1lola1

Hi. I've owned my '07 GS 350 AWD for about a month now. I love it! I only drove the IS for a short while while my ES was in for service, so I can't really compare the two completely. But, I am certainly enjoying my GS and I'd recommend it.

Well, I drove home my brand new 2007 GS350 today. Silver/Black. Woo hoo!!!

For starters, we're on the East coast. How does $44,000 even sound for an '07 GS350AWD? No nav/Lev., but little extas like the Preferred Accessory Package with all-weather mats. Also, run-flat tires. It would be a purchase, not a lease. Thanks.

Wow. That's eerie. You and I are in the same boat. I was very excited to drive the ES350 when my '03 was in for maintenance. Boy, was I disappointed. The exterior was fine. The drive was very pleasing, particularly compared to my '03. But I could not get past the interior of that car. I literally went back and just sat in the car at the dealer trying my best to will myself to like it. It didn't work. I too drove the GS and liked it very much. Of course, the interior is a different feel from the ES, but quite nice. I drove the '07 BMW 530 the other day. Forget it! With about 10 years of driving Lexus cars (the husband's and mine), I've clearly become spoiled. I'm planning on driving the GS one more time this week and perhaps one other model. Then, hopefully, I will arrive at a decision.

Congratulations! I used to own the exact same car. I loved it - and I miss it terribly. :( Good luck with it!

RTFM!!!!! The filter replacement is the easiest DIY project and takes less than 5 minutes. It is all covered in your owners manual WITH pictures. Look in the index under Air conditioning filter. (Page 167-168 in the 2002 ES Manual.) I change it once a year. Don't be surprised if the new filter emits a slight and distinct odor (but clean odor) too. They are not the same filters that were sold in 2003. I think the manufacturer changed when Toyota changed oil filter manufacturers. They have less charcol and are not as sturdy as the original ones. On the positive side, they are half the price they were sold for in 2003 also. steviej Wow. Why only 5 exlcamation points after the all caps RTFM? Shouldn't you have maybe used 12 to try and make me look like an idiot? It's true, my graduate degree is not in automobile mechanics, so perhaps I'm just a "dumb girl" when it comes to cars. However, when someone asks me a question pertaining to law, no matter how rudimentary the question may be, I don't treat that person like a fool. In attempt not to burden "Your Highness" with such banal questions, I won't return to the site. I would like to point out that according to the replies I got, several others did not know where the filter was either.

Hi all. Since Lexus is advising that I change the cabin filter in my '03 ES every 5,000 miles, I decided I'm going to try and do this myself. The guy at Lexus told me to spray Lysol in there when I take the old one out, but he didn't explain exactly where it is and how to do it. I think it's near the glove box? If someone could provide me with some basic instructions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanx.:)

I have a 2003 ES. My moonroof was bad from the beginning. Horribly loud banging and clanking when it opened and closed. It also rattled disconcertingly when driving above about 50 mph. First time, they told me it was pollen. Next time they told me it needed to be cleaned. Next time they just told me it was broken. I think it was after the fourth time that a TSB came out. It isn't banging or clanking for the moment, but I'm hearing some rubbing and slight creaking which leads me to believe that it may return to its old ways. :(

Thanks for the input. I had a 20,000 service done in August. I don't see any oil on the garage floor. I turned the car on a few minutes ago and the warning light is there. I'm going to check the dipstick now. Now I'm really nervous if it's true that once the light comes on, damage is done. I don't know if a mistake was made during service in August, if a problem would be arising now. Ugh.

Hi, folks. As I left the mall today, I noticed a little car lit up on the dash. I drove about 8 miles and when I got home I read my manual. It says the icon is the Low Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light, which warns that the pressure is too low. It says to pull off of the road immediately and to not drive for one block. Here are my questions: What could cause the engine oil pressure to be low; Could the burning smell I've noticed in the last couple of days have something to do with this; and what in the heck did I do to the car by driving it home? It's an 03 ES300. I would appreciate any help. Thanks, Lola

Could someone give me the correct way to clear up the fogged winshield on my 03 ES? I think I remember this difficulty with my 2000. For instance, today it was about 82 degrees and almost 100% humidity - but not raining while I was out. Do I use the fresh air button or the recirculated air button? Do I use the a/c button? Do I put the interior temperature as high as the outside temperature? I didn't see anyone else with a fogged up windshield (of course, unless I kept putting my wipers on, I couldn't really see anything). Thanks.

Thanks for the info, guys. I'm confused because I personally don't know anyone who has had this ongoing problem I'm having, yet Lexus says it is now a "maintenance item," so I guess there are some out there. I, too, thought about using the fresh air feature when this first started happening. Unfortunately, if you can believe this, the odor was worse! I'm not even kidding, it is the most vile smell you would ever imagine. No one wanted to get in the car with me because everyone was getting sick. Like I said, cleaning out this evaporator box (or whatever it's called) seemed to have an impact for a while. Ugh. I love my car. Wish there weren't so many darn problems!!! Lola

Shortly after purchasing my '03 ES300, I started smelling an incredibly horrible odor whenever I used the hvac system (particularly when using the defrost feature). Management at the dealer where I purchased the car couldn't believe the horrible smell. They took it into the garage, and the tech told them they just had to replace the ES filter with an RX filter. That didn't help. Finally, after much struggling, another dealer cleaned out the "evaporator?" and the odor diminished. I was thrilled. The odor is back. I was told by the dealer that Lexus has now determined that this is a "maintenance" issue, and that each owner should expect to pay $70 to replace this "new" cabin filter every 7,500 miles. They will not clean the evaporator when replacing the filter. BTW, they put a new filter in, but because the odor was just starting to return, I can't tell if it has stopped the problem in its tracks. It didn't last time. I'm just wondering if anyone else has heard this info. Thanks. Lola

You're right about a dark car. I have the blue onyx pearl. I can't believe all of the scratches and dings that show up. Not to mention that it's nearly impossible to get all of the water spots off when drying it after a wash. I had the choice of the light gray or beige interior. I took the gray (for a change - my other ES had a beige interior). I did drive a loaner ES with a black interior. I loved it. I'd get black inside next time.

I was wondering if anyone with an '03 or '04 ES has noticed a severe odor problem coming from the hvac system, particularly when using the defrost. Lexus replaced a certain filter with an RX filter, claiming it was a basic issue with most ES cars. This is not a sulfur smell. Thanks.

Well, I'm a girl and this is my second ES. My first was a 2000. This is a 2003. I always find myself taking a glance at who the driver is when an ES is nearby, and while I'm not quite sure of the male-to-female ratio, I've noticed that a great many of the drivers are older. Come to think of it, the drivers of most of the cars around here are elderly. Must be the suburbs :)

No, the ac system smell is not the sulfur smell. I'm used to the rotten egg smell. I sat the manager in my car with the windows rolled up and let him smell the odor. He said it was the worst thing he ever smelled. It made my family sick. I was driving without the benefit of the defrost function because of the hideous odor. I was told that Lexus feels the filters are too small for the ES and that they are putting RX filters in them. I was told that some cars smelled like a gym locker, but none smelled like mine. I'm just devastated to have to be going through this.

I'm currently driving an '04 loaner while my '03 is still at the dealer. I find the pick-up is better, but there is still a great deal of rattling from the doors. Also, just like my '03, although not quite as bad, there is the odor from the ac system (which you smell when using the defrost or ac). I have hired an attorney. If I were to list all of the problems with the '03 car I have, I would be typing for 45 minutes. The '03 is not my first Lexus. I am shocked and saddened by the response of the dealer and Lexus to what is obviously (and admitted by the dealer) to be a lemon of a car.

The moonroof clanked and clunked horribly when opened and closed. I took the car to them 3 times. Once they said it just had to be lubed. The next time, they told me it was pollen. This is not my first moonroof. I don't know why I bought the pollen story. After the third visit, the service manager heard it and said the moonroof was broken the whole time. I thought it was fixed, but now today it's dragging and the rubber looks damaged. I also cannot stand the outrageously hard rumbling and shaking when I first start the car. It's ridiculous. They told me they don't have a fix for that. The cup holder up front hasn't worked properly since day one. Nothing's stuck in it. It's just tempermental. There's like a space of 2 centimeters that you have to touch for it to open. And of course, there's the windshield that still doesn't clear when it rains - solvents have been used. You see, my ex is on his 5th lexus and I really can't recall him having any problems. My 2000 had problems, but all in all it was okay. All I can say about the pick-up is that my poor mom's neck has been snapped more times in this car because of the way it jerks and jumps. I guess I won't bother with the software upgrade, but I have to go see them about this car I bought. :(

Well, I'm scheduled to take in my '03 for the software upgrade. I'm still nervous about doing it. I'm happy to take all opinions (from those who have had it done, and those who have not). Also, just to be clear, I do love my car and I don't mean to whine, but I have had more difficulties than I ever expected. I mean really, who expects a broken moon roof on a brand new car?

I am totally disillusioned with my '03. I liked my '00 much better. The dealer told me they expect to have the '04s in by next week. Is there any possible way to get a good price for mine (I own it with about 9,000 miles) and a good price for the '04? Or will they just take me over? Also, is it reasonable to expect that the '04 trans will not have the same problems? Does anyone have the millenium silver?

I have to agree with SW03ES, you can learn to play the pedal and you can have the best of acceleration. It will take some time, but it can be done. I have no problems with quick get aways now. As for the shaking, maybe you have a loose motor mount or something. You should have the dealer look at it. I have to look at the tach with I am at stand still just to make sure the car is running. It is so smooth that I am the type to accidentally think it is off and hit the key again. :chairshot: steviej Okay, that settles it. It's time to visit my friendly, neighborhood Lexus dealer. It's the same thing with the rumbling when I first start-up. When I'm at a light, I actually put it into neutral so it won't rumble so much. It's embarrassing. I have to be more assertive with these guys at the dealership :chairshot:

Several times now when I've tried to change lanes in my '03 I have had absolutely no pick-up. This almost got me in trouble. I don't quite remember having this problem with my '00. Does anyone have any suggestions on what the problem might be? Also, does anyone find that your car shakes and rumbles when idle (at a light or something)?

I know the people at the dealership for at least 8 years now. That's one of the reasons I bought another Lexus. They told me they would always be there in case of problems. Believe me, I'm no shrinking violet. I normally do not leave without an answer, but the service manager told me Lexus just became aware of they problem, and has not informed them of how to fix it. On start-up, it races, shakes and rumbles something terrible. It's hard to believe. Certainly not what I expected with an ES. Of course, I didn't expect the moonroof and windshield problems, either. :(