Lexus RX 300

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Comments

  • avery1avery1 Member Posts: 373
    The key can be programmed to roll all the windows down if the unlock button is held down for a couple of seconds. This has been erratic lately. Sometimes it works as it should and some times the windows don't go down. This has been verified by a service technician but they have no record of this happening. Any of you had this happen?
  • fedlawmanfedlawman Member Posts: 3,118
    I would love to get a V8, but my civil servant salary, 401K, Roth IRA, mortgage, college funds, etc. don't make it prudent.

    I'll settle for a 6 banger and let the "G" provide me my daily dose of V8!
  • mooretorquemooretorque Member Posts: 241
    fedlawman, I can certainly sympathize. I didn't even START adding rugmunchers to the family till I was 40. I anticipate working........forever, if the noodles upstairs don't go.

    It's good that Uncle properly equips you.....
  • tristan2tristan2 Member Posts: 5
    I also complained to the service technician about this. He told me that the window down only works inside a radius that is set when you lock the car. Thus, if you last lock your car from 2 meters away, the window down will only work within 2 meters. If you last lock your car from 10 meters away, the window down will only work from within 10 meters.

    I did not check this afterward, but though it was weird to implemented that way. It would mean, that the logic for the window would look at the signal strength?

    PS: The other thing I learned, was that the remote is "turned off" if another lexus remote is operated close to your lexus. Unlocking manually turns it back on. So, do not park next to another lexus.
  • kmhkmh Member Posts: 143
    hmm. I have 2 RXs in my garage but don't ever recall having trouble opening one or the other up with the remotes... Also, the distance thing seems rather incredulous. I'll have to try out these notables and see if that's really fact or fiction...
  • jiaminjiamin Member Posts: 556
    No it does not sound like a good design if it is like that. With that, if my last lock was at 2 meter distance, and now I want to roll down windows at 10 meter distance, I have to press "lock" again (even if it's already locked) to teach the car to accept 10 meter radius, then press and hold the "unlock" to roll windows down.
    I'll check that later.
  • mrrogersmrrogers Member Posts: 391
    about children, mortage, 401K, etc. cutting in to the amount available for the auto. We can all identify with that. It reminds me of Thomas Stanley's book, "The Millionaire Next Door." Stanley says that most millionaires drive Fords. He did add that some buy used late model high end cars like Lexus, Acura, and Infinity if they can get the right deal. He claims they actually look to find some yuppie who is over his or her head financially, and see if they can buy the car for a steal. I find the concept intriguing. Can anyone offer advice as to how one would go about buying a late model high end car this way?
  • mooretorquemooretorque Member Posts: 241
    hang around enron or kmart corporate offices? or get to know your bank's loan officer well.......
  • imariquinnimariquinn Member Posts: 96
    what kind of SUV to get, I finally settled on a white Lexus RX300 and picked it up Sat 1/19. Leased an '02 FWD non-nav with prem plus pkg. Emailed the fleet-internet dept at my local dealer and agreed to $34504, $450 acq fee. $900 down (inc first payment). 39m at $489m + tax. I am happy and it does ride great! Lexus of Palm Beach

    At 33, I finally got my first luxury car brand (after several Honda's) and I can see it is spoiling!

    Christine
  • mooretorquemooretorque Member Posts: 241
    Congratulations, imariquinn!!! Now you'll never go back to the Dark Side, having experienced the true power of the (Lexus) Force!
  • fedlawmanfedlawman Member Posts: 3,118
    I read "The Millionnaire Next Door" a little over a year ago and found it fascinating. I try to practice what I preach and I do, MOST of the time.

    My '93 Accord EX has been flawless since I bought it new (the longest I have ever kept a car!). It is, however, approaching 90,000 miles and I'm looking at another 30K service, timing belt replacement, and a transmission service...I'm guessing at least $1000.

    It's probably foolish to get rid of the Honda but, since I bought my Buick Rendezvous this past summer, I've become spoiled by amenities and luxury I've never had before. All of a sudden, my Honda is noisy and cheap, and I've been dreaming about an "upscale" replacement for it.

    I'll probably keep the Honda (it is what a "millionnaire" would do) but, I may be smitten by an offer I can't refuse!
  • gambiamangambiaman Member Posts: 131
    My windows down function seemed to work fine until I had Lexus reprogram the unlock button on the key to unlock all doors with one push instead of two pushes. Since I had this done the auto window down function only works from right next to the car and then only erratically. I used to be able to use it from about 20-30 feet from the car and when I got to the car all the windows would be down. Haven't been back to Lexus since it was changed to ask them about it. I thought maybe the battery in the key was weak so I put in a fresh battery but it had no effect on the remote function. I can lock or unlock the car from 30 feet or further away sometimes. Maybe the battery voltage drops when you continue holding the button down?
  • avery1avery1 Member Posts: 373
    Gambiaman, same exact thing here. I had my remote reprogrammed to unlock the doors with one push. I thought the battery was low and had them replace it with no improvement. As you stated I can still unlock from half a block away but the window down will work only from up close and not every time. It used to be nice to roll them all down from a half a block away so that all the hot air could escape before I got there. Sounds like we should both harass Lexus for a cure.
  • tariktarik Member Posts: 344
    Hey, put me on the list, too. I never went back to the dealer after I noticed, but might mention it now since the Rex is up for the 30k soon.

    Tarik
  • rpawlak98rpawlak98 Member Posts: 28
    I looked at the RX300 yesterday and I believe the salesman mention a $1500 incentive. Does anyone know about this? Is there a $1500 dealer cash back incentive now and how long will it last?
  • karen_tnkaren_tn Member Posts: 22
    I saw it last summer before I bought my RX300. Think it started about the same time the Highlander came out.
  • johngreisjohngreis Member Posts: 70
    Some one said a few posts back to clean your windshield with Bon Ami. Had the wifie-pooh get some at the grocery store. The back of the container says DO NOT USE ON GLASS. Chked the Bon Ami web site and they have 3 cleaners. One is a glass cleaner.

    Get the right one.
  • lakeannalakeanna Member Posts: 5
    gteach26. I was unable to email you. I would love to know the name of the dealership and the name of the salesperson. That was a very good deal. Thanks
  • spakcharspakchar Member Posts: 37
    revisisting the old dicussion about what kind of gas you should use--I just drove from az to nc for the 3rd time in my RX. I finally noticed that In NM, TX, and OK they sell 86 octane as regular! This explains a past experience when I thought I got some bad gas when I decided to fuel up at some remote texas gas station. My perception is the electronics in the engines fuel metering system can't compensate for such substandard gas.
    For the past 8 months I've used regular (87 octane)90% of the time, only during the period when fuel prices were declining sharply did I try the mid grade. I think it's impossible to detect any difference in performance or fuel economy when using the more expensive fuel.
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Yeah.. but that's in High-Altitude areas :)

    In places like CO for example, regular is 85, mid is 87, premium is 89-90

    Bill
  • jiaminjiamin Member Posts: 556
    My wife is driving the RX300 so I don't have first-hand info about the difference among different octanes on RX300. However on my Maxima, I've been using 87 and 91 all the time, and saved most of the receipt for MPG calculation. Basically over the past five years I couldn't find ANY difference using 87 and 91, idle smoothness, MPG, acceleration, whatsoever. There are people who found big difference...
  • sybelesybele Member Posts: 42
    Last week I took my 99RX for the 30K scheduled maintenance service at Performance Lexus of Cincinnati. Before picking it up, the service manager called to tell me that the rear break pads were down to 15%, while the front ones were down to 30%. If I wanted them replaced, it would cost me $300, just for the rear pads. Of course I refused to pay the $300 on top of the $400 he was already charging for the 30K service.

    To make the story short, today I took the RX to Lexus of Dayton, to get a second opinion. Guess what, both the front and rear pads were only down to 50%. In addition, they mentioned that the struts and shock absorbers were in perfect condition, both of which my local dealer wants to replace.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    fedlawman

    white/ivory Platinum ed.

    Call me at strobedata.com after the 5th.

    Watching saleens at daytona this week.
  • serenoaserenoa Member Posts: 21
    Perhaps this is best addressed to the Host, but with regard to the $1500 incentive mentioned in posts #4224-5, no incentives show on the Edmunds web site. One of the posts indicate that this incentive has been in effect for a long time. Does this mean that we cannot rely on the web site to be accurate? How is the info on incentives obtained for the web site?
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    No incentive showing on my info either. May be a regional thing.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    This link explains a little bit about how Edmunds.com gets its incentive information:

    Incentives, Rebates and Holdbacks

    Hope there's enough there to answer your questions.

    Steve
    Host
    SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
  • regularguyregularguy Member Posts: 29
    I've been shopping for a Highlander Limited with FWD, even though I really wanted the RX300. This evening, I noticed on the local Lexus dealer's website that he has a couple of new '01 models on the lot. FWD seems not to exist at all for the 2002 models in my area.

    Anyhow, my question is about price. The website shows last year's MSRP (I think). Anybody have a thought as to what's a reasonable deduction for it being a third of the way into the next model year? Does Edmund's used car calculator have any validity in this?
  • gambiamangambiaman Member Posts: 131
    The one button unlock function should have no effect on the window down function but that certainly does not appear to be the case. I plan on taking my wife's ES300 for service in a couple of weeks. Will ask about it then. Although they will probably just tell me that the manual says the remote only works "within 3 feet of the vehicle." We know the lock/unlock function works much further away than that.
  • rparisrparis Member Posts: 368
    Glass Wax works great, but be certain after it dries, to wipe all of it off.
  • tariktarik Member Posts: 344
    I once read that pressing the remote to your chin while using it will extend its reach. Although it looks kinda weird, it does work. Only problem is that if you keep pushing for the window-down the chin will start to hurt after a while - well, a compromise after all...

    Tarik
  • sulawlesssulawless Member Posts: 3
    I was just quoted $350 for my 15K service. This seems high for a glorified oil change. Do I really need this? Do I void my warranty if I don't do it? Is there someone else that can do it cheaper?
  • jiaminjiamin Member Posts: 556
    Yes a Circuit City person showed me the same method. Don't have to press the chin so hard. Human body in this case works as an extended antenna.
  • jeffmust2jeffmust2 Member Posts: 811
    Pressing the RX remote with one's chin in the immediate vicinity sounds like a modification of its electrical properties.

    This is "Willard Territory" and I demand that everyone on this board cease and desist from stealing his material.

    P.S. - Does this mean that Jay Leno could operate an RX remote from a different Zip Code and still make it work?
  • mrrogersmrrogers Member Posts: 391
    Toyota dealer for oil changes.
  • mooretorquemooretorque Member Posts: 241
    Jeff, you have a good point. Myself, I just wear an aluminum foil head cone to serve as a directional RF antenna........
  • tariktarik Member Posts: 344
    You're killin' me... ...belly ache...

    Tarik
  • fariebonesfariebones Member Posts: 4
    Thanks to everyone that helped in my search. I didn't end up getting it at riverside because they were not going to get the car in until mid Feb. So I found a dealer that would honor the price. If someone is looking for a 2002 Rx in the bay area, I recommend Lexus of Marin. I did all of negotiations on the phone(which was simple) so all I had to do was walk in a sign papers. Very easy and very nice people.
    I worked with Patricia Krvavica
    If anyone decides to go to her, Tell her that Farah Freeman recommended you. I highly recommend them. Loving the my RX 300!

    P.S. If you have any questions email me Farfonkle@aol.com
  • gambiamangambiaman Member Posts: 131
    Your post indicated your brake pads were 50% worn out at 30K miles. I know that driving habits can greatly influence brake pad life but look at the below data from a C&D long term report on a 99 RX. I doubt the C&D drivers babied the vehicle either.
    "LONG-TERM TEST: Lexus RX300"
    Life expectancies (extrapolated from 40,000-mile test):
    Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82,000 miles

    Front brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . more than 100,000 miles
    Rear brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .more than 100,000 miles
    A lot more than 30K.
    Just food for thought.
  • gxheldgxheld Member Posts: 1
    If your concerned about safety and have loved ones, you probably smart to buy anything but a Lexus. My wife was in a one month old RX300 that was hit broadside by a drunk. Her vehicle was pushed laterally approximately 40 feet into a telephone pole, overturned and demolished. Since we had owned Lexus vehicles in the past, after a visit to the hospital I contacted Lexus as I was concerned about the fact that the driver side airbag failed to deploy. After a series of calls they finally sent an 'engineer' to examine the wrecked RX300 in the junk yard. He took a few photos. As an engineer, I wrote Lexus asking for the specifications for the airbag deployment. In spite of several letters they never sent me the data requested, however, several months later Lexus told me the airbag failed to deploy due to an insufficient impact! When I asked them why the vehicle flipped over due to an insufficient impact they refused to comment.


    You be the judge. Go to http://www.geocities.com/gil_held/


    for information and pictures. So far, several persons have contacted me concerning similar apparent airbag failures. If you value the life of your loved ones at the very least get your Lexus checked.

  • karen_tnkaren_tn Member Posts: 22
    Just be thankful she is alive. I still say RX300 is a safe vehicle.
  • dunaldunal Member Posts: 3
    Any information or web site on new 2003 RX300 picture or price?
  • outrunoutrun Member Posts: 539
    gxheld,

    I'm sorry your wife got into an accident and glad she's alive to tell the story.

    Now that that's out of the way.. Are you frickin' crazy? The car was smacked by a drunk (probably going fast), pushed the RX 40 feet into a pole, then rolled over.

    Your wife is alive. And you're complaining.

    It appears that the impact was at the rear of the car. Looking at the back, it looks like it was a rear-end collision (but you state that the car moved laterally, so I'm confused). If she wasn't hit on the driver door, why would the drive side airbag go off? I believe that it's only for side impact on the door itself. A hit on the driver side rear would cause the car to rotate counter clockwise, causing the driver to be pushed towards the center of the car initially. Looking at the damage, this accident did NOT take place on the driver side door.

    To be honest, from the damage in the pictures, I don't see why an airbag would go off.

    Dude, I'd kiss Lexus's behind at this point, thank them for a well designed vehicle, and count your lucky stars that she's alive.

    -Craig
  • tariktarik Member Posts: 344
    Sorry to hear what happened, glad she has escaped the accident alive.

    Regarding the incident, I believe outrun is right in that the airbag's sensors should only be triggered under certain circumstances. I have heard people talk about suing manufacturers over airbags which didn't deploy after a rear-end collision - why should they? Another thing of interest is which description of the accident is more correct, Her vehicle was pushed laterally approximately 40 feet into a telephone pole, overturned and demolished from the above post, or The impact was with sufficient force to flip the vehicle over, push it approximately 20 feet into a telephone pole and total the RX300! from your webpage. There, you also mention that ...the driver and left rear passenger doors were struck..., leaving me wondering which side of the Rex actually took the blow?

    Looks to me like the car got hit in the left rear door, "climbed" the opponent's hood and tipped over (it still is an SUV with a high center of gravity), and then slid into a pole which would explain the damage to the hatch area.

    Don't get me wrong, things need to be sorted out, but the whole approach is a little too sensational for my taste, maybe you should worry more about her well being than others'.

    Tarik
  • rmnixonrmnixon Member Posts: 21
    Wife has 99 RX 300 with a rattle in front of the gauge cluster. Seems to me that it is coming from the vent area for the defroster. Lexus says on 99s there is something about the clips holding the dash in place. They need the vehicle for one to two days to remove the dash and then put it back together. Anyone else have a similar problem?? Thanks.
  • tariktarik Member Posts: 344
    The '99s saw lots of complaints regarding rattles and noises inside the cabin, coming from the dash, instrument cluster, console, and glovebox areas. There are countless technical service bulletins out, covering possible quieting measures to cure these annoyances. At Alldata you can see just a list, at the NHTSA website you will need to specify your vehicle to retrieve all TSBs.


    Good luck and keep us posted,


    Tarik

  • dorothyctdorothyct Member Posts: 24
    Picked up my RX last night and I am thrilled!

    I love the HID headlamps - had no idea they were going to be so awesome! Also in love with the stereo and all the luxurious features that this vehicle has.

    Rolled over 115 miles today. I think I'll take the long way to the store tomorrow. :)

    Dorothy

    P.S. For anyone who cares - they came with the Bridgestone tires.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Congratulations, Dorothy!

    Rolled over 115 miles today.

    Since we're talking SUVs here you might want to rephrase that! ;-)

    tidester
    Host
    SUVs
  • dorothyctdorothyct Member Posts: 24
    Odometer hit 115 today.

    :)

    Loving every second.
  • fantomfantom Member Posts: 211
    When I was at the local Lexus shop last week I noticed that some non-AWD new Rx-300s had Bridgestone Dueller H/L tires with nothing specific on the window sticker to indicate why.

    Maybe someone is listening!
  • toydrivertoydriver Member Posts: 227
    I drive a '99 RX AWD with 40K miles on the original Goodyear tires. They will need replacing before long, so I'm asking for advice on replacement tires. I don't need or want deeply grooved suv tires. I want a quiet, comfortable ride, and plan to keep the car until it dies.
    Any suggestions?
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