Lexusfreak

It's a good choice wagsy!! B) I had them on my short list (the V4S) but they only came in the "H" rated & Lexus suggests "V" rated so I got the Toyo's & they have been awesome.......I really liked the Yoko's because of the higher tread rating & the AA traction rating (as opposed to the single A). Let us know how you like them as I'm sure you will be very happy with their performance! ;)

Also agreed! :)

Agreed!! B) Nice to see.

Keep in mind however that a 'summer tire' will not get the mileage that an all season tire does.....you will have to replace them much sooner because of this. B) The Goodyear Eagle F1's that SCdriver suggests are indeed an excellent summer high performance tire......but you will probobly only get between 30,000 - 35,000 miles even with proper rotations, not to mention a fairly harsh ride because of the type of performance tire it is.

I have had a K & N air filter in the last 3 cars I have owner & never had any problems even after re-oiling. I agree that many (NOT all) have had problems due to the fact they have 'over oiled' the filter. I have personally that I have saved money in the long run by using this filter with very good results & even a slight gain in fuel economy. I say go for it! B)

Three EXCELLENT tires at very reasonable prices should be on your 'short list' in the size you are looking for: - Toyo Proxes T P T, 60,000 Miles rating with a smooth ride. Excellent rain weather performance & very good in snowy conditions. (I have suggested these for many ES owners & all have been very happy including myself with these tires). - Falken Zeix ZE-512, same warranty & mileage rating as above & also a Japanese performance tire. I have put these on my wife's car about 2 months ago & she tells me they are so good she thinks the whole suspension system has been replaced. Rated 1st overall in a consumers reports test of about 18 - 20 all season performance tires (even beat the Toyo's). I have these on my short list down the road if these maintain the performance they have been for my ES. - Yokohama Avid H4S, A high 500 treadwear rating with AA traction rating (highest there is) & an A temperature rating. Excellent reviews in both wet & snowy weather.....a little more expensive than the other 2 above but also a top name & quality tire. I hope this helps.......I'd be leaning for the Falken & Toyo's myself if cost is a concern....you can't go wrong! Good Luck & keep is posted on your decision. Don't forget to get a 4 wheel alignment when you get your new tires installed & get a digital tire pressure guage (about $10) to maintain proper air pressure. B)

The side of the car reminds me of the 02+ ES. B)

I've heard Nokian's are good stuff. B)

Any luck at all yet easterner?

Any news to mention at all Doug?

I have to check the 05 brochure that Steviej sent me, but I'm pretty sure you can get either grey or beige interior with that blue. :D

Thanks bart! :whistles: B) I didn't fall off the Turnip truck yesterday amf....:chairshot: :chairshot: :whistles:

Jaguar and Lexus Rank Highest in J.D. Power Study The Daily Auto Insider Thursday, November 18, 2004 November 2004 Although new-vehicle buyers are paying more for their vehicles compared to 2003, satisfaction with the dealership's vehicle prices has actually increased, according to a news release about the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Sales Satisfaction Index Study. The study finds that the median price paid for a new vehicle in 2004 is $26,000 — up from $25,500 in 2003. However, the rate of interest on car loans has fallen from an average of 4.8 percent in 2003 to 4.5 percent in 2004. Zero-percent financing, offered mainly by domestic brands, continues to play an important role in the automotive industry. Eleven percent of buyers financed their new vehicle with a 0% interest rate in 2004 compared to 9 percent in 2003. Also, the average length of a new-vehicle loan has increased from 58 months in 2003 to 59 months in 2004. "The availability of low-interest financing continues to change the way consumers pay for their new vehicles," said Scot Eisenfelder, senior vice president at J.D. Power and Associates. "Buyers are willing to pay a higher sticker price as long as the interest rate is low and they can afford the payments." The study also finds that customer satisfaction with the vehicle delivery process has declined. Customer ratings with vehicle delivery are particularly lower in terms of the cleanliness of the vehicle, timeliness of delivery and the amount of time the salesperson spends explaining vehicle features. "At a minimum, customers expect that their new vehicle will be clean and in good condition," said Eisenfelder. "Surprisingly, this is not always the case. Declining gross margins for dealers are placing more pressure on salespeople to make the sale and, consequently, they are too often ignoring delivery. Since delivery is typically the last contact the salesperson has with the customer, this can have a dramatic effect on sales satisfaction with the dealership." With significant improvements over 2003, Jaguar and Lexus tie to rank highest in sales satisfaction. Both Jaguar and Lexus make the biggest improvements in the areas of dealership facility and price. Jaguar improves its SSI score by 24 points over 2003 and receives particularly strong ratings from customers for the salesperson. Lexus improves 14 index points over 2003, leading the industry in dealership facility and delivery. Hummer is the most improved brand in the study, increasing 29 points over 2003. Hummer, which expanded into the mainstream market with the H2 in 2003, appears to benefit from experience and the easing of typical issues a new brand faces. For example, Hummer dealerships have eased up on their pricing compared to 2003, when dealerships were able to demand full MSRP or above. Hummer customers are also more satisfied with the size of the inventory. The 2004 Sales Satisfaction Index Study is based on responses from 39,335 buyers and lessees of new vehicles. The study, which was fielded in August and September of 2004, provides the automotive industry with a comprehensive analysis of the new-vehicle purchase experience.

What colour interior did you get boris? B) Once the picture posting problem is fixed, please post some more if you could from the side & back. Many thanks! :)

Agreed! Surely there are more pressing issues that actually matter that need to be addressed other than re-numbering an interstate highway. :chairshot:

Seeing a Matrix being built might be pretty exciting however sk. ;) :whistles:

LMAO!!! Good one!!! :D

Wagsy, The difference between the 235 & 245 size is only 10 millimeters (or 1 centimeter) which is not much to worry about overall. The 235 size will naturally be slightly less expensive over the 245's (I'm guessing $10 - $15 a tire approx). Your previous XGT's.....are they the XGTH4 or XGTV4's? The difference is the speed rating of the tire......"V" is a higher speed rating & you will have a slightly more reinforced sidewall at the cost of a slightly stiffer ride than the "H" rated tires. Not major mind you, but only slight. I personally have a "V" rated tire (Toyo Proxes TPT) on my ES as that's what Lexus call for when replacing them & the damn thing rides better than a limo so....what can I tell ya? B) The 2 best choices for you would be either the Toyo Proxes 4 or the Yokohama Avid H4S (the V4S does not come in your size). They are both rated as an excellent tire, however you will probobly get better overall perforance with the Toyo's, but you will probobly get a longer lasting tire in the Yokohama simply because it has a longer tread life rating (500 treadwear, AA Traction & A for Temperature for the H4S) & the Toyo's are rated at 300 Treadwear, AA Traction & A for Temperature. So I will leave the choice up to you.......I will say however.....the overall 'value' edge IMO goes to the Yokohama becasue of the longer treadlife & a slightly more comfortable & quieter tire (which is what your looking for), PLUS, they will be about $15 or so cheaper roughly than the Toyo's per tire. I hope I didn't confuse you at all with this lol. Keep us posted what your decision is & Good Luck!! B) Have anymore questions.....ask away. :)

Good point Doug. B)

I've spoken to at least 5 dealers that can install BOTH the 3M & LLumar products for roughly the same price.....the 3M is a bit less but they all agree that if they had the choice, the LLumar is by far the better product in terms of more clear & durable in the long run. :)

Love that Blue colour!!! It's on my 'short list' of colours for when I purchase my 05 ES in a few years!! :D

Vicki, I would consider another product other than the 3M clear film. I have heard many bad stories of the 3M product & many places I know all recommend a similar product from LLumar automotive films. Click the link below to have a look for yourself & locate a dealer near you. It's a much better, longer lasting & a more clear product. Good Luck! :) B) Grab a bottle of touch up paint at your local dealer before installing the clear film product. http://www.llumar.com/na-eng/Automotive/auto-paint.html

I'm just wondering if they cost roughly the same price, & if they work that well....why don't the auto makers install them as standard equipment in their vehicles? I'm sure if bought in bulk, they wouldn't cost the car companies much (if any) more than a standard drain plug. B)

Good point sw :) I'd still but the LS over the RL if I had the money & the choice simply because as good as Acura is, it's still a notch down from Lexus & always will be. Best to buy the car a few years old & save a bundle with a ride that expensive. ;) B) In my condo I actually park next to a 2001 Acura TL that's the same colour as my 01 ES & I gotta tell you.......I'd buy the ES any day of the week over the TL. I drove one before I bought my ES & the TL just didn't feel as well built or drive as solidly as the Lexus. B)

Just to peeve people off.....they should re-name is I-96! :whistles: I know they can't because even numbers mean east & west vice versa for odd numbers on the interstate system, but hey.....how about I-169?