Doug Bates

I get ticked off every time I drive my car and I am reminded that Lexus took away the Override. This helped. However, I know that a *lot* of car buyers were not told that the Override was taken away. That still irks me. So I started www.LexusOverride.com

I have been arguing with Lexus about this since I bought my car. They finally relented and I received a rebate on the cost of the Nav system. I will be posting a complete report on the (currently under construction) website LexusNavRebate.com after the first of the year so you all can try to get one too. The purpose will be to get rebates, new software, etc. Think of it as a Class action lawsuit without the lawyers. In the meantime, I am still annoyed every time I use the Nav system. I am thinking about a Nuvi.

The CoastalTech products still do *not* work for 2007 Lexus ES, GS, LS or IS vehicles, as far as they state in their webpage. It looks like they do not handle the Denso 6.1 Nav system. If you are unhappy with the current state of affairs, please register with LexusNav.com to be counted. Hundreds of people have signed up to register their dissatisfaction with Lexus over this matter and we are looking at alternative ways to accomplish in-motion use of the Nav system. Disclosure: I created the site after buying and then finding out the Override did not exist We are working to get this problem fixed for everyone.

Well, I fall into the camp that is unhappy with the lack of an override. I DID do my homework on the Nav before I bought in October 2006 and was told the Override was still in existence. There are a lot of Lexus customers who were not told of the change- see for yourself by the comments at www.LexusOverride.com/comments.php . Also, the other luxury manufacturers do not limit use of the Nav or the Bluetooth phone system like Lexus does. The point of my complaint is twofold: 1. The change in the operation of the vehicle was not disclosed by Lexus or it's employees prior to purchase, and 2. Decisions about the operation of the vehicle should be made by the owner, not the manufacturer.

FYI, I have started a website dedicated to getting the navigation override restored. Please visit the site and be counted! The site is http://www.lexusoverride.com and I would appreciate folks signing up. Your email addresses will be kept confidential and only used to update you on any changes in the Navigation system. In my mind, Lexus has misjudged their customers. This is a great way to let them know how many owners are dissatisfied with the new system. Doug Bates

I bought an '07 ES350 in October and tried using their arbitrations service to return the vehicle, since it was a significant change in vehicle operation resulting in a safety hazard and the removal of the override was kept from me when I bought the car . More than 2 months later, my claim was denied as being outside the scope of the NCDS (National Center for Dispute Resolution- they apparently only deal with Warranty issues) when Lexus filed a motion to deny my claim on that basis. I am looking at other options right now- I wonder if people would be willing to contribute to hire a programmer to hack the Nav 6.1 system and offer it just as we would like? That is cheaper than trading it in for another vehicle, though I find Lexus' disregard for customer wishes very arrogant. Doug Bates

If you are looking to buy, I am looking to sell! I am very disappointed with Lexus' removal of the Nav override. When we are traveling, in order to use the touch screen you either have to pull over to the side of the highway and stop on the side of the road or get off at an exit and find a place to park for even the passenger to use the screen- my wife hates that and I don't consider it safe at all. The same limitations are built into the phone system. So my advice is "take MY car, please!"

As a new Lexus owner (but long-time toyota owner) I find the Nav "Lock Out" so annoying that I am considering selling the damn thing for an Acura. I am assuming that Lexus knows how badly they have misread their customers on this and that a software update is in the works (does anyone know if that is so?). I simply cannot keep a car that treats me like this! My wife is also irritated that she is not considered capable of handling the navigation while I drive. As for getting to the initial diagnostics screen, push and hold the info button and turn the parking lights on and off 3 times. Sounds crazy, but that works. I am not aware of any tricks beyond that point, but there is an interesting missing button on one of the screens.

I bought an ES350 with Premium Plus and Nav (including the options you mention above) for Invoice + $500 at NewportLexus. They had the best deal, a very smooth and easy transaction and I highly recommmend them.