Rya

Cool... thanks for the advise. I like having a nice ride & like my stuff to stay nice & clean - I'm just a bit up tight about that kind of thing. No one could believe my Cherokee was 11 years old because of the great shape it was in. Maybe it's a bit of a girl thing - but I don't want to spend allot of time cleaning my vehicle. My normal process was: automatic car wash, tire shine, glass wipes & vinyl wipes when needed & I used the sweeper every once in a while. That was it except for a thorough detailing ever few years by a local company. So, I'm needing something just as fast & easy, I just want to make sure I'm using the right kinds of products. Thanks again for your helpful responses!

I'm new to the Lexus club (I've owned my '04 RX330 in Breakwater Blue Metallic for one week now). What types of cleaning products or processes do you do to keep your vehicle clean? I'd like to take it somewhere for a waxing, but that's all for now. Are automatic car washes ok, do you really have to flip the mirrors in every time? How about keeping the wood shiney & smooth and how in the world do you keep the light gray floor mats clean? The dealership got me brand new floor mats & the next day they were dirty - should I change the mats to the black or keep the gray & clean them somehow? Thanks for the advise! (Oh, btw, I'm not going to be spending hours cleaning this thing & my hubby won't be either - I'm lucky that the lawn gets mowed every week! I need fast & easy, thanks!).

This is just a poor design on the part of Lexus - you rear wiper / washer is operating properly. You have to manually turn on your rear wiper after you squirt the washer fluid - a two step process. I just turned in my 1996 Cherokee Sport last week for an '04 RX330. My 11 year old Jeep had a single step that let the wiper run a few times (after squirting) then stopped with the push of a single button. It's a pain to twist the knob to squirt then twist the knob again to wipe. I agree with you 100%.

I love my 330 in the rare Breakwater Blue Metallic.... classy!

So far so good.... thanks! :D

Yep, I agree. For the annual family vacation we rent a minivan & a car. The van by far the best way to transport 6-7 adults around town. It's deffinately convenient & for families it can't be beat.

Hi! I just picked my 04 RX330 on Friday night. I'm really happy with the vehicle so far. As long as the vehicle has decent milage, you're getting a good deal. I posed a similar question last weekend & got alot of good feedback: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=37274 Enjoy your new vehicle!

EEEEEKKKKKK............ a mini van??? No way (not that there's anything wrong with them - just not for me). I think the RX will be a good size. No kids to worry about, it's normally just myself or my hubby & I. I just like a little bit of a bigger vehicle. Thanks for all of your advise!

She..... ;) (did I have you guys fooled?)

The Murano is very nice & I could probably afford a new one. It's one of those things where another family member just bought one & I wanted something different. Weird?

Thanks for the info on the recall's. I'll get them checked out... or maybe the dealer can find out if they've been done, guess that would be easier. I might be picking up the RX tonight, so I'll let you know what I think. Thanks again for your comments!

Like you, we buy cars and keep them forever. I "inherited" my wife's Acura Legend now that she drives the RX. My Legend is 14 years old with a 117000 miles. Pennslyvania rust is taking more of a toll on it than my driving. Back to the topic at hand. Used RX or new Hundai or Ford. First, the RX has been a great car and my wife reminds me DAILY that "I love my car". Imho, a three year RX is still a better car than a new Hundai or Ford. You really have to evaluate, though, what your transportation needs are. The RX will comfortably carry 4 adults and luggage for a week long trip in great comfort. It will most likely be a better ride and even a better value in the long run, 10 years from now. Just my opinion. Gary Thanks for your comments!

Thanks for the input. I'm not going to be going off-road.... only did it a few times in the Jeep & it was to drive through the mud on a new property. I had to immediately take it through the car wash! Can't stand my vehicles being dirty. I just want to make sure this vehicle will hold up if I hang on to it for 7 or 8 years.

Keeping a 1996 Jeep until 2007 would indicate, seemingly, that the resale "investment" value is a rather small issue. And yes, having survived winters in PA, NH, Goose Bay, MT and Alaska, now at age 67 I admit to being a bit obsessive about the safety of wintertime driving. I could throw ~40 years of WA into that but the Seattle area doesn't compare to the others insofar as wintertime day after day adverse roadbed conditions are concerned. Snow... I have NO problem with... Until it is frozen and packed down to the ICE equivalent. I really appreciate everyone's comments! I'm new to the Lexus product line & I value everyone's time & input. I'm not worried about my driving in the snow - I lived in Minnesota when I learned how to drive - in the snow! But the ice can be tricky & it's the other drivers that kill me. Does everyone forget what driving in snow & ice is like after not having it for 9 months?? Jeesh!

The Veracruz is nice - smooth ride & cool blue interior trim lighting. The biggest problem I had (literally) are the side mirrors - they're HUGE! At 5'0 tall, the mirrors are right in my line of sight when I'm turning. Soooo, I figured I'd better see what''s in front of me, especially when going around a corner. But the vehicle itself was nice & you can't beat the 10 year warranty. I'm not concerned with the nav. system lacking the bluetooth - my RX won't have the nav. to start with, so no big deal. Are you happy with your vehicle overall?? Thanks for your input!

I read about a switch recall today, what is the other one?

First, SCRATCH the Ford. Second, the only clue you give us about your wintertime driving needs is that your prior vehicle is a Cherokee Sport. Jeeps, most of them anyway, have an absolutely stellar AWD/4X4 system. If you're by any chance looking for anything close to the Jeep's performance in that area I would drop the RX like a hot potato(e{in defference to any Bushies reading this}). Were I you I would then look for an SUV that is NOT derived from a FWD base, look for a RWD/AWD vehicle such as the BMW X3/5 Hi, thanks for the suggestions. As far as winter driving needs, I'm in the Cleveland area where we do get our fair share of snow. The Jeep was great - a 4x4. The Lexus I'm looking at is AWD. But maybe all of this global warming crap will eliminate the need for good traction in the snow!

Just looking for some extra validation about spending money for a 2004 RX330. I tested a new Ford Edge & Hyundai Veracrusz last week. All 3 vehicles are the same price & each vehicle has features that I like & don't like. I'm used to buying new vehicles (with full length warranties!) then keeping them forever - my last vehicle is a 1996 Cherokee Sport that I bought new & have had it for 11 years. The Lexus is 3 years old, 13,300 miles, has about 1.5 years left on the b2b warranty & 3 years on the powertrain warranty. I have already signed papers for the Lexus, I'm just nervous about new vs. used & the fact that I keep cars for a long time & I'm starting off with a 3 year old vehicle with very little warranty left. Let me know your thoughts! Thanks!