jpf5911

The radio/tuner on my 2008 LS460 quits intermittantly. I have observed this problem in AM and FM mode and also through the iPod player that's installed in the unit. It will be playing fine and then the audio will stop for maybe 2 seconds, then come back. It will play fine for another 15 or 20 minutes, then have another 2 second drop of audio. I haven't taken it to the dealer yet, but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem? Thanks, JPF

The nav display on my 01 LS430 adjusts from day to night. During the day, the map has a white background and at night, it changes to dark. My 08 RX400h does not seem to make this adjustment. The white map on the dash is very stark for nighttime driving. I can't find a setting to change this. Is it there? JPF

I have entered a dozen entries into my 2007 RX400h blue tooth interface. I was pleased to see that the interface prompted me for a voice tag to go with each entry. However, when I try to make a call, the lady inside the car only prompts me to "say a number". I don't want to say a number, I want to say the person's name. How do I do that? Please don't tell me that it prompted me for voice tags but it has no use for them. Otherwise, I like the car. Thanks, JPF

I'm definitely returning the Monster cable. I spent the better part of a day trying to find a good frequency to no avail. I live in So Cal and there are a lot of stations so that may have contributed to the difficulty. I tried the iPod with a cassette adaptor I had from my XM Radio in my other car and the sound quality was very good, so I just need something to charge the iPod. I'm only using the iPod for an upcoming long trip anyway. To the guy who wrote about burning a CD . . . the owner's manual says NOT to use burned CDs. I thought that was silly until I tried to use one and it actually got stuck as the unit was sucking it in. JPF

I'm trying to use my iPod in my LS430 with a Monster Cable RF transmitter. When I try to find an "open" FM frequency, the tuner only moves from one strong signal to another. For instance if I start at the "bottom" of the dial, the lowest frequency the radio will display is 88.1 and as you move the tuner wheel, it skips to 88.7, then 89.5, etc, etc, generally finding a signal along the way. I want to set it at one of the frequencies in between where there is no other signal to compete with the RF signal from the iPod. Suggestions? Thanks, JPF

On my Nav-equipped 01 LS430, the screen always reverts back to the map display. For instance, if I press the "Climate" or "Audio" buttons to change the radio or air settings, after a few seconds the screen will revert back to the map. I would rather have the screen stay on whatever the last button I pressed would be. I can't seem to find a way to do this. Do you think the dealer could change a setting so it would stay at whatever I last pressed? Thanks, JPF

Hey JCCNITA, Why would metal in the tinting affect the Nav? Isn't the whole car mostly metal??? JPF

Hey chillin, that's a great idea! While were at it let's rent some new releases from Blockbuster and copy those too. Wait . . . SOFTWARE!!! Let's by one version of Windows XP and make lots and lots of copies of it and sell them at a fraction of what Microsoft sells it for. We'll make soooooo much money we can all go out and buy 2005 430s!!! Just don't tell anybody or post our evil plans on a public forum or anything.

Bruce, $39,600 They had $42 on the window and the wholesale book on it was around $39 which is what I offered them initially. They whined that they couldn't do it with the CPO warranty for $39 so we ended up at $39,600, with the CPO JPF

I'm considering tint on my 01 LS430 also. So I'll piggy back with my questions: 1. How much should a tint job cost for that car? 2. Will the dealer do it? 3. Why would it impact the Nav system? Isn't the Nav antenna that funny black thing on the roof? JPF

Not sure if this is the explanation in your case, but I've been told that the newest material in brake shoes is "ceramic" which, amongst other benefits, have no visible brake dust. I've only had my LS430 (2001) for two weeks so I haven't noticed any buildup, but it would be nice not to have to deal with that nuisance. JPF

I've got pics of my ride to use as an avatar, but they are too big. How do you shrink 'em? JPF

I just got an '01. One thing you'll notice if you're shopping now, is that there are a lot of '01s on dealer lots that have just come off 36 month leases. So, you have a good selection of cars with three years of depreciation and something like 40k or 50k miles. Good luck! JPF

The question is, should I push them to do something for my time and trouble? They are all obsessed with the customer satisfaction survey, so until I get the survey I have some leverage, right? JPF

Here are the four problems: 1. Windshield rain sensor falls off windshield. 2. Upper portion of center storage console opens only with great difficulty. 3. Steering column makes loud grinding noise when retracting after the car is turned off. 4. Trunk lid air struts don't support trunk lid. I think even a cursory pre-delivery inspection would have identified and fixed these items.

I took delivery of a 2001 LS430 about two weeks ago. It is my first Lexus (after two Q45s over ten years) and the service/quality reputation was a significant aspect of my decision. The car has about 50k on it, but came "Certified Pre-Owned" with the corresponding extended warranty. After just a few days of driving, I identified four things that should easily have been identified and fixed in the "188 point inspection" that each CPO vehicle supposedly has. I took the unit in and they had it for two days but had to order parts. I took it in again after the parts arrived, but some of the parts were wrong. Three days this time (over the weekend). Here is my point. The car is great and the service staff have been courteous and professional. The dealer will fix the few problems and it won't cost me anything because of the warranty. BUT, where was the pre-delivery inspection??? What about the inconvenience to me for bringing it in twice after the purchase? The sales staff made a HUGE deal out of the soon to come survey regarding my overall satisfaction. How do they expect me to respond? I'm thinking of calling the salesperson and demanding a free Lexus hat and thermal coffee mug from their "boutique" to ease my suffering. Comments?

I don't think my 2001 LS does this? Should it? JPF

I just bought an 01 LS430. The trunk lid seems heavy to open and I was thinking that those little piston thingies on the sides may have lost some of their ooomph. So before I take it in: 1. Should the trunk lid open easily when unlocked? You know, like with one finger rather than two hands? 2. Should the lid stay in position if halfway open, or should it come down on it's own? Thanks, JPF

I just bought an 01 LS430 with 50k miles. The only other car I considered was an 02 Q45. The market discounts the Q pretty severely compared to the Lex so, depending on the miles, you can get into a newer Q for a lot less. In fact, I paid about $7k more for the 01 LS430 than I could have gotten the '02 Q45 for and the Q had fewer miles. These two cars are very similar in ride and features. I think the LS is definitely overall a better car, but I'm not sure it's seven thousand dollars better. Still, I've had two previous Q45s and have never had the Lex so I wanted a change. Good luck, JPF

I just got an 01 LS430 and the one thing that I am confused about (and that the dealer even seems to be confused about) is Lexus Link. The car came with Lexus Link which was described to me by the salesman as "like On Star". I thought it was odd that they would use a GM product to describe one of their features. Anyway, he said it cost $200 per year to maintain it, plus I was a little annoyed by the voice when the car is started that said, "The Lexus Link system is active". So, I took it in and told the dealer to disconnect it. NOW, it still says, "The Lexus Link system is active", but then after that a different voice says, "A Lexus Link error has been detected, please contact your Lexus dealer." I haven't called the dealer yet to see if these voices can be turned off, I thought I would check here first. But if they can't, I'm going to be very disappointed. I don't need my car to talk to me, especially if it's going to say the same thing every time I start it, and it's something I already know. Any input appreciated. JPF

I think I can guess the answer to this, but I'll ask anyway. On my 01 LS430, the Nav system powers up when you start the car and it displays the warning message about looking at the screen while driving. You must press the "I Agree" button to make it go away and revert to the normal display. Isn't there some way to bypass or disable that message??!!! I plan to own the car for a long time. How many times must "I Agree" not to look at the screen while driving???? Thanks, JPF

I just pulled the trigger on this unit: 2001 LS430 Sport 17 inch chrome rims Mark Levinson Sound Nav Dark Blue / Ivory 50,000 miles CPO After much haggling I got it about $600 over wholesale book, which I think is OK. I am a two-time Q45 owner and have generally been pleased with those cars and still think they may be the best "pre-owned" value in this class, but I do like this 430. It's too late to ask since the deal is done, but any comments on the unit and your experiences (particular regarding the "Sport" package) would be appreciated. Thanks, JPF