SW03ES

You've learned a valuable lesson. Never EVER let the dealership wash the car or touch the paint again. Dealership wash bays are notorious for dirty towels, nasty brushes. I've seen dealer wash guys wash cars with BROOMS. Ask the dealer for a check to have a professional detailer, a trusted one that you choose from referrals, polish and seal the paint. DO NOT LET THE DEALER TRY AND FIX IT. The good news is its easy for your or a professional to fix with the right tools and techniques. And next time its at the dealer, DEMAND they not wash the car. Its not just Lexus, its all car dealerships.

I believe the OEM tires on the LS430 are actually H rated... The Primacy is a good choice.

Well it all depends, what sort of driving do you typically do? If its all highway 18 is low, but if you do a lot of driving around town 18s about right. And yes, you should burn premium in the LS430.

Happy birthday Denny!

Thats not true, several other companies have the same restrictions in place. Nissan/Infiniti, Ford, all of GM to name a few. This is unrelated to the topic, but if you post one more time trying to draw RX400h or anyone else out into an altercation or make another personal attack like this, I will ban you from the forum. Your opinion differs from his and thats fine, but if you can't disagree with others respectfully you're not welcome here.

Never one to miss an opportunity to bash MBZ, eh? I grow more convinced by the day that you're a Lexus employee. I don't think anyone would have doubts about that. Lexus is THE BEST, MB, BMW- BAD BAD ;)- well it' not so hard to figure out who's here ;). Why are you surprised that on a Lexus enthusiast club forum you have members who are staunch fans of Lexus vehicles. Go on any forum, you'll find the same thing. Post in a MB forum you think Lexus is a better car. You will get REAMED. RX400h doesn't work for Lexus. He's just a Lexus fan. If you don't want to read what Lexus fans have to say, don't post on a Lexus enthusiast site. Thats not a request either. We're not going to tolerate anybody's opinion being devalued or our members being rideculed for being fans of this car company. You're welocme to your opinions, and you're welcome to express your opinions. However, you've got to swallow the opinions of others too.

85 dB sounds way too loud...

This was the Matrix?

I sat in a couple of them today (pre-owned 05s and 06s). They're still great cars...but just like before I really prefer a new car...plus I couldn't lease it. I think what would keep me from doing the Infiniti would be the dealer. The local dealer here (theres only one) just pales in comparison to the Lexus dealers.

I think this is a situation of improper jack use. Did you set the parking brake? My dad and I (well my Dad, he won't listen to anyone) had his 98 LS fall off the jack when he had it once (luckily the spare was already on) but he neglected to set the parking brake.

There is no 2005 400h. Something is up here. For one what he is saying happened should not be possible. The steering is a mechanical rack and pinion, he says its the power steering steering in the direction opposite his steering inputs. That should not be possible since the steering rack is just that, a mechanical rack. All the power steering does is help with the effort. Makes no sense...

Oh absolutely the LS is more car, but it also costs $17k+ more.

Luckily its still under warranty...for another 3k miles lol

Its probably just a computer problem. Get the in service date, because you're just there on the warranty.

I just noticed the exact same thing on my car, and in fact I replaced both the high beam bulbs even though they weren't burnt out. I'd hate to have one of them burst and ruin a $1000 headlamp assembly...

This is a lie. Insurance estimators are always trying to get off on the cheap. The urethane bumper cover is a very flixible material. there is no way to repair it once its cracked or deformed and have it look right over the lifetime of the vehicle. Ask the body shop what they think about repairing the cover. if they're a decent shop, they'll react like you just told them Osama Bin Laden isn't such a bad guy. Tell the insurance you want it replaced. Don't worry about the paint. Lexus doesn't make paint, in fact the paint they use is probably PPG. Nowadays its all computer mixed and tinted, it'll look perfect. I had my rear bumper done and mine is a pearl tri-coat and it matches PERFECTLY.

That minor surge is present in my ES300 also. I have an '08 ES350 loaner with 1800 miles on it right now (mine is in for an oil change and a complete rear brake system rebuild...but thats another story. I think it rides and drives great! Seems more solid and the drivetrain seems smoother than the '07s I've driven. I much prefer the new mirrors too, they look more integrated. In fact I had the internet sales manager quote me a price on an '08 UL, $4500 off sticker seem good? I'm not going to pull the trigger yet...but the total brake system rebuild has me thinking.

I drove a new 08 M35 without the sport package today. Again, I was very impressed with the way it rode and drove. Firmer than the Lexus no doubt, but not harsh at all. I suspect when you got it home and adjusted the tire pressures it'd ride even better. The technology these guys have is so far superior to Toyota/Lexus'. I drove the M and a new Nissan Murano today. Built in iPod plugs which use the controller as the iPod wheel, much better control and interface over audio, bluetooth, and nav. Playing with the Lexus afterwards it is just immediately apparent. Now...I don't know how it all would work 10 years down the road...

Honestly? As a real estate agent when I hear people drive BMWs and Lexuses I cringe because they're going to be more likely to be overextended. The comparison is not between Hyundai and BMW or Lexus though. The comparison is between Hyundai and Toyota or Honda. When you're looking at a loaded Camry with FWD and a V6 or a loaded Genesis for the same money, RWD and a V8 with more features and a better warranty. They've already shown they can take buyers away from Toyota and Honda. $36k is not an expensive car anymore.

You have to remember there was a time, not that long ago, that Toyota was not regarded well at all in terms of quality. All I can say is times have changed. Modern Hyundais are excellent cars. Read some of the new reviews and articles, go drive some of them. They are making very, very good cars. If I were buying a midmarket car like a Camry or Accord, I would seriously look at a Hyundai and thats no joke. I know people who own modern ones and I've driven a bunch of them. They're very good cars and the prices are great. The Sonata is a great car and so is the Azera. Give it time. Every year they do better in all the categories and their sales increase. They'll get there. If they build this car outfitted like that at that price, they will take buyers away From Toyota and Honda. Thats a fact. I say I wouldn't go buy a Hyundai, but I wouldn't go buy a Honda or Toyota either. I'm just not looking for a car like that, I'd rather drive my old Lexus.

No, I wouldn't be interested in owning a Hyundai, I enjoy the ownership experience of the Lexus too much. BUT I've already experienced and bought into the brand, thats what I'm saying. If you were in a Camry or Accord and you had NOT bought into the brand of a luxury marque yet, I could see you very seriously considering this car. That may be their plan with an eventual rollout of a luxury brand down the line.

There are plenty of near-luxury cars that cost $36k. What can you buy thats $36k, has a 380hp V8 and RWD and is fully loaded with luxury features normally found in $50k plus cars? Absolutely nothing. You can buy a Chrysler 300C, a car that has done very well but is lacking in refinement and interior quality andfeatures. $36k won't even get you an ES350 with nav! Thats right in line with top of the line Camries, Accords, Avalons, etc. Those are the cars this car is going to compete with. It may hurt Lexus, BMW, et al sales by keeping buyers from ever buying up into those marques, but lets be real. Nobody's going to sell their Lexus or BMW for a Hyundai. I could see a Camry owner considering a move up to an ES350 or GS350 considering this car, very seriously.

Remember that Lexus started with one car, the LS400, and a slightly warmed over Toyota Camry, the ES250. Nothing new or groundbreaking, just an extremely well built car with features and quality not available anywhere else for the price. And thats what this car seems to be. Mark my words, these guys at Hyundai are serious about this.

They should fit, I'd be really surprised if they didn't. I'm not a fan of those wheels though ;) The ones from the UL model would look a lot sharper.

Welcome to the site! Its definately not going into overdrive. Mine runs at 2400 RPM or so at 75.