smcd

Brake jobs are easy and so should definitely be performed by your local reputable Toyota/Lexus shop. The dealer should only be used for the "difficult" stuff where special equipment is required. I would definitely not replace pads at 40%, maybe <20% if it's convenient. The best way to find a good mechanic is to ask others that have a Toyota/Lexus. Maybe find out for Ohio on this board. You can check out most businesses on bbb.org to make sure they don't have any major issues. And remember to keep all your receipts in case something comes up in the future. Sometimes the smaller shops don't have the efficient filing systems (or computers) of the dealers. Make sure they right down everything on the receipt including some minimal detail on diagnostic work they performed (and you paid for). I had an issue with this in the past but luckily I still had the detailed receipts and it worked out. - Sean

Yes it's Verizon. I knew before I bought the phone that the complete address book could not be put in all at once. I did think from past postings here that it could be done one number (contact) at a time. I must say that in using the Bluetooth feature in the RX with the E815 phone, I have found the sound quality (voice) in both directions to be excellent. I just wish Motorola/Verizon would enable the phonebook transfer feature, or someone finds a work-around... :cries: ← This is completely a Verizon issue. Motorola builds the phones with full support. - Sean

Yeah, my current GS does have a run flat - just talking about the new cars since I re-entered the market recently. Replacing the tires is really expensive so not sure that is a good option either. - Sean

Roger that - Boston area (see location in my profile summary!). I will be selling my 16" Lexus OEM rims with Blizzak tires in the for sale forum once I reach 20 posts. Hang on, that's now. I'll post soon and email you.

Yes, this would be a choice between the Audi & Bimmer for me. Audi makes beautiful interiors for sure. Mind you, if this is his last car before retirement, reliability should be a major factor. And that really brings it down to just one car - the LS. Maybe the Infiniti Q a close second. - Sean

Well Verizon settled which is a partial win. I would have preferred the judge to rule that they had to fully support Bluetooth but that would be wishful thinking. <<< The settlement offers either a $25 credit for customers that wish to continue their Verizon service, or the ability to return the V710 and any purchased accessories for a full refund so that a new phone can be purchased. If the class member does not wish to continue Verizon service, they can return the phone and accessories for a full refund and break their contract without a cancellation fee. Persons that already canceled their Verizon service are entitled to recoup their cancellation fee. >>>

The other thing that sucks about run flats is that your local tire shop in general is not going to be able to fix a flat. The dealer has to do it for about $300 (at least that's the case with BMW). I've heard a lot of people recommending the tire insurance which runs about $400 for 3-4 years. It will pretty much pay for itself with one flat. It's a shame that full size spares aren't still an option in all cars. I would certainly not mind paying more for one.

I change mine to snows Thanksgiving weekend and take them off first week of April.

I do not believe there is a Lexus equivalent for StealthOne. There probably isn't nearly as much of a market with Lexus vs. BMW. For other folks wondering what the heck we're talking about: http://store.stealth-one.com/

Huh? They are starting to use them again? Why? Speed?

530xi is full time AWD. I like RWD a lot - my 95 M3 is RWD but mostly for the track. If I had my way, I would get a 550i w/SMG but my wife has more sense than me. I really like where this GS450h is going but I'd be hesitant to buy it in the first year. I know Lexus is generally good but the first hybrid sports sedan is just asking for reliability/efficiency problems, especially the way I drive. The direct link for anyone interested is: http://www.lexus.com/2007gsh_preview/index.html

That is just crazy on any road. You have big b*lls. :) - Sean

They've done it again - top of all the lists for reliablity: http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/10/26/cr_mos...able/index.html Infiniti has top for M (just like GS) but worst for QX (huge SUV). - Sean

And on a general safety note, if any of your old seat belts are frayed (small wear "cuts" at the end), you should really get them replaced. They will likely tear in an accident and not work as expected. While we're on the subject...

I'm surprised that there isn't more talk about this on the forum. This seems like a very interesting car and unique in the market. Is there any chance of an AWD version? How will mileage & performance compare to the 430?

Remember that there is an all new 7-series at the end of 2008 that will seriously leap frog the current design. The current 7er design dates back to 2000 with a release in 2002 so is about 5 years earlier than the LS. Design is evolving.The new LS does look cool for sure. - Sean

Where is a good place to get this done in MA?

There's tons of ways to resize images and plenty of free software out there:http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=f...ize&btnG=Search I've heard people say that Photo Gadget is good for this (personally I use Photoshop which is not free) - Sean

The Germans might be on to something...

I don't believe that they are interchangeable. The newer systems are DVD based and I believe that your system is hard disk based like my 99 GS 300. Have you looked into updating the data on the hard disk? Talk to your dealer. I thought that Lexus did support Canada but none of the manufacturers have detailed maps of Canada AFAIK. The latest DVD disk from BMW also has problems once I go north beyond Montreal. You might want to consider easily portable systems. I have used the TomTom and it seems to be good (http://www.tomtom.com/) and is very portable between cars. The Magellan (http://www.magellangps.com/en/) and Garmin (http://www.garmin.com/) systems are also popular. But with all of these, check exactly what their support is for where you need to go in Canada. - Sean

I just did the dollar conversion and the GS 300 will cost you US$120k. WOW!! For pics, the general web sites are the way to go - autos.msn.com has a neat photo review option where you can compare equivalent photos across a set of cars. I recently had the opportunity to test drive numerous "luxury sports sedans" and any of these cars are great buys IMHO. I had all wheel drive in all these but that wouldn't be necessary of course in Singapore. Lexus GS 300 AWD - ultimate luxury car - suspension too soft for me but perfect for luxury ride - pretty interior with very usable controls - love the touch screen, nav has nice route choice option - good price point Infiniti M35x - handles well & plenty of power (3.5L engine) - nice gismos (super rear view camera with distance markers when in reverse) - nav is good with awesome 3D presentation - interior a little plasticky - best price point (i.e. most value?) Audi A6 Quattro - feels big inside = positive - looks big outside = negative - handled surprisingly well with acceptable power - nav is about average (japanese do better navs) - real pretty interior - perhaps even nicer than lexus? BMW 530xi - liked the exterior the best (totally personal decision) - interior better than infiniti but not as nice as audi or lexus - clearly the best handling car - most torque available low in power band but no wow in power - only car that will allow full nav/phone access while driving - huge for me - worst price point (but best lease rates by far in US) All I can recommend is to test drive the cars that you are considering to make up your own mind. You will hear a lot of positive things about Lexus here of course but in this case I think it's fair because the GS is a great product. Lexus is probably the most reliable brand too which is a big plus if service is expensive in Singapore (I assume it is since everything else is too!). I'll be taking my first trip to Singapore in late January so I'll keep my eyes open for you! :) - Sean

Talk is cheap. Were you driving or a passenger? What stretch of the autobahn and how long did it take to get to 212mph? There are so few opportunities to go this speed on the Autobahn, it's hard to believe that you could do it. Here is my most recent trip to Germany where I maxed out my poor rental BMW 318i at 137mph: http://sean.dhs.org/roadfly/110_1023_IMG.jpg For those that don't know, leaving your left indicator on in the fast lane lets cars in front know that you want them to GET OUTTA THE WAY!! :) I've never trusted my GS 300 much above 100mph. - Sean

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking here. Did Lexus leave something out? What, like a sports suspension? I think the road tests are pretty accurate - I have driven both and the GS is clearly more luxurious & is safer in theory (knee airbags for example). Better looking is in the eye of the beholder of course. I think the that the BMW 5 is prettier than both but many would disagree (including many BMW fans). - Sean