LexKid630

The switches for the heated seats are different from the rx300 and rx330/350. The "stalks" are only found on the 330/350. The Rx300 uses different switches.

it's 92-96 ES, not 97 ;) 97-01 ES had a different cluster

Is it just the driver's seat or both that are ripped? If it's only one or either a top or bottom that needs to be replaced, i'm sure someday on ebay they will have a used seat in better condition. You could call some local junkyards as well. i'm sure someone can find a used one for you for less than $180 - and they would be OEM seats and not look like you put some "synthetic" skin covers on them I'd try looking for used ones. when it comes time to sell the car, getting OEM seats will pay off as well.

Do you happen to have the one you removed? Mine is scratched up showing the white plastic underneath and i'd like to replace it with a better looking one. Or do you know where i could purchase another? They have one on ebay but it's designed for the 99-00 steering wheels that don't even have the chrome. The dimensions aren't the same so i'm out of luck. Thanks!

Don't you love it!? That's the same one i have on my rx350 right now :) you did a great job with that. i still don't understand how the dealer got it on my 400h in less than 2 hours, but maybe they did it wrong and i never noticed? All the brackets are on it now on the 350 so they must have kept the parts when switching it... anyways it looks beautiful!

Just because you can see a gap difference in the truck/hood doesn't mean it's been in a 45mph crash. Last winter i backed into a car at a very low speed, at somewhat of an angle, and my tailgate of my rx300 has a slight gap difference (even though only the bumper had damage). The autobody shop missed the tailgate issue but told me it's just cosmetic and can easiely be fixed (i just haven't found the time to bring it back to them). I haven't had any leaking issues and it closes fine etc. I'd say if your mechanic gave it an A then to go for it. "i love the all black interior! i paid 12000 for my 2001 gs430 with nav/mark levinson and it only had 80000 miles so i would suggest shopping for a different one! it does sound like its been in a accident though with the trunk how you said!" i have NO idea how you got an 01 430 with nav for that price. That seems like luck to me. Look on ebay at other listings and see if that price seems fair. It may be lower because of the trunk gap etc. but if you can live with it, then i'd go for it. Based on experience with mine, the gap shouldn't cause a problem, just as long as the rubber stripping is making contact.

I don't notice anything like that in mine. I've never noticed it in any Lexus i've owned. Have you had anyone else look at it to see if they notice it?

i have thought about the very same thing. Every time you place something there, while acelerating/decellerating it goes flying. I have a similar product, it's just smaller and i keep it on the center dash for my cellphone. I got it at some phone store, either Verizon or T-mobile. It works great! It has never fallen off yet and i've had it for a while.

I don't agree going to a dealer is the best way, but it "is" an option. I just think you will end up paying a LOT more at a dealer vs a body shop. Since you stated you are friendly with a shop, take it there <_<

I would suggest buying one on ebay, to get the best price. Type in "rx300 antenna" and you'll find quite a few, some as little as $11. When you get it, take it to various body shops until you get the best estimate. This has to be something they can have their guys do in less than an hour, a simple job for the average shop, that gets/keeps customers. I believe that any shop should be able to do it.

my wife and i switch the carseat between the Ls430 and the Rx350 a few times a week. I find it's easy to do and is secure enough for my satisfaction.

Why did you take apart your bumper on the 400h? The grill guard for the 330/350/400h is the same and fits all of them without modification. The guard i have on my 350 now used to be on my 330, then on my 400h when i had it. The dealer put it on for me each time but didn't inform me of any mod problems.

You need to remove the wood "U" piece that surrounds the radio controls etc. (it's attached to the black plastic piece the cig lighter is on). 1. Put the key setting to accessory. 2. Put your foot on the brake, move the shifter to N. (make sure you're not on a hill...) 3. Gently pry the wood bezel piece out with a screwdriver. See the attached picture. The wood piece is attached to the black plastic that surrounds the shifter. It is attached with clips, so a little outward pressure will do the trick. Just make sure not to chip the wood or scratch the console plastic. You should be able to know where to pull as soon as you have the bottom pulled away. You should leave the shifter in N so you have enough room to pull the bezel away from the console. Good luck! Ask if you have any problems <_<

It's common. Ask the dealer and they can fix it for you.

Thanks, that makes sense.

What about the 97-06 nav screens? I'm asking because i notice an obvious color difference between the older and newer systems, and i KNOW it has "something" to do with the actual lighting devices not JUST the screens themselves. The older gen's seems to have more of a yellowish hue, where the newer versions have more of a pure white.

Does anyone know for sure what the actual "light source" is in the LCD nav screens in Lexus'? Is there a cold cathode tube behind the screen (like in laptops etc) that creates the light? LED's? I'm talking about the nav screens, not the lcd for the radio etc. Thanks for any input!

How old are you talking? In 02 they made a lot of really nice upgrades to the Explorer which included an independent rear suspension that make it much nicer to drive on the road. I think the 02-05 Explorer is pretty bland but I really like the changes they made to the 06+. If Carla would trade the Prius in on a new Explorer Eddie Bauer I'd do it in a heartbeat. I had a 97 Limited and the 95-01 truck is still that, a truck and it lacks refinement and safety when compared to the newer ones. Oh no, the HIghlander will be more reliable and hold up better over time. Oh its a much nicer vehicle, but the basic vehicle and many of the body panels are exactly the same. I'd say its 60-65% the same vehicle, where the RX is probably only 40% Highlander. Thanks SW, that makes sense to me. <_<

Haha

Oh i just have it for show, although it most likely saved a few scratches to my front bumper while accidently rolling into the front of our garage! I have found that the stainless is just as shiny and looks the same as it did the day i had it put on. It may have a few tiny-tiny rock chips etc from driving on the highway, but that's to be expected. I'm sure they could be buffed out anyway if i wished. Good luck i know you'll love it!

consumer reports etc doesnt have the aviator rated very well either, i just noticed.

There are only cosmetic differences, the Aviator IS an Explorer. Its not like the Highlander and the RX. Explorers aren't so bad. I mean, they're not Toyota-reliable but my 97 is still trucking along (my parents use it as a third car) and it has like 190k miles. It needed a new tranny at 70k which was common for Explorers of that era, and its had its share of problems along the way but nothing so major that it would have made sense to replace it. I would buy another Explorer. The 02+ model has shown itself to be quite reliable. So do you think if i went out and purchased an 04 Aviator, i would have the same or fewer pains in the @SS problems and costly repairs i would if i bought an 04 Highlander? I just can't believe that :cries:

My sister in-law's company gave her a 1991 Explorer that had quite a few problems and died in 95 due to a severe accident. They gave her a new Explorer which had problems, including some mysterious front end shaking @55MPH right before its engine death in 2000 (couldn't have had more than 100k miles on it). In 2000 they gave her another Explorer that had MANY problems such as some engine whine that they couldn't find. Recently they gave her ANOTHER 07 Explorer to which they needed to have the transmission rebuilt within the first month she had it. Thankfully she didn't have to pay a cent for any of them, or their problems. My brother (her husband) has owned an early 90's, then a 2001 Camry which he still owns today going strong! Every time we would go out with my brother and his wife, they'd always take the Explorer since they don't pay for the car or its gas. It always felt like it was going to break down, or fall apart. THAT is why i think the Explorer is JUNK.

Does anyone know how i could find an email address etc to one of the members of the Association? They sang the song "precious and few" which was our wedding song, and i'd like to get a signed and dedicated autograph for my wife. Anyone know how i go about doing this? The members included "Jules Alexander", "Terry Kirkman", "Russ Giguere" and "Ted Bluechel". I'd really like to find Alexander though. :cries: Thanks for ANY help!

It should, it is an Explorer ;) How different is the aviator from the explorer? We both know that the explorer's aren't very reliable, but does that mean the aviator will most likely have the same problems? All i think about when i think of the aviator is that it's just an explorer with a different badge.