smaislin

I just had my dealer update my system to version 4.1. Cost was $313 including sales tax. I hope that it was worth it as it does not come with any documentation or release notes that would give anyone any idea as to exactly what was updated on the DVD. More POI, Significant Map Changes, Any new features???? I am happy that it is updated, but I find it rather unprofessional that software is being sold with not information that expresses the value of the update. I will probably drop a line to Lexus when they call to see how happy I am. I do not mind paying for software as that is how I make my money. But, my companies software always ships with release notes.

I frequently use the Drive to "4" on the shifter to slow me down when driving around 35 to 40 when I need to slow to the speed of traffic, especially when going down slight desents. I find this much easier than using the brakes as well as smoother. I would find it hard to believe that this would have any bearing on the aging of the transmission. Also, when going down steeper hills, when you apply the brakes, the computer seems to have a feature that keeps them on until you press the accelerator. This keeps the vehicle from running away and eliminates the need to keep tapping the brakes. At first, this was a surprise, but now it is kind of nice.

My 2004 GX goes in for the 15000 mile on Nov 2nd and the thump is on the list. I get it intermittently and it would nice if they could fix it. But, based on what I read here, I am not hopeful. Of course, they could make it worse and that would be unfortunate.

Yes, that is just the way the GX470 warmers are, just warm. My wife's BMW is the opposite, really hot. It's lucky I keep the car in the garage at home and work. :D

Very Entertaining and right on the money! ;)

Mine is close to perfect. :D The engine and transmission are silky smooth and I am always surprised when I hear someone express a different opinion. The vehicle moves well and never has failed me when I needed some punch. I don't drive it like my Audi 46 4.2 and would not expect it to take on the charactistics of a high performance sedan. I think the ride is perfect. Not too soft, just right. Rough roads are made smooth and I never, never spill my coffee. Great visibilty when driving, love those big side mirrors and tall side windows. I like that both mirrors tilt down when you put the vehicle in reverse. Interior is wonderful, materials and fit and finish are superb. Love that maple and all of that sound insulation. Seats are very comfortable and their is plenty of room for everybody. Those rear seat are tight, but I don't care as my kids are off on their own. The navigation system is easy to use and it works. However, it would be nice if you could do more with it and see the radio station messages while driving. I am looking forward to the next update so the BIG DIG in Boston is included. Stereo are a very personal choice, but this one is very, very good. When the jazz is blasting there is wonderful clarity and plenty of bass. It would be nice if there was an input for an MP3 player, but that is not a big deal. I like the big sunroof. The headlights provide great visiblity and I like them better than the Xenon lights on my Audi. My MPG is quite acceptable at 16.5 to 18. I am not one to slam the accelerator to the floor. I use the odometer to calculate this and not the computer which reads a bit higher. Easy entry and it is nice to have the steering wheel get out of the way. Automatic everything: headlights, steering wheel, climate, seats, wipers; all I do is drive. It is a nice looking vehicle: Meridian Blue with Ivory interior. Lexus of Northborough in MA is wonderful. They are always willing to go the extra mile to get things right. You can tell that they want you to buy another car there one day and they truly care that you enjoy the one you drive. _________________________ :( I would like a power rear window and power controls for those rear side windows. The seat heaters need to get hotter. My wife's BMW will cook you if you put them on high. It helps get them hotter faster. I don't mind the side opening rear door, but a power one like in the RX would be nice. You can stand under it in the rain. And if you load something that is too long, you can drive with it open. They could have put power washers on the headlights, but that is picky. Rear seat heaters and rear reading lights would be nice. One again, not a big deal. I am not sure, but if you leave a door ajar I think the interior lights stay on forever. Maybe they eventually turn off, but I am not sure. It would have been nice if they options for the wheels. A little customization. They did put in a campaign item that eliminated a buzz in the steering wheel at about 1700 rpm. Now it is just right! This fix was incorporated in mid-2004.

Always between 16 & 17. On the open highway about 18.

I have felt the same thing from time to time with my 2004 as well. It is infrequent, but when it happens it seems as though the brakes let up for a split second. You feel a slight bump. Very strange. The problem is reproducing it. If there is a fix, I will have my dealer in Northboro, MA just do it. Trying to demonstrate this to the dealer is impossible as in my case it might only happen once every couple of weeks. I am not really sure what causes it. Something that may be related is that if you are coming to a stop and you don't completely stop and then start right off, it takes the transmission a split second to catch and you get an abrupt start. This is also something that I can not reproduce, as it happens infrequently. Hopefully, nothing gets damaged. All in all, I am very, very happy with the vehicle. I had a 2000 Audi A6 4.2 before this and it had its own set of quirks. This is what happens when you cram a ton of technology, a couple dozen computers, and all the related software into a transportation vehicle. And, so it goes... By the way, I put a Thule roof rack (for a canoe) on the vehicle with the fairing kit and it actually got quieter at highway speeds. A nice surprise! However, I was never really annoyed with wind noise as it has always been pleasant on the highway. You might want to check the cross bars on your roof rack and make sure the arrows are facing forward.

So, what was the actual problem? We know what the symptoms were, but I wonder why some vehicles have the problem and others don't. The fact that they will incorporate this into all future vehicles means that all vehicles have the potential problem, but don't exhibit the symptoms. Since there are very few options and most GX470s are virtually the same outside of colors, one would expect that this could be a fix they might apply to all vehicles as a preventative measure. Very interesting. I am perplexed.

I have no problems at all. No thumping. smooth ride with no vibration. This vehicle meets and surpasses all of my expectations. More than anything it has a silky smooth powerplant and a very comfortable interior. Sometimes I think that people expect way to much. In something as complex as a vehicle such as this there are bound to be a few that run into issues. The ones who are happy, such as myself, don't make noise, so the ones with issues get all of the attention. Human nature and a car company's nightmare. :P

Even when driving in the mid-eighties this vehicle is comfortable and reasonably quiet. Very quiet up to sixty and a bit noiser at higher speeds. With such a large profile you expect a bit more noise. It is comparable to the wind noise I get in my Audi A6. Below 55 the noise level is very, very low. The ride is always smooth and stable.

I replaced a 98 4Runner with 90K that was a perfect vehicle for the entire time I had it. I never needed to fix a thing. The Lexus is a dream. I have not had anything to complain about in the first 2500 miles. Well, actually a tweeter speaker broke, but that's not a big deal! The NAV is amazing and easy to use. And, it is good that I can't mess with it while driving. Once I had to pull over and put in a destination. That took me a minute. Not a big deal. The NAV (Lexus Lady) has taken me places that I did not know existed. Short cuts that are fantastic. And I am going to restaurants and other places in Boston that I would never have considered. Since I used to always be lost, I now drive with less stress and can focus on the road and what's around instead of worrying about trying to read super small street signs. This NAV system is worth every dollar and more. The sound system is just fine. The very controlled, quiet and smooth ride and the is great. Plenty of power at all speeds, especially off the line. In the snow it rides like it is on a track and in one instance where I was going way to fast and needed to make some emergency manuevers in fresh snow, DSC took over, the beep was a-beeping, and I avoided doing some serious damage to me and others. You had to be there or you just can't appreciate the appropriate use of technology. One problem is that it rides so smooth and it is so quiet that you just go way to fast. I can live with this as I would not have it any other way. One simple feature that is greatly appreciated, yet simple, is that when you use the windshield washer it moves the wiper three time, waits a few seconds, and moves them across the windshield one more time to catch the inevitable drip. And, did you notice that the washer fluid does not bleed over to the side windows? Now, that's nice. So, it really is a great vehicle. Considering the massive amount of complexity in its capablities, I am not surprised that some people have some issues. It is unfortunate, but that's a fact of life. I also have a top-end European sedan that is loaded with gizmos as well and you just expect some issues due to all of the bleeding edge technology. That is why we have the service department. Hopefully, they do their job. Our job is to be reasonable. After all, you could buy a basic Toyota Camry, boring, but you probably would never have an issue. :D

Another $1700 for a very advanced feature? Do you really need it? Can you really tell its there? I questions the value of KDSS beyond what is already in place on this excellent vehicle especially when I think that the ride is already phenomenal. I would never take this vehicle off-road anyway and on road it seems amazingly smooth. And lean in corners? Maybe if you drive like a lunatic you get excessive lean, I don't know as I don't see a problem here. So, maybe KDSS provides some small benefit that only a absolute perfectionist might notice. It would nice to see if one could detect it in a blind driving test. (You know what I mean!) Anyway, KDSS is just one more thing that eventually could require maintenance. :D Before this I drove a 1998 4Runner. Now, that was one stiff and unforgiving suspension. I think that we are starting to get to the point of diminishing returns once you get something that rides as nice as the GX470. I think we are all starting to become a bit obsessive, looking for the smallest of improvements. You start to wonder, will we ever be happy? You buy the SUV and your already starting to think about the next one. <_<