Lexusfreak

Correct once again sw! :) The Avalon will be all new for the 2006 model year but will come to market early spring of 05......I just confirmed that with Toyota Canada. B)

Thanks sw, I was 99.99% sure that was the case. B)

I agree amf! Thanks for sharing Craig!! :) That's awesome & a very nice looking car! IT will be priced several thousand less than the ES I'm guessing as well. (I'm guessing Lexus is going to have to 'up the ante' & at least match the Avalon's performance numbers) ;) Any idea when it offically hit's the showroom floors? & I would assume (I didn't notice it in the specs) it comes standard with Iridium spark plugs? & any mention of the fuel tank size &/or if will require only 'regular gasoline'?

I understand & agree what your saying Craig.....your right! B) I guess I thought Motor Trend should have at least made it a point in either the front page (as you mentioned it might have been a good idea to say 'North America builds the winner') or the review & explanation in the COTY article itself. MT goes to great length's to inform folks that the Chevy Equinox (as an example) is Canadian built, but points out the V6 engine is built in China. B) amf, you bring up a fair point as well.....however, I am only aware of one Lexus model built both in & outside Japan....right here in Ontario, the RX (if there is another model I don't know of.....please correct me). What would I consider it to be? How about a 50 / 50 imported & domestic vehicle (a 'Dom-ported' vehicle) lol.....I say that because some of the components are shipped from Japan, & others are actually made here & shipped to the plant. ;) A for the 300, I don't think many (if any) parts or major components are made in the U.S. (Chrysler has a huge engine & powertrain plant in Windsor, Ontario right across the river from Detroit as an example) That's why I thought it was an 'oversight' on MT's part, that should be corrected or at least clairified. Good & more than fair points everyone. :)

Buy your own synthetic oil (I use Mobil 1 5W 30 myself & get it at Walmart) & oil filter. Find a good, reliable independent mechanic to do all your 'regular' maintenance & it will cost you only about half what the dealers charge. My synthetic oil change cost's about $48 for everything including parts & labour. Or do it yourself & save the bills for the oil & filter to save even more $$$. B)

Why do you want a remote starter kyle? They are a huge waste of fuel & if the car idle's for a pro-longed period of time, it's very bad for the engine, emissions & such.......I'd take a block heater over a remote starter any day & it's a much easier & cheaper item to install to boot. Just my 2 cent's. B)

Many times a problem is caused because of neglect or lack of maintenance as well. B) ← ← Excellent! Use the high octane gasoline & let us know if that helps or not along with the other suggestions fellow members have made. B)

Hi Cat, A block heater is an electric element that warms the coolant in your engine, which in turn warms the engine block and lubricants. Warm engines start more easily, achieve their peak operating temperature more quickly, and don't have to work as hard to pump oil through the block. All of that translates into better fuel economy - in fact, studies have shown that block heaters can improve fuel economy by as much as 10 percent. You only need to plug it in for a few hours as opposed to overnight.....so you can buy a timer to set it to come on to save energy as well. I see your from Toronto as well.....which part? I considered putting a block heater in my 01 ES as well.....but the Lexus dealers want around $200 to install one which is a rip off. We don't really need such a device in the southern Ontario area as it only get's bitterly cold several days of the year (below -25) so as long as you have a strong battery & a well maintained vehicle or are able to park the car inside or in an underground parking lot, your fine. B)

Agreed! If they won't let you take the car to have it inspected......RUN, don't walk away (& be patient for another car). B) See if you can obtain service records for the car & perhaps contact Lexus head office in the U.S. to see what warranty & service work they have on file to get a better idea of how the car has been cared for. Welcome to the club & Good Luck! ;)

Agreed sw.....January 2005 issue of Motortrend Magazine mentions that the AWD model is now available.

Check out the detailing forum, all the answers you need are in there. If you don't want to do it find a good reputable detailer in your area, don't let the dealer do it. The dealer overcharges for crappy work. ← Agreed sw....overcharges BIGTIME!

Except for the Lexus ES's, which are built and assembled all over the world. I have 'Consumers Reports' dating back to the first ES road tests and not one test was so shabby as the 300 or the 300C. As far as I'm concerned the only thing that this new model has going for it is the Hemi engine. IMO. :) ← True, however it's good value overall for the price & one does have the option of the AWD model as well. Chrysler is finally starting to get it's act together......but I'd never buy a North American car in it's first year of production......a Lexus? You Bet! :) BEST value & a homerun has to go to the new Ford Mustang however.......dollar per horsepower ratio, it's no contest. :D

On the cover of their Jan 05 issue they mention that the car of the year is a 'domestic' winner & they said "And America builds the winner".........for the record, that is incorrect. The Chrysler 300 & the Dodge Magnum are built in Brampton, Ontario.......Not the U.S. Just wanted to clear that up & I have also sent MT the same e-mail. No offence to anyone.......just wanted to get the facts straight is all. :whistles: Have a look at the jpeg for yourself. ;) B) http://www.motortrend.com/motor/mt_mag_cover.jpg

CR usually does not recommend a brand new to the market model.........the visibility issue I can agree with & you can get HID's as an option.....one would have to go with the Hemi of course with it's cylinder de-activation feature. And AWD is an option too! Proudly built in Brampton, Ontario :D

Many times a problem is caused because of neglect or lack of maintenance as well. B)

WOW! That's a pricy wiper blade!

Agreed! A search should answer most of your questions. B)

I would assume if they are going to replace the engine there will be new plugs, timing best & PCV valve......I'd do a complete tranny flush (100% as opposed to a drain & fill.....don't forget to use the correct fluid) Check with the dealer on the motor mounts while they have the engine out & I think the water pump will be new too! You should be set! B) Consider switching to synthetic oil after the 'break in' period & use a good quality filter & change it on time! I put average miles on mine a year & still do 4 oil changes per year because of the sludge issue. I recommend Mobil 1 synthetic. Good Luck! :)

Call a good audio shop(s) to ask the same question to see what they suggest........try the basic stuff first like some lubricant to see if it free's it up. B)

It's sure better than flipping the bill all on your own Doug :) Make sure the dealer put's all new Toyota type IV fluid in as well. Hopefully your back in business!! B)

After you get most of the water out, is there anyway to get an extention cord, a powerful fan & sit outside on a nice day with your fav auto mag & dry it out the best you can?? Put lot's of towels to take up as much as you can & good luck!

Good choices this year IMO. Enjoy! B) December 8, 2004 2005 Canadian Car of the Year award winners announced Toronto, Ontario - Twelve 2005 Canadian Car of the Year Award category winners were announced by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) during a press conference at the Holiday Inn Select Airport in Toronto on Tuesday. The 2005 category winners are: Best New Economy Car: Kia Spectra Sedan LX Best New Family Car: Mazda6 Sport Best New Luxury Car: Chrysler 300 C Best New Sport Utility Vehicle: BMW X3 3.0i Best New Crossover: Hyundai Tucson Best New Sport Compact: Volvo S40 Best New Sports / Performance Car: Ford Mustang Best New Minivan: Honda Odyssey Best New Station Wagon: Mazda6 Sport Wagon Best New Pick-up: Toyota Tacoma Best New Convertible: Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 Best New Alternative Power: Honda Accord Hybrid This year's category winners represent the best among a group of new cars and trucks for 2005, as selected by a professional group of automotive experts who test drive, and report on, new vehicles in various media. Every year, this group of automotive experts, meet at Shannonville Motorsport Park near Belleville, Ontario, for a four-day automotive "TestFest" based on "real-world" back-to-back testing to select the best new vehicles in various categories as well as an overall Car of the Year and Truck of the Year. "A record number of 64 vehicle entries were performance-tested for acceleration, braking and passing times, at least four times each. In addition, journalists were running an average of 10 driving loops a day during team and individual testing over the 4 day period," said Car of the Year Director Laurance Yap. The awards program also includes a "Best New Technology" award and the "Best New Design" award. The overall Canadian Car and Truck of the Year will be announced on February 16th, 2005 in conjunction with the official opening of the 2005 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Ontario. The Best New Design and Best New Technology winners will also be declared at that time. To obtain a copy of the comparative test and performance data as well as the actual "Best New" vote results, visit www.ajac.ca.

Agreed......If you take this new job, I would seriously consider taking another form of commuting OR move closer to work (but still close enough to be with the gf or have her move with you if possible). :D Good Luck!

I was close to getting PIAA as well for my ES, except for the price was like 4 times more than 'normal' blades & according to steviej, didn't last any longer than normal either.

I'd recommend the dealership (Lexus of Richmond Hill) I bought my ES from but NOT the sales guy......he turned out to be a bit of a Gilligan. :whistles: