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I have found one Northwest dealer who is very competitive on pricing and will accept special orders. The dealer is "Kendall Lexus of Eugene", Oregon, contact Dan David at 800-43-Lexus.
Also, many good tire shops and some dealerships have local chrome, exchange wheels for $800-900. In my case I have used the same tire dealer for three previous sets of wheels and have found the quality to be superior to original factory plating.
2000 Nissan Xterra 4x4: 15.3
1999 RX300 4x4: 18.7- "regular" fuel.
I bought my chrome wheels from the person who supplies the local Lexus dealers. The dealer gets 1795 for a set of his wheels. He charged me $550 including the labor/rebalances.
You can also check:
www.4chromewheels.com
and chromeyourwheels.com
Spent a few years in central Montana to boot.
My conclusions about RX FWD vs AWD vs AWD & Trac are first, Logical, but also draw on my many years of driving RWD and 4WD in rather adverse conditions.
Living in the Pacific Northwest as I do I have sworn that I will NEVER own a FWD vehicle and the 2000 AWD RX is the closest I ever hope to come to aborting that stand.
Lexus dropped the limited slip differential from the 2001 options list because the Trac system makes it needless.
With its normal, or latent, 70/30 front to rear torque distribution the 2000 RX AWD is basically a FWD vehicle until there is enough differential wheel "spin", front to rear, to heat the viscous fluid and thus increase the amount of torque delivered to the rear axle. Notice I did not say "rear wheels".
In the 2000 it would have been the job of the (optional) limited slip differential to "decide" which of the rear wheels would get the (most) driving torque.
I really no real idea how long it would take to "heat" the viscous fluid to a level sufficient to couple additional torque to the rear axle but I suspect that the number would certainly be in the range of many hundreds of milliseconds when the vehicle is first started after setting outside all night in a sub-freezing climate. I even wonder if one could rely on as much as an 80/20 torque distribution in such circumsatnces.
It is my understanding that the Lexus Trac system uses the ABS wheelspeed sensors to detect that a given wheel or wheels have lost traction and will instantaniously apply the brakes to any wheel or wheels that spin "out-of-control".
This "delay", inherent in viscous clutch systems would also help to explain why my two Jeeps, an 87 and a 92, would always perform much better in adverse conditions in (part-time) 4WD rather than (full-time via viscous clutch) AWD.
Thanks for info.
First of all, I can't believe you complian about the RX300. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING IN THE FIRST PLACE??? That you would be able to go "off road" ?? If you wanted to go off road get yourself a Ford Explorer!! The RX 300 was NOT designed as a "off road" SUV anyway. If you were RESPONSIBLE, and an educated person, you would have done your "homework" and research the RX300. I love the RX300, it is a great SUV, and for people to complain about it is STUPID!!!! If one little thing is out of placed, everyone yells about it. I would like to see you guys try to build a BETTER SUV and sell it!!!!! It's a Lexus , therefore, it is going to be Expensive, what you thought it would only cost $1,000---NO WAY--Put You foot where your mouth is!!!
I can't put my foot where my mouth is; from all your previous posts (under a different name now, eh GT?), don't you remember that's where us yuppie RX owners store our Starbucks supply?
Glad to have you back; it's way too tame over here. But try to calm down before that ol' blood pressure overheats...hey, did you ever take delivery of the Santa Fe Dream SUV or are you still putt-putting around in the '83 Mustang with 900,000 miles?
Lexus' motto was "The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection", and now it has been changed to "The Passionate Pursuit of Perfection", either way it is an acknowledgement that "we're not there yet, folks!".
Now, I "live" in the electronics manufacturing segment and I firmly believe that customer feedback is the MOST valuable feedback we can obtain for improving our products, and yes, even sometimes discovering and correcting design flaws that somehow slipped by us.
Maybe you live in the sunbelt and can't quite accept that the further north you live, sometimes an "off-road" condition comes to you, not you to it.
But, just as an example, the MDX does not have an HID option. I will bet you odds that the many people who have asked the dealers "why not" will have a positive effect and the 2002 will have HID.
I bought a 2000 RX AWD because I KNEW it was the best value for the money. I also knew that it had some shortcomings such as the lack of true AWD. Had not Lexus come out with Trac in 2001 I would probably be driving an MDX today and be looking for an aftermarket HID upgrade.
I don't wish you to get the impression that a trade-up this often is the norm for me. I put 250,000 miles on each, a 78 Ford wagon, and a 75 Ford wagon.
I very pleased recently when I found that Lexus.com now has a "channel" through which owners can comment or register complaints about the cars.
So, I bought the Nav system because that was the only way I could get HID. The Nav system has definite flaws, but at the same time I have admitted that it has been helpful on several occassions.
The RX's have the same basic Climate Control design flaws as did the 92 LS, and I am surprised that neither Lexus nor Denso has acted to correct these. But then Denso is the HVAC supplier for the majority of auto manufacturers and thus most of those exhibit the very same flaws.
Lexus Vehicles are ALL, far and away, within their individual market segments, the best that can be had for the money thoughout this world.
INKY
Is it now time for Lexus to hire Porsche consultants to tell them how to "option" their cars?
A new 911 can be ordered with light or dark dark wood grain accents, aluminum accents, or "fiber" look accents. Almost everything about the interior of the car can be customized according to customer wishes and desires. For about $4,000, Porsche will even paint the exterior of the car any color a customer designates.
My 92 burgandy LS400 with ivory/beige leather and wood accents is indeed a beautiful car, color combination, even today.
The 2001 LS400 Dark Cherry is not available with the ivory/beige interior and if you chose another color in order to get beige then you are stuck with non-matching greytone wood grain accents.
Only when Lexus can offer me a dark cherry UL LS with beige/ivory interior (anything not toward the "whiteness" of ecru) and light woodgrain accents will I even consider purchasing another LS.
Until about 95 I, and many of my Lexus owning friends, believed that Lexus was fully attuned to the "fashion" desires of the american public, at least from the viewpoint of automotive "fashion".
Today they seem to have lost their way. I suspect that they will not again pay much attention to the opinions of american buyers until the sales rate falls below their manufacturing capability.
And that is a real shame. We WILL remember!
I dealt with Steve, forgot his last name.
Not much haggle. Went there on Sun, test drove, picked model/color and they offered a price.
Monday 9am I called Lexus of Eugene, got them to offer their best price on same model/color after telling him I could get for the price I've found on the net. They agreed. As another post mentioned, the Eugene dealer is very competitive.
Monday 10am, called back Kuni, let them know the deal I was offered in Eugene, and that I would be happy to stay in town if they lowered the price. They did, but by a few bucks (I guess they knew I wasn't going to drive 120 miles).
So, I would say this was pretty easy. At first Kuni did not believe I was offered this price in Eugene, but after I told them "OK, I'll buy somewhere else", they accepted. I was firm and I was prepared to go elsewhere and he must have felt that. Another thing, they had just gotten that car the previous day, so they were going to get all the dealer holdback as profit, and I let them know that I knew this. So their argument of
'We have to make a little something' was not flying.
Hope that helps.
WWwest, true that the 911 can be customized to a fare-the-well but Porsche is very proud of their opportunities to do so; how much can leather covered knobs for the HVAC/stereo controls REALLY be worth?? That said, I tend to agree with you. It makes no real sense to restrict interior/exterior color combinations when there are only 3 interior colors for Lexus anyway.
1. I have a rattle coming from the glovebox somewhere..what is the fix? It seems to be getting louder and louder. I emptied everything out of the glovebox and that side of the car.
2. There is a clicking sound coming from the drivers side under the dash. Any ideas? Seems to be more prevalent while making turns, but I could be just imagining that.
3. Also, when you put the key in, without the ignition on, there is some noise coming from under the hood, like something is drawing power...Ideas?
Thanks.
Ashish
adpcs, glovebox rattle can be fixed by "felting" the box. seems to be a somewhat common Lex problem; my wife's 99 RX hasn't done it, but my new 01 GS430 did. clicking may be fuel injectors (they are faintly audible). is it rpm variable?? occur when driving or any time engine running? as far as third issue, a fair number of things power up when key inserted, so no clue.
Your point is well made, most of the cars sold in the US (we are quite spoiled and aren't used to waiting for anything) are sold as "off-the-shelf", so both Porsche and Lexus have their basic pricing models correct.
Has anyone else had this problem? Has anything helped?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Pete
My last car, a Volvo 850, developed small cracks on the left hand side of the driver's seatback after 3 months. The dealer had those spots "re-dyed" at a local detailing place, and you couldn't tell the slightest bit! Why it happened, I don't know, but believe me, I'm PARTICULAR, and I have not been disappointed for the following three years.
License plate
Peter, you are dead on, it's simply cheap!
Local car wash employees here offer to remove the front tag (as a precautionary measure) before they run the car throgh!!! What??? I am reluctant to merely reinforce the license plate with any backing, plastic or sheetmetal, as I am afraid it will be ripped out of the bumper INCLUDING the screws (what a thought...). It is difficult to find another bracket, since the RX's front bumper is pointed in the center, and a new holder would have to fit this shape. If anyone finds a suitable replacement, please let us know.
Tarik
Although it seems to be an isolated case, I feel that the Lexus folks should have more interest in getting this flaw worked out...
Having said that, I just remembered a fax answer, which I got back from Lexus in California, after inquiring about the fact that the '99 AWD RX WILL get stuck (it also happened to a former TH-poster) with only one wheel having zero traction (or getting stuck in snow and then spinning).
I was basically told that Lex deemed their AWD completely worthy of a 40k vehicle, and that it really is a rare situation to begin with. Well, all that doesn't matter, if I happen to be the one in trouble!!! Plus, newer versions of the AWD RX have VSC, which should resolve the issue...
Do not give up, go for your own relentless pursuit of getting what you deserve, and if you come by my area, let me know and we crawl under the car together and figure it out.
Seriously mad Tarik
Otherwise after a few years enough dirt, debris will accumulate from the times when the sunroof is open to block the flow.
I also played in a golf tourney this weekend and following sundays round we decided to go home with intention of at catching at least the last 30 minutes of the masters telecast. We covered the 150 miles in less than two hours averaging at least 80mph, mileage for the run was 21mpg--which I think was just fantastic.
Phoenix Tops for Auto Theft
Steve
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On lexuspartsmall.com, they do offer the CD changer for $699.55 and about $140 total for the glove box and instrument panels. Does anyone know of another site where I might find what I'm looking for? This doesn't quite match the salesman's optimistic predictions!
The noise comes and goes and can best be described as a reverberating resonance that can only be heard when the vehicle is idling, in gear, and completely stopped. Dealer has checked the vibration damper in the engine mounts and also replaced the rear muffler but noise is still there. It seemed to be worse and more frequent when the temperature was lower, but even now with temps in the 60s and 70s, it can still be heard at times.
Car is due for 22.5K check up and I will again ask that they try to fix it. I am also having the typical glove box door rattle in addition to the cracked driver's seat. Hopefully these can be fixed the first time.
Steve
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Don't worry too much about about locking the doors. The RX300 isn't that popular in Mexico.
(that's where the stolen cars end up)
Now if you had a Chevy truck...
tonychrys "Pontiac Aztek - III" Apr 10, 2001 1:46pm
Maybe he decided he couldn't top that one :-)
Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
We lost 'em.
While working to fix some problems the database was corrupted. Unfortunately we were only able to recover data up to this morning - meaning that all posts since early today are missing. Several people are pulling all-nighters; we'll find out in the morning if they can recover the missing messages. Apologies.
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
The RX300 DVD based NAV system will not play DVD movies. The computer unit is also under the floor of the rear cargo area.
There is a manual supplied by Lexus when you pick up your RX, just for NAV equipped vehicles.
If your dealer does not show you how to work the system, you will be able to tell Lexus of their short fall when you fill out the buyer comment card that Lexus will send to you.They will not tell you everything, cause there are some hidden aspects of the system they do not want you to mess with. I found them by reading the shop manuals. Research back some 400-500 post and you will see some discussions between myself and the notorious tonychry. Sorry tony, I had to throw that in there. The topic has been very dull lately.