash. The screen is too close to the shifter - you need to shift into drive just to get the screen out. When up, the screen completely blocks the stereo and climate controls, making them unusable. The pics look nice, but honestly, it's in a bad location and I don't see it as being easy to use given the factors I just listed.
I would suggest that, if you have a laptop computer, get the DeLorme GPS instead. It attaches to your laptop and has lots of great features - at least, reseach it as an option.
If you don't have a laptop, then get one! It's cheaper than getting a dedicated Nav for the Lex, and the bonus is ... you also get a laptop to use for other purposes (computer uses, DVD player, etc)
RX300: The Standard by Which All Luxury SUVs are Judged.
can get $4000 off the list on 2001 but the best deal I can get on 2002 is $1500 off. Any
advice?
Here in the Northeast (NY/NJ), the best prices we can get now seem to be consistent with the prices you have mentioned - $4000 off for MY2001 and about $1500 - $1800 off for MY2002.
It would be interesting to see where the prices that low ($500 off of MSRP) for MY2002.
Buying the RX:
Lexus is running a $1500 off program called Golden Opportunity - check it out. This is in addition to whatever you can negotiate.
If you can get a much better price for 01 leftovers, take it - the car is exactly the same as the 02.
As far as the 2003 RX, I think it interesting that a Toyota salesman would know more than any Lexus salesperson I've spoken with. Toyota/Lexus have traditionally held their cards very close; credible (notice "credible".....there is plenty of crap circulating on line purporting to be spy photos that look a GREAT deal like someone did some Photoshop editing of current vehicles) spy photos have been nonexistent for all other models for at least the last decade. Nor was anything shown at the recent Tokyo show that could have been interpreted as the new RX. I'm skeptical, in other words.
As far as price, probably ought to be able to do better, even this early in the model year.
My .02. Good luck.
But if you are indecisive about the RX vs the HL then let your wallet decide, other than a few rather expensive luxury items and a few trinkets sprinkled here and there in the RX, they are the same vehicle.
On one road trip, I got her up to 21.8. Now that I have this little computer screen to tell me stuff like this, I never knew the true excitement factor from gaining mpg's!
As to buying an "SUV" without AWD, I see you've bought into their sales hype too. If you want a true SUV, buy a Jeep. I've ditched my luggage rack (instantly personalized the vehicle! *Everyone* still drives with the luggage rack. I've seen only one other non rack RX and there's a pantload of them in our valley.)
and intend to mount wider, performace styled tires (like the BMW's) and IMO, it's more car like than "SUV" like. I like the looks of the "SUV" models more than mini van models (although, the new Chrysler design isn't bad). That's why I chose the SSRX300. Not because it's labeled an "SUV", but for its looks and prestige.
When we originally set out to buy our Silversport, navigation was key. We thought we *had* to have it. During the buying process, we came to realize how little it would get used.
A trip here, a trip there. We already know how to get to Vegas and Santa Barbara. And I grew up learning how to read the road atlas, so if we decide to get real adventurous and head out to, say, the Grand Canyon, I'll pull out the Rand McNally. We've also been told by different people that navigation has little to no resale value.
The feature that clinched our decision to ditch the idea of navigation was the built in compass in the rear view mirror. Excellent feature, possibily the best of the car.
Even though Lexus gives you this great rental when you go for service, I still have a difficult time surrendering her for the day. I've got some serious "drive thru brake noise" (slow left turn), the moonroof popping (curious to see if they can do anything with this--I know its cause is the differing ambient temps, but it's much worse in the RX than it was in my Rav4.), speaker rattle in the upper driver's door, and this really bizarre overspray that is visible only at early morning or late evening. IOW, direct, low sunlight. There's a pitting over some parts of the windshield. You can see where someone tried to get it off in portions of the windshield. Now that daylight savings time has arrived, they will be able to see what I'm describing.
To the person considering buying--I think you can do better than the price you were quoted. Back in July, I bought a Silversport for $35.247.
That included chromes. No nav, heated seats or HID. With all the other companies offering 0% financing, my guess is on Oct. 29-31, you can write a better deal than the one they quoted.
Enough rambling. Out.
I must admit my Rxs' performance has steadily improved (in all respects) as I've broken it in and piled on the miles. (My buds HL is brand new). IE, it's faster and gets better mileage.
You have to be blind not to realize that the Rx has the most distinctive styling of any SUV.
I think most women, "babes" on seeing a guy driving around in an RX300 would assume, probably correctly, that he bought it to please his wife.
In my experience many women do like to set up high in an SUV while driving, and what women would refuse an RX300 luxury "ride".
But "Babes"? Maybe the rules have changed since I got married 38 years ago.
Distinctive styling: If I took off all the labels on an RX and an MDX how quickly could you pick which is which?
You need to come out of the woods more often my friend, and stop harassing Lexus with e-mails :-{
You got married 38 years ago? That is a LONG time. Props to your wife.
Anyway, since I got the RX, I have noticed a TON of women checking it out. It is really a babe magnet, or whatever you may call it. I believe they just love the look of it, and see it as a sign of luxury. It aint a 360 Modena, but it still catches their attention - and who's to complain (maybe some people would ;-))? Yes, the rules have indeed changed in 4 decades. They changed 3 decades ago!
I can definitely tell the difference between an RX and MDX, badge or no. The RX is as distinctive a designas you can get. Now if you took the labels off a Expedition/Navigator, or Envoy/Trailblazer, or Tahoe/Escalade, then maybe I'd have problems there.
I dont know about it being a babe magnet - but all my friends (both sexes) love it.
And its definitely distinctive- and _does_ stand apart from the MDX too.
Senthil