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And your post above is pretty long. Pretty soon you'll have to list a website link.
Gosh, if you REALLY want to correct your RX300's defrost, Nav, and AWD - and just not whine about them - why not let Mrs. Willard have a shot at it?
Looks like she fixed the Porsche/Audi/VW, right?
THANKS
However, in order to provide Willard an out (and provide fodder for his conspiracy theory) I am willing to kick-off the "Let's buy Willard's RX fund" . In order to demonstrate my money is where my" mouth is I pledge $500.00 to get thing started. After securing enough funds I propose we buy the car and put in up for action on e-bay. I can see the e-bay post now.... slightly used, low mileage RX. Many features never used due to operator error of previous owner;-) YMMV
BTW, the ;-) does NOT mean this is a joke. This is a serious offer... and operators ARE standing by...
"After the snowstorm here the other evening in which the RX performed much more admeriably than I would have expected, wife in passenger seat ..."
Since your RX300 performed better than what your considerable analysis of the vehicle's capabilities have led you to believe, could that suggest that perhaps you have missed something, or that sometimes theoretical reasoning (no matter how accomplished or well-intentioned) doesn't always translate into real-world performance?
I do think the M-class may be more suitable to your desires if you can talk your wife into it (and if not, I guess it is the snow chain and winter tire route for your RX, or, if your wife insists on a Lexus, perhaps the upcoming GX470). I agree that M-class quality has improved though it's still barely (if even) at the "average" level as defined by Consumer Reports. But the trade-off for quality issues (most of which nowadays are more repeated annoyances than actual vehicle breakdown, at least), are some excellent engineering and safety features not available on the RX and many similar vehicles (true 4WD, full-range stability control system, proven crush-resistance roof structure, etc.).
If it were serious, I'd have to remind you of Edmund's Terms of Use forbidding solicitation on the boards! :-)
tidester
Host
SUVs
Considered me sucessfully admonished :-(
Tidester, you are a busy man! BTW, I am enjoying your posts in the new Social ...forum.
HW would not recognize you there. No chance he will see this in this forum since he drives a F/S and does not venture into this neck of the woods, so your secret is safe with me ;-)
It becomes clear that if the RX doesn't have these extra gimmicks, then for some reason it doesn't need them. There are then only three possible explanations for this.
1, T/L doesn't care for the RX owner's safety. I cannot really buy into the validity of this one.
2. T/L has found another way, other than the T&C's over-running clutch, to "uncouple" the rear "drive" from the front drive during moderate to heavy or severe braking. Unlikely, but in reality the jury's still out on this one.
Anyone else have something to contribute?
3. Just as Eliot Lim suggests, the T/L VC never tightens up enough that it represents a problem in this venue.
For a multiplicity of reasons I have chosen #3 as the most probable answer. I'm sure most of you already know that I don't care much for FWD vehicles. I think, ultimately, they are far more dangerous than any RWD vehicle.
Then I discovered that snowchains could not be used on the rear wheels of the RX.
Neither the RX, nor the HL, can legitimately be called an SUV, they're just minivans with large wheels.
And with ton of "chick" appeal.
"Theoretical reasoning..."
My previous Jeeps (85, 92) oftentimes would NOT really get up and go in their full-time AWD mode in slippery paved roadbed conditions, and I would have to resort to the "part-time" (locked diff'l) mode. Additionally there were a few occassions when I had to install snow chains on all four wheels to get around.
Not theory - FACT.
I consider the RXes AWD mode to be much less "robust" than the Jeep. But snowchains seemed a viable backup for not having a locked diff'l mode.
The RX did indeed perform admirably the other night. But we did drive around a big section of Bellevue trying to find a way north that wasn't already jugged up by sideways and just simply abandoned vehicles. In my Jeep I would not have hesitated to help someone blocking the roadbed out by towing or simply manuvering around them.
I just don't have that level of confidence in the RX, and absent being able to use snowchains safely, I likely never will.
Thanks! Invite all your friends to join in the fun! It will be a Town Hall featured discussion starting Wednesday!
HW would not recognize you there. No chance he will see this ... so your secret is safe with me ;-)
Shhh! Our posting rates would plummet if he didn't have a host to debate! ;-)
tidester
Host
SUVs
Land Rover (anything). Sport? No.
Jeep Wrangler. Sport? No. Utility? No.
BMW X5. Utility? No.
Even the RX300 is not very sporty.
Unfortunately, the term SUV is being way over used. Who knows who created it, but it applies to anything that's higher off the ground than the sedan it's based on (or truck platform), features 4WD (at least as an option), and doesn't have a trunk (open space inside). That fits the bill from the Honda CRV up to the Chevy Denali XL.
How sporty can a vechicle be that's been raised higher off the ground to fit the SUV definition? They all handle like crap (except the BMW X5 and Mercedes ML55). But again, the X5 doesn't have Utility, and the ML55, well, maybe that's the only SUV out there, and an E55 is much sportier.
The majority of vechicles that uphold sport and utility are sport wagons (Subaru WRX Wagon, Audi sport wagons, etc).
-Craig
Any ideas?
Steve J.
sfjacobs - I experienced the same problems with the struts but ony on the front ones did I hear the noise that sounded like my beloved RX was falling apart! My rear struts were squeaking. I took my RX in and the dealership is ordering new strut supports for the front and new sway bar bushings for the rear. The fronts had a Technical Service Bulletin regarding the noise from the front struts but I'm not sure about the back. HTH.
I equate it to the popping noise in the moonroof(occurs when cold a/c air is inside and hot air is outside). Just one of the quirks that you learn to live with. Because getting it truly fixed is probably impossible. The only way I could see the strut problem being eradicated is if they installed superior componenets vs. what comes from the factory. YMMV.
I once had a dealer quote me $900. for new struts and a timing belt change. I went to my local mechanic and he lubed the strut mounts. It lasted a few days and the noise came back. The struts never failed, but they sure were noisy in the cold weather!
There is no danger involved with the strut pop and squeak. They're annoyances is all.
I think this is a nice mix of people.
If everyone was all nicey nice, there wouldn't be as much interest in the group. You need opposing viewpoints to make a conversation interesting.
'Sides, compared to usenet, this place plays like "friendships" on the playground. Tidester keeps things in line just fine.
"...re GOTCHA mode... Enough of the monopolizing back and forth posts on the same subject for weeks.I miss the interesting varied content we used to have. Does anyone else?"
No.
I called local Lexus dealership to have oil changed and 2 other things looked at. The car is a 2001 AWD RX300 with 8500 miles. I asked for a loaner. I knew it was a long shot to get because I was in for oil change, not the "expensive" 15,000 or 30,000 mile maintenance. They service manager said I did not qualify for a loaner because I DID NOT PURCHASE THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP.
Granted, I went to another dealer to purchase the car because the price was about $2200 cheaper.
What happens to the person who buys a car, then moves to a different state?
I thought the sales and service departments are separate entities in the dealership.
I did not take too kindly to his words.
Was wondering what your experiences with loaners are with your service departments.
Sorry to rant... I just feel I spent all this money and my service is not much better than regular Toyota.
What do all you think?
I bought mine in AZ and gave it to 2 diff dealers in Seattle and always got loaner cars. Even if you bought from a different dealership, when you get an oil change done, you do pay for it right? So you should have the same rights as those who bought their RX from that dealership. Its unfair to treat you so. See if you can speak to the Service Manager or if there is another Lexus dealership.
Senthil
It's too bad, really; apparently many of us bought Lexus after experiencing crappy attitudes down at the ol' BMW or Mercedes fishin' hole and now find our dealers are aspiring to be just as big a pile of stinkbait as the competitors (pls pardon all the bad puns and mixed metaphors above.....I'm just a dumb 'ol Arkie doctor).
I've had (or have) a total of 5 Lexus' since 1991. Likely my next car will be number 6. But I sure miss the old days.......even if they weren't too long ago or very old, either.
Hopefully it won't cost a fortune to fix.
I drove my car (and my future business) to another dealer. I recommend you do the same.
http://warrantydirect.com/index.asp?^
and
http://www.1sourceautowarranty.com/
This site was down when I checked though.
They both provide alot of information to look over. I choose 1 source because they covered GPS.
Since when can't I put a ski rack on my Honda Accord and go skiing?
Since when can an RX300, RAV4, CRV, or any other car-platform tow a medium sized boat with reliability?
Again, there is no "Sport" and most SUVs.
-Craig
Thanks
Senthil
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Pete
Sure wish they would find the problem (and admit to it) so that a solution can be found.
http://cgi.latimes.com/class/highway1/yourwheels/20020313/t000018575.html
Thanks
Thanks
Senthil
The Edmunds Maintenance Guide
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Senthil
My Lexus Service Advisor told me that it's the only way to make sure that the Navigation, Defroster, and All-Wheel-Drive systems operate at their best.
There's been an M3 owner on this board who changed the oil every 500 miles, after he drove the car "hard" as he put it! He claimed that his German piece of engineering needed that - Darwin is calling...
On the RX, trans and diff fluid must only be changed in 30k intervals, IIRC, had mine done four weeks ago.
Tarik
excuse me, i've got to go change my windshield washer fluid on the advice of my service advisor......it's on "rough service" schedule....