PennState

Frequency of waxing depends on many factors. Synthetic waxes like Zaino tend to last a lot longer. The most important thing is paint prep and polishing/claying are critical prior to waxing. Without these steps waxing may trap in dirt and contaminants, which may worsen your paint! Fred

Thanks Fred

Does anyone know of a good detailing course to take for someone looking to develop skills with a rotary buffer and wet-sanding etc.? Fred

Car is a 2001, but the dealer left the car out all winter apparently and it had some very superficial rust. It required removal and rust protection and painting. A truly horrible experience, but it was very superficial and is fixed. Fred

Just an update. The dealership finally fixed the brake vacuum pump and the car sounds much better (no humming in the steering column). So this along with the grinding telescoping steering wheel fix under warranty and about $1,000 dollars in body-work paid for by the dealer I bought the car off make for an annoying first 3 months. Oh yeah, my CPO Lexus had rust on it which required a major fight to have them fix lol! My hope is that the worst is behind me. I really do love the car and will post pictures soon. Fred

This is a great deal... almost too great. Make sure it is fully checked-out for accident history etc. Typically this year and model goes for at least $10K more, so it sounds a little suspicious. Good luck. Fred

Does anyone know if the new 2004 DVD nav. update will work in a 2001 LS430? I want to buy it and install myself, but not if it's not compatible. Fred

My 2001 LS430 goes into the dealership (again) for repair of a brake pump vacuum tomorrow. It has been very troubling dealing with this dealership, as there has been very little attempt at customer service (I didn't buy the car at their dealership). This is not a shock, just dissatisfying. Anyway, every unusual sound I have heard in this car (3 months owned) has been some sort of trouble. Recently, I have been hearing soething that I hope someone can help me with, as my wife is starting to think I'm insane lol! The sound only occurs when the engine is first started and I place it into drive and accelerate. It occurs for only a half-second just as I start to accelerate and it sounds like a very mild grinding sound from the front of the car. It does not occur if I place the car into park and then back into drive and I accelerate. But If the car is placed into drive and I turn it off and then re-start the car the sound occurs again when I accelerate. Essentially it occurs at the start of the first acceleration any time the car is started (cold or warm). Is this something normal or is this the sign of more impending doom? Please help, Thanks Fred

Just to make sure... I have a 2001 LS430, will the NAV DVD work in it or not, Thanks Fred

Thanks for the responses. I will check into the gasket for the creaking moonroof. The Vacuum issue is going to be fixed this week. The car has not given me any other trouble and it drives so very quietly and smoothly. I did buy it off a Lexus dealer as a CPO, but I am starting to think that the previous owner might have neglected it to some extent. My question is, if I give it all the TLC it needs with frequent oil changes and servicing and garage parking, can I expect the frequency of problems to decrease? Or am I doomed with a lemon? Thanks again Fred

for 4 months I have had a 2001 LS430 with DVD/NAV. I love the car, but have had a few issues and I was just wondering if this is routine stuff at 49,800 miles or whether my car is just having some bad luck. Problems: 1. Steering wheel needed warranty work (I think it was a service bulletin) because when it retracted when the car was turned off it made a loud grinding noise... this was fixed under warranty. 2. Humming noise from dashboard area, which turns out to be a leak in the brake pump vacuum?... anyway, this will be fixed this week under warranty. 3. clicking sound from the moulding in the sun-roof. Not a really big problem, just kind of annoying. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Fred