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Lexus ES 300/ES 330
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Comments
Any owners have similar problem or suggestion?
Thanks
1. Open the glove box
2. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the screw on the right side of the glove box
3. On the upper inside of the glove box, there are two black plastic pins. Turn them counter-clockwise and pull to remove them.
4. Then lower the glove box out of the way
5. The filter will be in a tray, upper left. Pull out the tray and remove the filter from the tray
The owners manual, with pictures of the above is available online at the Lexus Owners site:
https://auth.owners.lexus.com/lexusowners/auth/ssl/OwnersLogin
If you have not registered there, you'll need your vehicle's VIN number.
Is it worth to get a Nav at all? Looking to buy ES330 debate w or w/out NAV.
bjk
1. Toyota NAV added about $1000 to the cost of the car.
2. It works very well in my area (Midwest).
3. It sometimes states I've arrived at my location even though the location still may be up to 300 feet away. That's only happened a few times, but it has happened. I have always been able to see my final destination from that point. The INFO button gives you a lot of information about your destination, including a phone number if you need it.
4. You can use "North up" orientation (like looking at a map), or you can use "Heads up" orientation that always shows the direction you are traveling. I like Heads Up better because it always shows the roads I'm coming to, but not all in my family agree. But with the push of a button you can switch either way.
5. The Toyota NAV manual is 125 pages. You should read them all. Most have to do with using NAV, but you also have other features like the Calendar that allows you to schedule oil changes and other maintenance, dental appointments, write notes to yourself, etc.
6. Would I spend the $1000 again based upon what I know now even though the system is not yet perfect? Definitely yes. The display along with the voice guidance is a big help when you are in areas unfamiliar to you. Could Mapquest give you the same thing? Somewhat. But Mapquest can't tell you when your turn is coming up, whether to be in the right or left lane, and written directions aren't much good when you are trying to decide which lane to be in at 65 mph. Knowing that my exit is 2 miles on the left can make a big difference if I'm in the far-right lane and need to get over to the left lane.
7. You can choose from these routing options: Quickest, Shortest and I forget the other one! I like the "route preview", which allows you to see a video of your entire route from start to finish, no matter how far away it is. If I see the route takes I-270 around a city instead of I-70 through the city, I can alter my routing preference.
8. If you miss a designated turn, the system will either tell you to take a legal U-turn or it will simply re-route you -- whichever makes the most sense. In some cases, if there is no U-turn, it will just recalculate a new route for you to the final destination.
It's not perfected yet and you still have to use common sense. But if I only had a choice between a moonroof, or a CD changer, or leather vs. the NAV, I'd go for the Nav.
Of course, if you never drive outside of your local area, you would probably never use it.
I apologize for the excessive information, but i kinda bought this blind (because I do a lot of business travel) and maybe my experience can help you avoid that. I've used the HERTZ Neverlost system many times. It's very, very good. But the Toyota DVD system does everything the Hertz system does, does it better and easier, and does quite a lot more.
But I had to go to St. Louis today which is about 150 miles from my home. I know the city okay, but nothing specific. Once I got my business done, I wanted to find an REI (outdoor recreation store) in St. Louis. I just punched in REI and it located the store address and phone number for me and routed me there with no problems. Then I needed to find an Office Depot or Office Max. Punched in Office Depot and it gave me the address, phone number and the route. If I had wanted to stop at an Italian or Chinese restaurant, the system would find those for me, too. But, I needed to get home, so I hit the memory button which stores 6 locations and punched in my home address. The system gave me 3 route choices, I selected the route I wanted and off I went. In 8 hours today, the system never gave me a wrong turn or any incorrect information.
It's definitely a lot of money. But I travel to Chicago and St. Louis quite often and if I had the money, I would always choose the navigation. My daughter will be taking a job in Chicago and she is very bad at directions and orienting herself and she would be the first to admit that. Living in a city that size and not knowing how to get to a client would take some learning. The NAV would probably be a big help to her. As I mentioned previously, it's hard to read a map and drive at the same time. It's nice to have the voice tell you that your turn is coming up.
Now if you never drive more than 25 miles from your home and you don't live in a metropolitan city, then I can't see a great benefit. I do think in 10 or 15 years NAV systems will be very common on most cars.
If you live in a Texas border town, then I'd say pass. If you live in a metro area, I think the NAV might be beneficial. Just my opinion. But I sure like mine and I haven't second-guessed the money part of it since I first used it.
I would ask the dealer to test drive any car with NAV first, if they have one on the lot. I drove a Highlander because the car I wanted didn't have it. Or you could rent a Hertz car for a day that has Navigation. If you like that system, you will like the LEXUS system even more. The Hertz system uses a joystick to pick letters for a street address, while the Lexus system simply uses a touch screen.
Good luck.
By the way, I won't demean this salesman. But I wonder what if he only had your color WITH navigation? He'd might be telling you never to leave home without it! Basically, they want to sell you whatever is on the lot and I don't blame them for that. Having to order you one, means you could look and buy elsewhere.
One week a dealer only had a Red V6 I wanted and, of course, that was the most popular color. Two weeks later, he only had a Silver V6 on the lot and, of course, that was now the most popular color. So buy what you want and if you have to go somewhere else to get it, so be it. You'll have to live with it for awhile. Again, good luck.
Anyway, if you have any specific questions about the NAV, I'd be glad to try to answer them before Sunday. The car I bought I plan on keeping for 7 or 8 years, so dividing the price by that many years didn't seem like a lot. But if you are not familiar with the area you are in, it really makes finding a car dealership, hotel, restaurant, a Home Depot, Lowes, Sears store, etc. very easy. You just punch in Sears and it will give you a list of every Sears stores within so many miles. It will tell you how far each is away, the direction from your current location and then a route to the store.
NAVs are not "important" in the sense that a rear view mirror or steering wheel is. It is whether or not you value a NAV. If you travel out of town more than a couple of times per year, a NAV would be very useful. If you live in a large metropolitan area and like to explore different areas, a NAV is very worthwhile.
On the other hand, if you travel the same routes all the time, and seldom venture to unfamiliar areas, then NAV will probably not be worthwhile. If you live in a small to medium area, one that is outside the area that NAV advertises to work in, and you never venture out of that area, then NAV would be a complete waste of money.
If you think you want a NAV, and you plan to keep the car for more than three years, I'd hold out for a NAV. If you don't plan to keep the car for three years or so, then you can always comfort yourself that your next vehicle can have a NAV if you want one at that time.
Regarding your dealer's ability to find the car with the options that you like - I believe that it depends on the region you live in. In Southern California, for example, it is easy for dealers to swap cars with one another.
I think it is dangerous to be rushed regardless of your situation. You are ripe for being taken advantage of regardless of whose ex-boyfriend he is. You are sure not to get a good deal if you rush.
Atoews point about how long you would keep the car is definitely something to consider.
Do you think it was just too much trouble finding me a black garnet pearl color?
There are SO many large dealerships in southern california that it is inconceivable to me that you would not be able to locate the car you want (with the exception of Starlight Pearl, a color I have only seen in Texas).
If your dealer won't do it for you, then call the Riverside dealer, the San Bernardino dealer and the Cerritos dealer. They are huge and have huge inventories. You should not have to do this. Your dealer should do it for you, in my opinion. In fact, each dealer receives a list of cars delivered in their regions from toyota.
When I purchased my car, the dealer did not have the car I wanted and I had to wait a couple of weeks for them to locate one. You have to decide whether the wait would be worth it for your color.
Any dealer is going to want to make a sale in the smallest amount of time possible. If I were you, I'd tell the salesman the car I wanted, and make him find it for you.
Definitely try carsdirect.com or even the lexus site to get multiple dealers to give you a quote and see if they can come up with your car.
Another note. If I were faced with having to make a choice between my first choice color with no NAV, and my second choice color with NAV, I'd sacrifice my preferred color for the NAV.
Good luck!
bjk
You need to ask yourself some questions relative to the NAV system:
WHat do primarily do with your car? By that I mean do you basically use your car for work purposes, errands, shopping, visits to friends etc.
If it's primarily for these reasons, why spend $2K on a NAV system? It would be kind of a waste of money.
Do you go alot of new places where you need directions to get to or a map? Such as on vacations with your car or travel for work.
If so, the NAV may be for you.
Remember the NAV is quite expensive for basically a electronic Map. Don't forget the updates get expensive also.
The salesman is kinda right, NAV systems are very useful for people like traveling salesman and real estate agents. And I'm sure they are usful for people in other professions also or for people that travel alot by driving.
My DH has the avalon desert sand mica and I am buying a es330, and was thinking about the mystic gold, but is it the exact same gold as the avalon?
Anyone know?
I 'm planning to buy either "Garmin iQue 3600"(GPS integrated in Palm) or "Mitac Mio 168" (GPS integrated in Pocket PC) instead of Lexus NAV. (anyone interested in them just Google them, I can not put a link here)
Pros:
1,it covers almost all the functionality (including voice guidence) as an electronic map.
2,They are much cheaper than Lexus NAV.
3,They are much easier to be upgraded (for new data) and with a much cheaper price when necessary than Lexus NAV.
4,You can use it without driving your car, i.e. travel by air to another city.
5,When you are driving, others (even in the backseat) can help you to use it if necessary.
6, They work as a personal organizer as well.
Cons:
1,it's not intergrated in the car, so can not work as a nice display for other purpose like CD-player.
2,If you live or travel to a bad neighbourhood area, you have to remember to remove the NAV when you leave the car.
Others:
1, Bettery life is not an issue, since you have the auto kit (including the Car charger for car cigarette plug to cradle connector and PDA mounting holster)
2,Mitac Mio 168 has a 3D view for the map, it's looks straightforward if you like it.
3,I have never use any of the 3, all these come from the review and message board, any experience are welcome.
Piera
Routis 2004 for PocketPCs and Windows laptops or some of the dedicated navigation units and navigation/stereo combo units are nice.
It's nicer to have the built in units if you're willing to spend the extra money for convenience.
I prefer the built in units since they are more user-friendly and have many more POIs (restaurants, shopping etc.) in the DVD based database compared to what fits on an SD card, but the price!
If you already own a newer PocketPC, Routis 2004 software for maps and routing, plus a compact flash or Bluetooth GPS hardware unit to access the satellites will only cost $200-$300 or so for both.
Just try all 3 and you will realize that the build-in NAV is so much more convenient to use.
Mobil one, if good, means that you don't have to buy another car for $2K+ more on Nav.
But,
The PDA types are not touch screen, which is very useful when you are using it in a car. Plus, the screen is much smaller than the built-in one.
The screen is smaller than a unit built into the ES330, but big enough to read.
If you load the Routis software on a laptop you can have a big screen if you want, but a laptop is not as easy to mount in a car and then you lose touchscreen functionality if you load it on a laptop. But the software costs about $90. You cannot expect everything for that price.
http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_- - - - - Code=DE&Product_Code=RSSA&Category_Code=GS
You need a PocketPC with 64MB RAM and both SD and CF memory slots, plus a PDA mount. The SD slot is for storage space to load maps using SD cards and the CF slot is for plugging in a GPS antenna.
They make PDA mounts that use suction cups to connect to the windshield, or plug into cup holders or clip to A/C vents. You wouldn't leave it there all the time. Either you take the PDA with you or you hide it in the console or glove box when you leave the car. You could continue to use the PDA for other purposes (calendar, address book etc.).
Then you need an extra SD card from 128MB to 1GB depending on how wide of an area you want to keep loaded.
To hear the nav system commands over radio and road noise, you can either get a PDA mount with a built-in speaker or you can plug the PDA's headphone output into your stereo system with some kind of AUX input (You could load WMA or MP3 files on the PDA so you can listen to music through the PPC at the same time if you have enough space for that plus the maps you want to load.)
If you use a laptop instead of a PPC, you could just load the entire US map onto your harddrive, but you will have a harder time getting the laptop mounted and carrying it around. You can plug the GPS antenna into a laptop with a CF card adapater for PC slots or get a USB GPS unit instead.
They also make wireless Bluetooth GPS antennas that you could use with either a laptop or PocketPC (if they were BT capable) but they cost more and use batteries that will need recharging after use.
The BT units are nice though since you wouldn't have to physically connect it to your PPC or laptop.
Also, no matter where you mount it, dash mount, a/c duck mount, it doesn't look good like a factory unit. For the money I am going to spend for my ES330 $35K I won't put something UGLY on my dash board. Also keep in mind when its time to trade in your ES330 with NAV sounds more luxury. These are just my 2 cents.
A PocketPC doesn't take long to boot up like a laptop and you shouldn't be messing with it while driving anyway. Even most built in nav systems like the one in the ES330 block you from setting up routes unless the car is in Park.
Resale is no justification. It doesn't make sense to spend around $2000 to get $500 extra resale value 3 years later. For people who didn't want the Mark Levinson stereo and were "forced" to take it just to get the nav system in an ES330, the cost is even higher.
The massive depreciation on built-in nav systems is so severe, it reduces the car's residual percentage on a lease.
For people who would use the nav system constantly and would have to keep removing and reconnecting a portable unit several times a day to prevent tempting thieves, the built-in system makes the most sense.
At any speed - 65, 70, 75, whatever - you can select one of 5 pre-programmed memory destinations (e.g. your Home address), plus Hospitals, Police, etc. There is no speed limitation on those addresses and the system will automatically re-route you based upon the selection you make.
I agree with you that the cost is probably hard to justify for most people. Since I usually keep my vehicles for 7-8 years I'm not worried about the depreciation. And my line of work allows me to use the NAV more than most people would.
Plus having a portable system cluttering up my car is just not something I would like. I can't say how the Toyota/Lexus systems compare to others, but I sure like mine. It has been very accurate and very user-friendly.
There are significant advantages to a built-in NAV system. I made the mistake of purchasing my previous Lexus with the same line of logic as yours four years ago and have regreted it since.
This year, I've tested out the NAV systems from Lexus, Volvo, Infiniti and BMW. Lexus' touch-screen based system is superior hands down. My background is in software, so I'm really picky about the NAV system's software and user interface.
For 2004, ES330 has a new generation NAV system with upgraded POI database and faster routing speed. The system is still based on the proven Denso NAV platform.
J.
Having XM radio incorporated into the radio was really great.....this new ES330 does seem a little dated in that department. My other point is the slow shifting tranny, but I am sure that has been beat to death here. I love the ride and the quietness. Also does the treadwear rating of 140 translate into 28,000 miles? Saw somewhere you double the numbers and mutiply by 1000. Correct? Anyway, hello and hope we all can enjoy the Lexus "experience". We had a RX300 for 4 yrs. and loved it. Thanks and hello!
Maybe when they totally change the design for 2007.
Just purchased a 2004, the dealer said he never heard of this incentive which is listed on Edmunds and all the other car buying places as a finance incentive, then he wouldnt take a draft from capital one for 3.6%
Said my rate would be 4.75%. Our credit rating was very high by the way. Am I being foolish to settle for this or I am just being picky? I already signed the papers but havent taken delivery yet. Also we said we wanted to take the actual car for a quick test drive and they stopped the registration process, saying it had to be on their plates. So we are doing that today.
thank-you
The 3.3L is not really a new engine. It is merely a enlarged version of the 3L V6 currently in the Camry V6(except SE which has the 3.3L).
The current bodystyle ES330 won't be getting a new engine either. The next generation ES is only a bit over 2 years away, and that will probably get the 3.5L V6 if the Avalon does.
As in the past you can bet the Avalon, Camry, ES, RX, Sienna will get basically the same engines. If the Avalon gets a 3.5L V6 so will the ES.
Take for example the ES over the years:
1st generation ES300(92-96):
92-93 had 3.0L ironblock V6.
94-96 had a redesigned 3.0L aluminum block V6.
2nd generation ES300(97-01):
97-98 had a 3.0L V6 basically carried over from 96 ES with minor mods for improved power/efficiency.
99-01 saw the implementation of VVTi heads on the 3.0L V6.
3rd Generation ES300/330(02-06?)
02-03: basically the same engine as 99-01 ES300.
04 sees a enlarged version of the 3.0L V6 to 3.3 liters.
See a trend? See how the 3rd model brings improvements?
I don't believe the 3.0L V6 in the next GS. I won't believe it until I see real specs released. I think Toyota/Lexus is hiding alot about the next GS.