claud

When we had 1200 miles on our 2wd 05 RX, we took a trip to our beach cottage. It was April, it was cool in the low 60s high 50s, and the interstate (I-40) is somewhat flat. At 75mph cruise control, we got a 25mpg average. This was with no city driving. Now that it is hot, and we have 4500 miles on it, we get 23 mpg at an indicated 78mph cruise controled speed. There is more traffic now. We use 89 plus gas in ours. I think cooler weather makes for better gas milage.

I guess the "h" and optional v8 SUVs are not my thing either. Whose stupid idea was it that an SUV needs to be fast. Adequate acceleration and utility should be sufficient. I'm all for better gas milage, but with the extra money asked for an "h", you might never recover the difference. Where is the savings? No hesitation problems in my Jap 05 RX, or in my 04 Acura TL which is drive by wire also.

As an old guy( almost 57), I think I can say that there used to be "girl" cars and "manley" cars. All that has changed in the last ten years or so. Look around you in traffic. Most of the BMW and other sport sedan drivers are women. I do see more men driving Tahoes, but more women driving the longer wheelbase ones. Women have worked their way up to the nicer jobs and they are buying what they want. Are they sometimes crazy about their choices, YES. I don't buy a vehicle because I think I will look good in it. Most women I know do. After driving mini vans, the RX300 was just what my wife wanted, and our family needed. That is still the case. I just ask her what color.

Our 98/99 RX AWD was great in a 23" snow that caused schools to be out two weeks back in 2000. It did have a new set of Michelin LTXs on it. Our 01 RX AWD did as well during a eight inch snow with Michelin Cross Terains. This was not flat land driving. We live on a steep hill and a deep cul de sack with another steep hill.

Our 05 RX was delivered with a broken/loose driver side mirror. Although we got the usual loner and carwash, no gas fillup.

When we owned our 98/99 RX 300, it had about three recalls. My 98 GS 300 had two. I seem to remember each time they went into the dealer for recall fix, the cars were returned with a full tank of gas from Lexus. We also got checks in the mail from Lexus for about $50 for each trip. The 2000 GS 400 and the 01 RX did not have recalls that I remember.

Bob, Your wife may have a heavy foot or your area has a lot of stoplights. With less than 500 miles, my wife is getting 16 to 17 mpg by the trip puter.

What none of you have talked about is noise. Most agressive M/S tires are noisey. The Michelin Cross Terrains are quiet. They are also very good in snow. I have a 45 degree slope driveway and my 01 awd RX made it up with no drama on the CT Michelins in 8 inchs of snow last year. I hope they expand the line to fit my new RX330's 18s.

Yo Husker-- 2WD or AWD? Looks like mine.

We ran mid grade 89 octane in our 01, and hope the 05 likes it as well.

It snows maybe once or twice a year here. Usual snow is an inch or two. We have had a couple of 20+inch snows in the last five years. Usual winter storm is ice. AWD RXs have handled all with no problems. We have had several 2wd loaners over the years that drove better and seemed more powerful than our 4wd RXs. I have not been going to work until roads were cleared last couple of years anyway because the transplants from the northern states and others don't drive with care for the conditions. After recent trip to Fla with wife in Acura , I realized that if I wanted to take 18 year old son with us, I'd need more room/luggage space like RX. We filled up the trunk for only a one week trip. We still needed the room of a station wagon, and reliability/resale of an RX. Most RXs sold here are 2wd, so why not save the $1600+ and get better gas milage?

Just got my 05 RX 330, and am sure that it will do better than my 01 RX 300 , but how much? Our old 01 awd got around 19 to 20 mpg running 75 to 80 mph on trips, and 16 to 17 mpg in town. Although our new 05 RX is a 2wd, I would also like to hear from awd owners too.

Does any one know when this TSIB came out or if it is being installed on new RXs? I just got our new 2005 last week. Thanks