SW03ES

Neil- I'm definately going to tint here before too long, it needs it. I'm undecided about the new projectors, I like them but I think I like the reflectors better.

Hybrids don't have the problem actually because the DBW systems compatibility with emission controls is what causes the hesitation. Plus hybrids have CVTs, constantly variable transmissions (they have no gears) so its a different driving experience. Search around, LOTS of discussion of the issue here.

90- It does, thats an Ultra Luxury package. Actually not a bad deal, 5k miles and $62k. That car has a $73k sticker because it has the pre collision system. I wouldn't get the rear seat stuff because I'd be afraid people and their kids would burn the controls out. So I would get a Custom Luxury package without the rear seat stuff or a Modern Luxury without a couple other of the UL/CL goodies. The Modern Luxury car has nav, ML, smart access, 18" wheels (those are the 17s), park assist, rearview camera for about $62k. I could get one tomorrow for $57.5. GS- My ES has the wood leather wheel too ;) Goldplater/LexusLooker- To me silver on black is more of a color difference than gold on tan. No offense but I'm not a fan of gold or of tan interiors. I actually love the look of mine with the dark exterior but its so much work. Black interior is definately a must. Gonna be a while, I'm going to try and do a cash deal including my trade since I'm going to drive it a while. I'm also going to try and wait until we see some pics of the new 07 LS to decide if I want to wait.

Silver, black, and white are the three best colors on the LS400. The Cashmere gold color looks good too, but its not my cup of tea. That said, Lexus black is especially hard to take care of if you don't have a buffer because it has no clearcoat. Because of that however its very easy to take care of WITH a buffer. I personally think silver is classic and timeless and always looks good, and the black interior is much sleeker and sharper than the tan.

Nice! Needs a little detailing on the interior but its in beautiful shape for 12 years and $2900!

Thanks guys! Neil- A kit as in a body kit? Naa, not my thing. Matt- I've kicked around new wheels, but I don't know if I'd do a bigger size. One of my favorite things is the ride and I'd hate to spoil it. The wheels actually don't look that small on the car in person, some reason it just comes across that way in pictures. What the car really needs is about a 1" drop. I know what you mean about the weather being bad, its been so bad here I've actyally run it through the CAR WASH a couple times...GASP!

Maryland is whats called a two part title state. When you own a vehicle subject to a lien you have the title and the bank holds whats called a lien release. When the car is paid off they send you the lien release as proof its paid for, and now you have what are basically two certificates of titles. Interestingly enough in Maryland when you own a home subject to a lien like a mortgage the bank holds the deed entirely until it is paid for.

Jim- Consumer reports aren't detailers though. I and the people I know have worked with hundreds of different waxes and polishes, NuFinish isn't tops in any category, not even in durability. I can name 5 products just offhand that I know will last longer. Zaino, Klasse, 4Star UPP, Colinite 476s, Meguiar's #16 I could go on. All of these products will give you protection that will last and are abrasive free and free of harsh solvents. Transit- Any wax will make paint look better, for a time. Most waxes contain fillers and oils that act like make up, making the paint look better until they wash away. How long it lasts depends on the particular product. Some last through several rains and washes, some evaporate before the car even gets wet. The only way to ACTUALLY make the paint look better for the long haul is proper paint cleansing and prep before any last step product you may use.

My guess is its a heatshield. You may also want to check the shield under the front end and make sure its tight, sometimes the bolts can go missing and it can flop around.

Ehhh...NuFinish is one of those...grocery store kinda products. So so durability, so so look, loaded with harsh chemicals and abrasives that have no place in a wax. There's much much better out there...

Here it is: That reminds me, one thing I really didnt like was the drivers footroom. Theres a weird hump on the side of the transmission tunnel that eats into room for your right foot, very strange.

They do have blackwood, the grey interior comes with it I'll find you a pic.

Drove one today. The real draw is the room in the rear, now that I'm going to be carting clients around the ES is a little cramped. You can sit in the back seat of the LS430 with the drivers seat adjusted just how I like it and cross your legs, in my ES your knees bump the back of the seat. I'd probably do a Modern or Custom Luxury car and skip the rear seat doo-dads, just things for people's kids to play with and break. Its definately smoother and quieter than my car, but not by much. The LS has a much heavier feel, the throttle is heavy and the steering is heavy thats the biggest difference. The car just feels heavy, and that brings with it more of a "gliding" feel to the way it moves down the road. When you're driving the LS you're like "My God, why would anyone want to drive a different car" but back in my car "Hmm, this thing rides pretty nice too" so the upgrade really is for the size more than anything else. I drove the new GS too and wasn't thrilled with it, my review is in the GS section. I liked it, just not my thing.

I've seen them, how's the light output compared to the stock ones?

Whats everybody think? This is what I would buy exactly: Whats everybody's input?

Thanks vcv! Yep, thats it 1995. Its actually a sander, you just have to buy a velcro backing plate and some pads and you're hooked up.

You can get them from Lowes and Coastaltool.com pretty cheap. The buffer itself is $120 or so, plus $50 in pads, a $10 backing plate and say $20 for polishes. Since you're near me I'd be happy ot show you how to use it some day when it gets nicer.

Not neccisarily, you'd be surprised what a good machine polishing can do for the paint. Lexus has pretty good paint, I bet a good going over with a PC (or maybe a rotary if it needs it) would make it look a lot better.

Yep, I'm thinking about learning how to use a rotary this summer.

That is slow, but every state is different. Imagine trying to put a real estate deal together waiting on title searches and quitclaim deeds, its a PITA.

Actually in person the silver looks good. They're starting to throw in a little more flair in their interiors which is good when so many companies are imitating their design characteristics.

Took a couple quick pics of my car in a parking lot today after a nice wash and a coat of the new Mother's SynWax which was pretty good. Whats everybody think? Not bad for 2 years and 40k miles huh? Here's a closeup of the color, sorry for the could swirls thats unavoidable in the winter on a daily driver. They'll be polished out some time next month Whats everybody think?

Oddly enough its not the silver plastic around the nav screen thats cheap, its the actual plastic that makes up the area around the cassete player etc that is rather cheap. I'm not sure about the power distribution, my guess is its at least 40/60 F/R if not more rear biased than that. Let me tell you, RWD Lexus vehicles are downright dangerous in the snow without snow tires, especially with the low profile tires Lexus uses now. AWD is a huge step for these guys.

Really? What all is involved in that?

Check out my article on the new GS in the GS forum and leave input! http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=18091