SW03ES

I don't take it personally at all, I just don't understand the rationale behind thinking $4 a month is too much to give back to a club that gives its members so much. You only have 30 posts, so I really wouldn't expect you to be overly interested in joining, thats why its optional. I'm just saying that members that have significantly more posts and use the site more heavily really should join, if they can. I don't care about stickers or whatever, but I was one of the first to send in my $50 and join. I mean, we all drive Lexuses we can spare the $4 to help support such a great resource. This site can't really be compared to ESPN, they're owned by a huge conglomerate out to make a profit. This site is owned by Matt and Steve. Two normal guys who are out to try and make providing this resource cost them as little as possible. Its not a question of "getting something for your money" its a question of giving something back for what you've been given. Just to help us out though, you say $20-$25 would be more attractive. Would you be interested in a lower package than gold that does not include the membership package and won't include some of the updates we're going to be rolling out? Maybe a silver package? That includes a silver label under your name, increased PM box, more plays in the arcade, maybe access to the lounge forum, and helps to support the site?

I don't have an RX but usually Lexus' all have a little one to the left of the steering wheel underneath the air vent somewhere. That area may be taken up by the cupholder and the door that covers the mirror and gate controls though...

Yes, once a year, rent an SUV. The LS is HORRIBLE in the snow, and why risk damaging it with chains for only one outing a year?

You have an ES330, the ES330s I've driven have noticable torque steer, it must have something to do with the extra torque or the powerband (the ES330 has an updated motor from my ES300 and 30pounds or so more torque). Also, try it with TRAC off, what you might be feeling is the trac system kicking in to control wheelspin.

Actually $50 is very low for most subscription sites. There are several auto sites on the net that require a yearly fee of more than $50 to be a member. ClubLexus offers two packages, both more than $50 and they curtail more basic member priveledges. I mean c'mon, its $4 a month. The only way to keep this site here, informative, and free from annoying forms of advertising like popups is for members to support it. All clubs work this way. We'll be adding to the gold package to make it more attractive but we can't afford to do that without a good showing of support from the membership. How are we not being honest? This place costs an amount to run that I personally feel would make most people stagger if they knew it. We're trying to offer the members something tangible, however small at first for their monetary support instead of just asking for money...

Maybe a better option is to do 6 or 3 months at a somewhat higher rate. Say maybe $30 for 6 months or $18 for 3 months. Then make the membership pack increase for each package. 3 monthies only get the membership card, 6 monthies get the little gold sticker and 12 monthies get the whole package. The issue with month to month would be you would miss out on the frills that will be attatched to the gold card eventually.

Is the clunk gone?

Still not housebroken? How old?

TOG- You're just who I had in mind lol

But how likely is someone to find one that has been "properly maintained" since day one? Pretty unlikely, and if they do they'll have to pay for it. The difference between Lexus and BMW is that you can literally drive a Lexus (at least an LS) and never do any maintenance other than oil changes and it will run 200,000 miles and run them well providing the timing belt doesn't snap. That can be seen by 90's Lexus he just sold, 235,000 miles with an uncertain service history and the biggest issues are a clunky front suspension, a burned out LCD and a brittle dashboard. 14 years and 235,000 miles. Look at Blake's 95, 240,000 miles and 9 years with a very uncertain service history and I think his biggest complaint is some interior rattles. We have several members here with LS with over 200,000 miles going strong, and nothing radical has been done to them over time to guarantee that. You can't say a car is "reliable" when you have to replace all the components you mentioned as preventative action to keep it in running order. You love them and to you thats part of what makes them special, but most car owners don't want to have to deal with all that crap. They just want to drive the car and have it run.

BMW is, the 7 series has brake by wire. No hydraulic brakes.

LOL, so has mine but it never left me stranded! I always somehow caught those problems before they left me stranded.

Unfortunately the 17s on the 05 do make a difference in ride quality...

SOME engine degreasers can cause pitting of metal components and speed up degedation of plastic and rubber components, but definately not all of them. Engine detailing isn't my forte so i won't elaborate further but others will be along to chime in I'm sure...

Its really the only way, to learn by doing. Just do yourself a favor and learn the rotary by doing it on something other than your car ;)

Weird. This has me wondering if there are two sets of DVDs, one for previous models (01-03) and one for the new updated nav system (04+). If thats the case then you may have the wrong update disk and thats why it won't read.

They've discontinued the ECT PWR button in later V6 models, something to do with emissions regulations. It actually won't make the car faster, just moves around some shift points.

My ES is great in the snow just on normal all season tires, almost as good as my 4WD Explorer actually. In Syracuse though (we have family in Albany, well right outside Albany) you're gonna want snows probably though.

No reason to turn it off to pass, when you pull out to pass and push the gas down the transmission will downshift out of O/D automatically and stay there as long as its neccisary to deliver the acceleration you're asking it for.

Yes, steviej and I said the exact same thing. Leave it on normally, turn it off when you need to tow (which you shouldn't in the ES) or when carrying heavy loads, passengers etc. O/D is designed to be used under normal driving conditions. Steviej is saying O/D should not be used for towing (i.e. "Its not for towing) meaning the switch should be set so the light shows "O/D OFF" if towing.

Oh yeah, we were having a contest as to who would get to pay to be the first gold member, I think the bidding got up to $140. Matt's too much of a gentleman to take our money though and I got screwed. Goldie #5? Arrrrrgh! ;)

Right, like I said turn O/D OFF for towing, leave it on all other times. When you push the button, you're turning it off. When you shut off the car and turn it back on the O/D will reset to on and the light will go off...

I'd stick with plastic, with a padded handle to avoid damage. Don't sweat this really, the Lexus glass is just like any other glass as long as you're careful it'll be fine.

Have you seen my car Sick? LOTS of pearl! As a matter of fact a lot of dark colors are coming out nowadays with a lot of pearl, better paint technologies are making that possible. Lexus has several very pearly dark colors now, Black Garnet Pearl, Black Cherry Pearl, Flint Mica, Black Forest Pearl and others.

My new Toyos squeal really bad at low speeds, especially in parking garages. I think it has a lot to do with the brand of the tire, some squeal more than others.