SW03ES

I just put new tires on too so I know what you're going through. The handling and vehicle dynamics are designed around V rated tires. You MAY be fine to switch to an H rated tire, but I wouldn't go any lower. I know people who have put H rated tires on the LS and had no problems, and I know people who have put H rated tires on the LS and had huge problems in ride and handling. Its a risk, it just depends on the savings that you get. No tire shop is going to sell you anything but a Vrated or better tire for liability reasons. No reason to put Z rated tires on the LS all that is going to do is adversely affect the ride. Tires are very important to the Lexus unlike a Cadillac or Lincoln where the ride is all in the suspension a lot of the Lexus ride is in the tires. The right set of good riding tires will really help the car a lot. What tires were you looking at? Only problem with Tire Rack is they leave out some great tires as I learned when purchasing my new set of Toyos. These tires have won all kinds of awards but TireRack doesn't sell them.

Yes, definately.

I just put the Bosch's on my ES and they are HORRIBLE. Worst wipers I've ever had. Just stick with the Lexus ones I haven't been able to find anything else worth using.

Actually I just checked and the MXV4's dont even come in the RX' size anyways... This is the size chart (the RX is 225/70/16) http://www.michelinman.com/assets/pdfs/doc...rgymxv4plus.pdf They don't have the Toyo Proxes in that size either. You might be happy with the Michelin LTS M/S on that car, I really like those tires for SUVs, very smooth. They're pretty affordable too about $135 a peice installed most places. The Michelin Pilot Cross Terrain is new and supposed to be superb also, they come standard on a lot of the luxury SUVs now. The Goodyear Eagle LS is a good smooth riding luxury sedan tire (they come on Cadillacs) and is aviliable in the RX' size. Because of the high sidewall you might not have a choice but to put an SUV tire on it...

Sears quoted me $190 a tire installed on my ES, gonna be more on the RX. Look around and read some reviews the MXV4s are overrated. In my research they have about a 50-50 satisfaction rate. They're good tires sure, but WAY WAY overpriced.

Thats extremely common on the LS, run a search for Hood struts.

Cool ;)

No, especially not on the LS430.

Before you do that listen to both XM and Sirius online. They can do the same install with Sirius (for a lot less actually) and you might like that programming better. I was all set to get XM until I heard Sirius online. I equate Sirius to playing all your favorite songs and XM to playing all the tracks you skip on the CD.

Cool, glad it came out!

Good luck! I'm surprised the Lexus dealer didnt know about it, my Lexus dealer installs it...

Can you post a picture of it?

Try folding in the passenger mirror and see if that makes a difference...

I hardly think someone who has the means and the desire to spend $70,000 on a car is concerned about the cost of repairs if and when they need to be done LOL.

I'd take it to a different Lexus dealer if one is nearby, if not take it back to the same one and have the service manager ride in the car and see what he says.

Well...best of luck with that.

The "MagnaShield" protectant is little more than a generic polymer sealant anyways. It may or may not be affected by claying. Even if it is it would have been completely gone within 6 months anyways.

There will be soon ;)

Yep, the transmission issue is definately the electronic throttle. My question about this is, if electronic throttles provide jerky response then why use them? Who knows...

No. The GS is designed to offer more road feel and has higher levels of road and engine noise. Also the LS is more aerodynamic than the GS, and the GS can have some wind rush at speed. The GS also rides a little stiffer and has less suspension travel. Not great, but that would be the same on the LS and GS. Snow tires are a must. Hardly any, the difference is mainly for fuel economy ;) Both are great cars, but different. Actually in the acceleration department they're not that different. All LS after 98 are VERY quick.

There's your problem, 1/4 cup is way too much. In my experience the Gold CLass shampoo is very harsh on wax. My cars always lost their slickness after using it. One capful is enough. I use QEW ( a hoseless wash ) but from other's reccomendations I reccomend 1Z Pearls, it can be found at Lexus Car Care. Its a very gentle wash and has ingredients to restore the slickness. And no, its already clayed no need to do it again.

I just had Toyo Proxes TPT's put on my ES and was also considering the MXV4. Based on the reccomendation of the shop and the advice from people here that have had both the Toyos were the best buy. They ride great and are very quiet. No need for SUV tires on the RX. Main problem with the MXV4 on the RX is they are so incredibly expensive. Probably over $200 each installed, the Toyos are going to be half that.

Well, there are a couple reasons. 1. Need of a loaner car. When factoring in the cost of the loaner, the service doesn't cost that much. 2. Desire to have a complete maintenance record on file at Lexus. Lexus has a national database that has your entire maintenance record (when serviced at Lexus), thats worth a lot at tradein time. 3. Desire to have only genuine parts used. When you have your oil changed at the quick lube they don't use a genuine Toyota filter (found in independent tests to be one of if not the best). This can of course be remedied by bringing your own. 4. Desire to forge a relationship with a service advisor. I've found this is very important. Down the road when warranty work has to be done etc. 5. Or they just plain enjoy having their vehicle serviced at Lexus. This is why I mainly have mine serviced at Lexus, mostly for the loaner car. They charge me $130 for an oil change and tire rotation and I get a loaner for the day, when figuring in the cost of renting something similar to a Lexus they're really only charging me $40 or so.

Guy- Please, leave the moderating to us huh? Sometimes newbies need some time to learn the ropes. Anywho somewhere to look also may simply be the weatherstripping on the passenger door. Try using some silicone dressing (something like Meguiar's Endurance Tire Gel) on the stripping all the way around the door. If that helps then the stripping is probably bad. Not expensive or hard to replace. The GS is the least aerodynamic car in the Lexus line, and any kind of panel misalignment could cause noise like that. Are you sure it was never in an accident or something. Check out the mirror and the door on both sides, do they appear to fit the same?

Yeah whats up with the headlights? 86k is low miles for a 97 and thats a good price. Does it have maintenance records? Have it inspected by a local mechanic that knows Lexus' or a Lexus dealer. Also a Lexus dealer can type in the VIN and get the whole service history (if its been serviced at Lexus). He can't give it to you but he can tell you if it looks well taken care of.