SW03ES

Actually thats worth thinking about lol...

I figured it out... The Mark Levinson system on the 04 RX330 has currently not been availiable on the east coast, nor is the rear seat entertainment package. It has to do with the switch to the Canada plant vs Kyoshu, Japan. He's talking you out of the ML system because if you want it, he's not going to be able to talk you into taking an 04 vs waiting, and he wants to move his 04s.

You're ordering an 05 it says under your name? Be careful with this salesman. The 05 pricing and equipment sheets haven't been released yet, and you cannot get the 04 with nav and without ML, not any other Lexus. So he basically has no idea how the car is going to be shipped in 05. They always ship them with Nav and ML together, seperate would be a special order. Also think about it this way, why would he talk you out of a more expensive car, he's up to something.

Are you SURE that you can get the car with the nav and without the ML system, thats very odd... Most Lexus require the two to be purchased together. Harley- Was he really? lol

But, look at it this way, what good is there in tying up $40,000 cash into a depreciating asset when half of that money can be invested in a high yield investment account and make you money? I dont see how leasing is NOT allowing you to make more on your money vs purchasing be it a finance or a cash payment. I've never had a financial analyst tell me leasing was a bad move. In fact I was going to pay cash for the ES, but was told by many very successful businesspeople and investors including my father that this would be foolish. Lease the car, write it off, and invest that $40,000 cash instead of putting it in the cargo hold of a sinking ship... I've always been taught that you want to spend money on things that will MAKE you money, and spend as little money as possible on things that are going to cost you in the end. Including the writeoff, even not including the writeoff leasing costs me much less than financing or paying cash, and the money isn't tied up until the car is sold.

I've seen several 95-97 LS400s without the CD player, its not difficult to add. Also bear in mind that no 95-97 has the nav system, that was first availiable with the refresh in 98. Run a search on this forum for "air suspension" and you'll see what the problems are. Welcome to the LOC!

Its on the rear trunk lid and its just magnetic. It looks fine.

I've driven the ES300 at 70MPH for extended periods with and without the ML system, I can tell the difference and I'm hardly an audiophile. I do agree however that if you dont have the ML system you're not going to miss it really, the ML does best it in crisp bass, high and low end but that difference is really only apparent when you're listening to a CD and when you're comparing the two. All reviews nod the Mark Levinson system as one of if not the best factory audio systems out there, they all felt the same about the previous Nakamichi (and there IS a difference, the two systems do sound different. The real pro ablut getting the ML vs not getting the ML is the fact that the ML comes with the nav system... And as to who is Mark Levinson, Mark Levinson designs high dollar home audio installs, recently it became a division of Harmon International (Harmon/Kardon, JBL, etc)

Mark, the XM kit is NICE, my dad has it on his 04LS, I just wish they made one for my ES...

If you wouldn't mind sharing how you made that CDMA phone work, that information would be VERY useful to all Lexus owners...

Very possible...

Same here, I'm still looking for the picture, I'll find one ;)

Do you get a warning message when you try to upload them? Which one?

I can tell 16 inch vs 15 inch wheels by looking at a picture, but to find the width I have to look it up ;)

And you'd also get a loaner at the Lexus dealer...

Actually no, most of the articles have nothing to do with Lexus cars or owners at all lol. Its part of the "Lexus lifestyle", trying to do the same thing that Mercedes, BMW, Cadillac all do, they all have a fruffy magazine like this. And you could say its a waste of reading time, but I'm the only one who knew about the Sport Design ;) I always at least flip through it.

When you really break it down, $116 isn't a bad deal when you've got a loaner. The "acceptable" rate for an oil change is $25 right? What would renting a car of the caliber you get as a loaner from Lexus run you? $70? Having the tires rotated is another $20 at least, $120. Gotta remember the loaner isn't free, so always get one because you pay for it either way. And they need to be rotated in a criss cross fashion as specified in the manual.

Welcome to the club! I definately can tell the difference. The Mark Levinson stereo is one of the best stock setups out there. More importantly though the ML stereo comes with the navigation system, which IMO is a must have.

It makes them quote irritated lol

Where abouts are you thinking of having it?

I'd say its definately a run of bad luck LOL Its not a common occurance, and the dealer should take care of both... Congrats on the new car though! You should have them install the XM radio kit while they're doing the amp.

Check the Lexus wholesalers, www.lexus-parts.com and www.irontoad.com

Yeah I wouldn't worry about those repairs at all. In 94,000 miles only one unexpected maintenance was performed? And the LCD is bleeding through like they all do? All cars should be so lucky.

The base wheels were 16x6.5 but those particular SC300 wheels are 16x7.

Thats not unreasonable for the sensor, and not unreasonable for the 60k service either actually... Welcome to the LOC!