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Thanks David for the explanation of how some auto insurance is rated. If you would have the time some day I think a lot of members would be very interested to know just how the auto insurance process works., Think about it. Thanks David

Ha,Ha, I guess I got caught. As I was writing in the thread above, I must have been thinking about our insurance renewal letter which had just come citing the fact that I just turned 65 in July. This is the magic age where every day the future financial picture of the USPS becomes secure because of all the junk mail one receives those offering car insurance that promise's to not increase your insurance rates, another is selling the fantstic Temp-purpedic or the wal-into bath tub. Also, cures for bunyons, bad breath from dentures, and on and on. The place that caught my attention the most was the yearly increase due to age alone. That is what scared me the most. So subconciously, I was, (still am,) pretending I'm still 39 !!?? (these thoughts and views are strictly the results of the workings of the idle mind.) Paul

I am not suprised to learn that we're being tracked by a private "for profit" company, than I am to learn that my government has been peeping at me through the camera lens on my cell phone! ( thats a joke people. as far as I know your still safe from "Gort's" menacing robot eye.) This type of rating seems to be more fair than puting all 35 year old males in one pot, who are married, have a job which pays "xx' a year, and only seem to have a claim, on average, once a year. Now isn't that peachy. But if each indivual was measured by their actual driving, rates would bo down for many, and those folks wouldn't have to subsidize the bad driverrs. Paul

When I traded my 2005 ES330 for a 2010 ES350, I thought Lexus had lost it's mind with the interior design. I did not like the inverted tear drop center console, nor the mix-matched carpet color on the sides of the console where it met the floor carpet. However, they had at least kept a reasonal amount of wood in the cabin. Having said all these negatives, why did I buy the car? It was time to trade given miles, year, depreciation, and wanting a new exterior style. (why people trade/buy cars is far from an exact sience. When I purchased my 2013 ES I special ordered it from the factory in Japan so I could get the leather interior, not the Nu-luxe (I'm not sure of the spelling). It feels great. But again, I was disapointed with the interior. There is hardly enough wood in the cabin interior to make a good tooth pick. There is only a thin strip along the dash and a another little piece along the doors. Mine came with the exspreso stain and unless the sun is shining directley on it, it just looks black. This is my whine fest for now.

New idea.....Pay as you drive insurance. This brings the chance of receiving a 10% to 35% premium discount, but also, a loss in your privacy. After you read that short article, would you be willing to give up some of your personal privacy for a discount in your car insurance premium? Paul http://autos.aol.com/article/pay-as-you-drive-insurance-growing-despite-privacy-concerns/?icid=maing-grid7%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl22%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D363029

I called United Radio as well to get informed more about their service offerings, what others brands they work on and warraanty poloicies. They were extremely helpful and knowledgeable about audio electronics. They give all of their repair work a full one year guarantee. I feel comfortable in recomending them for car audio equipment repair. As for the Orange County company, I have not heard of them. Let me explain the situation with ML service and repair. Lexus and Mark Levinson have a relationship in which ML license to Lexus the use of their product, name, promotion, and limited service capabilities. The limited service capabilities means that Lexus dealerships do not have access to schematics, wiring diagrams, detailed parts, or instrumrnts necessary to perform repairs. The Lexus technician only determines the probable bad component, unplugs it, and plugs in a new part. This is the quickest way for the dealer to fix the problem. But it's also in all likely hood the most exspensive for the customer. If you talk to any Lexus service manager or technician, they will uaualy tell you they hate this arrangment. From their perspective the customer is always unhappy because they are forced to pay around $2,300. for a new Mark Levinson amp. Secondly, they have no way of knowing if the amp is really bad or not. It usually ends up with a less than ideal relationship. This arms length arrangment from Levinson really took me by suprise when I found out that United Radio would work on their amps. The first amp repair figure I heard of was around $450 compared to that $2,300 I mentioned earlier. All in all the Mark Levenson system is still one of the best in car audio. Last week I read a review of the 10 best car audio systems. Mar Levinson was in a tug of war for first or second. Paul

Tesla named safest car ever! http://translogic.aolautos.com/2013/08/20/tesla-model-s-sets-nhtsa-vehicle-safety-record/?icid=maing-grid7%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl24%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D360925

Hi Mike and welcome to the Club. Mike,in a nut shell, if the Lexus techs had placed a "load" (capacitor or like)to compensate for the missing sub, you should be allright. I recommend calling a company in New York called "United Radio" I have heard nothing but good things about this company, and the only company that works on Mark Levinson components. That means they can repair instead of just throw the old one away and put in a new one. Talk with them about your sub situation and I bet they can save you some money. Paul http://unitedradio.com/automotive/ http://unitedradio.com/automotive/

Amen...lol

As I had stated earlier, if you would do a search of our data base you would find several threads regarding the same issue and the engine immobilizer. Below is a link to several post and discussions about your situation. The starter could certainly be a part of the problem, but by having the owner sit in a parking lot somewhere and continue to crank and crank, runing the battery down would compound rhe promlem. That is the thinking behind shuting every thing electrical off that goes to the engine start/run system. Therefore, the engine should'nt turn over at all. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?s=8a8c5a76450fcd5d254bed552fee004e&app=googlecse#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=1996 ls400 engine immobilizer

Hi John, I had responded to your post earlier today, yet I see that neither my nor another members reply are here. I apologize for that. We are in the process of giving the old girl (the Lexus Owners Club site), a face lift. It is a lot of work as you can imagine with over 146,000 members, and I think were having some hic-ups along the way. Thanks for your patience. I'm almost certain that your problem is the automatic triping of the engine immobilizer system. This feature disconnects all power to the engine so it can not be started. And you have done some of just the right things to trip the sensitive security net around the car, that it thinks you've tried any are continuing to try and take off with some bodies favorite LS. You can go to the search bar at the top, right of the page and do some searches on how to reset the immobilizer. I don't know myself. A more foolproof way would be to call a local dealer and see if they can walk you through it on the phone. It may not be that simple. As I said, I don't know. Come back and let us know what you find out. Paul

denslexusgx470, Great write up. So..given your drive with the IS, and comparisons with the BMW and MB, on a scale of one to ten, how would you rate the IS? Not Good 1 2 3 4 5 Average 6 7 8 9 10 Verry Good Paul

You've gotten this far Lenore without managing to cause a major storming of the gates, so let's go further...... What items, things, or qualities make a vehicle a "Womens Car"? What do women say that makes them chose one vehicle over another? Paul (ps to Jim; I see a lot of men driving ES here in the heartland. The problem is there is bareley enougth headroom in the cabin for the Seed Corn caps every body wears to work!!)

Hi Richard. Welcome to the Club. I think Billy and I might be thinking along the same lines. In 9 out of ten times the "L"- "R" switch has been left in the middle position, thus making the 4 way control pad dead. By flicking the L-R switch to one or the other positions re-powers the control oad. However, you sound like you are way ahead of that type of thing and have already thought of that. In the past, when I've had to have interior door panels, or dash boards removed, I go to a car stereo store. Those guys take cars apart every day as they run wires in the craziest places. Their fairly cheap to. Paul

Thanks a lot Jojo. I know a great deal more know then I did before. I appreciate the information!! Paul

Hi, Your correct in your observation. Through out the summer, the Administror/Owner and staff in England have been working on a much needed revision of the Lexus site to keep up with all the new models, styles, accesories, engine types and changes; in short, Lexus is moving on Warp Drive at the present. Were just trying to keep up with all the new information. It is paramount to your management team and moderators that we have avaiable. to you. at all times the most accurate answer to your Lexus questions. Paul

Hi Jojo and welcome to the Lexus Owners Club, The 300H is a nice looking ride. I've been giving some thought to a hybred the next time I trade. I have to admit I haven't had much time in the 300H, but the interior looks much like the ES350 - 2013. Can you tell me more about the battery pack life and how many charging cycles it can go through, if in fact that is even an issue. Paul

New Motor Trend article on Lexus "RC - F" for next year. Priced for both fat and not so fat wallets.Incredible stats. Lexus continues to spank the Germans behinds. When it comes to performance, sports car handling, satisfaction and appeal, do you think the Lexus, (you pick the model) and BMW are equal?.....or is the Lexus, (you pick the model) better, Or not as good as the BMW? http://www.motortrend.com/future/concept_vehicles/1308_the_all_new_lexus_rc_f/ Paul

Yes. It is very reliable. I did a search on LS460 cooling problems. Just follow the link below for more information. Paul http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?s=e986bbcae36c83e832f1877e7c3a2dc8&app=googlecse#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=ls460 cooling problem

Hi Duccio and welcome. Some places you may want to try are: ebay; someone always has Lexus parts. On-Line: there are many salvage yards online that may have them. Sewell Lexus: Sewell Lexus is a large Texas dealer who extends significant discounts on all parts purchased by Lexus Owners Club members. To contact Sewells just go to Sewellparts.com. When you register indicate you are a member of the Lexus Owners Club, "LOC". Lets us know how you come out. Paul

I did a search of our data base and found these threads wich might be helpful. There are even more post about this problem in the data base you can access. Let us know how things turn out. Paul

Hi Sheila and welcome to your Lexus Owners Club. You have a crazy good look'in SC, and a beautiful state to drive it in. Keep everyone up to date as you bond with your new toy! Paul

Any business, wether it's a car dealer or an ice cream stand only sells products they can make a profit on. I've always been a little stumped why folks buying cars get mad when they trade cars and realize the dealer made a profit. This is only my opinion, but unless your buying an older model car, an extended warranty is a waste of money. In the above example Tim has purchased a brand new car, and it comes with a 40,000 mile, 5 year bumper to bumper warranty. When I look at those numbers I try to think of what could break that would not be covered by the warranty that would cost more than the extended warranty premium, that would have a percent of probability of happening more often than a warranty covered part. I'll keep the extended warranty premium in my pockect. Things like the Clear Mask product are just common sense decisions. If you live in an area where you get snow on the roads during winter, the coating can protect your front end and hood, fenders from rock chips, sand blast, salt and so forth. Also, if you live where you drive on Interstates and freeways often, debris is kicked up onto you grill, and smog, soot, bird dirt, all are worth protecting. It's estimated that 50% of the premium for the extended warranty is pure profit. Take that amount, find a financial instrument to put it into and when your warranty runs out 40,000 miles or 5 years from now, take that money out and use it for maintenance.

Hi MBman, Are there differences in the oil lines between the US RX and the Canadian RX? I appreciate the education. Thanks, Paul

Welcome to the Club. Fix is probably a new motor or controler. May be able to get the needed part on ebay or online salvage yard. Paul