SW03ES

That doesn't make any sense. Why did you want them on the front? What was the big deal? You're saying that it doesn't matter if they were on the front or back because your Mom is 85 and never drives, well thats a two way street. If it doesn't matter what their policy is because of those facts, why does it matter to you where the tires are mounted in light of the same facts? I think you just got *BLEEP*ed because they wouldn't just do what you wanted them to do because "the customer is always right". You have no reason for wanting it your way...you just wanted it your way. If I owned a tire shop I'd have turned you away too.

Google baby! I can't take credit for remembering the name, that I did Google. But thanks! lol

HAHA, my mind pales in comparison! The new head of Volvo cars is Stefan Jacoby, formerly head of VW.

Thats not entirely true. Volvo may have been owned by an American company, and may now be owned by a Chinese company, but they are still a Swedish carmaker. Headquartered in Sweden, built in Sweden (they do have a plant in Belgium). The Swedish government funded money towards Volvo to keep it afloat before the sale from Ford, and the government even considered purchasing it and operating it themselves because they were such an important part of Swedish culture and such a huge employer in Sweden. VERY Swedish company.

It doesn't matter. As per the tire manufacturer the new tires get placed on the rear when you only buy two. Its a blanket policy. You didn't answer my question, why did it matter to you if the tires were put on the rear or the front then? You were being just as implacable as they were being...only they had some reason for insisting that they mount the new tires on the rear...industry accepted practice and a directive from the tire manufacturer. What was your reason for insisting they be on the front? Don't mean to come across as hard, but I think you're being pretty unreasonable in this situation IMHO. But why are there lawsuits? There are lawsuits because the tire manufacturers direct that when only two new tires are purchased they be mounted on the rear regardless of what drive type the vehicle is because its been proven that having tires with greater tread on the front than the rear promotes fishtailing in wet conditions. The lawsuits are because the tire retailers mount the tires in defiance of industry accepted practice and the directive of the tire's manufacturer and accidents result. If I was in an accident due to my tires being mounted against industry practice and against the directive of the tire's manufacturer I'd sue the *BLEEP* out of the retailer and rightly so. How is it any difference if a shop installs brakes on my car, and they fail because of improper installation and an accident results, or if they mount my two new tires on the front against the manufacturer's instructions (improper installation) and an accident results? If I came on here and posted the former...everybody would be telling me to sue, but suing for the latter is somehow wrong? So by the token of what you're saying, the lawyers are actually protecting people by forcing tire installers to mount tires properly...instead of destroying our country.

But...in this case the customer wasn't right. As much as I am a huge proponent of customer satisfaction, and have dedicated my professional life to delivering the best customer service I can, the customer is not always right. The customer must always be treated with respect and given excellent service, but theres nothing wrong with refusing to do something that you know isn't right or isn't in the customer's best interest IMHO. I do it a lot. Let me ask you this, what was the big deal about having them put the new tires on the rear where they should properly go? Just because you found a shop that was willing to do it the wrong way to satisfy you doesn't mean that the wrong way is any less wrong. Now you have a car for your mother that is less safe than it would have been had you let the first shop mount the tires properly. So...how is that a victory? Are you saying you know more about how tires should be mounted than people who mount tires for a living, or manufacturers of tires? Like I said, just Google it: http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/brochure/info/tmpInfoNewTireMounting.jsp From Michelin...pretty respected source I'd say: This was probably the video they wanted you to watch: http://www.michelinman.com/tire-care/tire-basics/reartire-change/ They just want you to be safe. I wasn't there, but it sounds like they tried to explain why they needed to mount them on the rear, tried to show you an instructional video from possibly the world's most respected tire manufacturer that explained what they were saying, and you refused to listen to them. No offense, but good for them for turning you away IMHO. If anything I applaud the integrity of a business that turns profit away when they know that making that profit would put the customer at risk. Thats a business I want to patronize, not one that will do whatever I say to make a dollar whether I'm right or not.

For the record, new tires should always be installed on the rear. What they should have done was installed the new tires on the rear, and then rotated the remaining two good tires to the front. If you Google, you'll find many articles and video demonstrations of why when buying only two new tires they should always be installed on the rear, regardless of which wheels are the drive wheels. So I think his point was not that he couldn't install the tires, just that he'd have to put them on the rear and put the two good tires already on the car on the front. Just wasn't explained to you well... If I were a tire shop I wouldn't mount two new tires to the front either.

WOW...that sure looks Sweedish. Right out of an Ikea catalog ;)

Good luck buddy...thank you...

I thought it was a nice metallic controller... Did you drive the V8? Talk about punch...

The brakes on mine are fine. There not Brembos...but they stop the car smoothly and efficiently without any drama. Thats what they were designed to do. You're going to continually have this problem, you bought the wrong car. There is not on ounce of sportiness in this car...its a highway cruiser...like a Buick. If you expect crispness and sportiness, you're going to continue to be disappointed. As i've said before...I just simply don't understand why you bought an ES. Its like buying an apple...and complaining because it doesn't taste like a glass of milk. Makes no sense.

The other option is to have a detailer wet sand and machine polish the hood. Find a good one and they can tell you if you'll be happy with the results before they do it. You may be able to have the hood repainted and have it match okay, thats a real hard color to match but with these modern computerized paint matching systems bodyshops use nowadays, the matches are pretty good...even on older paint.

I never tried to change it myself. My mechanic changed it for $30. Apparently $30 well spent... Welcome to the club!

Not less when you're comparing it to Toyota. I'm not even really talking about the premium cars, I'm talking about looking at a Sonata or a Camry. A Santa Fe or a Rav 4. The Toyota dealer experience is simply average. I agree with you obviously for the premium cars, which is why I got the Lexus not the Genesis.

Doesn't surprise me when compared apples to apples you don't actually save any money...

I'm not saying the Hyundai is going to be more reliable than a Toyota...I'm saying its going to be about the same...in a more attractive package...for less money.

One thing I have always said is you HAVE to have an insurance AGENT. These Geico and Progressive things might be cheaper, but without an agent you can call who will give you straight up advice without penalizing you for just calling in...you're out of luck.

In MD that would definitely be illegal. It never would have passed an MD state inspection, which it has to do before its resold.

Unfortunately the litigious nature of the US makes that attitude on the part of a manufacturer of ANYTHING a very foolish one.

For sure...poorly chromed wheels will last you maybe a season... If you order them from Lexus...Lexus will stand behind them.

Not without extensive modification. They are all entirely different cars.

Smooth...I also am a member over at the Genesis forums and read them. Less now that I've got my ES350, but I read quite extensively when I was looking at the Genesis. Those quotes are honestly out of context, and you could pull similar quotes from here and CL just as easily. Overall the members there are very happy with their Genesis sedans...as the members here and at CL are with their Lexus vehicles. How can you say with a straight face that Hyundai values quality more than Toyota with all the evidence we've found over the last couple years that Toyota basically doesn't really care all that much either.

Was driving our 04 Prius today by the way...passed one of those radar "YOUR SPEED" deals...the speedo on the Prius is also 2MPH faster than the vehicle's actual speed.

You'd have to replace the whole front clip, bumper, lights, grille, hood & fenders. It can be done...and has been done.

Thats the goal!