IS350MD

I brought my 350 in last Tuesday for squeaking/rattling in the moon roof. The tech said he took the whole unit off and lubricated it. Noise stopped. Two days later the motor broke and the moon roof was stuck in the tilt position. I'm supposed to get the car back today, they had to have the motor shipped in from NJ. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Time spent on regular roads >>>>>>>>>>>> Time spent on track

thanks everyone for "feeling my pain", we'll see what they'll do. a good friend of mine who manages a car dealership said I'm entitled to the fix, but that I ought to just ask for the $ for the fix and pocket it, with the same notes as what Steve said. MEANWHILE, had to bring my car back in a couple of minutes ago because my moonroof will not go down after being treated for noise.

that's a good point. I called them today to let them know it happened, but I'm not going to demand they fix it (rep wasn't there so I left a message). It just left a pit in my stomach, that I haven't been able to get over yet. I will use the contact you recommended for service from now on. My coworker gets her RX serviced there too, and I passed along the contact name. Rockville is getting a new service center, should be pretty nice. I used to get my car serviced in Towson and the shop there is amazing. I imagine they'll be similar.

Long story short: -brought IS to dealer for squeak in moonroof -told dealer they could put their license plate frame around my front license plate -dealer strips the screw holes for the license plate holder and screws into the front bumper leaving a nasty semi hole and scratch -dealer says they ordered me a new license plate holder, but no mention of fixing the bumper What would you do? The scratch and hole will never be seen unless you take the front plate off. I live in MD so we are req'd to have a front plate, but I'm still very, very annoyed.

My rattle in dash was fixed by a TSB repair.

Hey these are really not huge issues here, cheers to Lexus for making a great car. things wrong with my 350 after 3000 miles: -crackling in one of my speakers, I'll have them fix at my 5K service -brake dust...but no more than any BMW or MB out there. I expected it. -it's too fast... btw, you can get Sirius aftermarket integrated with the stock head unit, I've been very happy with mine.

Never Fear, I have the perfect solution, place the manual by your throne as you are reveling in your gradure pick up the manual and before you know it you will have read the whole thing ( I would recommend doing this over several sittings though) ... Sorry for being a little off topic, but I could not resist Great post

My IS350 has 12,000 miles on it and never misses a beat, idle is perfectly smooth... George can't say I've noticed anything while idling but...I was downshifting to pass some cars, slammed on the gas and heard a "pudump" sound, scared the cr*p out of me. no noticeable change in transmission or engine power though, just the sound. wonder if it was the car in front of me, but I don't think so. I've been beating the heck out of my 350 and other than that it's a champ.

that's about the only time I read the manual, when I'm stuck in traffic.

looked at the BMW's as well...would only add that while the BMW is very nice, the Lexus is more of a luxury car, and while the Lexus is a fantastic car to drive, the 335 is more of a driver's car. You can't go wrong with either the 350 or the 335. I absolutely love my 350, but have some regrets about not buying the 335, it's a tough decision.

CONGRATS! I may have the same car-glad you don't live in MD!. The 335i is a very impressive car, but the value and level of luxury in the IS is just....better. I got the same estimate for XM from my dealer. I went with Sirius aftermarket for about $500...wish I had gone with XM dealer installed, more expensive, but using the sharkfin antenna is a much cleaner install, not to mention the quirkiness issues with the Sirius interface.

the A/C is just the compressor in the car, working to help balance the humidity in the car. do not worry, there will not be cold air blowing. All decent cars are using this method to heat the cars, it's a much more comfortable heat. it's counterintuitive (sp?), but you should not worry. It's a great system, do not mess with it.

spinning off topic a bit here but... the IS350 has so many options to shift, you would not be dissapointed: the paddle shifters and the auto stick. I'm constantly baffled by the "must have manual" drivers. I've driven manual cars for 15 years and they don't hold a candle to the transmission in the IS350. Jees, leaving the car in Auto- PWR mode is breathtaking and I can nearly guarantee this car can shift by itself much better than any driver. Need engine braking, then downshift, I do it all the time when I'm coming up quick on someone or about to hit a corner. Who needs a clutch??? back on topic, when I test drove the 250AWD and was dissapointed, drove much like the TSX, not much fun IMO. Again this was the AWD model, 0-60 in 8.3 seconds is NOT a peppy car. I had a Prelude with lower HP and Torque numbers than the 250, and THAT was a fun car to drive, this is not. Luxurious- YES for sure. If you want the IS for fun, you need to get the 350. DO NOT be a AUTO hater. I also had a Prelude VTEC, before my BMW... probably the most fun car to drive that I have ever owned.... that VTEC was a rocket. Back on subject, I promise I am not an "auto hater"... I just happen to like rowing through the gears, and I suspect I am not alone in that preference ;-) !!! Another Prelude fan!!! that was a fun car...until I spun it around on I95... the trick was to shift so the VTEC was always engaged I row through the gears as well. just using the stick...and no clutch. I have to admit, I'm souring on the paddles. Years of using the clutch and bum knees = no more clutch. I just drove my co-worker's EVO with clutch and felt sore afterwards, although that was a pretty stiff clutch. or maybe I'm just jealous and wish I had a clutch and am making excuses. ;)

The 250AWD sticks to the road as well as any Subaru, but don't discount the 350's VDIM, very, VERY impressive in the rain a hair below the AWD and way better than most FWD cars on the road. I feel much safer in my 350 than in any FWD car I've ever owned. I slid around in my Honda CRV AWD with brand new tires way more than in the 350. For snow, buy yourself some snow tires and rims and drive slowly. if it snows more than 4"...stay home! Getting smoked by a Turbo Beetle would be sad indeed. :cries: my history Pontiac 6000 to Toyota Truck (can't remember the model) to Jetta to Civic to Accord Wagon to Prelude to Altima to Protege to Jetta VR6 to CRV to ML320 to Prius to IS350