whulu42

OEM is $40. Universal items at $1.99 - I just can't find one to work with the 3/8inch hole left by taking out the original. Anyone have any low cost solutions to the OEM $40 piece of plastic? (this clip fastens to the inside of the hood and holds the "hood prop" to the hood, when the the hood is closed) Thanks

While it won't show up in the LCD display as you would like, a $10 cassette adaptor is your most cost effective/sonically superior solution. I have a iphone/pod holder attached to my windshield ( $20 ) so I can see the readout on the iphone. This solution sounds great.

Thanks smooth. Josh

Is is possible to put another color bulb behind the dash so the dash gauges and middle/radio, heater gauges are a different color? I don't like the Orange and would like to change it to blue. Thanks

Thanks smooth. I don't get the "Va-voom" sound while backing down driveway, I'm going down normally. I also seem to get this "va-voom" with the clicking sound when turning the car. This only happens once, after the car has been sitting I'm backing out of a parking space when i go to turn and take my foot off the brakes I get the Va-Voom and clicking sounds. The car was just pre-certified by lexus so I'm hoping the ABS isn't seriously damaged. They say the clicking is normal but I was not able to re-produce the "va-voom" for them. I'm going back soon. THe brakes have worked fine in all situations. It's just not knowing what these two noises are that is bugging me. As well. I hit a deep pothole the other day-right front tire. Rim is not bent, alignment is fine but I'm thinking I should have the car checked anyway just to be thorough-to see if anything was damaged.

Does anyone experience a 'clicking' sound when turning at a 45 degree angle? This only happens when the car has sat and I'm backing out of a parking space. I back out then turn 45 degrees to go straight and here a clicking in the front end. I've been told this is the brake pads shifting and is normal. As well, when I go down my drive way, after making a sharp turn and driving down a steep angle, taking my foot off the brakes I always get a discharge sound like "Va-voom", and the brake pad sometime vibrates, sometimes does not. I've been told this is the ABS discharging? Anyone?

What about Maguires swirl and scratch remover for black onyx paint. I bought some but haven't used it yet. Thanks

I'm cool. Went here and got a transponder/remote key for $79 http://www.ikeyless.com/index.php Will get it cut at locksmith, or dealership. My tech buddy at Lexus will program, though the seller says they will help with programming. Seems like a good deal. Anyone-can these keys be had for less than 75-80$

Where is this answer-not clear on where you answered? I have one master/remote and am looking for the least expensive way to duplicate and have 2 masters. Lexus wants 250$ I can get the programing done for free. Seem's like buying an uncut on ebay and having a local locksmith cut is the best way to go.

Step by step, detailed instruction for everything you need to to know: Prep, wash, detail, inside and out, products, applicators etc. http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/

Hey Smooth, Glad I could be of help. You were the first person to respond to me about a month and a half ago when I was first starting to look at buying an IS 300. You responded to several of my questions/needs; appreciate brother. Hope you're well and enjoying. Now if I could just get 22+mpg while driving 'sporty style'...

http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/ This is a great step by step series on how to wash and detail your car-inside and out. Gets into the chemistry of the products and application thereof. As a brand new IS 300 owner I haven't found a better comprehensive guide. They push their specialty brand of products, but also include major brands like Meguires etc.

I had a "pre-certified diagnostic" done at Lexus ( I"m lucky and know the service Manager.) The only real issue they had with the car is that the lot I bought it from put on cheap brake pads. 04 IS 300 Sport 41k miles for 20K -No heated seats -Yes 2 memory seat postion -Yes, flip compartment -Yes, trunk open more than half way -Yes, spoiler I'm very happy with the car, plus the tech that did the inspection is hooking me up and being very nice. Second day the under-engine skirt got hit by something in the road and was hanging. My new friend took it off, secured the other parts of the skirt ( 4 part thing ) and hooked me up nicely with a new one. Got the master key. Can't wait to go back to the dealer and get the promised detail done tomorrow-for free. I'm very happy with the whole situation. Save for gas mileage. My fist tank I'm getting 15.3mpg, driving in 3rd with the E-shift and stomping on it on the freeway. It will be interesting to see what driving like granny does. Also my tire pressure was low at 25psi, I raised to 34psi.

My mom wants to hook up a bluetooth phone in her 07 IS 250. Could go through the speakers or got through additional speakers. She found a Lexus recommended installer that wants to put in a Peiker/Alac BT only product-no nav or mp3 just the phone into speakers, available only wholesale and installed for 750$, which sounds like a rip off. She is not interested in the Peiker/Alac "Bluetouch" mp3/phone option. She is also not interested in Garmin or the like. Any suggestions?

Hi there. Welcome! I bought a 04 IS 300 Sport yesterday. The folks on this board have been most helpful. Enjoy, Josh

Where in the owner's manual is the code? I only got a valet key with my 04 and am a little confused as to how to proceed to have a remote key that opens the car and starts it. Also, I don't see the green "security light" on when I turn off the car. Is is possible that the alarm is not working, or has been bypassed somehow? When you have time can you lay out how to proceed with getting a remote key that does what a factory remote key would do and how this works with the alarm and green "security light". I have 11 months left on my standard warrantee. Can I get his done under warrantee? I only have the "sub" or valet key. Thanks, Josh

Is this a big deal to replace. Can I have the car reprogrammed so that the old remote key won't work. Is the alarm working when I lock the car with the standard key put into the lock. I searched for a thread on this but just got an error. Thanks.

Hi All, I found a very clean 04 IS 300 Sport, 41,216 miles for around 20,000$, I'm still figuring out what I will offer. I want to be fair, but not pay for something I don't need to pay for. The car has black exterior and a tan interior-very classy looking and very clean, save for the removable floor mats. The door panel swathes, above the door open handle are not suede. They are leather like. The actual seat cushion has perforated holes in it. Is this a full leather package that should be paid for as an option, or is this some kind of leather trim package, which is actually a high grade vinyl? Thank you all. You've been most helpful in the past-especially "smooth". Hope you are well. If I can get a good low price, I'm buying this one for sure. Warmly, Josh

Got it. To be clear-I'm not sure if I've "joined" this forum, or am just a member?

Dig it on the exchange is more than just cars. As far as I know I am a member of the forum. Can you explain what you mean by "...join the forum."

Good to know smooth. Thank you. I just offered 18,500 for a Black 03, 53K miles, very clean. automatic. I'm seeing these things sit. I'm offering the low end of Consumer Reports Used Car Guide prices and Edmunds prices. Which are in the area of dealer trade in prices. I think the soft economy, media reporting otherwise aside, is making for a buyers market. Thanks for all your feedback my friend. Josh

I passed on the one talked about above. Found an 04' manual 41K miles, super, super, dealer clean. Offered 18,750. They agreed. But I'm holding out for less. I really want an automatic. But I'm seeing that this one is a great deal. The car is really like new. It's been sitting for 2 months. I wonder how low I can get them to go. Whada ya think?

Exactly-glad you get my point. The seller puts the value of the warantee at 1650$ I have yet to check out the details of the it like you suggest below. Good point, they are minor, but keep the car from being "flawless". A friend is the service manager. I'm going to have him look at the sellers Lexus Diagnostic report, and/or have another one done and have the car checked again-seems like a prudent thing to do. This is a great point. Smooth, you are the man. This is a very important issue you raise that I should check out. As the warrantee is where allot of the value with this car is. If the warrantee has issue like above it's not that valuable. Yes I will do this. Yes, seller has provided this. It's clean. C Another great procedural suggestion summing how to learn about the car. Thank you. .Wow, another great point. I would never have thought of this. Man you guys are as good as the folks on Apple discussion boards. I really appreciate all you input and time smooth. Thanks so much.

Even with a 3 year bumper to bumper that starts this month and no tax, so out the door it's 22K. What would a fair price be for this car?

How do you know? The seats were perforated. I looked in a IS 300 today sitting on the street, it seemed the same. I can't believe the guy selling would so obviously mis-represent the car. I may not have detailed it right. But above the driver side door arm rest the material was "suede" like. Is that the indicator that the seating is Lycra? Good looking out my friend, Josh