NR4P

Treo's being updated by a web site is one thing, Motorola is not possible. They are not upgradeable like a Treo. What was done to the Treo is probably a workaround for Treo's in general. Like I stated earlier, I was responsible for Bluetooth phones, and know an awful alot about the Bluetooth operation and "profiles" that dictates how Bluetooth is an interoperable format. Don't get me wrong, I like Lexus, I own two. But with the 400h Bluetooth operation, theres some problems. These things are unique to Lexus and not any other product by Motorola, Nokia, SonyEricsson, or even the Acura's with built in Bluetooth. They don't have GSM or CDMA in Japan at the design center so they can't test all these variables. Hope they fix it soon. I will formally document the Bluetooth profile incompatibility as I have copies of the profile.

Thanks for the responses. I confirmed that too. Specifically, dial from the phone or it's memory and there's a mute on ringing and delay on person at other end's audio coming through. So the person being called may say hello a few times before being heard. Call from the on board Bluetooth memory or dial with 400h stopped it works fine. That's definitely a "bug" in design. The vehicle supports the Bluetooth "Hands Free Profile" and this muting operation is not described in the profile. In fact, it makes one think the call isn't going through forcing you to take your eyes off the road. They probably tested this from dialing from the screen when stopped but never from the phones. In a recent former life, I was responsible for Motorola GSM phones with and without Bluetooth so this is not how the Bluetooth profile should work. Hope Lexus comes up with a s/w fix.

Enjoying my new 400h but the Bluetooth operation when making a call is a bit odd. When calling another party from the 400h, there's no audible "ringing" to know if the call is actually going through. While that's muted, the muting doesn't turn off immediately when the other party answers. It takes a few seconds, sometimes 3 or 4 secs. In other words, they might say Hello, hello , hello a few times and in some cases have hung up before I (as the driver calling) know they answered. Is this a normal operation? Hopefully not and it can be corrected. This is a system with Nav and ML. (Phone is a GSM Razr and it works beautifully with Motorola Pro Install aftermarket Bluetooth car kits).

With respect to transmission problem, first 03 ES300 I test drove, tranny was awful. Salesman tried to BS, so we left. Different dealership, different ES300, smooth as silk. Purchased that one (Leather, Wood kit, memory, trunk mat, HID, Sunshade, DVD Nav, 6CD changer, but not Mark Levinson). 5k miles still smooth. With respect to gas, cars will tell you what they want. Knocking, pinging etc. Todays computer systems can adjust mixture and performance to adapt to different fuel types. My 96 I30, knocked on regular, my 03 ES300, runs smooth on regular. Not a peep. Tried premium, couldn't notice a difference. Don't let TV advertising make you think you need to spend more money. Those cleaners etc they add, its one can in a whole big tanker. Friend in gas delivery business (Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl) says he delivers for all the big guys. Same tanks, same tankers but depending on company, he has to add a few gallons of additive before he leaves the port. As he said "ever notice the tankers dont have names on them anymore, just silver with pop on signs". Use regular, $1.45 today. Wish I lived in Carolina's where it's even lower.

Sales mgr chased us out the door after he refused his first offer. He dropped $1200 more at while chasing. Therefore with respect to the price, about $4800 below Factory sticker (no dealer ups) and according to internet invoice figures, $200 below invoice. Being a first time Lexus owner, I hope that's good.

Anyone know with some level of certainty where the GPS Navigation antenna is on 2003 ES with DVD Nav? Need to put some window tinting on, metallic preferred here in S. Fla. and know that if the metallic film covers ant will diminish GPS sensitivity? There's antenna stripping on top of rear window and down at bottom passenger side corner. Suspect one is FM radio and other is GPS. Or GPS could be under rear deck next to speaker somewhere. If so, then I'm in trouble. Anyone know with some certainty or used metallic film over rear windshield with Nav system? thanks

Talked with salesman and his manager about the upgrades, especially since a 6lane road over two years road near my home isn't even on current DVD. They said NO WAY. Didn't care that some dealers in other parts of country were doing it. Said if no other local dealer does it, why should they? Suggested I go to parts dept later in year and pay. They claimed 99.4% customer satisfaction for the dealership per the mailers used to rate them after delivery. I know one dealership that will see a drop in percentage once I get my survey.

I called Lexus 800 number today. They said they in the past they gave out two free updates but stopped that abt 3 yrs ago. New updates are issued in Sept. and there is a charge. If someone has any documentation that they do this for free now, sure would be happy to see it. Some streets near my home that were constructed in 1991 do not appear on current Nav. system.

thanks everyone. A very helpful group here. Appreciate heads up about the noise in rear door. I'm in Florida so if its a low temp. thing, guess i won't have to worry about it. Didn't ask them to remove the changer. Figured they wouldn't do it and the paperwork took 1.5 hrs. Just wanted to leave. Have purchased Acura, Oldsmobile, Infiniti all in past five years, never saw so much paperwork in my life. Standard answer is "we have to do it". Alot of it was dealer specific, not state stuff so I'll have to give them some poor marks on the survey when it arrives. Dealer is JM Lexus in Margate, Fl. Besides the paperwork, all is fine. Even bought us lunch! Car is smooth as silk.

Thanks SW. Especially info on the free upgrades. Never was mentioned at delivery. Took delivery today. It's white. Now I read the manual and couldn't find the answer to this so maybe you can help? How in the world do I stop the Caution screen on Nav. from appearing everytime I start the car? Feel like I'm agreeing to a legal agreement everytime to drive it. Major nuisance.

Hi, found this group by accident and seems like I stumbled across it in time. About to take delivery of a new ES300 in 36 hrs. Has DVD Nav. (not the Levinson sound sys), rear sunshade, xenon lamps. Dealer almost gave Nav. away so couldn't pass it up. But don't need 7 CD slots (1 behind screen and six in arm rest). Frankly would rather give up 6 in arm rest and reclaim the space since I can pop em in and out of dash every 70mins or so. No big deal. Anyone know if it's easy to reclaim the center console space and just remove the 6 cd changer? Directions appreciated. And what's the DVD's gonna cost when I need to update? Anyone have any advice and things i should worry about or demand from dealer before i drive off? thanks