nc211

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to the man responsible for my existance on this board, Mr. bicol-ini, an old friend! For those of you who kick around that other lexus website, do a search for my name, and you'll see the last day I was there, and when I met bicol, who sent me a message that I should check out this site. Over 4 years and nearly 3,000 posts later, here I stay! I'm doing great man, still kicking around the ole' watering hole here. I just blew a few hundred bucks on new parts for the GS, and I must admit, it felt pretty darn good! It's a bit too long since I've had some grease under the fingernails, and starting to get that itch again. I just checked your profile the other day to see if you were still around! How are things in your world? You surviving in these wonderful economic times? Great to hear from ya'!!!

That wasn't the bushings they were lubing up amigo ;) And most of the time, for the noise you're referring to and the circumstance for creating that noise, it's not the lower control arm, it's the strut rod or something similiar in design. It's been that way since the 1st LS400 hit about 80k miles. But, sometimes it starts with the lower control arm. Take a look at the attached diagram. The lower control arm is #9. It has a suggested RETAIL price of $267.14. But can be bought for $184.69 from parts.com (where I got this diagram). However, look at #s 12 and 10 in that diagram. #12 is called a "stopper", sells for about $10 bucks. And number #10 ($62 bucks) is the LS430's definition of the "strut rod bushing" of the older LS400's, which were 99% responsible for the exact same noise you're describing. Or, even more common for the noise, is the stabilizer bar bushings, #15 in the diagram, for $12 bucks. But either way, say you go with their suggestion and have them replace both control arms "which by the way, don't wear evenly, so the odds of both being bad at the same time are pretty remote", and pay the full retail price of $534.28 for both parts. That leaves a whopping $865.72 in labor charges alone! Trust me, I've replaced suspension components before on my own, on my old LS400. NOTHING about changing two control arms even comes close to warrant that kind of labor charge. Especially since those guys have all the power tools to do just about any repair within an hour, may two. So, you've now experienced a visit to a Lexus "Stealership". Hope you liked the cookies, because they might appear to be free, but actually cost around $90 per chocolate chip. What I would do: Find an indipendent mechanic that works on toyotas in general. Ask them to take a look at your car, but DON'T tell them what the dealership is saying. Just see what they come up with. But before you do, drive through a carwash with a good undercarriage spray to clean up the grease stains on the bushing from the dealership. You don't want to tip them off. My guess? Something different other than a lower control arm, for your first suspension noise. But, if I'm wrong, just buy them from parts.com, take them to any mechanic and say "please install these", and wait for him to do it. I just paid $879 today to parts.com for new Lexus rotors, pads, ball joints, and engine mounts for my GS. Just one of those repairs alone would cost that much, at a minimum, at a Lexus dealership. And "except for the motor mounts", I'll do all of these repairs myself over the course of an afternoon soon.

Maybe it's the lighting, but I like the first one you posted better, it seemed to have more of a smoked grey look. This one, and again maybe just the lighting, seems to almost have a little purplish hue to it? I agree about the silver, I'm not a fan of that color, at all. My GS is that silver/black interior with the dark wood trim and wheel, and to me, it just looks like any other ordinary car. I bought it simply because it's the 430, which is hard to find in the GS that isn't high mileage, customized, or beat to snot. I like the blue "my 4runner is that dark blue", I like the forest green, and I like that color of the first picture you posted.

Found this slide show of what's going on in Iran today with the election "term used lightly". One can only think, that some of these people are seeing and hearing about the new found freedoms their neighbors in Iraq are beginning to enjoy, and want the same. Out of all the ways the world is changing these days, I must admit, that I honestly do believe that Bush was correct in regards if you plant the seeds of freedom and democracy, it will grow and grow and grow. Just one tiny slither in the pie of motivation for these people to stand up and say "bull sh*t, we're tired of this crap in Iran, we want change like the rest of the world". Spend a few minutes and watch this before commenting. It's pretty amazing "especially since the Iran government is trying feverishly to block the world from seeing this". Kind of gives new meaning to my signature below as well. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fhashemi/sets...758530748/show/

Because the 400 evolved into the 430 when Lexus retired the 4.0 liter V8 in 2000, for the 4.3.

Nice job, except I think you missed a spot on the driver's door! :P ;)

I love that color! I think it looks classy, elogant, and subtle with a nice touch of class. And with a good clay bar detail (like I need to be telling you of all people this), it'll shine even when it's dirty. I don't think I've seen a grey colored Lexus like that before, other than a special edition IS300 a few weeks ago in downtown chicago, which caught my eye big time. But, I think you and the Mrs. would be much happier with one of the other cars that I see in the windows of that dealership, espeically if you don't need the baby seat anchors!

Almost a year to the day! RX, good thing your nor I hopped on that wagon last summer to get rid of your truck or my suv! http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...n2.50fdeae.html Dealers facing tight supply of SUVs, trucks 12:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 By TERRY BOX / The Dallas Morning News tbox@dallasnews.com If you've got your eye on a new SUV, don't blink. BEN TORRES/Special Contributor An area of the lot at Sam Pack's Five Star Ford in Carrollton held more than 50 Expeditions and 50 Explorers about this time last year. Now there are four Expeditions and less than 10 Explorers on the lot. It might be gone. Even with the auto industry mired in depression – sales are down nationally 36.5 percent – big vehicles such as the Ford Expedition and Chevy Tahoe are in tight supply because of drastic production cuts that automakers imposed last year as sales began to plummet. Now, a year after $4-a-gallon gas nearly killed SUVs, some dealers in this market are selling them for window-sticker prices. Moreover, most late-model used pickups and SUVs have regained all of the thousands of dollars in trade-in value they lost last summer, dealers say.

Which are basically the same vehicle mechanically, but not cosmetically. In my opinion, people can say what they want about Lexus being a glorified Toyota, which might I ad seems to build the best cars on the planet, and is the #1 automaker in the world. So, something must be right. How many Lexus cars do you see sitting on BMW and MB lots as direct trade ins, vs. how many BMW and MB cars you see sitting on a Lexus lot as a direct trade in. In my mind, there's the answer to the argument.

I thought your posts over the past few months had a more "neutered" feel to them! my man, done got himself a ball and chain now! I'm so proud, almost puts a tear in my beer! All joking aside, congrats man! But be honest, it was the car wasn't it?

Um, last time I looked, Norfolk was NORTH of North Carolina. :P What is H-town? They're not related to that boy bad O-Town from the late 90's are they? B) Just make sure, if you buy that caddy, and it dies on you, that you don't add proof to the #1 day of the 12 days of Christmas - Jeff Foxworthy style "...and parts to a Mustang GT" Now, if you want a true, oldie Cadillac, I'll put you in touch with my dad who is selling is 1973 Deville, with 14,000 ORIGINAL miles! Big block american V8, with very discrete pipes that'll put hair on man's chest (and some of those women around Huntsville) the second you hear that monster engine start. I think he was asking around $10k for it. Let's just say, it's flippin awesome! And sitting in storage in NE Oklahoma, about 40 miles from Tulsa.

I, am from the south too - having spent the vast majority of my life in either NC or Alabama, and what you're referring to in regards to most folks having an old car as a weekend cruiser is translation for "yard-art." There is a reason why you only see Mustang GT's and busted down old chevy's "including cadillac" being displayed as "yard art" in the south, not a Lexus. You like the caddy, then buy it. My personal opinion? You'd have to pay me to take one those cars actually, due to all the problems with the suspension, alternators/ps pumps, leaks, electronic gremlins, and the slew of bad craftsmanship associated with just about every GM product made during the 90's. About the only GM product of that time that I would consider would be a Tahoe. You posted the question to compare the two on a Lexus website, so you've got to expect the answers you're going to get on a 12 year old cadillac. ;)

You'll probably want a new alternator too at some point, as when the PS pump starts to leak, it tends to drip down onto the alternator and shorts it out. Just keep your eye on it, and welcome to the club! ;)

Hold on just a cotton-pickin' second there slick-rick.....back the truck up.......Your wife? Um, did I miss something here? Have we had a merger of assets under the ownership umbrella of SW, LLC? We got us a new sheriff in town?

oh brother ....you just keep racking up that tab, steve! One day, when I'm in DC, I'll come a knocking! Granted, it'll probably be to steal your ES so you'll have to finally go buy that LS!

Hahaha, yet how many folks on here have given rides to their buddies to the repair shop, in their Lexus, so they can pick up their Benz, BMW, Audi (VW) or Porsche? People by a Lexus, because they want something that will work, flawlessly, every time they need it, in style. In my opinion, the reason why so many folks with a Lexus end up getting hosed at the dealership's repair shop, is simply because the repair shop needs to engineer a bigger problem than exists to justify the costs of having a repair shop in the first place! Granted, not a very nice experience to go through, but at the end of the day, I'd much rather have a leather interior, wood grain accents, great stereo, and 300hp from a car marker that has to justify having a repair shop, then the same from a car maker who NEEDS the same repair shop.

That's why I've been saying over the past few months that if you're thinking about buying a big ticket item, you better do it now, and make sure whatever it is, it's capable of lasting and satisfying you for next few years. That's really the main reason why I got rid of the Mazda for the GS430. I had very little confidence that the Mazda would hold to my satisfaction levels over the next three years. I've also bought some furniture, another HD TV, and paying off the credit card as fast as possible. Plus, the proceeds we got from the sale of the house in NC is sitting in a "flexible" account that can be withdrawn with no penalties. It's sitting there, waiting for interest rates to spike, and THEN it'll get invested. Right now is a perfect storm for buyers. You've got super low rates on top of deflated prices, but one of the two is going to change soon.

I agree that the mood and criticism swings back and forth depending on which party is in the White House, definetly. One likes to grow government, one likes to shrink it. 8 years of one growing government usually results in so much red tape that nothing can hardly get done. 8 years of one reducing government strips the proper overview needed to prevent such things as Bernie Madoff. It goes left, then right, then left, then right, and so on and so on. History repeats itself time and time again. However, I do disagree about the inflation theory, and the idea that a lot of people are doing better. Granted, folks like you and I are doing ok, but with an unemployment rate heading to the double digits, over 90% of the cities cutting social services and education platforms to avoid going bankrupt, and a deficit hitting numbers beyond comprehension, I'd have to say SWO, you and I are probably the minority in that regard. And unless Obama is prepared to start taxing the hell out of everyone "rule #1 to avoid if up for reelection", the only other way to stop and reverse the slide down the deficit rabbit hole is to cut, and increase the cost of, borrowing. There has to be a "ying" of the "yang" of all of this money being printed by the fed. Given the unemployment rates, unemployment benefits starting to run dry, taxing what? can produce some kind of positive return? Plus, outside of Warren Buffett, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say they want to pay more taxes. So, the only other source of revenue is in the interest on the money. I think the stage is being set for hyperinflation as we speak actually. Rating agencies are cutting corporate ratings across the board - no matter how sound you are. Investors are starting to hedge in the commodities sectors, inventories are starting to shrink a bit, and the international community of investors are starting to get very very nervous about all of this debt we're incurring. Something is going to pop soon, you can feel it.

Aside from the power and modern touch upgrades to my 01 GS430 from my former 95' LS400, I like the ride of the GS better actually. In comparison of the two's ride qualitites, I find the GS to be quite smooth actually, and not "floaty" like the LS seemed to be at times, even with all the new suspension and struts I put on it. No doubt the GS is smaller, and feels smaller in the cabin too. It's a "tighter" fit, but still quite comfortable. Maybe my shocks are softening up, but the GS feels a lot heavier that it is, and does give that "floaty" feel at times. But, what I like about it over the LS though, is the ability to take a corner and not scrape the paint off the side mirrors. I am surprised at how flat the car feels when making turns. But, I agree, it's no LS in several areas. Just as SRK says, it's more inline with the 5 series BMW. And, incertain areas too, the 5 series is no 7. In terms of power, the 4.3 V8 has plenty of teeth to overpower the car in a passing situation, easily. With 300 hp's and 325lb's of torque, it'll scoot with asked, no doubt about that. But, it won't do it in a manner you're probably used to with your 7 series. The power is very very deceptive. You have to watch the speedo climb to realize the power. Either way though, I doubt you'd be unhappy with either choice. There is a reason though why you don't see alot of used GS430's of that body style for sale "that aren't either very high mileage, time for the timing belt repair, or clearly not well taken care of". But for a true cruiser with all the creature comforts of such, the LS is the real winner, hands down.

Man, what is that smell?

You know what we need to do? We need to get rid of all these stupid "wings" and get us a rudder. Outside of actual flight, of course, the only thing a "wing" can do is make the damn thing lean one way or the other. The rudder is what steers the machine. At least the guy didn't call him Hussein. I must say though, I'm seeing more and more comments from business sector starting to bash Obama, saying he's overreaching on his authority into the private sector. He's got a lot of folks nervous right now, and starting to scratch their heads if they made the right choice last November. I'm not bashing, I'm just relaying what I'm hearing. The whole "we're sorry, world" tour, does bother me a bit, I have to admit. Granted, I see what he's trying to do, which is calm things down and get people to start talking and accepting, instead of preparing under paranoia. He's trying to turn a new leaf, led by a new generation. But, what about the simple fact that we're also the country the world calls first for help when the sh*t hits the fan somewhere? I mean, don't we get some sort of credit for working hard to be on the front lines of repair? At the end of the day though, if you want my opinion, I think inflation is going to get way out whack soon which is going to throw the balance "what's left of it" out of whack even further, interest rates are going to go through the roof, and Obama will be standing on a debate stage in 4 years trying to explain everything. One guy or girl across the stage is going to ask the simple question to the american public "how's it going these days? You better off?", and it'll be all over. It won't be Obama's fault completely, as nothing in this country starts and stops in a 48 month time frame, but, he'll be the one to blame. And, I honestly think, all the slick talk, refined manner of public speaking that he does, will have worn off by then and created a "disconnect" feeling between him, and the american voter. Folks will be swamped with their own mess at home, and he'll be on their tv, with a preacher type style of delivery. Folks don't like to be preached at, except on Sunday morning. That's one thing I did like about Bush. Even though he was a bubbling idiot countless times, his lack of "polish" sometimes helped him connect. Ok, Doug, fire away.

I give you Exhibit A: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/ju...market-reserves This is almost comical on how easy it is to see what really going on. I'm VERY curious to see what Obama does about this repeat situation. He hasn't been shy to slam other sectors of the economy for doing things that seem to hurt the general public's wallet. Let's see if he has the nuggets to do the same to big oil.

CD, I understand how you felt when you saw your car on autotrader. You had a personal connection to that car, with all of the upgrades and tweaks you did to it. I also understand that initial "you s.o.b, you ripped me off" feeling when you see the price they're asking. You go through so much haggeling and bickering when negotiating a price, and they tell you all sorts of things "I'll have to ship it to auction, I'll have to do this, do that, ect", only to see they didn't do any of it. I know how you're feeling. It doesn't go away either as you get older. That first initial feeling of thinking you got a bad deal, or seeing what you could have gotten for it. But, what you "could" have gotten for it, and what you "were offered", is the difference between your willingness to go through the hassle of selling it yourself, or switching it out for something else on the spot. One has an investment value, one has a conveinence value (or cost). Those guys are on the "investment" side of the equation, and you're on the convienence side. The same initial feeling hit me too when I traded my 07' Mazda 3GT for my current GS. All the haggling, which ended with me taking my check off the table, getting into the Mazda and headed home, only to be called on my cell phone "which I gave to them early in the negotiatoins for this exact reason" to come back and pick up my new car. They gave me payoff, which was about $13k. They gave me the whole auction thing too, which I said "if you can't sell this car on your lot, then how are you going to sell all of these others?". The next day, on auto trader, my Mazda, for $16,900. It sold within 2 days, for $300 over the asking price due to a bidding war. I learned this a few weeks after the transaction while picking up my Illinois tags from the dealership. Told the guy "wow, that's great man!", and I meant it too. Although he gave me the whole song and dance routine, at the end of the day, he too has to grab his things and go home to his wife and kids. And I for one, take a lot more pride in knowing that I played a part in those smiles around his kitchen table when he tells his family that he made a sale, just so long as the following is true, which was true for me.... The question that you must answer, regarding your new set of wheels, is are you happy with what you came out of pocket for (cash)? That's the question, and the TRUE cost of buying a depreciating asset, like a car. The "value" of a car falls every day, with every mile. So being upset about the price of your old car, isn't the issue. It's the price of your new sweet honey chasin' ride. Once you've found comfort in that, then the rest is just business. The whole depreciating asset aspect of cars, is exactly why I will only buy a car if I can get 6 year financing for it. Because the gap between the value of the car vs. the balance on the loan, is always smaller the further down the road you are. Give me 100% for 6 years anyday "on a used, already hit by initial depreciation" car. Not to defend you completely against my fellow amigos on here, as they're right about many things that you'll probably face in life. But, one of the biggest suprises I've found over the course of my first year of being a dad, is the joy I get from buying things for my son. It's a selfish sense of joy, but one of accomplishment that I feel for myself, a sense of pride to be able to do so. The balance however, and this is where I completely agree with SWO, is where I set the bar for my child to reach when it comes time for him to step into the shoes of self sustainer/provider. Just remember, one day the weight of that ability to walk into a dealership and buy an expensive, adult, luxury car will be upon you too. So, see beyond the things, and seek the oportunities that your blessings grant you. I, like SWO, grew up in an affluent life style as well. I grew up in the nicest areas of Miami, Birmingham, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, and Indiana. I, like SWO, had many friends in that environment too. And, just like SWO, can honestly say that most of them haven't turned out to do a damn thing worthwhile with their lives. That's because, as we grew up, they focused on "things", not "methods to things". Life only "invites" you to come out and play once, maybe twice if you're lucky "I was". If you're not prepared to answer that invitation, then life just gives you the leftovers. So, I say enjoy that fine skirt chaser ride amigo! But, keep your eye on the ball and keep that nagging voice in your head that one day you'll have the opportunity to do for you and your family, as your parents have done for you. Keep that focus, and "things" will simply be as they are meant to be, "things". Allow your "things" to define you though, and you too will face the real probability of becoming like those SWO is talking about. A person who missed the invitation because he/she was too busy trying to angle someone else for that next big "thing". PS: I haven't read the insurance fraud thread, but I think I get the point judging from the others' comments. Rule #1: Play by the rules, because Karma is a !Removed!, and will ALWAYS get even. Just ask Wall Street. I'd rather work myself to the bone for $100, knowing nobody can ever take it from me, than wiggle my way to $1,000 that will require me to always look over my shoulder for that nasty little monster coming to collect, called Karma.

I'm moving next door! Hey NC why not just crash in my 5 bedroom guest house. :whistles: I appreciate the offer, Lex, but I like and respect you too much to subject you to within 300 feet of my son's Diaper Gennie. Talk about killing one's property value "oh dear lord, what is that smell?"

Yep, I agree with DC 110%. I'm willing to bet you've got (1) aftermarket brake pads on there, or (2) worn out brake pads. The noise you're hearing is the pads hitting their caliper seats when you first apply the brakes in any given direction. They're shifting. After market pads are almost guaranteed to do this. You've should have the shims on the back of the pads as DC says. In addition, within the caliper seat itself, are these little clips that are along the side of the pads. They're "springy" in nature, and hold the pad in place. The problem with some aftermarket pads, is that the pad frame itself isn't an "exact" replica of the genuine oem pads. This creates some slack when in the seat of the caliper. The previous owner of my GS had a brake job done at a GM dealership "why, is beyond me", and they too used aftermarket parts, and I too have that clicking noise. I also had it on my LS when I was messing around with aftermarket pads, and also had it on the front of my 4runner "again, previous owner replaced pads with aftermarkets". Genuine Toyota pads fixed the LS, fixed the 4runner, and will fix the GS "both mine, and yours".