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Comments
If Lexus wants me to change my oil and filter more often or they want it done by themselves only then they better find a way to re-emburse me for the additional costs in one damn hurry.
I will say one thing, on my RX300 I will bring it into Lexus at 3000 mile intervals for an oil & filter change. The reason being, that 3000 miles is what I have done on my other cars and I don't see any reason to extend the time interval.
But, the reason I will take it to the Lexus dealer is to insure my warranty is not voided, as it has been to others (and at $42 per oil & filter change I hope their donuts are fresh!).
PS: Thanks for the feedback on the LCD issue, I will rest in peace.
wink, nudge Willard :-)
Steve
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Thomas Edison was a great inventor, but he's long gone. He was preceded and succeeded by a million other such great inventors and innovators, from all over the globe. As soon as you realize that little truth, among others, then you can count yourself a bonafide member of the human race.
For someone so bent on painting himself and intelligent and logical person, you've sure sabotaged your own fragile image with a display of stupidity by generalizing about people.
You've made a name for yourself, here and at CL. It's synonymous with gutter.
tidester
Host
SUVs
Are you saying the japanese societal culture is NOT predominantly risk adverse?
I definitely don't care for the result but didn't GM bring us into the current FWD era?
And, Steve_host, I simply haven't a clue of your point. Sorry, over my head.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Now a little off topic. We had the birth of our daughter on 2/25/02. Both mom and baby are doing great (dad is another story....).
Both car seats fit great in the back, but no room for another person inbetween. We'll have to let our newborn fend for herself against our 19 month old son.
-Craig
(side note) I remember a news article several years ago about a woman who tried to commit suicide by driving her car off of a cliff and only received minor scratches. Her mistake? She was driving her 199? Saab 9000!! (ok - it wasn't an extreme cliff, but there aren't very many of those available in WI) Care to take your T&C for a spin off of a cliff? Good luck and just make sure you're not having your remains cremated in GA!!!!
Actually, our son never slept, even as a baby. Maybe 4 hours/day. He still sucks at sleeping.
She sleeps forever. My wife has to wake her up to feed.
Girls are so much easier. Hey, maybe our RX will be hers one day. After all, it IS a girly car.
-Craig
Seeing your newborn son/daughter sleep with an innocent face is beautiful..
Seeing your baby trying to walk the first few steps is beautiful...
BUT
The Aztek is NOT beautiful
IMHO
Senthil
willard, mine are both boys, but I have no doubts you are dead-on.......
senthil, that was........profound, almost poetic! and couldn't have said it better......
1. What are my options save getting a new computer?
2. Is this price really that much?
I'm trying to contact the previous owner to see if he has the master key or even the number associated with this computer on my vehicle. Is there any way using the VIN to get the computer number? Help
I'm hesitating because I was mentally prepared to spend 31k on a new highlander limited.
Any words of encouragement? Hows resale with the color blue?
Most loaner RXs come with premium plus package, and a new one should not cost more than 33-34k+TTL.
Friend of mine bought a 2002 RX for 37000.00 OTD (Includes TTL) in AZ (tax is about 7%).
Hope that helps,
Senthil
If you need just a remote key, figure about $300 including cutting and programming. A non-remote key should be about $75-100 or so.
HOWEVER! IF (And Only IF) you lose EVERY SINGLE KEY then its a $3,000 job as the engine computer MUST be replaced.
So dont loseall your keys, and always make sure you have at least one spare!
Bill
Hopefully the prev owner is a "good guy" as you'd expect from a Lex owner. Unless they've got psycho kids........
You might be well advised to delay buying any Toyota or Lexus, including, but not limited to, the HL or RX.
Something is very wrong with 4 & 6 cyl. engines of a certain series, apparently since about the 99 model year. T/L has leaked a little information about this but not enough for us to know the actual causative factors and therefore we don't really know what procedures to use to avoid the problem.
You might even be of help on this matter. Tell your salesman you will not purchase until you see an official document laying out the details of the engine failure mode and the causative factors.
T/L is not responsive to quiries from current owners, we're already stuck, so what do they care, but a potentail sale going awry is yet another story.
Until then...
Bill
Thanks for all the comments
The RX300 theft deterrent system utilizes a high security "sidewinder/laser" key which has a tiny electronic transponder chip sealed in the head. When the key is inserted, the ignition emits an electromagnetic field which causes the chip in the key to send a coded signal back to the lock. The engine will start only if the signal from the key is recognized by the Engine Control Module (ECM). This is a very intricate system requiring special dealer test equipment together with a high level of technical knowledge and skill to troubleshoot malfunctions. New vehicles are supplied with two master keys, one valay key and one wallet key. Only the master and valay keys have the transponder chip to allow you to start and run the engine. The ECM has the capacity to recognize up to ten keys, 7 masters and 3 valays. Either of the two original registered masterkeys is needed to initialize (program) additional keys. If no registered transponder key is available to start the car, it must be towed to a Lexus dealer and the ECM replaced. The MSRP for this unit is about $2,500.00 and with labor the installed cost is around $3K! Neither the dealer or a locksmith can re-program the ECM if all keys are lost. The masterkey also includes battery-powered rolling code keyless entry to lock/unlock doors, sound panic alarm and open windows and moonroof. These functions must also be programmed into new keys. Your dealer can order additional keys at the list price of around $160.00 each, programming is an additional labor charge and requires the use of one of the original masterkeys together with access to the vehicle; total estimated cost is about $200.00 per key. Contrary to popular belief, there are aftermarket duplicate keys available at a much more competitive price. These have the imbeded transponder chip and operate all locks and start and run the vehicle. Like the valay, these keys will NOT have the remote keyless entry and panic buttons, but since the door can be easily unlocked with the key and locked without it; this may be an acceptable compromise. To purchase these, find a local locksmith who has the special machinery to duplicate high security "sidewinder" keys. The aftermarket transponder key blank is Ilco #TOY48BT4 which if they don't have it in stock, the locksmith can order from their wholesale supplier. Once the locksmith has the proper blank they can cut a duplicate by profiling from the original on the special machine. The new duplicate is then easily programmed using the RX's on-board computer (ECM) and one of the original masterkeys. I guesstimate the street price at around $50-$60.
Senthil
Christine
Senthil
Thanks Senthil and Christine
thanks
Raed all of the posts about promises made and not kept, a lack of a nav update. I bought my RX in late 00, was promised an update within 6 months, what is it now, March 2002?
Some, including me, are beginning to suspect the RX nav is going the way of the LS430 integrated phone, abbandoned, found, by the side of the road, dead.
If you can stretch your dollar thta far take a long hard look at the ML series, you'll be happier in the longrun.
Most of the RX's problems are niggling or small, but as Lexus continues to ignore them they grow greater in the public's eye.
Oh, did I mention the engine failures due to sludging? Before you buy an RX get a written explanation, in great detail, from the dealer as to what this is all about. Once you have that and have read it and decided it's something you can live with, then go ahead with the purchase.
And some of us owners out here would appreciate seeing that explanation too, rather than being kept in the dark about how serious, or non-serious, the problem might be.
Gimp went 25K between changes. Yes, thats a good idea there.
Catgem and her Sienna? Turns out the Texaco she was taking it to wasnt doing the work on it.. but charging her for it.
Who's next?
Bill
From a sludge victim on the Engine Sludge board....Toyota's position appears to be that sludge "could ONLY be caused by lack of maintenance and that they would not review my oil change receipts because there was no need to"
Of course this doesn't answer why just certain models years and certain models aren't being maintained 'properly'.
http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=38302
Yet in a recent TH post, he admits the RX AWD system worked better than he expected in light snow a few days ago - just what most people expect from the RX.
Consumer Reports survey (512,000 respondents overall) and reliability rating of the 2001 RX in their April auto issue, page 85: Perfect.
Reliability ratings for older 1999-2000 RXs are also check-marked as excellent.
Same issue on safety rating, page 17: RX is top- rated, tied with Acura MDX. CR comment on RX safety: "Excellent crash-test results. Secure handling with standard stability control."
Overall ratings for new 2002 SUV models, page 25:
RX300 is again top-rated and check-marked along with Highlander V-6 (the same vehicle except for length and trim), Acura MDX, and Subaru Outback V6.
Page 27, "How Will the 2002's Fare?" RX300 is 3rd highest in medium size SUVs, after QX4 and 4Runner.
Page 54, description of 2002 RX: "...its all-wheel-drive provides good traction for bad-weather and light off-road use..."
Most reliable used cars, page 75: RX300, '99-'00
But enough on the vehicle that Willard dislikes.
Let's check the ones he promotes - the Mercedes M-Class, BMW X5, Jeeps, and, finally, the Chrysler T&C AWD minivan (we have to eliminate the Willard Porsche because only the Boxster is listed).
Without citing each spec, the ML, X5, and Jeep GC are listed at the absolute BOTTOM of the reliability scale (page 27).
The '01 X5 makes the "Used Cars to Avoid" list (page 74-75).
The TC AWD minivan makes the avoid list for models from years '94-97-99-00-01.
Jeeps on the avoid list include Grand Cherokees for '94-95-96-97-98-99-00, the Cherokee for '94-97-98-99-00, and, finally, the Wrangler for '95-97-98-01.
MB M-Class? On the avoid list for '98-99-00-01.
Toyota and Lexus models on this avoid list:
Zero.
Gosh, Willard, if everyone just stayed AWAY from the vehicles you promote as being superior to the RX300, think how happy they would be.
Of course, those 512,000 respondents are probably just flat-out wrong.
Right?
I have already said that after having two Jeeps I didn't go shipping for a third one becuase I could already see where DC was going, DOWN!
I don't know as I have ever promoted buying a USED anything!
Are you talking the USED "avoid list" totally or do you have an avoid list that applies to new?
NO? My, isn't that STRANGE!
And, just what would be your own advice about buying a USED RX300, or an HL, or even a Camry?
GET REAL or GET LOST.
Steve
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You put's your money down and you take's your changes.
And, when it comes to buying a new car how would you go about choosing between BMW, MB, and Lexus except on past performance?
Does anyone out there trully believe that the past, or even current models of the X5, MLxxx, or RX300 is indicative of overall company QC?
Based on past history I absolutely fully expect the ML and the X5 to continue to be improved. The RX? As long as people continue to defend their purchase the Japanese will gladly go along, they don't want to face the shame of admitting that something about their vehicle is not right.
Speaking of Porsche...
The saga of the exploding clutch.
I bought a used 78 911 with 37K miles, shortly thereafter the clutch starting acting up in a really weird way. Not one Porsche owner or mechanic would tell me, or discuss the issue in the open.
My wife and I tore into the car and discovered that the clutch plate had a rubber center hub and it was bits and pieces of this hub that were flying off and gumming up the works. So we replaced the clutch plate.
Shortly after that we joined the Porsche Club. Suddenly we were no longer "outsiders" and virtually everyone was willing to openly discuss the flawed clutch design.
Porsche had used a rubber center in order to make the clutch quieter (a Porsche? quieter?) and over time the engine heat would harden the rubber and it would begin its failure process.
The RX300 is a rather expensive luxury SUV. Having spent that kind of money I can understand why many owners might not want to hear their "idol" openly denigrated.
But, if you simply sweep the knowledge of the vehicles flaws under the carpet what will be the manufacturer's motivation to improve his product? Is that truly what you want here? See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil?
Not my way..
Sometimes you can determine, judge, the future by looking at the past, but not in this industry.
I'm going to assume you mean "chances". So, you often gamble with new car purchases, and don't do research? That doesn't sound like the Willard we all know and love.
I have the PERFECT solution, and I wonder if anyone has thought of it before...Willard, sell the RX300 and buy a Santa Fe AWD! They would LOVE you on the SF board...and it has that great 10 year warranty (wonder if it covers sludge?).
The only problems I've had with the car is that I've had to change some tail lamp bulbs. I change the oil every 4000 miles or so, and it just keeps running. I suppose I'm lucky, but I have been impressed with how well designed the automobile has been.
You COULD think of it as an ES300 in wolf's clothing...unless you go after the FWD version. If you're not looking for something in the luxury class then have a look at the HL.
"changes"
My point was we can do all of the "historical" research we want but nothing we do can prepare us for the "changes", like the small engineering change T/L, an extremely QC conscious company, has made in certain engine series.
(actually a typo, but what the hey...)
"sell the RX..."
After the snowstorm here the other evening in which the RX performed much more admeriably than I would have expected, wife in passenger seat, she is not as likely to let me "move". It is a "chick" car BTW.
Guess I'll be out looking for aftermarket rear springs/struts that don't interfere with snowchains.
"ML service prone"
But with a definite trend toward improvement, which is exactly what one should expect after having done quite thorough historical research on the marque.
"dash screen in sunlight.."
Then you should try and read the RX NAV screen, it's even worse. A question. For as long as I can remember the dash and instrument lights "dim" when I turn on my external lighting. The obvious presumption being that's it's night time.
Now for many years cars have had the auto-light ability, turn the headlights on once its dark. Why has no one used this sensor to control the dimming of the instrument lights? There are lots of reasons one might turn on external lights in the daytime, to simulate DRLs for instance, and every time I do I must reach over an turn the instrument lighting back up.
"front defroster..."
Since the inception of the marque, and before with Toyota, this has been a problem. Once the cabin has warmed to within a few degrees of your comfort setpoint the climate control automatically switches to cooling mode, it will do this on the coldest, darkest night (radiant human body COOLING in the extreme) of wintertime.
The Nippondenso (T/L HVAC designer/supplier)theory is that you would be somewhat discomforted with "warm" airflow to your face and upper body so they feel it more appropreate to "wash" your face with cooler dry airflow in this circumstance.
Once the climate control switches to this condition the system air distribution is designed such that the airflow at your feet is as much as 20 degrees F higher than the airflow from the dash. Because of limitations in the design, if you switch to defrost/defog/demist at this time the windshield now gets "washed" with "cool" airflow.
Because the entire Lexus line is specifically designed to severely RESTRICT the outflow of the cabin "conditioned" atmosphere (increased fuel econimy), put four or five people in your RX, contributing body heat and moisture from perspiration and breathing, on a bright sunshiny but cold winter day and after an hour or so the system will be blowing airflow to your face and upper body that is 20 degrees F LOWER THAN YOUR COMFORT SETPOINT!
Talk about discomforting!
And the cabin humidity might be climbing as well.
Most of us are so discomforted that we instinctively reach over and change the airflow routing. That action definitely relieves our discomfort level, all airflow is now routed to the footwell.
But you have not changed the air mixing system parameters even one iota!
If you happen to need windshield defrost/defog/demist functionality you are now in big trouble. But amongst Lexus owners you, with an RX, are one of the luckier ones.
All it takes is a quick clockwise "flick" of the temperature comfort setpoint knob to raise the setpoint to "max heat". You should be prepared to take this action IMMEDIATELY upon activating defrost/defog/demist, otherwise you might find yourself staring at a windshield covered over with condensed mositure resulting form sometime previosuly using this same function.
The Lexus A/C evaporator is so very dense and complex that it retains a sunstantial level of moisture from previous A/C operations for days and days on end. And remember that restricted outflow? It helps to retain that moisture and now with four or five people in the car the relative humdity just builds and builds and builds...
"less tramatic.."
For who? Those of you who don't wish to hear "bad things" about your expensive vehicle, your pride and joy, or those of you who attempt to rebutt my positions with no actual factual data, or is it the ones that call me names?
Sorry, you're stuck with me for the duration.
I have always thought the reason the automotive, trade, magazines never made really critical arguments or statements against automotive products was becuase they are supported by the industry.
Now I wonder...