SW03ES

Its similar, but in all honesty the interface is archaic compared to the new system found on 2001s and up. Before I got my ES300 I was seriously considering a Certified 2000 LS400 instead and after playing with the two nav systems decided against looking at a 2000 LS with the system. Its still very functional and does give voice directions but the screen is smaller the interface is totally different, and its harddrive based vs the new ones which are DVD based which makes it harder and more expensive to upgrade. The only way to know for sure is to check it out ;)

VMF you have heated mirrors also, they come on with the rear defroster. All LS even 1990s have heated mirrors.

30C to 60C is hardly cold weather lol, 30C is 62 degrees F ;) No reason to wait 10 minutes...

Keep on lookin!

Thats very rare, Nav without ML... The only place to get the magazine is from Lexus, but you can get one for like $25 from www.lexus-parts.com (Lexus dealers want $80 or so)...

Its a touch screen, it reminds me of an LCD Computer screen.

Thats unreal! Wow, my fiancee wants to move to San Diego too...

The 98 and 99 are identical stylingwise, and the lack of DRL on the 98 is enough to sell me on it LOL, I hate DRL... And personally I think white is one of the best looking colors on the 98-00 LS400.

Actuallly try ebay... I wouldnt pay the dealer to install them. They're more likely to mess up than you. Just use a overhead dry erase marker to masking tape to slight the "Lexus" and the "LS 430" emblems, the Lexus L's are aligned automatically by pins. Just heat the old emblems up with a hair dryer, pull them off, clean up the tape residue then peel and stick the new ones. I'm with you on the gold, not my cup o tea. Since you got white though, have you seen the black pearl emblems? They look GREAT on white...

Ditto what others have said, the Dunlop SP Sport A2 should be a fine tire for the car ;)

No I think the trunk trim will probably be on the base of the trunk lid like Audi does... And I wouldn't hold your breath for a body kit.. Or is the whole thing cancelled? ;)

The Plexus is good because it resists dust and future fingerprints. If you use it regularly you'll find that the screen actually gets dirty less frequently. You can also use it on everything clear plastic or really anything in the car that has a shiny finish, gauge cluster, headlamps, wood, chrome door handles etc.

The 2003 update came out in October and can be purchased from www.lexus-parts.com ;) The update comes out every October.

Interesting way of looking at it...

Congrats!

No reason to buy "Toyota Motor Oil", a quality oil is fine, just don't pay Lexus for synthetic, they charge upwards of $20 a quart I always use premium, just to get the best mileage and performance. I also suggest you use synthetic oil simply because it does everything better, and its not REALLY that much more $60 for a synthetic oil change isn't bad, Lexus charges over $160 to do a synthetic oil change on an LS430. Bulk Mobil 1 Synthetic will cost you $5.60 a quart. And (don't shoot me) as long as you watch them, make sure they change the oil filter, and check the oil level before you drive off, Jiffy Lube is fine... I would however supply your own genuine Toyota or Mobil 1 oil filter.

Like sk I was always suspect as to what that looked like in real life. Sure brushed alluminum would look great but thats simply metallic spraypaint...

Yes, I doubt I will ever do a bucket and hose wash again. I too was really skeptical but I've talked with several detailers including pros that have used the product for over 10 years and it really is 100% safe. The only time you need a hose is when the car is really dirty and it needs a spraydown...

$2500 for the 60k service on a GS300? Phht maybe in California lol. That will most likely run between $500-$1000 since they actually don't do a lot, still overpriced but $2500 is way off base even for the big 90,000 mile maintenance on a Lexus V8, thats only $1600 and that includes the timing belt and all the plugs. And on a 2000 GS the timing belt doesn't get changed until 90k ;)

So, since I'm going to wind up selling the car around 3 years anyways, then leasing is the best option for me, like I said ;)

You'll never again see heads-up displays in cars. Recent studies have found them to be incredibly unsafe and distracting to the driver.

Different from the views of everyone else I've ever talked to in the financial industry also ;)

I've always thought the graphite grey pearl would look great on the ES...

You gotta watch salesmen because they never take anything for granted. There is no reason why he would steer you away from a profitable option. All he's out to do is make money. Thats why he's got to be up to something else. Just because you seem set on not taking that car off the lot, doesnt mean he wont try. Its a risk that you'll walk, but risk is part of the game. And you shouldn't pay sticker for an 04 now, you should be able to get at least $3,000 off. And trust me, you don't want rain sensing wipers lol, IMHO they're useless...

Sure, being deeply in debt is the American way lol You're saying that I'm not fully understanding the numbers, then help me understand them. How am I saving money by paying cash for a $40,000 vehicle, keeping it for three years and then dumping it vs leasing the same vehicle for 3 years, then leasing another one. When you compare it to buying a cheaper or used vehicle then I can see what you're saying, but when comparing new to new I just don't get it. You only live once, and you have to have the things in that one life that you want. I enjoy new cars, and I like a new car every 3 years or so, and thats something I'm going to have. What I dont see is how paying $500 a month for 36 months with a total outlay of $18,000 vs forking out $36,000 in cash can be considered a bad deal... Lets say I could get $17,000 for the car after 3 years which is optomistic I've still paid out $19,000 and that extra cash has been tied up in a car for three years vs earning me money in my investment portfolio. I just dont see how thats a bad deal. As for mortgages, if most of us waited until we'd saved $500,000 cash we'd never own a home. A home APPRECIATES in value making it a solid investment especially now. Leasing something that would MAKE you money (renting a home or apartment) vs paying on installment and building equity in that property is foolish.. A car is not an investment...