VBdenny

I wouldn't be without itit's . Senna, no toll roads in Canada? I guess since the US has slightly overdrawn bank account we will probably see more and more toll roads since there is not much money available for new roads. Better to pay and go, than not pay and not go I guess.

I may get soem 16" in the future but since we are buying a place in North Jersey where everything is about a million dollars, I'll have to conserve funds for a little while. Gotta get ready to drive folks. It's Friday. Denny

I have a lot of tools. Most are Craftsman, a few Mac, Snap-Ons, and other stuff. I had one of those Craftmans Red double stack tool boxes but it was full. Then, while I was at Costco a few months ago, I saw this beautiful, stainless steel huge tool box made by Nu Steel. I bought one, only $600. I moved my automotive tools to the new box, and use the old one for painting tools, parts, and other stuff I use. I have a couple of compressors, a couple jacks, lots of lights, TV stereo, refrigerator, sanders, you know... all the junk a car guy likes. I spend more time in my garage than any other room. VBdenny

not to sound dumb chips, but what exactly is a Lexus fitter? and also what is MK1 and MK2? I saw you are in the UK so it's probably just a dialect difference, but it is an interesting topic. VBdenny

I think the markings on the LS (at least in 90) coolant reserviour are incorrect. Mine always stays low when cold and then goes to full, or slightly above when hot. My temperature gauge stays rock steady slightly below half. I usually have the dealer flush it every couple of years and they're not too bad with the price. It's not that I can't do it, I just don't like doing it. Besides, when I flush it at home, it probably flows into the Chesapeake Bay and since I like catching (and eating) fish from there, I decided to just have it done. The biggest worry is some idiot somewhere mixing long life and regular collant which I have heard is bad. I never top off with coolant as it doesn't evaporate, only the water does.

Steve, Great article on oil filters. Opened my eyes. I guess I'll change my filter considerations in the future. Thanks for sharing that with us. Ain't the Internet great. Denny

If you haven't read the PINNED topic at the top of this forum "Everything you wanted to know about motor oil" you should. It is long, but I felt like I learned a lot about oil from the post. Check it out I use Mobil 1 in all my vehicles. I'm happy with it so far.

Yeah, I am excited big time. I am doing the Rookie Experience and although my wife bought it for me, I think it's around $379. Use google and type in Richard Petty Driving Experience http://www.1800bepetty.com/intro.html and they have all the prices and descriptions. My buddy Capt. Reese (the fishing guy) did it last years at Lowe's and said it was awesome. When he got out, he offered to pay them whatever they wanted to get back in, they said no. I will post a full report with pictures on Moday. Meanwhile, sorry about missing this Jersey thing. I was in north Jersey last weekend and I'll be there next weekend. This is my heading west weekend. Maybe I'll even be at home one weekend sometime in the future. I've kind of forgotten what it's like. Please post soem pictures and descriptions of the gathering and if you really have a good time, maybe we can do it again in the summer sometime. Denny

Maquires smells nice. I had some ArmourAll, but it stinks. Couldn't take the smell. Polls are cool (except in Florida).

by the way pharmguy, my wife is a pharmagirl. Intersting business. You ever look on cafepharma.com ??

THe dirtier it gets, the better it works? wow, mine should work okay then. It is a very handy thing to have around. When I bought mine it had a big one and a little one. The little one works great for interiors like the dash and instrument panel. They work really well for keeping your car clean. I'll guess I'll wash it. The jury is in.

and just when you thought you'd seen everything. He does a pretty good chicken dance, and flys like an eagle, but can't drive. wild. Obviously someone with far too much time on their hands.

I had to put my chocolate labrador, Suzy, down last year on my birthday. She had gotten to the point where she couldn't stand up on her own and I said, well, that's it for her. I do miss her a lot, but not the additional duties which come with dog ownership. I still have a big ole black cat named boomer. My daughter got Boomer as a kitten when she was in kindergarden, and she is now a freshman in college. Boomer still goes out every morning for a while to hunt. Doesn't catch much anymore, but still enjoys his life which consists mainly of sleeping, eating, and trying to get me to pet him. I also have 2 turtles, Yertle and Yokum who I have had for 12 years. They were the size of quarters when I got them and now they are rather large. I have a huge aquairum in the living room where they stay, but in the summer, they stay outside in a converted bathtub pond. They let me feed them and pet them. Animals are great.

If your car has a windhield that has a factory suntint built in, the windshield EZ pass won't work. They make another one that mounts to your front license plate for cars with tinting. Call EZ Pass and they have a list of cars that must use the license plate type transmitter. It sure saves a lot of time on a trip not stopping to pay tools.

thanks silver, I don't really like the look of 18"+ on the 400 which is my persoanl feelings. I understand that many people do like that look and that is cool. The best thing about car people is that everyone has a different opinion. That is the spice of life. I'd prefer to have a set of the cool looking, later model LS400 rims on my car. I especially like the 5 spoke rims I've seen.

come on now doog, this is a discusssion among friends. I can't see where this hurts anyone. Besides, what is maturity?

the "bulb out" indicator comes on if one of the tail light or parking light bulbs is bad. do a walk-around at night, maybe you'll see something.

Thanks so much guys for making me feel old. College is a test of your ability to pursue your horizons. I have an Associates, Bachelors, and Masters degree and then maybe 20 something hours beyond, so I have sat through many many classes. Sometimes, it was a lot like work. But...... College rocks, the best time of your life. You meet the most incredible people (both students and teachers), have the best parties, and learn how interaction with others works effectively, and just enjoy your life. My daughter is a freshman at Virginia Tech in engineering, and she told me that it is much harder than high school ever was. She was amazed that they were expected to know stuff. Keeping her busy for sure. I admire all you guys in high school and college that have such drive. Owning a Lexus while in high school seems like a good thing to me. denny

So how do you know if they are real? I must admit that I'm kind of confused as to all the various Lexus wheels. I know mine has 15" that are side specific, and that sometime later, the LS400 went to a 16". The thing is that I really don't know when, or what they switched to, and what will fit my car. This is a great question, I'd like to know as well. Hopefully someone has done a little research and can bring us up to speed on tires and wheels. I'd be primarily interested in genuine Lexus 16" wheels, but hey.... Welcome to LOC JT denny

hey big dog, whatever is on your car in the new picture looks perfect. that is a great photo and your car looks great. I saw several people commented on the colors, which I didn't initially notice. After thinking about it, I realized that I have about every color car except black. I guess I have decided that above all other colors, I prefer white. The Corolla I just bought is that light gold color Toyota color (like every other Buick) which I don't like much. Then again, every car looks good when it is spotlessly waxed. The way your car shines says it all.... you care about your vehicles. When I'm on the Interstates (which is about all the time it seems) I do take notice of others with clean rigs. I KNOW they are better drivers as well because no one who cares that much about their cars is a shippy driver. I'll bet your car handles really nicely now. How about an insight as to how you percieve the handling characteristics before... and after? Oh yeah, what kind of tire and size are you running now? Thanks for the great thread. Isn't this a cool group? Denny

I guess I'll hold onto that 30lbs jug of R-12 I have. Bought it several years ago at Costco for $89

I had no idea that the radiator and heater hoses would last so long. I was wondering about that. I believe mine are the original and they still look (and feel) perfect.

Especially when the Lexus is such an easy car to change brakes on. I've done Chevrolets, Dodges, Fords, Truimphs, volkwagons, Oldsmobiles, Buicks, Cadillacs, and probably a few other brands and the Lexus was by far the easiest.

you never want to get brake fluid on your paint. Never. Also as birds fly over, they can leave depositis which can etch the paint permanently. Speaking of that, I've got to go wash my Chevy or at least get that fresh "deposit" off.

Here is Virginia Beach, we are solidly into the peak of yellow pollen season. Even inside the garage everything is covered. It's tough to even wash your car becasue it gets covered again before you dry it. I also found out you don't want to hose it off because then all the poolen washed down inside all the drain channels. I use my leaf blower, compressed air, and my California duster. Anyone know if you can wash a Cal duster?