SW03ES

You can't replace them by yourself, you don't have the tools ;) The cheapest way to go is to order them from TireRack and have them shipped to a local installer, like I said I've used Bethesda Import Specialists they're listed on TireRack's website. You avoid sales tax on the tires that way too...

It is much smaller than the ES, all those cars are, the A4, 3 series, IS, C class.

I made a decision not to upgrade to the ES350 mainly because I felt they had taken significant steps backward in the quality of the interior materials. If they make some changes in '09 I might consider it, but for now I'm sticking with my '03 and considering a GS or even an LS...

Its American...it looks American. Nothing wrong with having different looks. Thats always been my one problem with Lexus styling, I like a little bit of chrome. I like some chrome on a grille, I like tasteful chrome beltlines. I think Cadillac and Lincoln have the right idea by deciding that they don't have to pretend to be Japanese cars.

The way Jim has his hardwired in is the way I would go too. In that scenario you'd have to get a 4:3 system, the widescreen units would be too wide. I have a buddy that has a 98 LS and he has a TomTom that he has the standard adhesive disc/suction cup mount stuck on the dashboard right above that line that runs across above the driver's air vent. The arm is angled in such a way that it hangs forward and is pretty easily reached. The negative with that is the passenger can't reach it, and you still have to worry about theft... The nav is a big reason why I got a new ES in '03 vs a CPO '00 LS. Had it been today I would have just gotten a good portable unit, but back then the portables weren't great and the OEM nav on the '00 is archaic and non-upgradable.

I filled up with high test at 3.99 and was elated. Granted I think hobos were stealing my wheels based on where I was...but I was elated nonetheless...

I like the styling too, but I don't love the styling. I have sat in the CTS a bunch of times but haven't driven one yet. I've driven the STS and DTS.

I've used both Garmin and TomTom portable Navs and I think the TomTom has a slight edge in the user interface area, but only a slight edge. I don't think you could go wrong with either brand. I still prefer the OEM built in system though, looks cleaner, I like always having it there and not having to worry about putting it up, taking it down, turning it on or off, etc.

The new Cadillacs have improved a lot too, most notably the CTS. The MKS is ahead in the quality/fit & finish department though. My concerns are how it will hold up over miles compared to a Lexus, resale value (less of a concern because of their lease deals), and the long term financial future of the company (Ford).

Consider though in an RX330 you'd probably be getting 15MPG...

Happy Birthday!

Hence the lease...I wouldn't buy one...

I forgot to mention some other negatives I noted other than the stiffer ride: -The steering felt a little light and lacking in the dead center area, classic FWD American luxury car steering, I remember it well from my Dad's Continentals and his Cadillac STS -The damping of the doors is not quite there. Its hard to put into words, but the doors don't quite have the same heft as the doors on the Lexus, and sound a little tinny when they open and close.

How did you break the navigation screen? Only other option would be a junkyard...

In the future please start a new thread as opposed to dragging the old thread off topic... Lets keep this thread for discussing the issue of leaking tires on chrome rims...

But remember folks...we're the ones who need lives and he's the one who has so many better things to do. EDIT-RX400h (correctly) removed his posts, but the guy created ANOTHER account to come back and post...after saying twice he was too busy to worry about no longer being able to post here...so people won't think I'm off my rocker. EDIT-Actually he created SEVEN accounts just to show me all his ISP's. Yep, he's definately got a full social calendar.

Hey gang, I wound up about an hour early for an appointment this afternoon (unpredictable traffic) and drove by a Lincoln dealership. I figured I would stop by and check out the new MKS, the full size sedan built on the Volvo S80 platform that just came out last month. I played around with one extensively and took it on a short drive. My thoughts: VERY impressive. A huge step forward for Lincoln, and they honestly do meet or even exceed the material and build quality levels where carmakers like Lexus & BMW really have beat up on them over the last 20 years. This is not my father's Lincoln Continental. All of the materials are absolutely first rate, high quality soft touch vinyl everywhere, excellent leather, leather dash top, stunning real wood accents, high qulaity carpeting. Everything put together extremely well. The materials inside are easily significantly higher quality than those found on the ES350. Only downers for me were no electroluminescent gauges, and the message center in the instrument cluster is a standard parts bin Ford item found on all their models. 1995 era dot LCD technology. Excellent nav system, high res display like in the new Lexus vehicles, backup camera, laser cruise, Bluetooth, the excellent Sync system. Fabulous stereo. Adaptive front lights, power tilt and telescoping wheel, keyless entry and start etc. The whole interior exudes quality and fit and finish and feels very upscale while at the same time being uniquely and distinctly American. You can tell its a Lincoln and it doesn't pretend to be a Lexus or Mercedes which is a welcome change. Exterior styling is good, but not stellar. The car looks a little awkward in places but then so does the ES350. It looks upscale with lots of chrome trim. The car is very quiet, doesn't ride quite as well as the ES mainly I think because the car I drove had 19' wheels (they have a 20' option). I would want the 18's off the base car. The powertrain is strong, but not quite as refined as the ES. In short, I'd say its a very worthwhile competitor and I gotta say...I think Lexus needs to step up a little when they refresh the ES350 next year. The MKS is an awesome Lincoln, and a great car with a lot more features and interior panache for the money. I would seriously consider one. The question will be how well it would hold up, but they had some great leases.

Do yourself a favor...don't go back to Pohanka lol. Lindsay is a very good dealer.

But its not practical. You'd have to completely re-write the software that governs how the car starts. My advice? Get used to pushing the brake when you start it.

Happy birthday Blake!

We're the ones that need lives? You're the one who refuses to accept that we don't want you here and keeps trying to circumvent our bans and must not have anything better to do. Plenty of forums on the Internet where you'll fit right in, go join one of those. Quit "waisteing" your time on us morons. Your ISPs (all three, RCN, Optimum and your cellular ISP, Cingular) have been notified of your abuse. For the record, for everyone else, the issue is not this guy's opinions, its the manner in which he expresses them and the fact that he doesn't respect any one else's. I dont have an RX, GX, or LX and really don't care whether he likes them or not. As we've seen here...he a jerk...thats what matters.

Thats great! Glad its resolved.

Yep, let the dealer worry about it. Sounds like there may be something lodged in the brake caliper or something...

I grew up in Bethesda ;) I'd say Costco or TireRack if value is the main concern. All the local places are very pricey. I've ordered tires from TireRack before and had Bethesda Import Specialist which is back behind River Rd almost to Westbard, they did a good job.

I guess we all have our little things lol. We have combo locks on the house and a combo pad for the garage too. My fiance has the SKS in her Prius, and she insists that she wants to leave keys in her purse and never have to use them again lol