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You may see mpg improvement as engine continues to break in. Also, try to have a light foot during acceleration from stop...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Thank you,
With its slightly firmer suspension, I am afraid to take a chance with Cross Terrains or anything else that may affect the ride. I may just play it safe and buy Dueler H/T's which came on it and I have been very pleased with, except for the fact that they will need replacement at about 32k.
Just stopped by the Toyota store to look at the 03 4runner and pick up a sales brochure. I'll take back any statements I have made about the 4runner vs the HL or RX, the 4runner is just plain too damn big and bulky.
But.
From the brochure on the TORSEN limited slip diff'l:
"For example, when the vehicle is traveling straight, 40% of the torque is distributed to the front wheels, while 60% is allocated to the rear (40/60), providing the driver with a feel typical of a rear-wheel drive vehicle."
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ????
Is it entirely possible that Toyota has figured out how to design a truly excellent AWD vehicle?
The statement implies that the torque to the front wheels might be something other than 40% if the vehicle is turning. I have always firmly believed that it is wrong to have driving, motive, force to the front wheels while turning.
Motive forces, acceleration or deceleration, to the front wheels should be reduced altogether when turning, or as a function of the level of need from tractive adhesion to be allocated to directional control.
Maybe, we can hope, Toyota has arrived at the perfect AWD solution.
40/60 normal, 29/71 w/front slippage, 53/47 w/rear slippage, AND 29/71 (5/95 severe turn??) when turning.
Now, can I have an RX with this feature next spring?
Or even an HL??
some snippets:
...the new RX330 will be officially unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January
...the look is much more aggressive and it DOES have a third seat in the rear.
The SUV will be available for sale in November of 2003 as a 2004 model.
Rumors have it, that it will have more features for less money than the current offering.
There will also be another surprise announcement in Detroit and an even bigger surprise announcement at the New York auto show --- official unveiling of the 240HP hybrid powered RX330 in New York.
How about a 240HP SUV that gets 30 miles to the gallon!
1. It will be the RX 330 (horsepower not given)
2. On sale date is April 1 as a 2004 model
3. Many new colors not currently available on other Lexus vehicles will be offered (like Olive)
4. No third seat available
5. All-new options include:
Sports package
Air suspension
Radar cruise control
17" or 18" wheels
Moonroof or new oversized moonroof
Power rear hatch
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Lexus Link
Rear DVD entertainment system
Of course, HID lights, nav, in-dash 6-disc CD changer and ML stereo will also be options.
Some other Lexus news given out at the meeting:
1. The redesigned GS will come out in spring 2004 as a 2005 model
2. The redesigned IS will come out fall 2004 as a 2005 model
deara, assuming Lexus does for the RX what they do for the GS, the wood wheel can be added now for an exorbitant amount (close to $2k for the GS) despite only charging $232 for it as an option. Some folks over on ClubLexus have had success with aftermarket, but it's not cheap even then. Sorry.
The ONLY thing that could have improved my RX300s performance was greater clearance...but if you keep your speed reasonable offroad bottoming out is limited. I did bottom out but my RX took it. I replaced the battery once, brakes only once, used regular unleaded fuel, oil changes every 4000-5000 miles(should have done better with this), ZERO engine probs over 67,000. Just now I have a spring prob at front passenger but it passed inspection this month so i'm not fixing and i think i have an alternator prob because the car has failed to start about 5 times in the past thirty days. A battery charger had my RX started w/in 20 mins. In conclusion the only real prob i had is with the dealer...and we bought TWO RX300s...they were way too snobby and condecending but the next closest dealer was Rochester, NY. Their service wasnt that good either and the "promised' loaner cars they said would be available, never were. In '99 the RXs were the safest suv on the market and thats why we bought them....glad we did! Need to buy 2 more suvs again plus a truck so we can't afford 2 more RX300s. I never treated my RX with kid gloves but it sure did fine by me. Need help finding an equally capable, comfortable and SAFE suv for around $30k right away...can anyone help ? Cars have always been a necessity for me, nothing more but now i find myself asking: Will i forever lament my RX300 ?
I've heard dealers are willing to do this to keep people in the fold.
If you read what I wrote about three posts up you'll see some of the new features which will be on the RX 330. It sounds like it will be better than the current generation in every way (which as you said is already great).
I have an 01 AWD RX and a 93 Ford ranger pu for yead waste, hauling garbage, etc. I have often though about buying a simple one wheel trailer to replace the pu with and eliminate the extra insurance cost for a vehicle that gets driven once or twice a month.
I'm looking at getting an off-lease RX300 for the wife, but the local Lexus dealer (or at least the salesman I spoke with) said the price on the window of their used RXs are relatively firm (i.e., very little room for negotiation).
Is this similar to other people's experiences?? I actually wouldn't have a problem with it, but their prices were $4K-$5K over Edmunds TMV.
Alternatively, would it be better to wait until February or March to get a 2003 RX, just before the 2004s come out? (I imagine we could get a good discount at that point).
Thanks.
Currently the only Lexus "I" have is the 01 AWD RX300 since I am likely to be able to borrow an LS should the need arise.
Are you really sure your buy-out price for the RX is that high, that seems really unusual to me. After that many months of lease payments I would have expected to see something under $10k.
I wanted to buy it out, but the contractual residual was $29,600 (after 39mths/36k mls)! Upon inquiring about a more reasonable deal, the rep told me that they'd rather auction the Rex off for a loss than sell it to me for the same price - because an auction loss is covered by their insurance, while the lower sales price to me wouldn't be.
When I asked the folks at the dealer-only auction about the expected price, they indicated $21-$22k the most. I have a dealer frined who recently sold a perfect '99 Rex $19,900, which should tell you that the going value is nowhere close to most residuals. He also had a '99 540iT with 50k mls and Nav for $25,000 (!), of course right after I had purchased my '99 528iT somewhere else for more...
I also realized that black RX 300s fetch much less in the market than, i.e. silver ones.
Tarik
The Bridgestones are usually the H/Ls which came stock on some RXs. Mine had them and so far have been very pleased with the quality, ride and performance.
The Michelins are CrossTerrains. Never owned a set but many will attest their high quality, ride and performance, too.
The CTs are a bit higher than H/Ls, I believe but look around for your best deals.
FWIW, my other RX has had the other stock tires: Goodyear Integritys. Though they might lack the "looks" of an SUV tire, I've had them on mine all along and though I've desired to change them out, they've performed fine from a ride and noise aspect. Handling, I believe, is better on my Bridgestones in dry and wet weather.
Good luck and enjoy!
My 92 LS (full spec) now has over 85k, still has original brake fluid, diff'l lub, transmission fluid & filter, etc, etc. New tires twice, new battery 4, new drivers side front oxygen sensor DIY.
Oil(modil 1) & filter (oil and air) changes on a regular basis.
My brother's 91 LS also full spec, went into the shop at 90k for timing belt, etc, ($1200). Came out needing rear engine seal ($1100) immediately, next day, now has over 120k. had the same care and feeding as the 92 up until about 100k when I gave it to my brother.
Lexus should sell direct.
Plus, on two of the loaner RXs I've driven they have had H/Ls also.
Either way, seems like the Bridgestones are a good tire alternative for the RX, IMHO.
Changing the transmission fluid is really easy. Get a gallon of the type 4 transmission fluid from the Lexus or Toyota dealer. Under the pan are two bolts, remove both and drain. Refill through the dip stick.
I tried to replace the rear differential fluid, but ran into the following problem. I cannot find the correct tool for opening the upper plug on the rear differential. It requires a 10mm allen type wrench, but I cannot access it due to the axle structure blocking it. Anybody know what the tool looks like?
I bought a set of front and rear brake pads from Irontoad. The original pads are still good, but I am ready to go with the new ones as soon as they require it.
I replaced the Integrity tires with Michelins LTX when the car had 20k on it. I am getting ready to replace these with Michelin Cross Terrain probably next month. The LTX have 55k on them and they are showing some signs of wear. I don't want to wait too much longer.
I use Mobil One when replacing the oil along with Toyota filters every 7k miles.
If you are a DIY and have some advice for me, please contact. Thanks
Why are you needlessly replacing fluids? If it's only because that's what the dealer does/recommends then you're still being "had" by the dealer.
Since I bought my first car in 1962, 1956 Ford sedan, I have NEVER changed out ANY fluid on a scheduled basis except engine oil. Two of my Fords, a 78 and a 75 went for over 270k miles before I paid to have them hauled away to the junk yard. I personally overhauled the engine and auto transmission in the 68 and swapped in a 30k engine and transmission from a junkyark into the 70k, somewhere in the middle in both cases.
70k seems a bit high for the front brake life on an RX.
Have you had any problems with the vehicle?
Why would you, basically pay "fully" for the vehicle, plus interest, and then agree to pay it's market value rather than something in the range of what's left "owning" were it a loan instead of a lease.
My 92 LS400 still contains the original anti-freeze fluid, plus maybe a quart of top-off, that was installed at the factory. I test it every fall for it's anti-freezing capability.
I do not tow anything and I do not go in for jack-rabbit starts, so my transmission fluid, at 85k miles is very likely as good at it's task as it was back when it was in it's original container.
Oh and I got my second "unrepairable" flat last week on the GoodYears and I hate to buy just one more of them.
Thanks Again!
And by the way, coolant was low so we likely will need to change the water pump while we are in there..... Cha Ching $2500.00
I would appreciate other owners' view on whether my dealer is taking me for a ride or if the life expectancy on this otherwise good vehicle is 4 years/80K miles?
Thanks ( and thanks for letting me vent )
Marc
Lexus Owner Web Site
If you aren't already a member, you can register at that time or update the mailing address in your owner profile.
One feature was a preview of the GX 470, to be released in December. This is a midsize SUV, positioned between the RX 300 and LX 470; which seats up to eight and has a tow capacity of 5,000 lbs.
Pete
How longg since the last oil change and how low was/is the oil on the dipstick. If you're not having to add oil between 7500 miles changes then the dealer is clearly blowing smoke.
Otherwise start by suspecting that the dealer sprayed a little oil at/near the rear main engine seal. But, to be entirely fair you should have a look at the bottom of the engine on my 78 911SC Targa, always coated with oil.
Oil that nobody pays any attention to at all. If you find a puddle, then that's the time to worry.
Coolant low? How low?
It is not typical for a Lexus water pump to fail in this timeframe. And if it had failed the smell of anti-freeze would undoubtedly overpower the oil smell. Typically the first thing to fail is the bearing seal that keeps the anti-freeze out of the shaft bearing. You will almost always smell anti-freeze before the bearing actually fails due to anti-freeze/water getting into and through the bearing.
Powertrain warranty is for 6 years, 70k miles, though.
If your dealer is right about the seal, you can try calling Lexus customer service to convince them to cover anyway "just" out of warranty or at least to split the cost. Maybe you detected the smell a few months ago (before 70k). With no drips or loss of oil at the dipstick it would seem to be reasonable to consider the smell minor and to wait to report it at the next service.
TIRES: Michelin promo started earlier this week at my local Costco - $60 off a four tire purchase. So that's $124 per tire including mounting, balancing, etc. Still not as inexpensive as the H/Ls, but closer. At 24k miles, the Integritys are still nowhere near the wear bars, unfortunately. So... new tires or a Garmin StreetPilot III nav? Can't decide.