SW03ES

The Prius is a very safe car. Ours is an '04, and I don't like the driving position or how it drives, but the all new '10 is a MUCH better car in these regards, I would buy a 2010 Prius over a Camry Hybrid probably...

I do wonder where the thorough test drive comes in. By the time I buy a car I've driven them so many times that I don't even have to read the manuals...

Oh yeah, for a one step wax you can buy at the car parts store I'd use Meguiars NXT. Better one steps: Clearkote's Vanilla Moose, Optimum Poli-Seal.

That makes sense....

If you are tall you're going to be at a comfort disadvantage in any Lexus...they're just not built for people over 6'2" or so. The only thing I disagree with is the smoothness over road surfaces. I've only driven a couple cars I thought were even as smooth and buttery over the road as an LS...and I wouldn't personally consider the S Type in the same league. The GS or the ES sure...but not the LS. S class Benz yeah....not even the Jag XJ IMHO.

No problem, let us know how it turns out.

Yeah it does look sharp, that was my reaction too lol Yeah the AWD is only the depowered version for now...

Yes, I will concede that you were right about that. ;)

Well...by comparison thats a pretty limited experience...

Chill guys... I've not had a problem when going up hills, mine will hold the same gear until it can't and then it will downshift and then shift back up at the top of the hill very unobtrusively. My dad's LS's were/are the same way. What I do know is that in a situation where you have slowed down and thus aborted the cruise, hitting "resume" results in a WOT surge that I find very unnerving and that other makes of cars I've had did not do. The Prius is the same way, and it has no gears in the transmission. I've been driving these cars so long, I just automatically speed back up manually and hit resume after I've already reached the previously set speed to avoid it.

Buddy I've detailed hundreds of cars, what you're saying is not exactly accurate. The dash material on the RX300 is dyed, its not solidly the interior color all the way through. You're right by saying that the eraser dulled the surface, it did that by abrading and removing the top layer of the surface and exposing a fresh layer underneath. The vinyl is impregnated with a UV treatment but only on the surface. When you remove that surface, and potentially that UV layer you just have no idea what effect thats going to have on the longevity of the material, on color fading, etc. IMHO its not worth the risk until you try something else first. The credo of any responsible automotive detailer is to use the least aggressive product and technique possible to achieve the desired result. Going straight to the absolute most abrasive product you could use isn't the proper approach. Your statement that there aren't many chemicals you would use on the dash makes no sense when you are using one of the harshest chemicals around...in the Magic Eraser and its not even formulated for that purpose. There are MANY safe chemicals expressly designed to clean automotive vinyl...and do it safely. When you yourself used the Magic Eraser on your '08 you state it ruined the dash and you had to re-dye it. It may have done the same thing to your '03, you just couldn't tell because the '08 has a black dash and the '03 had a lighter ivory dash. Armor All is no magic detergent resisting substance, its an ordinary water based dressing, its not even silicone based. Its very easily removed. The radio bezel is flat black, but its very easily marred. Again, I would never do that to my car or a client's car. Take whichever advice you want, I've been detailing cars for over 15 years, I've detailed professionally. The Magic Eraser is simply a "last resort" tool. Try Vinylex, 1Z's interior cleaner, or a simple solution of 5:1 water:woolite.

Are they painting the roof and the support beam above the doors?

They were quiet for about 10k miles and then got VERY loud. In any event I never thought they were as quiet as the Michelins ;) I'm not the only one to state that either. So BOOOYAH! :D

I like the new Jag lineup personally...we'll see how they do in reliability...

Their stuff is consistently "okay". Expensive.

The dealer probably put the swirl marks in it as a part of their "effort". The first question you have to ask yourself is how much effort and to what extent are you willing to go to for the paint finish? To properly remove swirls...you're going to need a buffer and pads... If you don't want to get that involved I would suggest you hire a well reccomended professional to polish the car out for you and then you can maintain it from there...

I don't understand why they are painting the inside of the B pillar when the damage is limited to the exterior of the door skins...

Have you used more than one Lexus dealership? You say "Any Lexus dealerships" but you also say "Problems I had with the above dealership". Lexus dealerships are independently owned. I've used good ones and bad ones. Lexus of Rockville, who I used until last year when I found my independent mechanic is an excellent dealer and I've never recieved anything but excellent service from them, as was my experience with Lexus of Annapolis and Lexus of Alexandria. Lexus of Silver Spring and Pohanka Lexus in Chantilly I wasn't as impressed with...

A Lexus LS? That depends on what your definition of "drives better" is. The S Type handles better than the LS, no question. Its nowhere near as smooth or quiet as a Lexus LS though. Plus its a smaller car, doesn't really compete with the LS.

What kind of highway driving are you doing?!?

I would only use the Magic Eraser as a last resort. They are very abrasive and have a harsh bleach-like cleaner. Try a good vinyl detergent like Vinylex or a 5:1 dillution of Woolite & Water...

Its incredibly frustrating for our members and moderators when everybody always accuses us of being dealers or secret operatives for Lexus whenever we voice an opinion that might give a Lexus dealer, or Lexus in general the benefit of the doubt. Nobody involved in the administration of this site works for Lexus, or a Lexus dealer.

Yeah I agree, I think the "C" will fit in just fine in here. With Lexus continuing to diversify their model lines we'll have 50 forums if we give every iteration of a model its own forum...

I don't like the 303 for the interior personally, I think its a little too high gloss. I use a product called Ultima Interior Guard that works well. 303 works great on seals and exterior trim though...

I can't wait to see a picture! I hope they spruce up the interior some. I drove the Lincoln MKS and saw the Buick LaCrosse at the DC car show and thought both had significantly higher end looking interiors than the ES350...