jetman

Would it be cheaper to buy the car on the mainland and have it shipped to PR? If it costs $5000 to ship from say, Miami to a Puerto Rican port you would still be way ahead since a well-equipped IS 350 up here would run about $41,000 (before discounts). There is free movement of goods between the mainland and PR, isn't there? Sure sounds like the luxury car dealers down there really like to stick it to the buyer...

Yimbie - Decided to go with the BMW, eh? Good for you! You really couldn't go wrong either way. I might have even considered one myself, but it was just a little out of my price range. But like I replied in your earlier post, I do LOVE my IS! SWheat - Congrats on the new car. I'm sure you'll be happy with the IS over the Tacoma, although you might miss the cargo room. As to your issues: 1. The seat belts ARE a little low. I'm sure you'll get used to them after a while. If you have different passangers in the front seat, you'll notice them always trying to fiddle around to find the insert. Not the best design, IMHO. 2. The brakes are high-performance and do tend to be a little grabby - the first couple af days I almost put my passangers through the windshield during a stop :) . And wait until you see the brake dust! Lexus will replace the factory brakes with different ones if you complain about the excess brake dust. The new ones may be a little less grabby, but I'm not sure. 3. Definitely a matter of personal preference. Although the fob may be a little bulky, I love the convienience of never having to take it out of my pocket. Plus it's a cool feature to demonstrate to your friends when showing off your new ride! Welcome to the club!

Welcome to the club! I'm sure you'll enjoy your new car. The price you paid seems a little steep, especially for a base car with no options. I assume the sticker price is about the same as on the mainland. I don't know how negotiating for a car works in PR, but up here it wouldn't be unusual for a dealer to knock off several thousand $$ off the sticker price. Doesn't matter though - you are the proud owner of a great vehicle which will give you many years of driving pleasure... And wow, what's with the 26% tax? You don't pay any federal income tax in PR, right? Is that how the government gets its money, by taxing the s**t out of everything you purchase? You're right - it does really suck!

If cost is no option, it would be easy for a smooth talking salesman to get an old lady to purchase more car than she needs (bigger sticker price = larger commission). It may be a stereotype, but I don't think the average old lady is a savvy car buyer. Once a salesman tells her she "needs" the extra power (to "avoid an accident" perhaps) she'll believe it. Either that or if she wants a particular color that's on the lot only in the more powerful model, that's the one she'll buy. I'm sure you see this more in Florida, where there's lots of old people with tons of money. Here in Buffalo, the old people drive Buicks - the ones with the money have already retired to Florida. Whenever I see a Buick on the road I always leave a little extra following distance in case the old person behind the wheel does something stupid...

For my sake, I hope you're wrong. I'll report back after a few rainstorms and let you know. Thanks for the tip on Scratch X. I may have to give it a try. Ironically, when I was shopping today I walked past a display for a scratch removal product by Nu Finish. I remember thinking "Boy, I'm glad I don't need to use that yet." When I walked back to my car minutes later, that's when I spotted the scratch! Just my luck...

There is a tool on cars.com which will help you determine the resale value of both vehicles - cars.com link Doing a quick check, I don't think that there is much difference, percentage wise, in resale value between the two vehicles. Of course the BMW will have a higher value at trade-in time, mainly because the initial cost is higher. My thinking is that you should weigh your pros and cons and make the decision based on them, setting aside resale value. Why would you want to purchase a car you would be less happy with just because you can get more for it several years down the road? Even though you'd have a fine vehicle, you would regret your decision. Take it from me. In 2005 I bought a RX 330. Very luxurious and reliable, but I never felt completely comfortable or satisfied with it, although I couldn't figure out why. It wasn't until a friend pointed out "Dude, you're driving a soccer mom's car" that I realized that, as nice as the RX was, the driving experience was "blah" and the car just wasn't a good fit for my personality. Shortly thereafter I traded it in for an IS and I absolutely love it. From the minute I test drove it the car just spoke to me. Driving is actually fun again. Can't really say I know that much about the BMW; it's a little out of my price range. But in your case, if I were you I'd test drive both vehicles again and ask myself what vehicle "connects" better with my personality and driving style. I'm sure both are great cars but when you give it careful consideration you'll just know which one is right for you... BTW, do you really think the BMW name is more respected than Lexus? I would kind of rate them as equals, with the BMW seen as more performance-oriented, while the Lexus is more luxury-oriented.

:cries: Well my new car lasted about 3 1/2 weeks before getting its first scratch. I returned from shopping today and found a 4 inch scratch on the right rear quarter panel. Funny that I even got the scratch considering I parked well away from the other cars in the lot. Assessing the damage, I figured I could polish out most of the scratch, but there was about a half inch that was so deep that I thoght I would have to use touch-up paint - it looked like it went right into the primer. I my garage I had a tube of a product called G27 Scratch Remover. I bought it several years ago after seeing an infomercial, but didn't have a reason to use it. To my amazement, after applying the product as directed, the lighter portion of the scratch disappeared completely and the deep portion disappeared so well that you have to look long and hard to even see it. And there are no swirl marks where the product was applied, like I would see with using a polishing compound. Needless to say, I am quite pleased and relieved. So I was going to post on this forum extolling the virtues of this fine product, but before doing so I happened to check out epinions.com to see what others thought about GS27. Much to my surprise, virtually everyone said that GS27 is a piece of crap and a complete waste of money! I am very much astounded that my results were so much different than everyone else who tried the product. Has anyone else here tried GS27? What were the results? I wonder if the product worked so well because of the notoriously soft paint that Lexus uses on their vehicles? Comments anyone?

Lexus made a major change in the IS product line for the 2006 model year, so it's highly unlikely that there will be big changes in store for '08. The biggest change will likely be a price increase. So why not buy now and enjoy driving your new car all summer?

Living up here in Buffalo, the IS 250 was an easy choice. I know I'm gonna need that AWD come wintertime! That being said, and all other things being equal, I still don't know if I'd get the IS 350. My driving habits wouldn't justify spending the extra few thousand dollars (yes, I CAN afford it) for the extra power. I would probably never race anyone, and almost certainly wouldn't drive at breakneck speeds. The IS 250 has plenty of power for my needs, and certainly doesn't feel like a "slow" car by any means. And it's still a very fun car to drive. I bought my IS 250 for the combination of quality, styling and luxury. Based on those three factors, there is essentially no difference between the IS 250 and IS 350. Hey, your driving habits may be different and the IS 350 may suit you better. But please don't dis us IS 250 owners. We all have reasons for purchasing the vehicles that we do. There are many more IS 250s out there than IS 350s - not everyone wants the IS 350. For some owners it may be the money, but for others there may be other factors involved in their decision. And there's certainly nothing wrong with those new car buyers who choose to buy a Camry either (it's an excellent vehicle, just not my style). In fact, some of the most well-off people I know do not even own a luxury car - they feel it's too pretentious. Different strokes for different folks...

I really can't help you with your problem (sorry), but as an aside I've heard that putting premium fuel in an engine designed for regular is a waste of money. The extra octane has no added benefit since the engine is not properly equipped to use it. I traded in my RX for an IS 250 and I cringe every time I have to pay the extra 20c per gallon for premium because the car is required to have it (especially with fuel well over 3 bucks a gallon anyway). Never had any problem using regular on my RX. Obviously you have some other problem which is causing the engine knock. Once you have it taken care of may I respectfully suggest that you try switching to regular. You may be surprised to see no decrease in performance, and you'll save money to boot. Just my two cents...

You might want to try a product called Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover. You can get it at Lowes. It's worked really well for me on home carpet spots. You basically just pour it on the spot and rub with your fingertips. In most cases the spot just disappears before your eyes - it's really amazing. Since the spot has set in, it may not work for you. But I think I would try a bunch of different things before shelling out $650 for new carpeting... Good luck!

Sorry, but I can't understand why you would want to remove a feature which IS related to safety. Insurance companies even give discounts for cars with daytime running lights (I'm sure you'll be notifing your insurance company that you've had yours disabled, right?) Your argument about wasting energy doesn't hold water - the lights run off the battery, which is constantly being recharged when the engine is running. I'm sure you must have some other reason. Just don't like the looks of the DRLs, maybe? Lexus prides itself on building some of the safest vehicles on the road. DRLs do provide an extra measure of safety without affecting performance. It's not a feature I, personally, would mess with. Of course, what you do with your car is your own business. Good luck to you.

Check out this YouTube video:Remove Car Dent With Airduster Don't know if it will work in your case, but it's worth a try...

I took the cross bars off two years ago and never had a problem. Never had a need to use the roof rack either - if it was optional I never would have gotten it. As for wind noise, I think removing the rails may have helped reduce wind noise ever so slightly, but don't expect a drastic reduction. The RX is a pretty quiet car anyways, despite the wind noise. I think you tend to notice the wind noise more since every other outside sound is so muted while in the cabin.

I definitely think the Luxury Plus package is a good idea. Lots of good stuff in there. (I really like the illuminated doorsill scuff plates. Adds a nice touch of class.) Go for the nav system too. The nav screen isn't just for directions, it is also the hub for your climate, audio and telephone controls (bluetooth connectivity is really cool and will help you avoid getting a ticket while talking on your cell phone if you live in a "progressive" state like NY). The backup camera comes in handy too. Be forewarned that nav systems do not hold their value at trade-in time. Take this into consideration if you plan on trading your vehicle in after a short period of time. But I think the coolness and functionality outweigh the trade-in factor. As for the ML stereo, I haven't heard it but I can't imagine a stereo sounding much better than the stock one. Probably the best stereo I've had in a vehicle. Good crisp sound and plenty of volume. I would imagine the ML sounding even better, plus it gives you the ability to watch DVDs (if that's your thing - personally I don't have any desire to watch a DVD on such a tiny screen; that's what I have a home theater for. More of a kids thing, and the IS isn't exactly a family sedan.) Can't speak to the X package cause I have a IS 250 AWD (not available).

Welcome to the forum, SL6! I think CWS nailed it when he suggested the wipers being raised and the hood being lifted while being washed. The location of the chip makes the other scenarios unlikely. You are correct when you speak of the IS' build being above the competition, especially the domestic automakers. Why do you think the domestics are losing so much market share? They can talk quality all they want, but IMHO they just don't deliver. Fit and finish seem especially bad. Funny that you should mention Hyundai. In the late 80's a friend of mine had a Hyundai Excel - biggest POS I ever rode in. They have come such a long way since then. Their vehicles now seem exceptionally well-built, and fairly stylish too (not to mention great pricing and warranty). If they ever come up with a luxury division they could be worthy competition for Lexus...

Not that it matters how it happened, except to prevent reoccurance, but is the hood chip where someone might have raised the hood while the wipers were in the raised position (while washing, for example)? Bingo! When I raised the passenger-side wiper and lifted the hood the paint chip lined up perfectly with the wiper. I'll bet that happened during dealer prep, and I know the kid who washed the car sure wasn't going to tell his boss that he just chipped the paint on a brand-new Lexus. My Lexus dealer doesn't even do their own car washing and detailing - they share the wash with the Toyota + Kia dealersips nearby (same owners). And I don't think that the car washers are the most experienced (or highest paid) employees there either. I really couldn't believe that Lexus would let the car leave the factory with a paint chip like that, however small it is. Thanks for helping sort out what, in all probability, happened to cause the chip. Maybe I'll call my salesman to express my concern - he might be able to hook me up with a free license plate frame or something for my trouble...

How much cool air can I expect to come out of my ventilated seats? We've had a few warm days and the black leather heats up pretty good when the car is parked. Even with the dial set all the way up to 3, I've got to say that I really don't feel a lot of ventilation. It seems to take a good 10-15 minutes before I can even start to feel the seats cooling down if the leather is hot. If the leather is cool (like in the morning) and I have the ventilation turned on I can feel the seats cooling within a few minutes. Is this normal? And does the ventilation extend to the seat back as well?

Part of the problem was that on the day I took delivery of the car I worked late. Then, by the time we completed the paperwork and the salesman brought the car out it was nearly dark. We were both inside the car and he was explaining the features (how to use the nav, etc.) when it started to rain. Had I been able to get to the dealership a little earlier I would have had a chance to inspect the car much better than I did. As is, I worked late again the following day, so it wasn't until two days after delivery that I saw the paint chip, and not until the following weekend that I spotted the dangling plastic. But you are correct, ultimately it was my responsibility to give the vehicle a full inspection prior to taking delivery and I neglected to do so. In my desire to get the car ASAP I trusted the dealer to provide me with a "perfect" car, which he didn't do. Still, the imperfections were minor, and it is a great vehicle. I was much more POed when I made my initial post than I am now. I know that within a few months I'll get a door ding or two which will be lots worse than the small paint chip...

I totally agree. No car is truly perfect. However, for $35K... it's a great car and the quality is there. You are going to have small exception no matter the car model. As for comparing them GM... give me a break! I had 2004 Corvette before my IS 350 and although I loved it... it had interior quality fit and finish problems since day one. The d*** thing leaked water on the drivers side for crying out loud. Don't even get me started on the lack of service from the Chevy dealers! Now that I've vented, I must say, after close inspection, fit and finish of the car is almost flawless. Granted, multiple inspections of the car should have caught the stray plastic (nobody's perfect). As for the paint chip (which probably did occur after the final inspection), the dealer gave me a free bottle of touch-up paint. They would've dabbed it on at the dealership, but I chose to do it myself (I have one of those Langka Paint Chip & Scratch Repair kits, so I feel I'll do a better job myself). My new IS 250 is every bit the equal, quality-wise, of the RX 330 I traded in and much, much better than any of the domestic cars I've owned in the past. I think back to 1980, when I bought my first brand-new car, a Dodge 024 (basically a sporty car built on an Omni frame) - cost me less than $6000. Probably the most fun car to drive that I've ever owned (IS excepted), but mechanically and build-wise, one of the biggest pieces of s**t I ever had. I was only able to keep it for a couple of years due to quality issues. I fully expect to keep my Lexus until I get tired of it; I don't forsee any mechanical or quality problems which will force me to get rid of it. I think Lexus' high level of attention to detail and quality of construction make their vehicles, dollar-for-dollar, a great value.

My RX was Bamboo Pearl. Great color! Depending which way you look at it, and if the sun is shining, it can look green, blue, or gold (or a combination thereof). I was always fascinated by the way it never looked exactly the same each time. Coupled with the tan interior, it was one classy looking vehicle! Even better, it was the best vehicle I ever owned in terms of the color not showing road dirt. I could go weeks without washing it. I love my new IS 250, but the Black Sapphire Pearl color means I'll be doing LOTS more washing than I ever did with my RX 330... A little off topic, but did you ever notice that the paint on a Lexus (or even a Toyota, for that matter) has a much higher gloss level than just about any other car on the road? Without even looking at the nameplate, I can identify a Lexus/Toyota vehicle from a far distance just by checking out the paint job. Toyota does, by far, the best job in painting their cars.

I've heard that cupholders in cars are strictly a North American thing. Cars built for other markets don't even have them. Maybe the Asian engineers who designed these vehicles just didn't give cupholder placement and functionality much consideration.

I'm over 40 and think pinstriping is just too 1978 for me. Also I have to say I was reading on other threads about owners of these cars being between 18 and 23! That's amazing - I had to wait to be 44 to own a $40,000 car. My son is 18 and he drive my 1998 Volvo 850. I am sure he would be thrilled if I just threw him the keys for my 2007 IS and said it's all yours. My first thought on the pinstriping was "tacky". Consensus here seems the same. I think I'll pass on the offer. The IS 250 is my "mid-life crisis" car, but I don't want it to look like a kid's car. As for the 18-23 year olds owning these cars - there was a time when I would've been jealous of them. Not anymore. I figure if anyone that age can afford that car (or whose parents can afford to buy it for them), then more power to them. I know that there will always be people both better and worse off financially than me. I feel fortunate that I'm now able to afford a $40,000 car, even though it took a while. I know that there are plenty of people my age who are struggling to afford ANY car, so I thank my lucky stars...

I have a friend whose father does custom pinstriping. He'll give me a good price (we haven't discussed specifics), but I'm kind of on the fence as to whether or not I should have it done. On one hand, the striping will give the car a "custom" look, but on the other hand it might be a little juvenile and tacky (I'm not a kid anymore). Figured I'd get the opinions of some forum members before I make my decision. What say you??? Also, if I get it done, what color might work best with my Black Sapphire Pearl IS 250? I was thinking either white or a lighter shade of blue...

The cupholders in the RX 330 were no better. It doesn't seem to matter what size or shape the container is, the contents will tip over and spill any time you turn a corner. I can't begin to tell you how many spills I had. Fortunately, most stayed in the cupholder compartment, but a good number went on the carpet. The cupholder needs to have a system to hold the container in place more firmly. I had my RX 330 for two years and the cupholder was my only real complaint. I guess that says good things about Lexus quality if the worst thing I can say about a vehicle with 30000 miles on it is that the cupholders suck...