The G Man

So far, the only news I have heard is that the new GS450h will have about the same amount of power but fuel effiency have improved almost 35%. There are a few new options such as the F-sport suspension package and the adaptive suspension.

I can say from experience that any rebased HID kits in a reflector hosuing just doesnt work. It is impossible to focus the light, the light always end up scattered and blinding oncoming drivers. That is why car manufacturers do not use HID lights with reflector housing.

I know that on some cars, the ECU will always try to run with the higher octane program continuously. Do you know for a fact that the Lexus ECU program only try to advance after a fill up? Even a slight detonation may cause minor damage, it doesn’t have to be cause by an all out WOT, but simply by climbing a steep hill or towing.

I went to the dealer's invite of the GS launch last week. its a nice looking car from the inside, much better than my 08 GS350, but the exterior has many funny looking angles and looks piece together, the lines just do not flow well. I was offered a chance to test drive it next week, I might go back and take them up on it. Overall, I would say it is not a car I would consider buying. Although the interior is nice, everything else is lacking. At $60K, the GS350 is no longer the bargain it once was.

I assume when you say refueled, you mean using 87 octane and not filling up the gas tank. The only way the RX know what octane you are using is by sensing for knocks and pings, I am sure it doesnt have a on-board octane analyzer. The ECU is program for 91 octane, so it will always try to run in that mode even after the it is de-tuned due to knocking. As soon as it is de-tuned, the ECU will slowly try to go back to the normal mode, until knocking is sensed again. The ECU does not stay de-tuned.

I assume when you say refueled, you mean using 87 octane and not filling up the gas tank. The only way the RX know what octane you are using is by sensing for knocks and pings, I am sure it doesnt have a on-board octane analyzer. The ECU is program for 91 octane, so it will always try to run in that mode even after the it is de-tuned due to knocking. As soon as it is de-tuned, the ECU will slowly try to go back to the normal mode, until knocking is sensed again. The ECU does not stay de-tuned.

And what happens after the engine is detune, it will try to go back to normal until it detects knocking again, then detune again. This cycle happens over and over again, that repeated slight knocking may or may not damage your engine in the long run. I guess I am not willing to take that chance.

Lexus design it to do exactly that so you can start looking for your destination when the Navi say you have reached your destination. You cannot change it.

I think HID and LED low beams are more blinding than properly aimed halogen fog lights. The worst is those kids with the HID kits in reflective housing.

Advertising fee is pretty common when buying a Lexus or Toyota, usually its about $600 or so. Delivery fee, is that the same as destination fee? Acquisition fee, is that the same as documentation fee?

At 82000 miles, the extended warranty is going to be pretty expensive.

Quote from the abpve link: " For example, the highest usage claims were for Mercedes-Benz, for which we have no recommended models due to below-average reliability. But only 38 percent of those owners said they saved money with the extended warranty; the average loss was $100. " I would say a $100 is a very cheap price for a peace of mind.

I dont understand, the AC vent are vertical and pretty high up, how can you throw your ear rings and cell phone in there by accident?

That is why it is always a good idea to get everything documented in the dealer's service invoice. Sometimes if one dealer will not fix it, another dealer will. If you complain to Lexus USA while you were still in warranty, they might have ask the dealer to replace it for you.

Beside the outdoor temp.'s affect on MPG, the length of the commute also comes into play. If you drives a lot of short trips, less than 10 miles. Than your car spents most of the time in the un-efficient mode of trying to warm up.

2-3 miles per gallon difference on the highway, holy cow. Thats a 10% difference in highway gas mileage, those are some expensive tires.

The new Cadillac ATS is design to be the so called BMW 3 series killer. It has the HP to compete and the handling is said to be as sharp as the 3 series. Can this baby CTS measure up or will it fall to the same faith as the Cimarron? Can this baby Caddy bring the American car manufacturers back to the lime light of the entry level sport sedan arena? What do you guys think? http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/detroit/2012/1112_2012_detroit_2013_cadillac_ats_first_look/

Good Job Steve, the site looks great.

I agree, internet sales is good for the consumer but bad for the mom and pop stores. If the internet sets the price, then the only way to make more profit is by volume. By the way, congrats to the designer of this site, the new design looks great.

When you sign up for Sewell parts online, it will ask you if you belong to any online Lexus club, just mention Lexusownersclub and you will get a discount. I believe the side molding comes out to just under $100 with the discount.

Have you check your hoses, thermostat and water pump yet?

:) :) For a moment, I thought I was talking to a Mercedes sales guy :) :) I am retiring in a few years and thought about selling cars part time once I retire, but the way cars are sold these days, mostly pre-priced thru the internet, its very hard for a car salesman to make a good living. A friend of mine sells Acura and he said the only way to make a decent living selling cars now are high volume and the high volume car sale business is very competitive.

Alphadog is right, removing the lens is not a DIY job, you would have to heat up the assembly to get the lens off and glue it back. Besides, you will have a hard time finding just the replacment lens.

I can share with you my experience with my wife's 2011 RX450h. Last winter here in the New England area, we recorded the 3rd snowest winter on record I believe. The RXh on Michelin latitute all season tires perform like a champ. It actually drove better in the snow than my wife's old Audi Q5 with full time quattro dive. The extra weight with the batteries in the back helped and the snow mode in the RXh really keeps things in check before things get out of control.

Paul, are you a Mercedes sales manager or salesman? I never did understand the R class, its one of the ugliest car ever made and yet Mercedes just give up on it.