SW03ES

True.

No problem glad that it worked out!

The general consensus is consumers have rated it highly because they don't know any better. It "lasts a year" blah blah and they like that. Among the professionals and the big time hobbyist detailers, concours winners and such NuFinish goes in the bin with Turtle Wax as Grocery store garbage. Its really no cheaper, and nowhere near as good as other polymer sealants.

The ES and RX do have a sludging problem when the oil is not changed properly just like the Sienna, however unless I'm mistaken, synthetic oil can not physcially slidge up like dino oil... I'd still change it every 3-5k though. I do and I use Mobil 1.

Like me and a lot of others your driving style and the shifting dynamics of the transmission mesh just fine. Like Alan though I'm skepitical that the new gear ratios will fix the issue.

We did, missed the mark totally! That just goes to show you, Lexus is TIGHT LIPPED about its new models and pricing. We didnt know anything about the ES330 until they wanted us to.

Yeah, I'm not going to skimp on the install LOL. I'm not going to do it, but actually depending on the Best Buy or Circuit City I've seen some awesome installs from them for $50 though. With my luck I'd get "Zed the somewhat slow ex schoolbus driver" to do mine so I'm going to stick with the high end stereo install guys LOL. Prozac, I think thats a police scanner or a CB or something in that Highlander, I dont think its related to the XM.

Is there a heatsheild on the CAT?

Yeah I'm definately going to let a pro do it. My concern about that is the side curtain airbags that run up over the door and down the A pillars, I'm afraid the installers wont be able to get the line down to the rest of the vehicle. I mean, there are electronics up there so it must be possible... I'll have to see what they say.

T rated tires are a lower speed rating than H... You'd think the "baloon" =ness would be worse. And yeah, Michelins are a great tire, one of the best out there. I'm just saying you can get an equivilent tire for about half...

On the LS there are two seperate openings for the CD changer and the glove box, two doors. I like that setup.

The depth is not even an inch, maybe 3/4 of an inch, I think it should fit if it fits in that Highlander. The more I think about it the more I think that spot is perfect.

Generally the cars will command MSRP or at least close until December. Lexus runs a "December to Remember" sales event every year that has some really good deals. If I were you I'd wait to get the latest car.

Oh I agree that the maintenance fees shouldn't be expected to decline as the car ages. The contrary they go up because there is more to do. My qualms with Lexus (and it is downright dirty of them) is the costs they assess to their NEW car customers when compared to other marques. Benz and BMW, Audi all have FREE scheduled maintenance on their vehicles for like thge first 4 years. Lexus does not. Lexus labor rates are significantly higher than those of most BMW, Mercedes and Audi dealers. Benz, BMW and Audi have much more expensive parts, but Lexus dealers make WAY more money on service. I mean, I bought a $40,000 automobile and they want me to spend $400 on the 10,000 mile maintenance. Thats only the car's second oil change! Its a brand new car and they want me to spend $400 for them to "inspect" things. All they do is change the oil, filter, rotate the tires, retorque the flange bolts. Then they "inspect" about 20 components, and their replacement is over and above the $400. If I'd bought a BMW the service would be free, and theres a shop in Bethesda thats going to charge me $100 for the whole job, including all the inspections. Lexus' price is just sick. The reason the independent shop is less is because his labor rate is HALF that of the Lexus dealer. They want me to pay them $120 an hour. I wish I made $120 an hour! Most doctors dont make $120 an hour! Then at 15k, 5,000 miles later they want me to pay ANOTHER $400-$500 for more inspections. BS! And I have the cheap car! The V8s are MORE, and the SUVs are MORE STILL! Most people pay it too. My dad has a 98 LS, and he puts it in for sceduled maintenance and it rarely comes back under a grand. He never bats an eye, but he makes more than $120 an hour I suppose

Well there isn't anything harder about changing the oil on a Lexus vs any other car. The engine is totally different from a camry, but thats another discussion lol. Most places will charge you the normal rate plus $5 or $10 shield charge for the time it takes to pull the shield down. The $100 is just Lexus' labor rate, you pay for the marble floors, leather chairs, pastries and free loaners. No such thing as a free lunch. Here's what I do, there's a place up 270 kinda like a Jiffy Lube but much better. You pull the car in, in 15 minutes the oil change is done. I get a synthetic change (the $100 Lexus change is standard oil)for about $40 and I supply my own Lexus oil filter. Nobody ever has to sit in or touch my car. Now, when its something bigger like a 15k or 30k service I let Lexus do it, feeling the extra cost is worthwhile because of the "free" loaner. No reason to be afraid of the repair bills on the LS, the scheduled service from lexus is rediculous, but you can have it done anywhere at 40% of the Lexus cost.

No. I bet it'll either hold the line or slightly decrease. Any everything AutoSpies said is now confirmed, equipment wise.

It is a pain LOL. Its an orangy yellow color, I prefer dark reddish woods.

Yeah but he's not talking about different brands, just going down a speed rating. Probably not a problem. Generally I never replace just two tires like some people do unless they're pretty new and I've had a flat or something. I always replace all 4 even if I'm replacing with the same tire. I also (except for my Explorer because the tires are the best) no longer buy Michelin's because they're really overpriced.

Chill out guys ;) Whatever the traffic, when joining a new community it is important to read and adhere to the rules and guidelines. We dont have many, basically its don't threaten to kill each other, try and post in the right forum, and use the search feature first to gather all information you can before posting. Sk wasn't being rude, its just for those of us that are here a lot, repeating the same information can be very irritating. This will be the 8th or 9th thread on this topic in about 2 months. I'm going to move this to the Detailing forum. Posting for detailing questions for all models belong in there. Easy mistake though ;) I use the Woolite solution to clean the dashboard and the seats, 6:1 dillution (not 3:1 that would be way too strong) works as well as or better than Lexol and its a lot cheaper. To condition I use Zymol creme, but Hide Food is a great product, I haven't had the time to try the Coco Butter. If you want to put a protectant on the dash and such I reccomend 303 Aerospace Protectant, stay away from Armor All. If you run a search for all of these products and "Interior Detailing" you'll get a lot of supplemental information, personal experiences, and the like.

Generally its in the trunk, which is a PITA. The Royale leather has a different texture to it than the standard leather. Its "bumpy". I like the Platinum package too, I like those special editions and such, but I just dont like that yellow wood, way too bright I think.

Welcome to the club! I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for ;)

Haven't heard back from anybody yet, but its the Friday before Labor Day, I'll give them until Tuesday. As for hard to reach and distracting, beggers can't be choosers when it comes to where to mount stuff like this. I dont want it stuck on the dash like a tumor.

LOL!

XM is satellite radio. Think of it as cable TV for your car. www.xmradio.com

Okay guys, I'm gonna do it I think, have XM installed in my car. I'm going to do the Pioneer display pad and system with either an FM modulator or the tape adapter. I saw a slick install using the tape adapter once and the sound is supposed to be better. I emailed a few installers in the area to see what I'm up against. Supposedly $200 for the Pioneer system and antenna, and I'm hoping the install will be similar at $200 but I honestly have no idea what I'm up against in that department. So in short, I want to get it done for around $400 out the door, but I refuse to pay for a cheap install, I'd rather not do it if I'm not going to do it right. Now, as I look at the car I'm thinking that I have a couple of ways to do it. A lot of people have it installed in the ashtray, which would be good, but I dont know how well it will work on the ES because of its curved ashtray door. The other models have a flat door. Then I saw this: This looks awesome. Its on a Toyota Highlander, but there's a similarly perfect spot on the ES... Thats some CB or something in front, the XM panel is the one on top of the console, thats the one I'll be using. Whats everyone think?