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If your a DIY kind of a guy, there is nothing better than the thrill of the hunt until you finaly catch your nemisis, and solve the problem. You can see what a wonderful group of member/owners the Club has, and we're glad your with us. Paul

Hi again, Just ran across these postings about members who are parting out a couple of cars, your vintage. I have no idea but maybe one might have a head unit. Here is the link: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/76095-1999-lexus-gs300-parts-car/ Paul Thank you for acknowloging the great contribution Jim makes to this Club. He has tremendous knowledge, especially about the older models, and goes out of his way to provide data that no one else seems to have. He is a great guy.

Just picked up my wife's new 2013 RX350. After driving it around, I noticed something with the instrument display I've never known to happen on any of my other Lexus. As you know, in the middle of the main instrument cluster,(speedometer,tach,etc), there is the window that displays Average mpg, Crusing range, ECO performance, Avg speed, etc. All of this works well, but when I turn on the Cruise Control, and push in the "set" button, the display window goes blank. It will not show any information regardless of what steps you take. When you turn off the Cruise Control, the information in the window is restored and everything is peachy. My previous 3 ES350's did not do this. Has anyone had this same problem? Any words of wisdom? Paul

United Radio in New York specializes in Automotive radio, sound and any other audio compnents. Several members have used their services and have had great results. I don't know, but in addition to repair, they might have remanufactured head units. The link below takes you to their site. http://unitedradio.com/automotive/ Paul

Suggest you do a search your self.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?s=bae2be6d2a436ff7798097e7ed7a9a53&app=googlecse#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=replace lcd display nakamichi This link to a search of our data base should give you some good information. Paul

Hope you've got the problem fixed!! Nothing more frustrating than trying to chase an intermitant failure. Was just thinking, you would not be the first person to have the driver door master swirch assembly go south on an older model. It's a pretty rare chance, but it could be possible that your software and the switch assembly both have issues. Just my 2 cents worth. Paul

Go to the top of the page and Google "wich gas to use". Should give you enough to read on the topic for a lazy evening. Paul

Hi Kelley and welcome to the Lexus Owners Club. I'm not well versed with your year of LS, but yes, it is almost 100% an electrical problem. If I understand you correctly, you have brake lights but no tail lights. It could be one of two things. It could be a bad fuse,(I don't know if there is a seperate fuse for the brake lights and one for the tail lights. Check your Owners Manual. Also, if I remember correctly, back then, some of the models had a problem with pinched wiring that was routed through the hinges of the trunk lid. Tracing the short in the wire bundles routed in the hinges is quite a task. If it's not a fuse, your probably ahead to take it to a dealer or a Toyota shop. Paul

There are salvage sellers on-line.

Do you say this because of any mechanical issues that the 450 had, or just interior and power improvements? Hi you two, I can't speak for Jim, but IMO, just the fact that this is a 1997 and has 233,000 miles on it would make me move on and not look back. Unless, you have someone who can look it over and the seller has all service records. Paul

This thread from our data base contained this item, and there are several other citations for this same subject. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/53817-removing-center-console/

Thanks!!

Sweet ride my friend!! Just a reminder to everyone, when you fill out your profile info. regarding your Lexus/car, Please include the Make, Model, and Year of your Baby!! You can also include mods and other DIY you've done Paul

About 4 years ago I went to the garage, hit the start, and got that sickening sound. Total silence. For the life of me I couldn't figure out how that battery could have drained or gone bad overnight. Finaly, in looking around the cabin, I saw that I had left the overhead map/courtesy light on all night. I too could hardly believe that a little bulb like that could go bad so quickly. However, I put the trickle charger on the battery and it did its thing like a champ there after.

The best source I've ever found for testing and evaluating car batteries is good old "Consumer Reporrts". Their test on dozens of batteries and the data they collect, such as cold cranking amps, depth of charge, etc is very helpful. I believe you can access some of that data without having to subscribe. I do subscribe just to keep up with other products their testing. Paul

Hey dbs600, Thank you very much for pulling together all of the great information. As we continue with our format transition, were trying to put a forum together for such "Misc," but important information. For sure in the searchable data base. Paul

Hi Bruce, I know you don't want to spend a lot of money on this, but I think to really trouble shoot the problem, it's time to have a dealer look at it. This doesn't mean you have to have them repair it if you think it's more than you want to spend. But it may just need a part or connector that you can put on your self. If it is a part, you can order one at sewellparts.com. This is a large Lexus dealer in Dallas, TX that offers a great discount on parts to Lexus Owners Club members. I needed a key fob for my 2013 ES. My dealer wanted around $320. Sewell had it for $162. Paul

Good point St. It is a "strange but true" fact that not all dealers add opitions in the same way or the same options for that fact. At my dealer, they place a seperate price sheet on the car window next to the manufacturers price sheet. The dealers sheet shows such add-ons as special wheels, rear view camera, or other similar features like 3M protection film. IMO, the biggest ripoff from any dealer is the extended warranty sold along with a brand new car. I'm sure the product might be right for some people, but in reality it looks to be nothing but pure profit for the dealer. Paul

If any of you have been members for more than a couple of years, you might remember the confusion Lexus caused around 2010 when they changed the fuel specs. for the basic V6 engines used in the ES350's and other mid level cars that used the basic V6 3.5 using direct injection. For several months there were threads all over the place questioning wether the engines would really run well on 87 octane, or would it kill the mpg performance they were now enjoying. Some thought it was great because they could save several dollars every time they pulled up to the pump. Some held out for an obvious Communist plot. We, (LOC Moderator's Team), have pointed you to resources, and tried to given you all some examples from past observations. One thing that never cease's to amaze me are the customers who for some, unknown reason, get irate just thinking that the Lexus dealer might be making a profit on the sale of the car the customer is buying. Does this customer confront his paper delivery person every morning demanding to know how much out of the papers cost of 75 cents is the kid's profit? How about the free car wash at your dealer. Is there any inflated profit in that? The loaner car If you legitimaly feel your not beeing given a fair proposal, do your research. Knowledge is power.

I know the feeling. By now almost all Lexus dealers have created a position for a Customer service trainer. Their job is to help customers with the type of questions you have. Also, you can call Lexus Customer Service directly ar 800 255 3987. All of this help is free.

Hi rxes, Don't know the answer to that one. Is there a door ajar? Simple answer. Just call your dealer and ask them. I doubt if it's anything top secret. Your in your last year of warranty and if your not over 50,000 miles it might be covered. But my guess is that it could be as little as a rear seat seat belt buckle. Come back and let us know what you find. Paul

Go to the source. Just call the 800 number with your question. Come back and lets everyone know what you find out. Paul http://www.lexus.com/contact/index.html

The MSRP list is the Manufacturers Retail Sale Price. It is the price list attached to the car door and is attached during manufacturing. The dealer can and will show you their copy as Lexus does not allow a dealer to modify the MSRP. Only in the process of reaching an aggrement for sale.

Lexus offers all of their cars with standard features and accesories. Everything else comes as "packages". Each package offers different accesories, but each accesory is not necessarily exclusive only to that package. Sometimes a feature in one package will also be offered in another package. Each package has a differet price. For example, you might want voice recognition, but not the Mark Levenson Premium sound package. Some times the dealer can break open a package for you, but not very often. Lexus doesn't want a bunch of cars sitting around with every thing but a leather gear shift knob. However, I have twice bought a new ES and had the dealer swap the tires and wheels at no cost. Paul