SW03ES

The basic system is the same, 240 watt Mark Levinson with .001 THD. The differences are in the cabins of the cars (smaller the cabin the better the stereo sounds, hence why people say the SC is the best) the acoustics and the speaker placement. I've driven an LS, GS and the ES with the system and say they're all pretty close. Again though, I'm not a stereo buff.

I leave it on all the time (the default is on, so if you turn the TRAC off it'll come back on when you restart), just turn it off in the snow. The only time I've ever had it engage is in the snow.

Yep we have a member with a new 330, and one about to take delivery. I hope to drive one when mine's in for service.

The stereo would easily be better than the ML. The ML is the best factory audio I agree, but any stereo guy will tell you that an aftermarket system will best it easily.

Nope I just have the one TRAC OFF button. I just checked my book also and it says the same. I just figured that it operated like my dad's LS400, the VSC off button deactivates the VSC AND the TRAC.

I think the cleaner is one of the best out there, but still not as good as the Woolite solution ;)

sk, what brand, I have a nasty chip on the windshield of my Explorer, I was just going to have the glass replaced. I might as well try it, if it doesnt work I'll just have it replaced anyways.

I think that there are always things to improve, its just that Lexus builds a car in such a way that the driver isn't aware of these faults. Lexuses get consistently better after every redesign, sometimes you can't even tell how, you just know its better.

The LS is more expensive then $45000 ;) My ES was $40,000. as for "putting the cheapest tires on" we're not talking about bleepty Sears brand tires here LOL. We're talking about great mainstream tire brands with incredible reviews at a fair price. The most expensive thing isn't always the best. I personally think that four door wasted his hard earned money big time on overhyped tires that aren't worth $80 extra a peice. However, its his money to waste and when he made that decision, I dropped it. I mean, come on. You're not going to have some furious blowout because you put $80 Continental or Dunlop tires over $150 Michelins. Dunlop and Continental both have great track records for quality and safety. If you look at the reviews the Dunlops and Contis are rated MUCH higher than the Michelins. So you're saying you should by the Michelins just because they cost more and are befitting of a Lexus? Pffft thats rediculous. Whats REALLY funny is that you're driving a Lexus and saying this, if the "more expensive thing is always better" why aren't you in a Mercedes or BMW? They're more expensive and have more prestige than a Lexus. The Lexus is just as good, or better in all categories, and much cheaper. You bought it because you're a smart consumer, thats why I bought mine. Now you're poo pooing Dunlop and Continental because they cost less, and are just as good or better in all respects than the Michelins? Makes no sense. I find the "luxury car mentality" that only rediculously overpriced goods and service are "good enough" for the car. Thats why Lexus charges a $120 an hour labor rate and people pay it when the tech down the road at Toyota has the same training and certification for $70 an hour. Makes me wonder how some people ever became successful enough to buy these cars, you dont get rich by wasting money. Also, bear in mind that I'm not so much commenting on anyone's comments in particular, just a general rant ;)

I seriously doubt it. You should check the power steering fluid to make sure there isn't a problem. If its THAT different its probably not normal.

On an 03 you'd loose probably 7k at least, on an 02 probably 10k. Yes, the Mark Levinson is an amazing stock stereo. STOCK stereo... I'm not really into car audio, but I do know that probably foir $1,000 or so you could have a stereo shop replace the amp, speakers etc in your car to aftermarket ones that will make it sound better than the Levinson. I can understand why you want to upgrade, I wasn't going to do the Nav/Lev package either (and its almost impossible to get the Levinson without the navigation, the package is $5,000) but after driving one with the Levinson, the base stereo sounded flat and horrible...

The VSC switch shuts off the VSC and the TRAC. I find that, while its a good system I'm sure for most people, in the snow it drives better without it. Oddly enough, so does my dad's RWD LS400.

The glass itself from Lexus is about $1000. Your insurance would cover it though. Out the door glass repair with Lexus glass will run you $1150 or so. They can do it with an aftermarket peice of glass for $300-$400 or so, but thats not genuine Lexus glass. I always specify OEM glass so the thickness and the tint match up perfectly. If you want to turn it into insurance they'll pay for it, even the Lexus glass. By law they can't refuse you OEM parts. sk, I've never seen one that filled in the missing glass before, only filled in the cracks.

Well yes LOL.

I've always been told by Lexus people and mechanics that the first generation LS has an interferance engine and the subsequent models do not. I'd be weary, its possible that Gates simply marked it incorrectly, I've been told by multiple people that it IS an interfearance engine. If I had one I'd operate on that hunch just to be safe.

I think its generally to promote more road feel over the numbness of the 94.

Yeah, its the steering wheel lock. The steering wheel is designed to lock in position when the key is removed, the way it achieves this is the wheel catches on a spindle inside the column when you remove the key. Make sure that you've let go of the wheel and let it come to rest befor you take out the key, or the spindle will pop and lock the wheel while there is still torsional force in the column, making it harder to release the spindle (turn the key) because of all the pressure in the mechanism. If it happens again, just turn the wheel while turning the key and it'll turn over. Don't feel bad my mother called roadside assistance on her New Beetle because the key wouldnt turn, they came our and just turned the wheel, started it right up. She felt like an idiot.

You have the little key with just the unlock button on the side? I think Lexus still carries it. Its not in use in a current model though.

Well, I actually turn it off in the snow. I grew up learning to drive in the snow and I find that the VSC muddles the feedback I get from the car. A good snow driver knows that there's not always something wrong with a little bit of slide.

Those only work when no glass is missing from the windshield. If a chunk of glass is gone, then there's not anything you can do except replace the windshileld. The tiny pitting is small peices of glass missing, nothing you can do.

No, the first generation IS an interfearance engine.

Yeah I'm with ya, you can't touch it for the money, it feels like a much more expensive car. Congrats!

Good luck!

No they're not going to fill in, I've tried for years. You can "fill in" specs like that on paint because the optical properties of the sealant block the way light bounces off the imperfection. You're not going to be able to get rid of them on glass that you look through. I've tried everything. Rain X, sealants like Klasse.

It does use more gas, but not a lot.