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Comments
My wife just bought a Toyota Sequoia which is silent compared to the RX. I've also owned a GS and an ES, which were absolutely great cars, and absolutely quiet and reliable. The RX300 is a real shock in comparison.
I'm interested to hear that improper prep by incompetent dealers may be the cause of these noises. The dealership recently switched managers and unfortunately, I didn't see the difference in service until after I wrote the check. This is my sixth car from that dealership and will certainly be my last.
I wish I could get a refund for the car - unfortunately my state's lemon law doesn't extend to problems that are just annoying like rattles and noises. I'll try to get these things fixed at the 5,000 mile checkup, but based on the prior claim that the license plate is the culprit, I'm not overly confident.
Hopefully you live in an area that has more than one dealer within a 45 minute drive. A good dealer can make all the difference in any brand of vehicle.
I too have suffered from a miscellany of rattles and other noises in my 2001 RX300 (for which I traded in a 1999 RX300). Since day one, I have experienced (and continue to experience) the following: (1) intermittent rubbing/rattling noises from the door panels; (2) rattling noises from the rear cargo area which may or may not be due to the license plate frame; (3) a clicking noise from the driver's side fire-wall when driving in excess of 55 mph; (4) an intermittent hissing noise when the air conditioner is on; (5) a variety of rubbing/rattling noises from near the A-pillars (or tweeters) on both driver's and passenger's sides of the vehicle; (6) intermittent creaking noise from the door panels, especially when taking a corner on a road; (7) intermittent buzzing noises from the door panels (with and without the radio on) and (8) the infamous popping noise from the sun roof (although I would characterize mine more as a creaking noise). Note, I don't think that the variety of noises that I hear from the door panels are related, since the noises are all different. Obviously, I'm pretty disappointed with this car thus far. Although my 1999 RX300 did make some rattling noises, this car has been (far and away), much worse. I will say that other aspects of the car are much nicer (e.g., suspension and handling, VSC, nav, etc). I have had the car in constantly to two different dealers to try to resolve these issues to no avail. Of course, for many of these noises, Murphy's Law kicked into high gear and many of the noises could not be reproduced. Interestingly, i subsequently have discovered that, with respect to a number of the noises (especially some of the door panel noises), the noise seems to disappear with a passenger in the front seat. Not sure what the deal is with that. Maybe it's actually something coming from the seat (although it really sounds like it comes from the door). In any event, I have now elevated the probIem to the corporate level who is now "investigating" the matter. I'll let everyone here know what happens.
The entire first week or so I had the RX I couldn't stop thinking about how quiet it was. After re-reading some of the noise complaint posts, it seems like some of the noise may be relevant to what you drove before but in all honesty, you should expect nothing less than perfect craftsmanship from a $40k vehicle.
Other than the occasional expansion "pop" from the passenger roof area (it may happen once a day when I first get in only if the RX has been parked in the sun), I can truly say the level of noise insulation combined with the tight fit of the interior, make this the quietest car I have ever driven or been driven in.
Anyone having noise problems should take their RX back to the dealer and keep on them, this is not something that should be acceptable even in the "normal" $25k price range. Today's cars simply have too many hours of engineering for this to happen...
jfetter
I wholly agree that these types of noises should not be tolerated in a vehicle that costs in excess of $40,000 (at least based upon the sticker). All I can say is that I am jealous of your experience and hope that my RX will soon be as quiet.
I will keep this board posted as far as my dealer trying to fix these problems. I will also let my salesman know about this string that has developed within this forum.
I have a question I'll toss out while I'm here--what is the little door that you find on the floor, right in front of the console? Like the speakers, I can find no mention of its function in the owner's manual.
I have 1000 miles service last night at 6:30PM. Drop off the RX300 at 5:30 and tell them to notify me when finish.
I wait until 7:45 PM, head out side the lot, check my car, the chip stone still there. I check with the service guy and he told me running out the paint due to the special silver sport color.
I check the service list, they claim to hand wash my car, but infact they make more mess on the winshield and the rear hatch. They did not wash it at all.
I hear Lexus have the best service and sale man say so during the process of buying "Our service is the best in New England area". It is not true
They have one each of their competitor's cars, so you can do some comparison. At the MB event, they also had professional race car drivers who took you out in their cars at speeds up to 100 mph.
It was a blast! You should go just for the experience of driving someone else's car on the tracks they set up. Great time.
Again for speaker upgrades try MB Quart.
Some people here have suspected it's due to heat expansion, but I'm starting to think it may be something else. The noise happens when the sunroof is closed, but actually seems to be coming from slightly behind the sunroof opening entrance. In fact, right around where the overhead light is. I'm wondering the problem is electrical in nature, and could be related to the wiring of the overhead light. Several times the snapping sound coincided w/ my doing other things that interfaced w/ the electrical system- putting on the turn signal, fiddling w/ radio. Even the sound itself is electrical, like a loud spark. Not that I'm an electrician. So, I think I'll take it back to the dealership and tell them to look at it from that angle.
If there are other disgruntled people experiencing this on their 2001's, we may have to band together to get this solved. Maybe contact Lexus corporate and let them know several people are having this problem and they're unhappy. If anyone in Atlanta is experiencing problems with this, let me know if you're interested in going to one of the dealerships all at once and telling them to fix our cars.
Could you advice a good dealer who has best aftersales service and also offer good discount off MSRP if you happen to know in this area ?
appreciate any input and good info!
Know what that figure is before you start negotiating. Remember, too, there will be an advertising fee on their invoice that you won't be privvy to unless you ask to see the actual invoice. Mine was $424.
The market is such that you can now negotiate up from invoice rather than down from MSRP. It really pays to do your homework here.
Good luck with your purchase!
As for noise/rattles test drive carefully. My experience with Toyota is that if the car is quiet it stays quiet. If there are rattles/sqeaks.noises they are difficult to find/fix
The noise you describe, the "thump" when you first drive out of your garage or parking space in the morning (I think you referred to it as a similar sound to an A/C compressor kicking in) is perfectly normal. Just about every RX owner has heard it and many (including myself) have questioned it here.
The word is, it has something to do with the drive train (electro-mechanical clutch or VSC system) though I am not certain anyone is 100% sure which component makes the noise. Rest easy at night
jfetter
I am curious as to what that sound is actually doing. It happens at the exact same interval, so I know it's supposed to be there, but whether it's the VSC or a function of the braking system (something I read last night as I delved into the older postings made here). I plan to do a drive by at the dealer and ask the service dude what this noise is. Enquiring minds want to know!
Thanks for all the help
ravl, as for the noise you hear. I am not sure exactly what you are hearing, but it is most likely the ABS engaging. This happens when you first start the RX (or any other ABS equipped vechile) and start moving. It is more apparent on some vehicles than others. If you are in a C4 corvette you will really hear it engage. Very normal.
-LexRX
Thanks!
Thanks for the help and sorry in advance for what I'm sure is the same old, tired question.
On the sunroof popping noise I am curious if it is the sunroof, the noise as described in this forum and in HL forum all are similar but wondering if it isn't the sunroof and maybe it is from somewhere further back perhaps the adjustable headrests on rear seats are going through the expansion and contractions and making the popping sounds ? Anyone agree with this theory ?
Anyhoo, my '99 Rav 4's moonroof had the same noise when it had been exposed to direct sun, especially in the summer. As mentioned above, the combination of the heat from outside and the cool of the a/c makes the area around the moonroof contract and pop. I never even went in to get it fixed as I realized it was most likely one of those inherent problems with that feature. I enjoy my moonroof enough that if it begins to pop under the same circumstances, I'm not gonna freak. Now, what has me freaked is....read my next posting.
After yelling "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!", I got out to see the damage. A nice dent with paint damage to boot. I say to myself, "Dent repair...$2-300."
Dealer says "Body damage. Take it here." and hands me a card. $6-700 estimate with 1/4 panel painting.
ARGH! The reason is it's right on the edge of the driver side wheel well, where there's two pieces of metal.
They can't pop it out.
Not enough B's in Bummed to tell you how I feel. Would anyone care to share their first "kiss" and how quickly your RX lost its virginity?
I need some stories to make mine seem small....
I don't think you need to pay anything. Usually the down payment is refundable. Sorry to hear that you're not getting the car... =(
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I've got my first service appointment this Saturday. I wouldn't expect a fix this week, but I do expect an appointment for them to work on it.
I'll keep everyone posted. Sorry if it bores others, but I think these posts will be good evidence if we need to show the dealerships that many cars have the problem. I'm glad some owners don't have it. That means there is hope for my fix.
No lump: FWD. Lump: AWD.
Can even be identified while following in traffic, no need to drop to pavement level.
I wish Lexus would have had some sort of badging since it took me some time to figure if mine (certified pre-owned) was a AWD or FWD.
I'm on the fence, choosing between an RX300 and an MDX. A friend of mine got a lead through his friend (shady already) for a car buying service here in NY, that can get me an RX for below invoice (but not by much).
The MDX appealed to me the most because of it's size, but I also liked the RX300, and I can get it *now* instead of in 6 months. That, coupled with a pregnant wife who wants a new car, makes the RX look a serious candidate.
So now the question is - can a car buying service be trusted? Who actually sells you the car - the car buying service, or the dealership that provides them with the car? And is the warranty affected at all?
Thanks for any input,
-J
When he said "quarter panels and blending the black through the handles on the door and the clear coat to the edge", it scared the heck out of me. That sounds like "accident". Well, this sure was an 'accident', but it's still like a bad door ding, and I'm having a difficult time accepting this type of work on my car.
Perhaps if I start to refer to it as my Sexy Rexy's character flaw...
I purchased my RX through Carsdirect.com. These car-buying service are definitely reliable and trustworthy. The Lexus warranty is not affected at all. What they do is they locate the car that you want for you. This saves the buyer A LOT of time. I also went to several dealerships, but carsdirect offered the lowest price available. I paid around $38,500(before tax/license) in february for my AWD RX w/Nav. I've never heard of anyone getting a RX under invoice, but if you have the hookup, definitely go for it!
I chose the RX over the MDX because in my opinion, the RX is better looking and more luxurious inside. I'm very happy with my RX, especially the Navigation system (which many people complain about), and I definitely recommend it to you!
-my two cents.
alpha
Just a note of caution. From previous posts on this board, I think the 2001 RX in black, Silversport or not, does NOT have a clearcoat over the paint - the only RX color that comes this way.
So if your bodyshop tries to blend a clear coat on top of the newly-sprayed body areas, it could lead into some problems down the road.
Or, on the other hand, Tonychrys could just be full of it and black RXs DO have a clearcoat.
Seriously though, from personal experience I have to believe that the Black Lexii do not in fact have a clearcoat, or if they do it is an extremely thin one. Paint damage (swirl marks, environmental etching, etc.) on my black Rex happens very easily. I would seriously consider not getting another black Lexus again, the upkeep is definitely harder.
Then I have my average GM car (in gold) with a clearcoat... I do paractically nothing in keeping up that car and the paint is virtually indestructable.
I've had multiple experiences with black cars and know how easily the finish can be tarnished. Bird poop is the worst! If I didn't have the means to keep it in the garage, I wouldn't own black. That being said, black is my all time favorite color for a car when it's clean and polished. For those of you who haven't discovered the California Car Duster for use with black (or any other color!), it's a carwash saver. I can extend my wash time by weeks with the car duster. I've used one for 3 or 4 years now and have never gotten any scratching or marring of the surface with the duster. I wouldn't recommend it after a real dusty offroading experience, but for everyday dust buildup, it's fantastic.
If it works as well as folks say, sounds like a real time saver.
I have used CDs for years with good results; in fact, I just bought a new, larger edition one for tall & big vehicles that makes it easier on the RX. Found it at Pep Boys and I think it was about $15 or so.
It comes loaded with parafin wax so it needs to be exposed to the air for 48 hours or so before the initial use - or else you WILL wind-up with wax streaks on your vehilce, put there by the CD.
It's all in the directions - as always, Read The Manual!
j
TC