MalibuSooner

mine fell off going down the windy coast, you have any luck finding a replacement trim piece? The trim piece on the passenger side fell/blew off. Our dealer replaced it for free since it was more of a design issue. You are correct in that you have to replace the entire window in order to replace the trim. They had to special order it. Took about a week. Have a 2004 RX330. Cole Which dealer did you go to? I bought my car at Lexus of Thousand Oaks and they basically told me I had to buy the whole window and have it installed. Explained this was a pervasive problem, design flaw, etc. Was told "not anything I can do for you but replace the whole window at your expense".

The *primary* reason I will be getting a new IS350 instead of a BMW 3-series is because of the interior. BMW's have always been cold and cheap-looking in this area and Lexus continues to set the bar higher, as independent car mags repeatedly point out. The IS, especially with the black/gray trim, is absolutely gorgeous on the inside.

BTW, that Matador Red is a sharp color in person. Same color that is on the new GS. Gorgeous in the sunshine. However, you can only get the black or tan interior unless you special order. I looked at all three interior colors and strongly preferred the gray (sterling as Lexus calls it). All the interiors have the same black dash and upper door trim but surprisingly the gray has black carpet, too.

I've just spent the last several days at a local Lexus dealership and put a deposit down today. Here's exactly what I was told: 1. You can get the ML sound system but you have to order and it's at least $1K extra. Ordering takes about 3 months but you're going to have to wait for the car you want anyway. They are selling very fast. 2. The car is pre-wired for XM & Sirius but you have to buy a separate receiver that is about $400 through the dealer. This is for either the standard sound system or ML. I imagine you can buy the receiver elsewhere for about $100. 3. The first batches of cars are also not shipping with what they call the Luxury package, which adds to the Premium Package: power tilt & telescoping steering column (standard is manual t&t), memory seats, illuminated scuff plates, rear window powershade, HID adaptive lights, rain-sensing wipers. Again, this can be ordered, but it's about $2K more. 4. The are selling these cars at sticker price, even to repeat customers like yours truly. You can see the sticker if you 'builid your own' at Lexus.com. 5. I drove a 350 and it absolutely ripped... Very, very fast but also incredibly quiet and refined. I was impressed. Hope that helps. I learned a lot the last few days.