Lexusfreak

I have actually contacted Pulstar directly & I hope to be able to do a detailed experiment with these plugs in the coming months. I hope I get good news from the company soon so for those that are interested.....stay tuned! B)

Definately get a dedicated set of winter tires & rims for your 'new' LS. If I were you, I'd go with a 225 60 16 set with many good winter tires to choose from. These Bridgestone's are a steal right now in that size... http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...yes&place=4

Agreed....if you go dino oil, change at 5,000 mile intervals (the 3,000 mile is definately overkill in this day & age)......synthetic will last longer so 'down time' will be less as well. It sounds that many of the miles you do is highway.....another reason why using a longer drain interval is better.....highway miles are nothing on our Lexi or the oil. Just something to consider.

Anyone want a sweet deal on a 2008 Nissan Truck or SUV? http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/question-...w-will-they-go/

Even if running 'dino' oil....you should still get at least 5k miles between changes. Why not use synthetic & take advantage of the longer drain intervals? What does your owners manual say on the subject?

Ouch! The wife & I almost bought a Highlander 4WD V6 there a few years back.....glad we passed on it. Thanks for the heads up about Sunrise.

If your in Orillia (as mentioned on your profile), that's a bit of a trek to come all the way to Ken Shaw for just an oil change....you should be good to go at Sunrise Toyota for routine maintenance. ;)

I also found this article... http://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/truth.htm

Not 100% sure on the spark plug wires you mention personally.....I have no experience with that brand......I've always stuck with OE or NGK (which make alot of OE) wires. As for the spark plugs.....use Denso 'long life' iridium (part # SK20R11) or NGK 'long life' iridium plugs (part # IFR6T-11) for your 97 LS......both have the same gap at .044". The IX NGK's you mention are only good for about 30 - 40k miles.....they don't have the same amount of iridium that the long life Denso & NGK's do. Another fairly new to market plug is called Pulstar (part # BE-1) but I personally won't consider these plugs until they have been on the market for a few more years.....not to mention they are $25 a piece! And naturally the price comes down. Although they do look interesting. More info here... http://www.pulstarplug.com/

You mention 'belt' what belt are we talking about exactly? Try & be a little more specific with what parts & fluids you will be changing. On top of your list I will add... Under fluid - differential fluid or gear oil.....should take 75W 90 or 80W 90....consider using synthetic. Under spark plugs - spark plug wires, air filter, fuel filter & PCV valve. Do you have any service records for the car? When was the water pump changed? Do you have a trusted mechanic you can take the car to have the work performed?

Beautiful looking ES tcb.....looks identical to my previous 2001. B) Sounds like the car was babied to boot. If you need a fantastic shop for a professional tint job for a very reasonable price (the back window is a bugger to do so only give it to a shop that can do it properly....I found this out the hard way), let me know......there is a great one in Mississauga. I can also hook you up with rust-proofing & top shelf detailing. Enjoy your new ride!

Never heard of them personally.....what products of their's are you considering?

There is no harm in contacting Lexus Customer Satisfaction department & get this documented.....I'm suprised that your getting such resistance from a dealer that you have been so loyal too with the warranty expiring only a short time ago. My only other suggestion would be to contact the Dealer Principal (owner) directly to see what he/she will do. Needless to say......if you stay with the Lexus brand.....you won't be dealing with this dealer any longer & rightfully so. Keep us posted on how things work out & good luck.

Alfalfa

Congrats & all the best flop! B)

No, I don't feel any. It was a time 3 years ago initially when car was pulled to one side and Lexus "fixed" they did alignments, but said it was Ok. In August Costco will run another $60 off for Michelin, so may be I'll go there for new tires. Or American / Discount tires? Not sure yet where to go for new tires. thanks. If you get a good deal at Costco....go for it......get the tires installed & balanced there.....then take it to the Lexus dealer for the 4 wheel alignment. B)

Lol....I was gonna say! For $5,000......I'll give you mine & even pay for the shipping!

Yikes! I'll pass on that job.

friction

Last 2 tankfulls.....went approx 700 km's (434 miles) each time averaged 9.3 Litres per 100 km's or 25.3 MPG (U.S.) or 30.37 MPG (U.K.). Still had about 1/8th of a tank to go. All on regular fuel. B)

Congrats skc! B) Post some pics of your new ride when you get a chance. Enjoy!

Welcome to LOC skc! The steering knuckle is one part that should be inspected....they are very common to need replacement (had mine done at 42k miles under warranty). Another minor issue is the 'B' pillars are known to fade & de-oxidize over time....they have to be repainted, as they can't be replaced...it's part of the door. If you can get detailed service records on the vehicle that's a bonus. Some owners have had transmission hesitation with this generation (see the thread sticky at the top of the ES forum). I'm from Canada and they tweaked our transmissions slightly different than the U.S. models due to emission regulations....we do not have the same problem up here. These cars are as close to being bulletproof as they get. Good luck with your search & keep us posted. B)

Significant other :)

I always get a 4 wheel alignment when I put new tires on the car......why not bite the bullet & replace those Bridgestones a little early with the Michelins and get it done all at once? Just my .02 Are you getting any type of shimmy at highway speeds through the steering wheel? Alignments are generally not a warranty issue (there are exceptions however, but not in your case).....it's part of maintenance.

An excellent piece....and I agree, the tire makers should make it much easier to tell when the tire was made & better educate the general public. One unfortunate thing is....still to this day so many are driving on their tires that are under inflated (even after the Ford Explorer fiasco earlier this decade) and not maintaining their proper air pressures......even when the tires are brand new . Sad. :(