Tsquared

If you use the dealer it can be expensive. If you are a do-it-yourself type it is less expensive. Regular service on the ES is less expensive than my Ford truck. Much less than a Volvo, BMW, or other european cars. I do all of my "normal" maintenance items but I keep an independant mechanic for any major items. I will also try to buy OEM for most replacement parts or the "high" line of consumables from NAPA or online.

Thius thread needs to be closed. It is also evident that "Guru" status doesn't relate to automotive knowlege.

Why would you build up a high HP engine and use the stock ignition? Are you using the stock tire size also? Toysrme, you need to rethink the answer. You started on the right track but you blew it with this reply. :chairshot: My thoughts on plugs: Use the stock plugs with stock applications. If you have a vehicle that requires multi anode plugs, use then them (Volvo, Porsche, Saab all require duel tip or tri tip plugs for the OEM part). If you pump up the performance you need to balance the performance parts to achieve the maximum potential. The ignition is good on the Toyota 6 cylinder but when the performance goes way beyond the design specs you need to get an ignition system designed for that HP range.

I don't think A 10 lb. sledge would shatter the rotors since there isn't enough clearence to give a hard enough swing. I tried an air chisel on the rotors by the hub and all I get is a bunch of dents. Maybe if I wait until it's 20 below. Go with a 3 lb short sledge hammer. You can get a full swing and you want to hit it squarely in the pad area. I had to do this to my F150 this summer. Also, get a CO2 fire estinguisher and cool them off so you don't have to wait till it 20 below outside. I still recomend changing out the bearings. You are half way there and a light tap with a hammer on a rotor is enough to damage them.

You may also want to change the fuel filter. Run the current tank through it down to empty, then put in 4 galons of regular and run that out. If that has not cleared everything up then go for a tune-up with another new fuel filter, new plugs, egr, and claening the throttle body, IAC, and any other intake/vacume hoses. Next step would be professional injector cleaner. I add Lucas or BG injector cleaner every 5K alternating between them. I do not vary from these two. I have heard of good results with the Chevron cleaner as well. I also run the lowest octane that does not ping. For my wife's ES 330 we are running 87 octane, my daughter Volovo 850 is also running 87, my F150 needs a little more so I run 89 octane, and in the 944Turbo I put a bottle of booster in with 91 octane to get it up to 93/94 octane (it is not close to being stock and needs the extra octane to prevent detonation). Additives can be a good thing but they can also screw things up. I have used SeaFoam with fair results but I have also seen this break all kinds of gunk loose on a car that had little preventitive maintence other than oil changes and it caused all kinds of problems.

Go get new wheel bearings. Get you sledge hammer. Hit it hard enough to shatter the rotor. Replace the bearings and any other damaged items. BTW: if you have already beat on the rotors you need to replace the bearings anyway.

Check the oil at the first fill after it rolls over 1000 miles. At 30K it does not burn any oil. I check the air evry time I rotate the tires - every 5k miles when I perform the PM on the oil/filters/other fluids.

I have to agree also on an extended warrenty. The clauses that try to wiggle out of paying and the hassel of trying to get something covered can be a pain. The way cars are put together (especially the Lexus) make the warrenty a very good deal for the seller and a poor choice for the consumer. I was a service writer back in the 80's for a dealership. Every vehicle that was still within the factory warrenty that came through the door we were to make a sales pitch for an extended warrenty. Only about 8% of those that were bought ever used the warrenty and most of these had a repair for less than the cost of the warrenty.

The test drive will tell. I have no problems with my transmission. I have experianced a loaner 04 with the hesitation - kinda reminded me of the turbo systems in the 80's. Seemed to lag when you stepped on it. I think some have the problem and some dont... Gas milage: computer reads about 2.5 mpg below actual milage - this is fairly consistant. The actual city milage is 19.5-21 MPG and the hiway @80mph is 26 MPG, @70mph is 29.5 MPG.

Chose the ES over a GS because of front wheel drive. Atlanta rarely has ice storms but a front wheel drive is much safer than a rear wheel drive. This is also my wife's car so I was looking for a safe and very comfortable car for her.

My 05 ES has enough to pass - more would be nice. It has almost as much power as my daughters Volvo 850 (Turbo 5 banger) and it will turn over the tires at a dead stop without any problems B) I have not noticed loose steering but this is not a high performance sedan. It has a soft suspention and there is little road feedback through the steering. Car and Driver summed up the 05ES330 with the statement that it was very predictable for a luxury car. My ES is my wife's primary vehicle. When I drive a 4-wheeled vehicle I usually drive my my truck or if I am into a perfomance ride I will take out the 944T. T

I guess that is the downside of not living near an area where Nascar Racing is considered the "new" national pastime. There are enough specialty speed shops or custom automotive repair shops in the Atlanta area you can get anything done... T

Azmalu, You can also pull you alt and carry it to a specialty alt shop to have it rewound to the highlander spec. They will upgrade the voltage regulator in addition to the wiring. In many cases if time is not a factor you can request to have the cases back prior to rewinding so that you can paint or powdercote them to match the color scheme. This will cost about the same as a rebuilt unit but the time you are down will be longer. T

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=30638 The post in the meet section provides better info than the LexFest.com site. :whistles: I live 20 minutes from Road Atlanta - turn 11 is a PIA, I will be there also. T

You will get bad gas milage and you may fowl the plugs. Good luck with the universal sensor. I had big problems with a universal and ended up getting a model specific sensor to fix everything. (The dang connecter pulled free inside the plug - figured this out latter, ended up using the sensor on another vehicle). T