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Agent 0986 - we had an inch of that white stuff in Monmouth county and the all season tires handled it just fine. Salt did not hurt my car last winter and I doubt it will hurt yours. Just watch it though when you're on the highway in motion and the salter is putting it down. That's when its bouncing around like small stones.
BTW, I might buy one tomorrow--finally.
I have had an inordinately large number of problems with this vehicle, which I have discussed earlier on this board. Lexus's reply has been that they will provide Lemon protection only to the extent that they are obliged to by law, i.e. Lexus's policy is that it will provide no more Lemon protection for this $60,000 vehicle than would be provided if one were to purchase a much less expensive Dodge Neon.
I live in Arlington Heights and have had the vehicle serviced locally. The problems with this car have been Lexus-related rather than dealer-related. Arlington Lexus has provided friendly, professional service for a car which has been nothing but a series of annoyances.
I have had to take the car back more than once for similar problems, e.g. bad bearings, burned-out taillights, steering wheel groaning. Most recently I was told that a part required for the steering wheel groan was not in when I took the vehicle in for servicing. I am now obliged to take yet another trip to the dealership when that part arrives.
Given my repeated problems with this vehicle and the need for multiple trips for servicing, in retrospect, I would have purchased a Mercedes Benz, simply because I live very close to a Mercedes dealership which is on the way to my train station. However, if you are interested in purchasing a Lexus, I would check to see whether the prospective dealer has a policy whereby the dealer will pick up the vehicle at your home and provide a loaner. That would have been a lot more convenient than the pain in the neck that driving this vehicle in for servicing, repeatedly, has turned into.
Good luck.
Scott in Florida
My family has purchased three cars from them over the years. Then, last year, I decided I wanted to trade my 1995 ES 300 for the all-new 2002 model. The owner, Ray Nusinow, got involved in the deal and offered me a nice discount. When October rolled around and the car was officially available, my salesman special ordered me a car (I wanted the adjustable suspension and traction control which required an order). Much to my shock, five weeks later Ray Nusinow backed out and said I could only get the car if I paid list price. The guy was playing games just to get me to order the car. And he outright lied and claims he never offered a discount. Yeah, right. I made the whole thing up.
To make a long story short, I wound up getting in touch with some top Lexus people due to an owner's focus group I attended last year. My order was transferred to another dealer.
Ray Nusinow is a criminal as far as I'm concerned, out only to add dollars to his own pocket. For those in the area, he used to own Ray Oldsmobile.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/builder11/newnews/newsarticle.php3?id=3959
I had a chance to drive the new LS430 my dad and I got for my mom, while I was visiting my parents in Hawaii for winter break. A fantastic car that makes you want to take the long way home, which I did on several occassions. =D It's such a great car, with a balance of power and sophisticated restraint. The exterior is also growing on me.
Anyway, the difference between the Lev and the standard audio to me seems like the difference between listening to a CD and FM radio. Both are suitable for non-discriminating listeners, but to those who love music, the Lev is hands down a necessity. I don't think I'm that picky, but I can notice the difference quite clearly, and I checked out both in the showroom. Get the Levinson.
Since we live in Hawaii, we don't really need Nav, so opted to get Lev without Nav. The dealer offered it as a $1000 option. Well worth it, and I personally prefer the higher location of the central air vents in the no Nav cars.
Jeff
Thanks again!!
Other known problems - the antenna mast has been bent and one of the the remote key transmitter buttons does not work (needs a battery?) Any advice on sources for these items without paying retail at the dealer?
Thank you for any suggestions and input.
Try bending your antenna straight, then use some WD-40. Cleaning the antenna occasionaly and using WD-40 helps keep it retracting and extending.
Is there a Lexus magazine?
Overall, I think that this is one of my best new cars.
Scott
A/C - It's amazing how quickly the car cools down after being left in the hot sun for a long period of time in the summer. Fastest of any car I've ever been in. For this I am very greatful. But I agree the climate system tends to overcompensate toward warm in winter and cool in summer for about the first 10-15 minutes of driving. After that I find it dead perfect. The other day on a 20 degree morning I had the temp set at 68 and I was too warm during the first 10 minutes or so. Later it was a perfect 70 in the car which is the temp I usually set it at.
I agree that the A/C overcompensates, but this is necessary for the quick cool down and warm up of the car during hot and cold weathers respectively, as air circulation via the vents is essential for consistent temperature throughout the cabin. Now if they had 6 more vents throughout the interior, we wouldn't have this problem. Just simple "thermo"dynamics.
Jeff
Other problems to be prepared for:
A/C compressor failure = $1,400 (2 times once under warranty)
A/C Evaporator failure a week after the 1st A/C compressor failed = $1,200
Rear Main oil seal = $473.00
Brake Job = $460.00
120K mile service = $995.00 (Same as 60K service)
Fuel door release solenoid replacement = $333.00
Don't forget to replace the timing belt at 90K miles - Cost $995.00, this includes changing the water pump, which they will recommend doing at the same time.
Did I mention the cost to maintain this vehicle can be expensive if you follow the manufacturer's recommended schedule - which I have. However, I would not hesitate to buy another used or new Lexus. They are fun and comfortable to drive, and generally very reliable. This car has never left me stranded.
Never drove a lexus before and found it very smooth/quiet. I live around Boston area.
I wondered if anyone experienced with Lexus LS400 might be willing/able to answer questions regarding my following concerns...
- How expensive is it to maintain these cars? Especially now that it's 7yrs old with 127K miles?
- What is actual gas mileage? City/HghWay?
- How reliable/dependable?
- What maintenace should I ensure was completed?
- How many yrs/miles should I expect to get out of this vehicle?
- How much in maintenance costs should I expect per year?
- Are there any other questions I should be asking?
- Is $16k a reasonable price?
Your response(s) will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
-Jeff
$16k isn't a bad deal if the service records check out and if the timing belt has been replaced somewhere between 60-90k. Also, it should be in good shapes inside and outside. Otherwise, $14.5k would be my offer so you have the extra $1.5k to put towards repairs.
b. You can read the Lexus magazine online at www.InsideLexus.com
Bentley Arnage Red Label, Rolls Royce Silver Seraph, and of course the BMW 750, The S600, Jaguar, Audi, and others.
So what else is new?
Nixon3, jkl27: No car in this class can remotely be called cheap to operate, especially when the miles pile up. My 90 LS, which had 127k when I sold it, had several of the problems Nixon3 mentioned (a/c, suspension, and also the bleeding LCD display). The thing to remember with these cars is that they are amazingly reliable machines BUT: all machines wear out eventually and when this one needs repair, the parts are expensive. I would still rather drive an LS with this kind of mileage and expect the occasional expensive repair than settle for a lesser car with fewer miles. Just a matter of taste, I suppose.
1) Is there any hack way to turn off the Lexus link startup message? -- I turned the volume way down and that really helps but I rather just turn it off.
2) Is there any way to disable the GPS warning startup screen?
3) I saw some messages on the steering wheel voice button not always working on the 1st press. I am also seeing that behavior. Is there a fix for this problem or are we doing something wrong?
4) Our top glove box does not align right and actually rubes on the top. Has anyone else seen this problem?
5) does anyone know of any hacks in the Navigation system. In other words -- hidden screens that are not documented in the owners manual that let you do interesting things to the car?
6) I heard from a friend that you can play DVD movies from the Nav system. Is this true and if so how.
7) what is the trick on opening all the doors with the remote. I double click but half the time it doesn't work.
8) I saw a posting on someone saying that it cost about $300 to swap out the ashtray. Has anyone done it themselves? If so, how much did the parts cost and how did you do it? I want to put my cell phone in this box.
thanks in advance for the help
Remote opens driver/all doors on single press
Putting car in park opens driver/all door locks
Automatic relock (a door isn't opened after remote unlock) after 30/60 seconds.
Doors lock when car is put in gear/reaches 12 (?) mph
I don't believe the Lexlink announcement or Nav warning (liability)can be turned off. I also remember discussion of DVD movies. Last year that was true only on the big SUV (different DVD players were used) - and even then there were many safeties to ensure you couldn't be driving at the same time. Don't know about 2002's.
The glovebox problem is something the dealer should fix - poor fit is definately not a Lexus characteristic!
Trisha 2 - carfax is very reliable provided the car's former owner has been honest about its mileage. I know the CEO first hand. It gets its data from the states based on registration changes so it is excellent and very useful data for anyone buying a used (I guess in this forum we should call them pre-owned)car. It also does a cross check with insurance companies on claims as an audit. I'm not sure how comprehensive they are on the latter point though. It had its roots in the old RL Polk business which is now owned by Equifax.
Still waiting on the Nav. update and have given up on the phone (real letdown from Lexus on that whole issue).
Wish list addition - movable pedals like they are going to put in the ES300. Then I could tweak my driving position that little bit extra..
I'd like to tell you that I hope you get your money's worth out of the chains but in my heart I hope you don't. We've had all of about 6" of snow so far here in Central NJ this year. But I've been through far too many 15+ inch snowstorms to laugh at this winter yet.
Degraded UV coating on lens. (Replacement required)
Moisture inside lens. (If this is happening you will be able to see the moisture in the lens. Your Toyota dealer can check for source of moisture. The lens vent may be plugged, preventing the evaporation of collected moisture. If your trips are long enough, the bulbs burn hot enough to evaporate the moisture, if the vent is not plugged)
Lights improperly adjusted. (Toyota Dealer can adjust them for you
Since you indicated that the lights appear bright, while looking at them from the outside, my guess is that they are out of adjustment. In any case your local Toyota dealer should be able to help you solve the dim light problem.
I have never taken my LS400 to a Toyota dealer for service, but I would not hesitate to do so, if they can do all the routine service work that is required. I would call and ask them. Normal oil changes can be done by the Toyota dealer, because the oil filter for your LS400 and the Toyota Land Cruiser are the same. They have different part numbers but the only difference is one says Toyota and the other Lexus.
Given your distance from the nearest Lexus dealer, I would let the Toyota dealer perform my service.
The interior dash light problem is not one that I have experienced. However, I seem to remember a post on another Lexus group, that indicated that Lexus would not change just one bulb. They will replace all of them for approximately $700.00. Don't hold me to this, because I getting to old to remember a post from two years ago.
Good Luck
Steve
Catena runs a great show doesn't he? I hear real good things about his MB shop in Edison as well. When I unexpectedly needed the second car because of work I actually had my Lexus salesman pricing me MB's from Edison. He may enlarge the Lexus dealership even more from what I hear. It's that successful. It's also the best showroom I've ever seen.
Competitors included:
Audi A8L
Bentley Arnage Red Label
BMW 750iL
Cadillac Seville STS
Infiniti Q45
Jaguar Vanden Plas Supercharged
Lincoln Continental
Merceds S600
Rolls Royce Silver Seraph
The five finalists, in addition to the LS 430, were the Audi, BMW, Infiniti and Mercedes.
The LS 430 finished 1st or 2nd in every category tested. Also included was a 36,000-mile road reliability run.