Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
So I need to buy the regular one !. Is anyone has the problem with Thoudercloud edition. Please let us know, Thank u very much
Respectfully, my car, which I purchased in April, 2005 in Southern California, was built in Japan. That fact was evidenced by various documents that came with the car, and was also reflected in my car's VIN number, which began with the letter "J", signifying Japanese manufacture.
Perhaps now that the RX 400 hybrid is made in Japan, all future non-hybrid RXs destined for North America will come from Canada, but I don't know if that is a fact. Can anybody else affirmatively shed light on this ?
But I done a little research before I go to dealer. I think it's true!
In the global village ! Business will cut their cost, max profit in all ways to keep compete with others.
The Japanese standard of living is very high.I went there twice last year. Everything is expense & expense. So if the low end car Made in Japan then ship to USA will be no profit.( also weak US Dollar VS Japanese Yen, they will loose money)
So the Toyota build plants in USA, long time ago. (may check Toyota.com).
Even the BMW build low end model assmblely-line in China last year.(3 series) to supply China market. Audi & GM already there several years ago.
But some person still looking for German made BMW, Mercedes & Audi.
I will not to buy a BMW made in China now. May be later year.
The recent Hyundai motor ad show they also build a plant in USA now to improve their quality image than Korea made Hyundai.
Please check the following link. You will be wonder how many car are made in Canada now.
http://www.canadianmade.com/automotive.shtml.
The RX330 is the first Lexus car build outside of Japan. As they said in Toyota.com. ca
That plant also build, matrix & corolla.
I don't know any regulation to rule the VIN number. "J" is Made in Japan.
I own an Infinite is "J", Made in Japan, Dodge Van is "U" USA made.
I don't own any European made car.
Is anyone own other maker like BMW, Audi,Mercedes , Volvo, Mini etc. different country car maker.
what is the VIN start. Please us know. Thanks
Here are the latest numbers for May-05 and YTD thru May-05:
RX330 sales(including RX400h):
May-05 May-04 YTD May-05 YTD May-04
10,707 9,659 43,993 41,659
Canada production of RX330:
May-05 May-04 YTD May-05 YTD May-04
6,727 5,391 27,587 23,180
So, approximately 63% of total RX330/RX400h production thru May of this year is from Canada.
I re-check my document
00 Infinite start "J"
98 Olds Cutlass start 1G
92 Dodge Caravan start 1B
I wonder what is the VIN Start for RX330 , Canada made & Japan made.
I don't own any European made car.
Is anyone own other maker like BMW, Audi,Mercedes , Volvo, Mini etc. different country car maker.
what is the VIN start. Please us know. Thanks
Wikipedia
Making Sense of Your VIN
You may want to cover yours up:
Another Car Theft Technique
Steve, Host
The dealer should know it . The TBS come from the Toyata company for RX330 & ES330.
U don't need to use manually. some people never know how to use it.
just use "D" shift all time.
Like my wife she never know how to use the over-drive funtion in our infinite.
(like down hill should use over-drive off for "engine brake")
I can not post the detail because it vialotion of Edmunds agreement.
Also, any news/reports of cabin noise in the new car? I am asking this in the RX330 thread because I would like to be able to go back to Lexus if I were to learn that the noise and tranny problems have been engineered out of the latest RXh -- maybe we could go back to Lexus and demand the same fixes that found their way into the new h version of this car.
For those of us unfamiliar with the various transmission types, can you elaborate whether this "CVT" transmission is different than that which is in the current non-hybrid models? I can only infer that you are saying that it is a different transmission, but would like to know for certain.
Also do you or anybody have info about cabin noise in the new RX400h?
CVT Enters the Mainstream
Steve, Host
I am happy that you having no problems! Wish I could say the same. Wanna trade cars?
By the way, are you driving on 17" or 18" tires?
Speaking for myself, I never complained of rattles. Tire noise, road noise, wind noise -- yes. Curious whether you have the Michelins or the Goodyear tires on the car. The more aggressive tread on the Goodyears are definitely one source of noise. I am investigating the Bridgestone Dueler Alenza's, which are supposed to be a lot quieter than either tire. Unfortunately, the odd size 18" tire that's spec'd for the RX330 is not a common size, consequently there are few other choices. With the Bridgestone Alenza's, there are only a total of 3 different tires offered for the RX330 in the 235/55/HR18 size.
As to cabin noise, lots and lots of people have reported it, and on other sites as well, such as the Consumer Reports site. Moreover, the dealerships do begrudgingly acknowledge the noise and the transmission problems, reporting that approx 3 to 5 people a week come in to complain about these concerns. Some mechanics will tell you the truth about the engine noise and where it is coming from -- the (new) plastic (instead of metal) intake manifold.
Really!!! every car has some problem.
Special if your car is the 1of the 100,000 defect car.
All depand what do u love & what u don't.
Like your lover or wife !
" You Come to love not by finding the perfect person,
but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly. "
The following post is from the MB, M-class forums
Post 351 by wannaln.
I understand your frustration mercpaully, I have ML 430 yr 2000 and I get really mad when some parts break down... and sometimes I wish I had other cars like Lexus. Toyota, Honda, etc... but you know what!!! ...it is always greener on the other side, ... when you get there... (guess what?), ... it is probably "brown" like your side!
Look at what the "other" guys are complaining about their cars: -
Volvo XC90
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef21566!make=Volvo&model=XC90&ed_makeindex=.- - ef21566
VW Touareg
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef24552/0
Toyota 4Runner
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef19330/40
Lexus RX 330
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef22a65!make=Lexus&model=RX%20330&ed_makeind- - ex=.ef22a65
Honda Pilot
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef0e957/0
My philosophy right now is to be positive, ...enjoy the car as much as possible!...
If it is broke fix it!... period.
Thanks and enjoy your ride!...
I can also say that my car was manufactured in Canada. I know there has been some speculation on this site about Canadian cars not being as good as those made in Japan. I'm wondering if the early Canadian cars had these bugs because of the new plant, and perhaps now things have pretty much been corrected. Just a thought. I do hope all your problems can be resolved to your satisfaction.
They should know that the only way to do that is parked in a nice quiet garage with the engine off and the windows rolled up fully.
In regarding to the noise, I drove the car for about ~400 miles so far with both city and highway (although this is my wife's car), I don't experience any noise problem. I've the Land Cruiser used daily, which is a very quiet car. The RX 330 is very close to that level. The car has the Michelin, which I'm not certain if it makes any difference. (The quietness of car is actually on the top priority when we shop, so we are both pay special attention to this on test drive, especially on highway.)
In regarding to the the transmission issue, I didn't experience that yet. I do agree the overdrive in the city drive which has short distance for stop and go may cause problem as one neter indicated. It just my guess.
The only complain I had so far is the seat is not comfort enough for long distance drive (> 100 miles), but certainly sufficient for shopping mall trip. This is why we are still taking the Land Cruiser for long drive (which interior options are very Spartan in comparing to the RX 330), but that may be because we are used to the comfortable seat on the Land Cruiser.
By the way, the car is made in Canada based on the VIN. It is AWD with NAV+ML+DVD.
Cheers,
Thanks
Seth
It makes a very big difference. The Goodyears are the main culprit. The Michelins are much quieter -- I've driven both.
The Land Cruiser is incredibly quiet. Like a bank vault. That's one reason I went for the Lexus RX.
Figured it would be similar.
Sounds like you got a good one. Maybe the Canadian built are better after all. Want to trade?
Yes, I had the door sealings replaced too. I concur, very little improvement.
I'm beginning to think that the side mirrors are part of the problem. Drive with them folded in for a few blocks and you may notice that it's quieter inside the car.
They should know that the only way to do that is parked in a nice quiet garage with the engine off and the windows rolled up fully.
'Ya got that right! I was driving on the highway this evening and hand to crank up the Mark Lev stereo up to volume 50 just to hear it over the road noise!
Yeah, the ML system is w-a-y over rated! Nothing beats a Bose, although Infinity comes close.
Thanks
I wonder if you can have the dealership to put the noise measurement equipment in the car for a test drive. It should at least tell how much differences between the noise level in your car and the Toyota specification for the car's noise level. The measurement would tell you where the noise leaks in (I am not sure if toyota would fix anything beyond the window/door seals such as beefing up the noise reduction materials on the frame itself). If that is not helping, I guess the LX 470/Land Cruiser is the toyota SUV solution for you. Cheers,
Like the same wheather someone feel cold, someone will feel hot!
Better to test by the equipment ! so it will give this car a fair judgement!
Good Luck.
I said that we can only subjective measure the noise level when tests driving the car unless you brought the test equipment with you. However, if there is a defect on the window or door seal from assembly, the noise will be obviously noticable. If there is any defact on the noise reduction padding on the frame itself (assembly issue again?), or a set of very noisy tires, then the noise is definitly unbearable, which is not that much subjective at all, as we should all hear the same noise :-( Quietness usually associates with luxury as requiring higher cost to have. I'm really disappoint to learn that many RX having the problem. It shows these cars didn't assemble together well at all. Test drive the car before signing the deal!
Cheers,
I agree with your points above, but I am curious, what your experience was when you test drove the RX? Your posts don't say.
I asked Lexus for the sound levels in the RX330 -- as designed and built -- but they declined to provide them.
If there is any defact on the noise reduction padding on the frame itself (assembly issue again?), or a set of very noisy tires, then the noise is definitly unbearable, which is not that much subjective at all, as we should all hear the same noise
I think noise level is somewhat subjective, but we are not comparing apples to apples. First off, the RX330 is shod in different tires -- Goodyear and Michelin 18" tires, and also in 17" tires.
I've driven on both 18" tires and the Goodyear's are much noiser, IMO.
Also, the car is manufactured in two different plants -- Canada and Japan. There may be differences here as well, as each Toyota owned plant must use a large percentage of locally obtained raw material content.
but even inside in one car ! two people will feel different !
( like recently Lexus ES330 TV ad for two zone climate control)
Too bad ! I need wait for 3 more weeks to get my car !
First they tell me will be in end of June. Now tell me will be in mid-July.
Not just one dealer. I think all So-Cal. dealers in the same condition.
Already in low inventory when I begin shopping at mid-May.
At that time I went to the Long** Lexus, they have all other models near 200 cars on parking lot. But for RX 330 only 5-6 cars. even the sales don't reply my e-mail.
A lot dealers they do not have car to sell !
The demand is same, I am just wonder why Lexus won't supply as normal.
Do they adjust the assembly line for a lot complain? (Just guess!)
( I will pay attention when I pick up my car !)
I think why they do not give u this information!
If the law did not require they do so ( like safety issue ). They don't need to do it.
If they give to u or publish it like car Technical Specs in brochure!
Then all the cars on the street should meet that requirement!
That may be involve a lot of recall & lawsuit !!
To give you an idea of the noise level
- when a truck passes by, I cannot hear conversation in the car
- I can hear the road noise of other cars up to 15 feet from me
- When the road is not smooth, the road noise level is comparable to that of the radio
- The car is only quiet driving local
- Wind noise starts coming at 40mph. Very significant at 70mph.
I used to drive a Corolla. I will say my RX is not any quieter. But for 40+K?
Or
Has anyone found an aftermarket Bluetooth that integrates with the Nav that could be added to a 330?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Only response is that it's normal for the vehicle and a result of the 'special' suspension. I understand how annoying it is, sounds like your vehicle is coming apart.
To know what to get done at a 30K service interval, check your owner's manual.
The big things though that I know you will have to get done are:
oil change
air filter
cabin air filter
coolant fluid flush
transmission fluid change
differential fluid change(s)
tire rotation
Mr. Fujio Cho
Pres.
Toyota Motor Corp
1 Toyota-cho
Toyota City, 471-8571
Japan.
A Lexus doesn't have to be perfect but it HAS to be quiet. That's what Lexus is all about! Very dissappointed.
Last time Toyota sent a district manager to test drive with me and just gave me the bs of nothing was wrong. Good luck.
Will try. I will take it to the dealer first to see if they can fix it. Thanks.