SW03ES

Lexus disagrees with you, as do the sales figures. The new ES sells on the whole about 7500 units a year more than the previous ES. People want that big luxury feel in a vehicle that doesn't cost $70,000. The new ES drives almost exactly like an LS, and I love that. It feels like a much more expensive car than it is, the previous ES wasn't like that. I still dont see any square or boxyness in the rear, but to each their own ;) Its their second bestselling model, and their bestselling car. The GS starts at over $40,000. People who buy $35,000 ES' don't cross shop $65,000 LS'. Well some do (I know some people who traded down from LS' to new ES'), but not most. They considered dropping the GS300 but decided to move it upmarket instead. Companies don't just can their second bestselling model. Carelessness is worse than a negative opinion. When you make people care, like it or dislike it, you know you've gotten to a point where you've made it into the forefront of people's minds. Lexus has done that starting around 2001. Sales are up 21% this year so they must be doing something right. Before 2001 people who didn't drive Lexus really had no opinion on it either way, the cars weren't important enough to make them have an opinion from their BMW or Benz. Now we have people who hate them, that means there are people that love them on the flip side.

Its the alluminum window trim or is it painted? If its the trim there is nothing you can do but replace the whole peice...

I've heard the new ES accused of being too rounded, but you are the first person I've ever heard say it was boxy LOL. There's not a angle anywhere on the new ES. The reason a lot of you feel the new ES is more "grandpa-ish" is because it is. With the IS300 on the market now Lexus has said several times they are not interested in adding any sportyness to the ES, its purely to be a "Baby LS". Steve, I personally think our ES is one of the best looking sedans on the road ;) I never really cared for the ES until the 02 year. I think Lexus is making LONG strides in the styling department. The LS refresh is a huge improvement on the previous LS430, the new GS looks great, the new ES, the SC. The fact that you hear people say they DON'T like it speaks volumes that the actually care enough to have an opinion. The previous versions of all of these cars are each beautiful, but there's nothing special about them. My dad and I were just having a conversation about this at our weekly dinner the other night, how much more reaction he gets about his 04 LS430 vs his 98.

Gee thanks Sharad lol

Oh no, Gold Class is an entirely different product. I've used Gold Class and there are no similarities. NXT is an all new formulation that is really unlike anything Meguiars has come out with previously. I believe its $14... Its not the best product for someone who is into detailing and does all the prepwork, but it can't be beat as a one step product.

No, the only way to fix this is to install a switch that deactivates the navigation system's speed sensor momentarily and allows for use of all navigation functions, LOTS of wiring, advanced electronics, and warrenty voiding there. Sorry :(

Well the paint hasn't actually thinned, car paint is WAY more resillient than that. It just needs a good buffing. Check out some of the threads in here and the how tos on www.lexuscarcare.com

Why he's an LOC moderator. What, you didnt think we did this for free did you? As if! ;) lol, very cool Mike, can't wait to see the finished product.

Why thankya ;)

Sal's right. Look around the forum and get some ideas about how to best remove oxidation. The NXT is a protectant while the COlor X is a cleaner ;)

No not actually. At the LOC we basically only have one posting guideline, be polite. Rudeness is not tolerated at all here. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure that your postings don't offend others. So its your problem, not theres. I agree with hilchan's assessment of the situation, you can definately come off as rude. You need to be more careful. No, you're not. You agreed to our only posting guideline when you joined the club. If you continue to be rude to people then you'll be either placed on posting probation or banned. We take having a nice friendly community very seriously. So please, tone it down. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and they're entitled to that opinion as long as they express it with respect.

It CAN work actually, its worth a try.

No way to avoid it, if you are commuting up 95 into that area or down 95 out of that area you have to go through the mixing bowl. Traffic is so bad there is a backup to get onto 95 off of 495 (the Beltway) almost 24 hours a day. It can be 2AM and there is still a backup.

Congrats! Its in great shape!

Dun Dun Dun! (or insert dramatic music here) LOL

I keep them the same all around also...

I decided not to put it on my windshield perminantly when I got the Lexus so I ordered one of these: www.ezclip.com It has suction cups. I dont use it all the time as the only tolls are when I travel so it hangs out in the glove box until I need it. Actually it will work in the glove box... We got toll discounts here when it first came out but not anymore :(

When we did it the pictures were free... Oh well...

According to any tire manufacturer, car manufacturer, mechanic, service rep I have ever talked to that is a common misconception. Tell me this, why would they even put a sticker with a different PSI if it made no difference and why do tires say "MAX PSI" max means MAXIMUM the definition of MAXIMUM is: Its the most you can use. So it makes sense you dont HAVE to use the most right? So my independent mechanic tells me a low PSI for political reasons? He's in the back pocket of the use less air conspiracy? Or budget reasons? He doesn't want to pay his air salesman more money? C'mon, that doesn't make any sense at all. If it were for political reasons if anything they would tell you HIGHER pressures to use less fuel and emit less pollutants. What possible reason would they have for giving you an artificially low number? But he does have the tire size the sticker states, as do the vast majority of people. Most people replace their tires with tires of the same size. You have far more faith in the intellegence of government officials than I. I trust tire and car manufacturers, service reps and mechanics when it comes to advice about my car more than I do a burocrat behind a desk ;)

Man you need to relax. Let other people have opinions, they're entitled to them. All Monarch is saying is that Lexus reccomends Toyota based fluids, which they do according to your own email. Has he said they REQUIRE them? No. So that leaves the owner with a choice, should they use the Toyota coolant or use aftermarket? There's no such thing as "case closed" here, everyone is entitled to an opinion and is entitled to expressing that opinion. We started out doing this here but its rapidly headed in the wrong direction.

Thats a common misconception, email a tire manufacturer and ask them and they'll tell you that the PSI rated on the tire is the maxmimum PSI, in fact thats how its marked "MAX PSI". The rating on the car is of course based upon using the same size tires and the same size wheel that came on the car, the brand doesn't matter. Sure 32-35 is fine, its underneath the max press on those tires. Even over the max press would be fine probably but you'd get uneven wear. As I said before, you can air them up to the max pressure on the tire, the number on the door is what the manufacturer feels gives the best combination of ride/handling/and fuel economy. It is however just their reccomendation, but its a good place to start. I run my tires at 33PSI cold, the sticker says 29 and the max pressure on the tires is 44. Its entirely possible the state of Massachusetts is wrong. States can be wrong too ;) Also I don't know if I just read your post the wrong way but there is no reason to get defensive, we're all here to share ideas and learn.

I've never used them but two places around metro DC come HIGHLY reccomended. 1. Rockville Auto Body Rockville, MD 2. Wagonwork Collision Alexandria, VA www.wagonworkcollision.com I have seen Wagonwork's work firsthand and they are truly excellent.

I definately agree, check my post in the other thread.

I like the new little one! I have one of the larger rear window ones.

I don't know that new shocks are going to help you much. The ES' shocks are already pretty firm. First thing I would do is move up to a 17 inch wheel. If you want to keep Lexus wheels the wheels from the IS will work. Then you might want to look at stiffer anti sway bars as a naxt course of action. I really think your problem is wheel/tire related because the Michelins you have are a really soft touring tire. You might want to try getting some more aggressive 16 inch tires first from somewhere you can return them to and swap them for 17s if you don't like the change. Good to see ya again Jeff!