CanadaCraig

Hi Guys!! :) Click on THIS to see the Audi R8. Nice car. But it's what the article says about TIER 1 and TIER 2 cars that interests me. Do you agree with what was said?! IS Lexus TIER 1 and Audi TIER 2? And are there other TIER 1 brands?! Craig!! :)

Hi OmarG!! :) When I bought my car on October 14th, 2003 - I paid an additional $2,100 for an extensive 3 year/60,000 kilometer warranty. I've never done that before - but I figured that parts would be expensive for an LS, etc. Turns out - it was a smart move. There has been more than $2,000 worth of warranty work done on the car so far [not including whatever they're doing to it this time around] and I pay $100 per 'claim'. But the dealer has done it's best to limit that $100 by holding off on work orders so a couple of them end up as just one 'claim'. For instance - I had new lower ball joints installed. Well - they just added THAT work order to the new power steering pump so I only has to pay $100 and not $200. [The ball joints and the PS pump were dealt with within a couple of weeks of each other] The warranty is called the Millennium Warranty. It might be a Canadian-Only thing. I'm not sure!! I hope that makes sense!! Craig!! :) Hi GRAND_LS 4!! :) LOL - Thanks a lot!! Now don't I feel OLD!! lol I used to make fun of my grandparents for lopping off decades!! [i.e. Saying something happened in 1955 instead of 1975] Now I'm doing it!! YES!! I'm driving a 2005 4Runner!! :D Craig!! :) PS Thanks swordfish!! I look forward to hearing how the new 'leads' work out!! :)

Hi swordfish!! :) I hope you're OK. Thanks for the info. I hope you don't mind - but I copied your message and emailed it to my dealer. [Leaving out ANYTHING that might identify you - of course] It would be interesting if that was the problem all along!! How SWEET it would be if it was. They have had my car now for 1 week. I wonder if they've done anything to it. The extended warranty that I bought expires on October 13th - so I'm a bit anxious. I'll let you know what happens!! Thanks again, Craig!! :)

Hi sweetls!! :) I appreciate the concern you would have - but it certainly didn't bother me. In fact - it WAS the service manager who drove the car that fast. WITH my full permission. Besides - where he drove it put no other persons life at risk. [Other than his own - I suppose - but that was his decision to take that risk] Craig!! :)

Hi nc211!! :) I hope you're feeling GREAT!! Thanks for the response. I asked the dealer to check the 'inner tie rods'. But I might email him to remind him. The front wheel bearings have already been replaced and so have the lower ball joints AND power steering pump. It often feels as though I'm driving through a big wind storm. To be honest with you - if the service wasn't so great AND I didn't get free courtesy cars - I'd probably get rid of my LS. Next month will be 3 years since I bought it and I'm STILL waiting for it to perform as it should. Oh well.... La De Da. lol Maybe we DID buy our cars from the same owner. Craig!! :)

Hi OmarG!! :) I emailed the dealer about having my car 'dyno'ed' and the response was that there isn't a 'dyno' thing anywhere near where I live. So I guess that's out. I would love to know just how much power the engine is making though. Oh well... enjoying the 'courtesy' 4Runner while I have it. Good suggestion, though. So thanks. Craig!! :)

Hi Guys!! :) I hope everyone is OK. My 1993 LS400 is back at the dealers. They are still trying to figure out what the problem is. They acknowledge that the car often stumbles and hesitates and when they tried to see how fast it could go - the car wouldn't go above 118 MPH. [it should have a top speed much closer to 150 MPH] Oh well... I'm now driving [as a courtesy car] a 1995 Toyota 4Runner with a V8. It's nice. Lot of power. But like every other 4Runner I've ever driven - it's awkwardly designed inside. The power window switches [for example] are below the doors armrest. You have to twist your arm to reach them. There is very little headroom and the center console digs into my leg. Still.... it's not costing me anything other than gas - so I'm not complaining. Sometimes I think a dealer should give out horrible cars for courtesy cars. Then maybe when customers got their own cars back - they would be happy!! I'm always disappointed whenever I get my car back!! Craig!! :)

Hi pettit!! :) Thanks for the suggestion. But the fuel pump and fuel filter have already been replaced with new. [Among many other things] None of it has helped. :( The dealer has my car again. They gave me a 2005 V8 Toyota 4Runner to drive. I can't complain about the service - that's for sure. I've lost count of all the courtesy cars I've been given. Craig!! :) Hi OmarG!! :) You know something? Maybe it's the 'Black Jade' colour that's causing all the problems!! lol :P Good luck with the seafoam. Please tell me how that works out. Craig!! :)

Hi OmarG!! :) I hope you're OK. I've owned my 1993 LS400 for almost 3 years now. A LOT of money has been spent trying to solve ITS problem with slow acceleration. Nothing as really helped. It often feels as though I'm towing a small trailer. My car takes anywhere from 11 to 13 seconds to reach 60 MPH. The only thing left to change is the right ignition coil - which has been on order for about a week now. If that doesn't magically solve the problem - I'll just have to accept that my car is a bit of a dud. [because I can't think of anything else TO do] My car ALSO sputters and stumbles and the RPM's drop whenever I VERY briefly tap the gas pedal when idling. Once in a while the RPM's will drop so low [when tapping the gas pedal at idle] that the engine almost stalls. If you find a solution to the problem - please - OH PLEASE - let me know!! Thanks and good luck. Craig!! :)

Hi Guys!! :) Not sure how to describe it - but here it goes. Imagine that you're hanging on to two pieces of stretchy rope and steering the car by pulling on either rope. My LS isn't quite that bad - but it kinda feels like that. [if that makes any sense] There is a delay from when I turn the steering wheel and the tires actually move. [When correcting my position in a lane - like when I'm on the freeway] Are there things to look for that might be causing that? Just so you know my LS had new PS pump put in not too long ago and it's fine. [apparently] I'm thinking more along the lines of a weak bushing or ????? Thanks, Craig!! :)

Hi Guys!! :) As the subject line says - my passenger seat rattles. Is there a typical 'fix' for this?! Thanks, Craig!! :)

Hi leximus!! :) Thanks for replying to my question. I think that if I do go ahead and replace any of the coil springs - I'll replace all four. At least then - they'll all be new. AND the entire suspension can be thoroughly examined. [And not just the front end] Craig!! :)

Hi Guys!! :) I hope you're OK. My dealer tells me that the front two coil springs are 'sagging'. [i asked them to check the suspension because the car doesn't 'sit' as even as it should] Is it OK to replace JUST the front coils or should I replace all 4 of them?! They also said the original struts are fine and don't recommend getting new ones. [My '93 LS has about 85,000 miles or so] What would you do?! Thanks, Craig!! :)

Hi VBdenny!! :) 13 L/100 km = 18 MPG per U.S gallon and 22 MPG per Canadian [imperial] gallon 8.7 L/100 km = 27 MPG per U.S. gallon and 32.5 MPG per Canadian [imperial] gallon If you click on THIS you'll find yourself a handy-dandy conversion calculator!! Craig!! :)

Hi Guys!! :) I hope you're OK. Click on THIS to see a USED VEHICLE REVIEW of the 2001 to 2006 Lexus LS430. Are 'we' sure that the Lexus holds its value well?! Craig!! :)

Hi OmarG!! :) I hope you're OK. Thanks for the link. Click on THIS to see another 'First Drive' - from CanadianDriver.com Craig!! :)

Hi alsalih!! :) Thanks for the response. Good to hear that the vibration at around 1800 RPM can be accounted for - at least. The one at 1400 make me wonder [which is why I asked] if it's a symptom of a problem my car often has with acceleration. Perhaps something is causing the engine to hiccup [just enough] at 1400 RPM to cause performance from that point on to NOT flow as smoothly [or as powerfully] as it should. But I'll certainly talk to my dealer about the crankshaft pulley and have them check that out. [including looking for abnormal wearing of the rubber isolator, etc.] Craig!! :)

Hi Guys!! :) I hope you're OK. Here's what happens. I drive my '93 LS for awhile so it's nice and warm. I park somewhere and turn off the engine. After a little while [say 10 minutes or so] I will start the car and slowly rev it up to about 2,000 RPM. [in my quest to 'see' if the 'problem' still exists] I will then VERY slowly ease off the gas until the revs are down to 1,400 RPM. Why 1,400? Because THAT is when the engine is particularly rough. So much so - it shakes the car a bit. [and sometimes more than just a 'bit] So what I'd like to know is this. Is something happening at 1,400 RPM? Does the timing change? Does something switch from idle mode to running mode? [if that makes sense] The engine is also rough [but not quite as obvious] at about 1,800 RPM. If none of this makes any sense - please let me know and I'll try to make it clearer. [Just so you know.... this isn't a 'new thing'. It's just another 'yet to be resolved thing'] THANKS!! Craig!! :)

I find all of this very sad. Now I'm actually going to know someone who is in Iraq. Suddenly - Iraq is just a little bit scarier. [if that makes any sense] A little more 'personal'. I truly hope and pray that God will keep Josh [and all the other guys] safe and sound. If anything [like a bullet or bomb] comes his way - I pray that God will redirect its path. Craig

Hi 1991LS400!! :) I hope you're OK - too!! I suppose I was surprised to discover that my 425 h.p. Chrysler gets 1 more MPG on average than my 250 h.p. Lexus. As for 'where can one drive 80 mph on Vancouver Island' - well - there are quite a few places. Just from Victoria to Sidney [where the big ferries dock] is a good place. And from Victoria to Sooke. [which is west of Victoria] Also the Malahat [the drive over and through the mountains on the way to Nanaimo] is good too. But yes - like any other city - most driving within the city IS 'stop and go'. I appreciate what you're saying though. But ME 'give it up'?! Not likely. I'm far to obsessive to do anything THAT rational!! lol :P Craig!! :)

Hi nc211!! :) I hope you're OK. Thank you VERY much for the response. It would have taken you quite some time to write all that - and I appreciate it. Regarding the driveshaft - YES it was looked at. But more than that - it was taken OFF [about two years ago] and balanced in an attempt to solve a 'droning' sound that occurred at around 50 MPH. The sound is still there - but it's not nearly as offensive. Part of me has always suspected that something might be wrong with the driveshaft. And to be honest - I wasn't all that comfortable with the idea that they took it off. Then again - the car DOES perform beautifully - sometimes - which makes me question the driveshaft binding idea. [or it being out of alignment or whatever] Still.... something to consider. [As is the e-brake dragging theory] Thanks again, Craig!! :) Hi andre!! :) I hope you're OK. Thanks for the advice. I'll make sure they check ALL the brakes. [front, back AND 'emergency'] I'm often frustrated by how some mechanics will only consider what's being asked of them. If someone is complaining about the brakes not feeling right and THEY THINK it's the front brakes - a mechanic should thoroughly inspect ALL the brakes - just in case. Craig!! :) Hi 93ls400walt!! :) I hope you're OK. Thanks for the INFO. You still might be right. I've read quite a few website articles that DID say worn shocks/struts can cause cupping. And really - doesn't that make sense? [along with all of the other possibilities?!] I think so. Craig!! :)

Hi Bob!! :) I hope you're OK. Thank you very much for the response. [and the information] It's good to hear that there IS a solution. I'm going to find an auto upholstery shop and ask them about those 'blocks'. Thanks again, Craig!! :)

Hi Guys!! :) The J.D. Power study measures how many problems occurred per 100 vehicles for each auto brand. [model year 2006] What that means is... IF [for example] you bought 100 KIA cars - it's likely that the TOTAL number of 'problems' for ALL of your KIA cars would amount to 310. As you'll note - there are quite a few surprises. [Not sure why 'Oldsmobile' is on the list - but there you go!!] 1. Lexus, 136 2. Mercury, 151 3. Buick, 153 4. Cadillac, 163 5. Toyota, 179 6. Acura, 184 7. Honda, 194 8. Jaguar, 210 9. BMW, 212 10. Infiniti, 215 11. Lincoln, 220 12. Ford, 224 13. Oldsmobile, 224 Industry average, 227 14. Chrysler, 232 15. Pontiac, 232 16. Subaru, 232 17. GMC, 239 18. Mercedes-Benz, 240 19. Chevrolet, 241 20. Nissan, 242 21. Mazda, 243 22. Porsche, 248 23. Hyundai, 253 24. Dodge, 258 25. Mitsubishi, 260 26. Jeep, 264 27. Volvo, 272 28. Audi, 279 29. Mini, 280 30. Isuzu, 283 31. Saturn, 289 32. Volkswagen, 299 33. Hummer, 307 34. Kia, 310 35. Suzuki, 318 36. Saab, 326 37. Land Rover, 438 Craig!! :)

Hi Guys!! :) SEMI-UPDATE: All the dealer did [after driving it extensively] was flush all the fuel injectors - twice. It does seem to have more power once it's on the move. In fact - lately - it has been better - more often than it used to be. [which is good] And when it's good - it's great!! But it still has that 'I am pulling a trailer' feeling to it. And now the brakes [front - I think] need to be 'turned' again. [or whatever] They vibrate REALLY badly if applied at speeds above 80 mph. Here are a few questions. 1. Dealer suggested that I unplug the EGR valve to see if there is any improvement. So I did. No difference at all. Which surprises me. Shouldn't something have happened? [either good or bad] The CEL hasn't even come on and the EGR thing has been unplugged for couple of days now. I'm confused. 2. Tires. Can tires [all four in my case] 'cup' even if the suspension, alignment, balancing and tire air pressure are OK? [and have been all along?] My Bridgestone Turanza LS-V's have over 40,000 km's on them. Dealer strongly suggests replacing them with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. I think that's what I'm going to do. But I'm concerned. I don't want them to 'cup' too. 3. Dealer did the 'bounce test' to check the condition of the struts. It 'passed'. But wouldn't new OEM struts improve the ride all the same? [particularly how stable the car feels on the freeway] AND maybe level off the car. [being that it's lower on the driver's side by about 3/4's of an inch or so] 4. And speaking of brakes - COULD a slightly dragging brake [or parking brake?] cause a 'surging feeling'? [and that 'I am pulling a trailer' feeling?] 5. Could any of the above cause my car to only get [on average] 17.3 miles per U.S. gallon?! Thanks Craig!! :)

Hi Guys!! :) I realize I'm digging up an 'old topic' - but I only found this thread by doing a search for 'seat comfort'. [not sure how I missed it - first time around] It's nice to know that I'm not alone. The seat in my 1993 LS is not just uncomfortable - it has actually caused a 'pain' down 'there' that lasts long AFTER I get out of the car AND 'hurts' within minutes of getting IN the car. [and I'm mean 'pain'] I have often had to stop the car and get out - to stop the pain. At one time - I never made the connection between the 'pain' and 'car' seat - but now I'm certain of it. My LS really IS a P.I.T.A. lol I thought about adding or replacing the foam [at one time] but my head is already pressed against the roof. [which is probably partly responsible for why I'm so uncomfortable - because I have to lean the seat back so far just to clear the top of my head] If I added foam - I thought - I'd just have to lean back even further. Then again - I suppose that by merely replacing the foam that's there [can you hear my brain working?!] with new, firmer foam and/or that foam that takes on the impression of things [you know that special foam that retains the image of your hand for a few seconds after you have pressed on it?!] maybe that would work. Hmm.... Does anyone know just how thick the foam is supposed to be?! Would the seat still LOOK like a Lexus seat after an upholstery shop got their hands on it?! I haven't really mentioned any of this before because I just assumed that there was nothing that could be done. And being the big 6'3" - 260 lbs guy that I am - it was hardly the seats fault. [when your a big guy - you put up with a lot of 'things' in life that aren't made with YOU in mind!!] Thanks, Craig!! :)