GOLDPLATER

How about a BOSE suspension? Check this out: http://www.automobilemag.com/news/0410_bose/ John

1. So the most likely case on how LS would set up in America: -LS460 a choice of short and long wheel base -LS500 only long wheel base and -the hybrid models would have the long wheel base version ONLY 2. In terms of the engine displacement, the only new changes that may happen is that the LS500 hybrid would turn into LS550h instead. Why is this so? Well because apparently there is increasing evidence that Toyota is trying to put a hybrid drive on the 4.6 liter engine and Toyota would have no problems (in terms of the technology available) to increase (with the hybrid drive) it's power output that is similar to the 5.5 liter engine. Adding to the weight reduction measures taken by Toyota, it should have the similar performance as the S600 sedan. So would the LS550h be the most expensive one in the line? Yes and you would expect this car would carry the most advanced technology that is currently available. However, this car would expect to carry it's price tag at around 93-95K and since I am not sure America is ready to pay that much for a Toyota, I am quite doubtful this car would be sold into the American market. 3. And finally the LS450h is not out of the plans in Toyota proposal since it will share this powerplant with the upcoming GS hybrid sedan. But the big question is the following? Would this hybrid model ever arrive in the American market? From my thinking since we don't have to pay very expensive and hefty license fees (which is by the way dependent on the amount of (gas) displacement you have in the engine), quite possibly. Basically, assume the new LS sedan would have a 4.6 liter engine, a hybrid version for the 4.5 liter engine and a 5.0 liter GT version. There would be also a traditional 5.0 liter engine available for the LS and a stretch wheelbase model for each displacement model on the LS sedan as an option. Now what would be the main target market for the LS sedan; like always their major competition would point directly to the Mercedes S-class but this time the LS model would take on the entire S-Class Line-up and would try to suppress the current and the future S-class sedan in all aspects such as interior dimensions, power, driving dynamics, etc. Here's the breakdown of possible competitions: LS460 would compete S430 LS500 GT would compete S55 LS450 hybrid?? or LS500 hybrid would compete S600?? John http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...CODE=12&CID=100

Good choice on model but i like going with a color difference between exterior and interior. My previous Lexus was a GS300 and I can say my LS430 feels much better. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...CODE=12&CID=100 John

Can't wait to see it at the Phila auto show in Feb. The idea of no door handles is cool. The side door camera's is cool also. Would like to know if the doors swing up instead of out. I hate the idea of rear fans and the stacked exhaust seems weird. Definetly too low for a four season vehicle. John

I agree also. I just couldn't believe my ears when the tech actually said that this was not a problem. I will hold the company to there pledge "Pursuit of Perfection" as long as i have this car. Documenting my problem on the service record will ensure that i wont have to worry about future replacement costs in the future. John

After 6 months of use, my new 430 has developed a 6 inch long chafe on the driver's side weather stripping. It starts where the glass transitions from the upper arch to the flat edge of the upper window. I looked at the front passenger window & it did not have the chafe marks. I just had the dealer look at the car but the technician said there was no problem. I didn't accept the tech's conclusion so i had the service mgr look at it. He said this issue was never brought to his attention by a customer before & he could not think of anything that would cause this trbl. He has offered to first try replacing the weather stripping around the window. He said if that doesn't work, he will try a new window. My initial thought was that the window was not aligned correctly but these folks seemed to dismiss that as a possibility. There were no other 430's on the lot so there was nothing to compare it to. Has anyone else noticed their weather stripping starting to chafe or show rubber wear? John

Well, I've got a 2004 LS and haven't received any letter about a DVD upgrade. Mine is V3.1 also. Does the letter indicate why they are updating it? ← "In recent months, Lexus has received reports of localized anomalies in the map details of your vehicle's Navigation System. Although by nature map databases may contain a certain degree of inaccuracy, a noticeable decline in the precision of the map data was observed when directly compared to 2003 model year Navigation systems. In addition, these anomalies tended to be concentrated in particular areas" John

MY mistake, the letter does state i have till 12/2005 not 2004.

Just called my local dealer. I spoke to the service dept. I was told the service dept will take care of ordering the DVD through their parts dept. When the DVD arrives, the parts dept will notify me & i can then schedule an appointment to get this update(free of course). My letter states this will only be a free upgrade until Dec. 31, 2004. John

Not yet (as far as I've been told). ← I just had mine replaced yesterday as part of a 'campaign' and the version is 4.2 ← The letter states i have to give the dealer my VIN# then wait 3-5 days for the DVD to arrive. Shouldn't the dealerships already have the new version? Is the DVD update coded according to the VIN#? http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...CODE=12&CID=100 John

Get yourself a flashlight and someone you really trust. Lock yourself in the trunk and have the trusted person run a hose over the trunk area. Use the flashlight to check around the inside for where the water is coming in. John

Yes they are. I put on MKW11's. John

Yes, i think i'll do that. Off to the attic they will go. John

I and several of my fellow diecast car collectors have had various bad experiences with the BAY so we dubbed it evilbay. Guess that's all i better say about that on this board. I guess $100 a wheel is a pretty good price. My real dilemma is that i am not certain what i will do with the chrome wheels i just bought when it comes time to get a new car in a few years. John

Have you seen these stock wheels for sale on evil bay? If so, what did the wheels go for? John

I haven't noticed any unusual ride degradation yet. I had the wheels rotated by the dealership but the tech didn't make any trouble remarks about the new wheels. When the wheel holes were drilled for the special lug nuts, the holes were conically drilled to accept the conical lug nuts, so i am assuming they are fitting correctly. I just can't say for sure. I took the wheel center cover off and looked at the center hub and it looks true around the wheel. John

Actually the driveway and marble stones were still wet from when i was washing the car.

Here are pics of my 04LS430. On sunny days i drive a silver 430. On cloudy overcast days, i drive a gold 430. What a great thing to have 2 different color cars for the price of 1. :D John

They were supposed to fit right out of the box, but the wheel dealer soon found out that this was going to be a custom fitment like never seen before. It came down to the dealer using a spacer, special lug nuts, and sending the wheels to a machine shop to special drill out the wheel holes to accomodate the special lug nuts. This was all necessary due to the large front calipers on the car and the short OEM lugs. I have posted the pics in the LS430 gallery to allow for better viewing. <_< John

Hello chillin, you have mail. John

Here in New Jersey, it is against the law to pump your own gas. You would think gas would cost more because station owners have to pay someone to pump the gas for you but since it is a state wide law, prices aren't affected. I am telling you this because it is the sole reason for the 3 alarm indications that popped up on my screen a few days ago. What the #@&* is this i said to myself. My brand new car with all these warning indicators! I called the dealer and was told to "Check my gas cap". I opened the cover and sure enough, the damn attendant didn't screw the gas cap back on. So i screwed the cap back on and started the engine... Alarm indicators still remained. Called the dealer back and was told to bring the car in. After 1 hr at the dealer i got my car back detailed and no more alarms. All the dealer did was reset the computer codes. :D So if this ever happens to you, don't get yourself up in a panic and rage, just check the gas cap and visit your dealer for reset. John

I don't have any experience with exterior emblem removal so i can't speak on the integrity of the emblem adhesive for reinstallation back onto your vehicle. I would say the only alternative would be plating your existing items on the car or buying new emblems and having them plated. If you were contemplating doing this yourself, i would just say that you would have a much bigger upfront investment in buying all the equipment necessary to do the job yourself. than paying someone to do everything for you. I'll send you an email. John

I think it all should come down to what you want. The hell with everyone else. Do what makes you happy. After all, it's your car. I've got a mystic gold with 5%(Limo) shade on all my rear windows. My state will not allow tint on front windows. Llumar is the most popular window tint around here. It does not interfere with my Nav system. Try to find a shop that keeps a portfolio for customers to look through. Make sure you get a warranty from the shop that installs it for you. The shop that put on my tint, gave me a warranty that covers as long as i own the vehicle. Be careful, i remember the dealer telling me there is another type of tint that eventually turns purple over time(yuk). John

For selfish reasons i would vote for Kerry. If he gets the government to start backing stem cell research, my bio portfolio will soar. Bush's negative attitude on this research has been stifling. John

If they decide to do this, i am hoping for a sedan. Given the amenities that Lexus always provides for the dollar, a $100K auto from them would surely be SUPREME! Since LEXUS never jumps at the chance to throw the newest craze item in it's autos, the option pkg should be PRIMO, CLASSY, and TASTEFULLY delicious. Just as long as they don't stick all the good stuff in the back seat area. I better get ready for the deposit & waiting list. John