LEX-SV

setback99 - What's the latest report on the wheel/tire situation on your CPO GS350? Has the Lexus dealership finally done its job right?

Screaming chickens and pinstripes, best disposed of IMO.

The creativity for new extreme dealer profit adds-on never ends... Really the best measure for avoiding these scams is at the front-end, saying NO to all of them immediately when asked and making sure it's not included in your contract. A much better success rate versus the plan or hope of cancelling later.

Most likely dealer installed, (with a jacked up price on window next to new car sticker).

30 day window is by design in favor of dealers profit. Every minute that passes increases the likelyhood that customer will do nothing.

Nowie - Thanks for follow up report. Good catch by you.

Wasn't the shift knob change some time ago?

Yes, I liked it as soon as I saw it. The marked price was nearly $90, so I asked and got a discount.

Found it.

Bit of a different design, I think the F-Sport lettering is smaller on mine. Dealer had only 1 left.

After the thaw...

Nice Denny, the IS looks great. A matching license plate frame would be a nice touch. Accessorize! I like a touch of bling on my IS350. When I went to matte graphite finished wheels, I continued with chrome lug nuts to complement the existing bright trim and the big shiny brake rotors. I removed the thick chrome "L" logo license plate frames and went with a dark carbon fibre F-Sport frame on front and a matte black Vossen frame for the back.

^ Wow, that's some impressive snow depth for nearly at sea level. My family has a vacation home at lake level at Lake Tahoe that often sees snow like that, but that's 6200 feet above sea level. Big difference.

Thanks, or one of those northern CA craft brews... For snow, that's a decade's worth, not impressive.

^ Exactly why I said "moderate" and "so that lights remain effective for obvious safety reasons". Unfavorable attention is not desired either btw. Yes, part of the reason for keeping it safe and legal is not attracting unwanted LEO attention. So it is about attracting unfavorable attention and the desire to avoid, due to safety issues. See if anybody reading this thread wants to check with their insurance company, don't expect them to give solid advice, lol. Good luck in trying to dodge responsibility for rear-ending a car that had moderately tinted taillights that are meeting DOT requirements, realistically not going to happen. We've all seen cars with lights that are very dark-tinted with reduced light output and obviously a safety hazzard and yes that's asking for trouble with or without an accident. Short answer, not advised.

Tires are a key factor with rain and snow performance.

Moderate tinting of lights doesn't attract unfavorable attention (key word is moderate, so that lights remain effective for obvious safety reasons). Some cars sold in the US have moderate tinting on lights from factory. Looking forward to seeing some pictures of the finished results.

How about some contrast. Summer tires suffice. It's 64 degrees F and mostly sunny here above Silicon Valley. My biggest picture windows face into the backyard (sample pic attached of only dusting of snow in last decade). No snow shovel required.

Looks great with F-sport wheels and suspension, and it firms up the handling too. (Lexus did the track-testing and published results) Consider the F-Sport exhaust (made by HKS for Lexus), it's nicely finished in ss, bolts on using existing hangers, etc. Sound is rich and semi-exotic and similar to the Italian Masi Ghibli (3.0L 60 degree V6 tt), sounds wicked at full throttle, quiet in cruise mode, worth every penny. I test drove a used IS350 equipped with exhaust at my dealership before buying it. Sunroof open (or convertible top down), the sound level to driver and passenger is enhanced.

I assume you have the dark 19" F-Sport wheels too?

I don't mind the tasteful use of chrome or bright brushed stainless trim on a car. But my opinion from automotive styling standpoint, if you are going to black-out the trim, you might as well finish the job. No I haven't seen the LED rear markers, sounds like a good idea. So they go wear the reflectors currently are?

That's my favorite color (dark gray metallic, dark wheels) for the GT too. IMHO I think the transition from Lexus to Mustang is easier than ever with the new 2015 model year only, it's nicely sized (not too big), seriously better interior, independent rear suspension, reasonable refinement. Becki - btw, does your F-Sport IS250 have the F-Sport exhaust setup?

I was thinking Harry Reid and John Boehner should get in a camel race in Nevada, since they both represent very well the Do Nothing Congress, with smoking/coughing breaks allowed of course, but I wont go there... I'm digging the latest Mustang GT's around here running custom exhaust systems.

Temperature sensitivity and bearing noise is certainly annoying, I had it only when cold at first with idler pulley and tensioner on a 2008 Mercedes. But later it got louder and happened all the time as it started to damage the serpentine belt.

Speaking of strange things, in Nevada don't they have camel races?