GROlsen

I have a similar problem, but not with the shifting. When my car is cold (and I DO NOT live in a cold climate... I live in the San Francisco Bay Area), my brakes make lots of noise. However, when it warms up, no such problem. I talked to my Lexus dealer and was told that was normal. However, just this week, I had my 60,000 mile service ($617) so had a loaner. It did not display the same issue. I was not given a good explanation for this. Perhaps some of you out there have the same issue with your brakes?

Has anyone else had trouble sending their final payment to Lexus Financial? I have a '99 RX300 (which, BTW, I think is one of the best vehicles on the road!). I sent a payoff check to Lexus on 7/9 and it still hasn't cleared the bank. However, just trying to find the address to which I should send it was a real problem: 1. I went to the website to get the payoff information. There is no information as to where to send the final payment. I could get my payoff information and effective date, and my cars' VIN but nothing else. 2. I called the phone number listed on the website. It was so busy, I was just told to call back later ... and it then hung up on me. No possibility to get hold of a person. 3. I clicked on the link "Contact Us" - but my email was returned "host unknown". That seemed pretty odd to me, so I resent the email directly from my email server... and still no response. 4. I found another number and called it, following the instructions to get to the addresses for payoff. I sent my check to that address. 5. When I found out my check had not been cashed, I again tried calling Lexus. I was kept on hold for almost 30 minutes during office hours! The lady I spoke to was pleasant, but not helpful at all. She didn't have any information. 6. Long and short: I will probably have to pay an additional sum of money simply because Lexus could not process my final payment. Of course, they also auto-deducted from my checking account another payment. So... I will be owed money from them (they have my payoff money plus my monthly money), but I doubt I will get a check from them in a timely manner. My problems with Lexus Financial has really put my faith in Lexus/Toyota into serious doubt. Inability to get the simplest information from the company from a secure website is, in this day and age, a poor business judgement. I doubt I will do business with them (Lexus Financial) again.

I have used mine off-road, but I don't recommend it. The RX300 is a wonderful and capable vehicle. However, it just doesn't have the clearance required for serious off-roading. And the lack of 4 Low is REALLY felt! Remember: the RX300 is an AWD, not a 4X4. There's a world of difference. I drove mine down from the top of the Inyo Mountains (Silver Canyon) to Bishop, CA last year. I didn't think it would be a problem but it was. The steepness of the decent was way beyond what the brakes and tranny could handle, so I had to stop the car at each switch-back to let the brakes and tranny cool. I've taken my Dodge Dakota 4X4 along that same road and it was a piece of cake! On a positive note, though, the RX300 was able to make the trip in one piece, including traversing some pretty wide creeks at the bottom of the grade. And it WAS a comfortable ride!

Has anyone else had trouble sending their final payment to Lexus Financial? I have a '99 RX300 (which, BTW, I think is one of the best vehicles on the road!). I sent a payoff check to Lexus on 7/9 and it still hasn't cleared the bank. However, just trying to find the address to which I should send it was a real problem: 1. I went to the website to get the payoff information. There is no information as to where to send the final payment. 2. I called the phone number listed on the website. It was so busy, I was just told to call back later ... and it then hung up on me. 3. I found another number and called it, following the instructions to get to the addresses for payoff. 4. When I found out my check had not been cashed, I again tried calling Lexus. I was kept on hold for almost 30 minutes during office hours! The lady I spoke to was pleasant, but not helpful at all. She didn't have any information. 5. Long and short: I will probably have to pay an additional sum of money simply because Lexus could not process my final payment. Of course, they also auto-deducted from my checking account another payment. So... I will be owed money from them (they have my payoff money plus my monthly money), but I doubt I will get a check from them in a timely manner. My problems with Lexus Financial has really put my faith in Lexus/Toyota into serious doubt. Inability to get the simplest information from the company from a secure website is, in this day and age, a poor business judgement. I doubt I will do business with them (Lexus Financial) again.