Lexusfreak

From Jim Kenzie of the Toronto Star 'Wheels' & Motoring TV.... Pioneering crossover just gets better Lexus RX 350 gains 39 upgrades, including more horsepower Engine, ride and cabin quieter as Toyota tries to extend popularity JIM KENZIE Do you want to know why Toyota is the most successful car maker in the world right now? Well, here's a clue: At the introduction of the updated 2007 Lexus RX 350 SUV, Kent Rice, assistant general manager of quality control engineering at Toyota's Cambridge plant, which assembles the vehicle, seemed proudest of the fact they managed to shave 10 seconds off the production time for the vehicle. They make a big deal of 10 seconds for a reason. A new RX 350 now rolls off the line every 175 seconds, instead of 185 seconds. That's a 5 per cent improvement and Rice says it can mean up to 5,000 more vehicles per year presumably with no more employees or other costs. Ten precious seconds. No wonder these guys are so hard to beat: they just work harder than everybody else. The RX has been an extremely successful vehicle for Lexus as it is the brand's best-selling model. It pretty much invented what is now known as the crossover segment — an SUV if necessary (tall, two-box wagon-like body configuration, four-wheel drive) but not necessarily an SUV (passenger car underpinnings, essentially a transverse-engined front-wheel-drive-biased chassis, distantly related to the Camry). The RX is also the only Lexus-branded vehicle assembled outside Japan, about which Rice and his team at Cambridge are justifiably proud. (The RX is also assembled under both Lexus and Toyota labels at Toyota's Kyushu plant for Japanese and other world markets. Cambridge will build the better-equipped models — power moonroof and/or power tailgate — which are projected to be the best-selling variants in North America. Kyushu built the RX 330 with the panoramic multi-panel moonroof — a feature not offered on the RX 350 — and the more-basic RX 350s.) But Toyota also didn't get where it is by standing around. The 2007 RX 350 gains 39 significant upgrades, five of which were driven by new regulations, the other 34 mainly a result of customer feedback. Presumably the customers wanted more power, more comfort and more convenience, because those are the areas that received the most attention. The most significant change to the RX is easily guessed from the new nomenclature: the 350 signifies a new 3.5 litre V6 engine, similar in fundamentals to the new engine in the IS 350 sports sedan but without that car's trick dual-fuel injection system. A 6 per cent larger engine generating 21 per cent more power is impressive indeed; however, most of that gain comes from reading the dynamometer at higher r.p.m.: the 350 is rated at 270 hp at 6200 r.p.m., the 2006 RX 330 has 223 at 5600. Torque is up only 3 per cent and it peaks at higher r.p.m. than before: 251 lb.-ft. at 4700 r.p.m. versus 242 at 3600. So don't expect acceleration to be significantly greater. Still, greater output with no gain in fuel consumption isn't easy - the Transport Canada highway number is the same as before, the city number is actually slightly better. The transmission is a new five-speed, now attached to a viscous-coupled centre differential. Torque is nominally split 50-50 front-to-rear; if either axle loses grip, the diff locks up, directing torque to the other end. ABS, electronic brake force distribution (to ensure each wheel gets the most braking grip it can use), emergency brake assist (to apply full braking power if the car senses a panic stop), traction control and directional stability control all mean that if you lose it in this vehicle, maybe you should be taking cabs. Customers also wanted even more quietness. The RX was already pretty serene, but a new laminated windshield cuts interior noise by 2 decibels. Doesn't sound like much, but it is. New power steering pump and air conditioning compressor are also quieter. New convenience items include satellite-ready and MP3/WMA-compatible sound systems, a larger (9-inch) LCD screen for the optional rear-seat video system and a new VGA touch-screen sat-nav display (also optional). The power door locks have been programmed at the factory to auto-lock when Drive is selected. More aware customers can get their dealers to deselect this highly irritating feature. It's been a while since I drove any RX, probably back when it was only an RX 300, two generations ago. Certainly, this one is quieter and much better-riding than the last one I drove. The weather was actually pretty good for a preview test drive of a vehicle that is clearly intended to be an all-weather companion: cold, rain, snow, sleet, ice. We didn't have a chance to specifically evaluate all the electronic chassis systems individually, but at all times the RX 350 felt secure and well-planted, and that's exactly what buyers of a vehicle like this are looking for. Performance is more than adequate and the engine is barely audible unless you're pushing it. The new transmission shifts smoothly, and the vehicle rides well, with only a small bit of clumpiness over rough pavement. The cabin is a restful, well-equipped place to pass some time. A series of packages, including moonroof, power tailgate, satellite-navigation, headlights that turn with the front wheels, upgraded audio and rear-seat entertainment systems allow you to customize it to your personal tastes. It isn't hard to understand the RX's ongoing popularity. It does what it does extremely well. It also isn't hard to understand Lexus's step-wise gradual upgrading of the vehicle. If it ain't broke ...

What tires did you end up purchasing?

I'm going to have to agree with that considering it's an all new engine & tranny in the ES & Camry. Toyota/Lexus rarely makes the same mistake twice. Time will tell however so let's give it time. ;)

Steve, there is a new high performance line of tire out recently from Yokohama called the Advan. You might want to look at the Advan S4. Just a suggestion. B) Here is a link to the Yokohama site....They come in both tire sizes you currently have in V & W speed ratings respectively. ;) UTQG rating is 400, AA, A. http://www.yokohamatire.com/advan/default.asp

How's the deer?

Pics posted in the ES forum......not sure if they will be moved however. B)

Sounds like you should go to Pep Boys or Autozone (Can't remember which one is does the free scan) to scan the codes.......let us know what the code(s) are & we can better help you. B)

Some pics from the 2006 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto .....I hope you enjoy. B) I thought I would start off with Lexus of course... (GS 450h) And now some other vehicles..... The new Camaro is nice! And more... Probably the replacement for my ES around 2008...once 'little one's' arrive... I can't tell you how good the Subaru full time AWD system is.....simply awesome! B) :D I'd get the top model H6 VDC. And finally, the new Camry...

Yup you are correct! Got some real nice pics however.......I will share soon. B) Hate to say it, seeing the new ES 350 live & in living colour, I was very disappointed.......I actually think it looks too much like the new Camry, which I actually like the styling better (I like the 02-06 ES styling much better). I dislike that glass roof as the one on display was so equipped. :( Should I post my pics in the general discussions or which thread? I have other pics, not just of Lexus'. B)

Unfortunately, that is the risk one takes with a vehicle in it's first year of production. However, I believe that Lexus will make this right with you in the end & you have full factory warranty.....I understand the frustration you feel with a new expensive luxury car & the fact it has been in the dealer for so long.....but this is one of the most serious problems I have heard to this extend (big bummer that it's you I know) with the new GS AWD. Your driving a Lexus loaner I take it? Keep in regular contact with the service manager as I assume you have been & in the end they will get to the bottom of this & your GS will be returned to you good as new! B)

Well said RX. B)

I hope we can sit in both vehicles if we ask the Lexus reps.....I know I will sit in the new ES (I'll ask nicely). lol.

Welcome to the club & thanks for your insight. Please in the future, do not type in all CAPITALS.....it's considered shouting. You mention that your experence deals mostly with VW & Audi......there is quite a difference between them & Lexus vehicles all things considered. I think we can all agree (generally speaking) that Michelin makes very good (although expensive) tires & you make some good points for the other tires you have adressed, but I doubt it will be the (in your title of the thread)"The End All Debate On Tires".:whistles: Tire technology changes almost as fast as the auto industry itself so there will always be an abundant of choices out there depending on what you drive & considering Lexus offers everything from FWD, RWD, & AWD will greatly effect what tire an owner chooses, & the area (and weather conditions) they live to name only a couple. I personally don't agree with all your 'findings' with regard to the other tire brands you mention (I'm sure other members will jump in as well on that) good or bad, but to each their own. Also there are quite a few tire brands you did not talk about.......so my guess is the tire debate will continue.... :whistles: B) why? Because I've said this dozens of times in these threads.....to this day, there is NO such thing as a perfect tire no matter what brand you purchase. ;) You gave a very general outline, not specifics towards say winter/snow tires (most are 'winter' tires today, not snows) or summer rubber but mostly 'all seasons'. ;) I agree with you 110% on the rotations however, not to mention maintainig the correct air pressure. B)

Agreed! I'd stick to Lexus personally, maybe move to a GS or LS.....an older BMW with no warranty would make me nervous. ;)

That's not a great thing if you go up very steeply angled drivways lol....I wish I had at least another 1/4 - 1/2" of ground clearance to be honest. B)

I had a similar issue with mine.....more noticable when it was quite cold out.....turned out to me the rear suspension bushings.....problem was solved. B)

Welcome to the club TTC! B) Do you have the owners manual for the car? If not contact Lexus head office & they will send you one for free. B) It explains the answers to your questions in a great deal of detail. B)

I know the new ES will be shown at the Toronto show sk......I'm heading there hopefully over the weekend & will take pics....not 100% sure about the new LS however. B)

No major complaints with my 2001. :D

Which works out to about a dime dosen't it? lol

How many miles on your car? If higher mileage, you might want to consider a 'higher mileage' dino oil.....from what I have heard & read, they perform well. B)

How long have you had the car & is this the first time you have noticed this? I almost want to say piston slap (common on some higher mileage vehicles....especially GM V6's) or your valves need adjustment, but not 100% sure if the Lexus suffers from these conditions as it ages in the colder climates. B)

Keep us posted 94, I'd be leaning towards the 2000 personally......I know it will be more expensive, but (depending on it's condition) in the end I think it will be the better buy in the long run. Just my 2 cents. B)

For those who might be interested....Torque Master spark plugs has a new website. http://www.extremespark.com/ Anybody use these plugs? They are suppose to last a minimum of 100,000 miles or more. Please share your experences & thoughts on them, where to buy & the price if possible. Thanks!

That would be my guess as well. ;) I read the same thing on the website......but did not notice a seperate 'XSE' model itself. B)