GS400jon

Out here in the Bay Area, there is a TV Action Line for consumer protection. Maybe you have the equivalent out there. No business wants to end up being talked about on the TV news. What exactly does "included" and "deal" mean. If you didn't pay for the factory installed DVD rear entertainment option and it's not listed on the window sticker as an option, what was the agreement with the dealership? ← Did I ask the wrong question????? Hello?????

Out here in the Bay Area, there is a TV Action Line for consumer protection. Maybe you have the equivalent out there. No business wants to end up being talked about on the TV news. What exactly does "included" and "deal" mean. If you didn't pay for the factory installed DVD rear entertainment option and it's not listed on the window sticker as an option, what was the agreement with the dealership?

I just called my dealership. The service rep has heard of your problem before. Unfortunately, it's a "hanging" actuator in the door mechanism and has to be taken care of by a Lexus dealer. Sorry that there's no easier fix.

OK, Lexus production planning says the passenger lumbar support addition was part of a running production change starting in September.

Lexus responded to my second email about a minute ago. They have "passed on the photo of the seat to their technical department".

Just looked at the passenger seat and the shadow of the lumbar control is there. I resent my question with the passenger seat picture link to Lexus.

I'd be real interested in what they have to say if they get back to you after seeing that picture. ← Me too. No email response so far today

I did add the link with the picture of your passenger seat to my email reply. Well, it won't be the first time the corporate right hand doesn't know what the left one is doing. That's a sad commentary for sure.

One more Hmmmmmm. I just received a reply from Corporate Lexus Customer Satisfaction, to my question asking when the passenger side power lumbar support was added. The response was that this feature is not available for the United States market. Does page 114 of your Owner's Manual show "Adjusting lumbar support (Driver's seat only)" or does it show both driver and passenger seats?

Hmmmm. My truck is an "E" and doesn't have the passenger side power lumbar switch.

:D Thanks Gobblewine for the very informative and funny comparisons. My third car is a 1998 Camry (was my parents car), so I was laughing and nodding my head in total agreement. The Camry doesn't get a whole lot of respect but it never falters in taking on the tightest of parking spots, stormy weather and camping out at the curb every night.

Good list. Personally, I liked the Nakamichi system in my previous GS400 better than the Levinson. My transmission has been shifting perfectly since day one. It still boggles my mind that there are so many inconsistencies with this vehicle.

Other than the features you mention, here's my list. Best Features: - KDSS - Backup camera - Tilting mirrors - Ease of entry and exit Worst Features: - Trip computer controls mounted too high on the dash (as opposed to instrument cluster display and mode switch on the steering wheel) - Audio, Climate, etc. controls use the Navigation display (instead of dash mounted switches) - Minimal center console storage space (with Rear Entertainment) - Side opening rear door (ala RX330 power rear door would be nice) These are not necessarily bad features but more a matter of preference.

:cries: Unfortunately, it takes the dealer to do the one press thing to unlock all the doors. I had that done on my truck the day of delivery.

That's weird. Usually if there's any drifting, it's consistently to one side on a normally crowned road. KDSS has nothing to do with minimizing drifting so you've got some other problems like front/rear alignment, steering or tire balance. I don't have any problems with steering/drifting. I've driven a few RX330's and it wasn't even a consideration prior to buying the GX. Since you're having problems though, I can understand your comments. They're not really an apples to apples comparison anyway. Hmmm, has the dealer tried switching the tires around?

:cries: Well, the replacement of the trip computer didn't correct the average MPG readout. It still calculates the mileage at 2 MPG higher than the old fashioned way. The outside temperature gauge seems to be more accurate now.

The 2004 Lexus GX470 brochure footnotes the fact that options like the backup camera and KDSS would not be available until the November 2003 build. I think the brochure was available about this time last year. If I was thinking about a 2005 GX, I would wait to see the new brochure (and any footnotes) before ordering. IMO, it's the best source for information on features and options.

".....no common sense, ....duh." This is from a person that says he wants to buy a GX for status and doesn't seem to like much of anything about it other than the name. You have got to be smarter than you sound. Thanks for your two centavos worth. True, I have had times when it seems my brain has gone numb but this isn't one of them. At least in this instance, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that you have some real problems with your reasoning process.

The body part you sit on was undoubtedly still numb from the two hour drive to the Lexus dealer and you probably could have test driven a Rolls Royce and still complained. If you would pay attention to our 2 cents worth of input, you might save yourself $50K.

If you're buying a GX just to impress your friends and enemies, it's for the wrong reason. How did "status" get more important than being happy with a $50K purchase?

I think you're CRAZY to pay the price of a GX if you aren't entirely happy with the vehicle. BTW, KDSS is a $1750 sticker price option, not $4K. Take a look at the Mercedes ML500, X5, Cayenne or Touareg. You won't be happy with a GX.

I don't think you'll find many GX owners that use run flat tires. The tire design that enables your tires to run flat has very stiff sidewalls and that causes noise and a slightly harsher ride. I had the low profile 17 inch Z rated tires on a GS400. Those tires got louder with time and miles. I switched to Toyo tires and that solved the problem.

The new trip computer is installed. The dash, among other things, had to be removed. No squeaks, no rattles, no scratches and no finger prints. I'll have to see how the mileage computer does on the next tank of gas. Interesting though, the dealer calls the computer replacement, the "outside temperature gage fix". That hasn't been an issue on my truck but I know there have been problems with the accuracy of that display in the past. As a side note, I had previously purchased the stainless steel exhaust tip with the "help" of my salesman. Yesterday, the service department installed it for no charge. It's not a BIG deal but still nice of the dealership. I expected to pay for that. It's the little touches that makes for a happy customer.

OK. I have already told the dealer what my expectation is with removal and replacement of the unit, as far as not creating any problems/damage.

My dealer says that the trip computer's average miles per gallon calculator cannot be adjusted but there is a fix. The entire unit has to be replaced, so they are ordering one for me.