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I have an RX300 AWD 2001... looking at RX 350,Tribeca, RDX, CR-V as replacements...
What is the RX300 AWD setup? Is RX 300 FWD fulltime, with torque moving to rear as needed?(Subaru is 55/45 r/f split, obviously variable, CR-V is fulltime FWD, with power to rear "as needed"). Has that changed with current RX?
Thanks
ed
Absent an extended period of wheelspin/slip the VC will never come into play.
As of the RX330, apparently as a result of the above VSC/Trac functionality, the VC was dropped for the entire RX330 product run only to be re-introduced with the RX350 series.
My RX300 has 1.5" inch wheel spacers all around so as to allow the use of wider wheels, 17X8, more tire tread, and best of all, tire chains on the rear only, first, and then added to the front if/when.
If you have been watching the weather news here abouts you will know that I'm about to go out and install all four chains before leaving the nice warm garage.
If I were currently in the market (which I am, sort of) the BMW X3 with manual transmission would be first on my list, with the Acura RDX second. The downside of the BMW is that you cannot purchase the factory shop/repair manuals, and for the RDX the owners manual indicates that tire chains should only be used on the front. I have had numerous conversations with Acura about this tire chain issue and it may well develop that the front only tire chains bit is simply a typo.
I have been thinking about purchasing something that could be towed 4-down behind our MH and right now the new Suzuki SX4 is at the top of that list, provided they actually produce the stick shift model.
Last night we got caught out in this snowstorm and the old reliable AWD Ford Aerostar came to our rescue yet again, even with no chains installed.
The RX350 keeps haunting me, in the back of my mind, and I suppose that if I wanted or needed to replace the 2001 AWD RX300 I would seriously consider the RX350 provided I could get one with the air suspension. If I should go that route the RX350 would immediately get wheel spacers, and would likely go directly to an aftermarket shop to convert it to 10/90 F/R torque distribution.
Think I'm on the road to leasing if I can get a decent deal and a decent trade on the RX.
Pete
I found the article when I typed in 2008
Lexus RX350 on the search line.
ago, but I wasn't sure. I like to keep the
console/cupholder for the rear seats in the
down position, as I think it looks really
classy with the wood panel that covers the
cupholders. But I've noticed since I have done
this that I hear some squeaking or rubbing
noises, which appears to be the leather possibly rubbing against the seams or something.
I was wondering if anyone knew what I might
need to get rid of the annoying noise, aside
from putting the rear console back up into
the rear seat!
come across an Edmunds Inside Line link in Post #168 in regard to the 2009 Lexus RX350. It appears the 2009 will debut the later part of 2008.
Good Luck
Now comes the interesting part. I live in the Los Angeles area and I am offering a very substantial reward to anyone that can solve this problem for me. You don’t have to do the work. I will have the dealer do that. You just have to come up with a perfect solution to this problem. As Edmunds does not allow me to post my email address, I guess that too presents a problem. But I am sure we can work it out someway. Please help. I am too old for this kind of stuff.
(You will have to ride with me in the car in order to properly hear the noises I am talking about, hence live in L.A.).
Thanks much,
(rpac)
Ron
As an after thought note. I have actually 3 friends that drive 07 RX’s and their cars idle extremely quietly with no problem whatsoever. So I know their must be a fix somewhere. I have discussed this with the dealer and he says he will talk with factory rep. Yeh right!!!
:sick:
Another alternative is to use your CarSpace email account.
Or post away and enjoy some fresh tasty spam. :shades:
And to Steve, I thank you very much for your informative information, but for me it is desparation time.
Thanks much,
Ron (rpac)
I happened to run across an advertisement for
clear mats in a Motor Trend magazine, but the
magazine was several years old and I wasn't able to find the ad in any of the current
car magazines. I may try to look for that ad
again and try the number and see if it might
still be a good number. I would love to find
some clear mats also, as I know how beat up
the regular mats can get over a four-year period.
By the way, rpac, I saw your note about the
groaning noise while your ac/compressor is
running. I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing
this. I'm absolutely baffled as to what it
may be. I have not experienced this either
in my '07 RX. I wonder if this has only occurred in the '07's and not the '04-'06 RX's?
Let us know when it gets resolved so we may
know the cause. Thanks!
Japan supplies the West Coast market.
Canada supplies most of the rest of the U.S.
Here in Denver they tell me I have to wait 60 days to get an RX w the Performance Package.
Help! :confuse: :confuse: :confuse:
Ok done. Now beginning in the 07 Lexus they installed a dedicated plug in the back of the present radio tuner. AND they of course also supply the XM Radio. So in essence it just plugs into the back of your present radio. No hot wiring at all. Easy huh? NOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooo. Once I get it installed I get fussy. I am kinda an older guy and I am fussy. So what they have done for me is run the tuner all the way back to the inside top of the trunk. (Believe me there is a small place that is just perfect for the tuner). (Wish I could explain better). So they have to hide the wires behind the carpet etc etc etc. The XM then runs out of your regular radio. I think in the 350 the radio actually has a button marked ‘SAT’. It is wonderful, the best. You will see a written readout of songs being played etc on your radio face plate. By the way, it takes a good Technician approximately 4 ½ hours to completely install the tuner, antenna etc and activate the radio. And yes it is true they do have to put on an outside aerial. The aerial is about 1 inch square and is hardly noticeable. They put it on the top of the car right next to the built in aerial that you already have sticking out of the roof. No drilling into your body is necessary. It is held in place with a very special glue supplied with the radio. Can hardly tell it is there. Now for the bad news. Word out here on the west coast is that Sirius is not doing all that well, and dealers are hyping the XM so you might want to think about that too. Happy to help at any time. Good luck. LOL And please don’t ask me why I owned 3 RX’s. It’s a long story and to the victor belong the spoils, or something like that. OH, and by the way, if the dealer installs the XM you are supposed to get a 3 months free subscription. Good luck to you!
By the way, your paragraph numbered 3 is correct as it can be fully integrated into the regular car radio.
So, to make a long story short the dealer very nicely bought my car back today and tomorrow I take delivery of a brand new 350 made in Japan in October 2006. No money out of pocket. I drove it all around and no problem seems to exist.So take it for what it is worth because all my information is unofficial, but.............???????? :confuse:
I have a corp connection at Sirius, so may pick that because I'll get the service either free or at an extreme discount.
One more question.. what about cassette, and/or Ipod connectivity? I've been using the cassette adapter in my RX300 for my Ipod, which works great... the fm modulators suck. So when you have the dealer installed sat radio, is there still a cassette player, or an aux port of any kind for MP3 connection?
ed
AM, FM, Satellite, MP3, 6 cd changer and cassette. And the best part is you will never know you have all the stuff as it does not change the appearance of your radio stack at all.Good luck and have fun!
Good luck!
Good luck.
They want about $800 for the ipod connectivity on top of the 800 for sat radio!!! I just put the brakes on the deal.
I got a hold of a catalog for people in other parts of the country and I cannot believe how in my opinion they 'cheapen' the car.
Will try to get more info for you soon!
Good Luck!
Now I talked with one of the Techs that installs these options and he says he installs the SAT constantly. The IPOD he really doesnt remember, other than to say like maybe once a month or more. Not a popular option but if you do want it they give it to you. No problem.
Hope this helps in your decision making process, and let me know how it goes.
Good luck.
As far as ipod connectivity goes, there's no simple "aux" jack on the radio that can be installed, but a very expensive unit that allows you to control the ipod from the radio's controls.
So here's the deal I worked out: I told 'em I didn't want the Sirius radio because it was too expensive, so they came back and immediately upped my trade in by $300 and dropped the cap cost of the car by $200.. which is fine.
As for the ipod, I did some reading on CNET, and there's a highly recommended FM modulator unit that apparently beats all others in the test, a DLO transpod, for $70 bucks on sale at amazon. So I ordered that and it should be here a day or two after I get my RX, which will be on Saturday.
So thanks for all the good advice and info!
Take care and the best of luck!
Ron
Thanks.
Couple of minor nits: does standard stereo have a subwoofer?... stereo doesn't seem quite as crisp as the RX300. Can't seem to reset average MPG in mid trip.. holding down info button does nothing. Beyond that, everything is terrific!
Want to thank all of you on the forum who chimed in with great advice and helped me get a terrific deal... truly a December to Remember when you're armed with the right numbers!
ed
Ed, drive your car in good health and happiness always.
Ron
Next, post the company name, web address, 800 number or whatever else people need to contact them about the mats down in Texas.
btw, I found some cars they can bury you in - but I wouldn't be caught dead in some of them: :shades: :shades:
CarSpace
ExactMats, Inc.
1010 FM 1463
Katy, Texas 77494
Tel: 281-395-6004 or 888-395-6004 (use the toll free number)
Fax: 281-395-6706
website: exactmats.com
This is what I paid:
$70.00 for the front two mats and the two rear mats. You can also order one commplete solid mat for the entire rear seat floor area if you wish.
$55.00 for the rear cargo/trunk area.
$53.87 FEDEX shipping charges to Los Angeles (I wanted them like now)! But you can have them shipped in any manner you wish.
If you call to order ask for Billie. He is wonderful to work with and you might ask him if he remembers a guy from Glendale, California that would send him emails after emails asking him about the mats and saying - 'what do you think Billie, huh? huh? huh?' Funny guy.
The last time I ordered was in March, 2006, so I dont know if they raised their prices or not.
I know you will be pleased with them because they fit the car perfectly and you can see thru them at the luxurious Lexus mats underneath, and very easy to keep clean and they wear very well. They will stay in place in your car, but just in case they include some clips you can use to help secure the mats. I have never had to use the clips in my RX. But best of all they don't have that terrible plastic smell that you find in auto supply stores! In my opinion it is well worth the money.
Good luck to all and happy driving in your RX350!!!
Ron (rpac)
I also have the Flint Mica with black interior
RX350, but with the XM satellite radio installed. I feel that the CD player on the
standard sound system has the best quality of
sound. The satellite radio, while the sound is
decent, is not as crisp as the CD player.
I've noticed out of all of my favorite stations
that I listen to on the satellite radio, that
the contemporary jazz station seems to have
the best sound quality(This would be the
"Watercolors" station on XM).
I keep wishing that Lexus will someday change
the packaging on the audio system, such as
providing the upgraded system, such as the
Mark Levinson system, without having to get the
Nav. Oh, well. Maybe one day Lexus will
start to really listen to its customers on some
of our wants and needs!!!
address and phone number for the company in
Texas that sells the clear mats for the Lexus!
I definitely will be giving them a call after
the holidays. Finally, I'll be able to preserve my original car mats once I get these
clear ones. I am definitely going to be one
happy camper!!! Thanks again!
What are other folks doing about Ipod connectivity in non nav RXs? I DON'T need integrated controls, just want essentially an Aux in. Tried a highly recommended DLO Transpod FM converter, and was very disappointed... the damn FM radio in the RX is so good, there are few open frequencies!
Anxious to hear advice from the group... love my ipod but don't want to spend a ton get it connected.
Now, I have to tell you something. I went out to dinner today with friends and coming back everybody in the car wanted to listen to 'this n that'. So I was desparetly trying to manuver the L.A. freeways and keep everybody happy with CD's, cassettes and the like. Fortunately on the 50 mile drive home the freeways were relatively clear out here. But I suddenly looked up from the radio stack that I was fooling around with, only to find that I had let my car wander all over the 5 lane freeway. Not good! So I repectfully offer this suggestion to you Ed. I know from your posts that you apparanetly like having the latest and best music in your new car. But, Please be careful in NYC, because it can really take your mind off driving. More so I think than if you were using a cell phone! Again, the very best of luck to you on your new car and drive it in good health and happiness!!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS