> You do sound unhappy about a lot of things on the RX that I would have thought you would have noticed before you bought one
I disagree. (I had a similar diatribe on here after I bought mine.)
I *drove* the car several times - I certainly didn't have the inclination or time to play with the nav unit -- I assumed (and was also assured by the Lexus staff) that the nav unit was up-to-snuff.
I don't care how old the RX model line is, there is simply no excuse for that unit as it is to *ever have shipped with any car*, never mind on an expensive cutting-edge vehicle.
The voice reco *is* horrible -- and I'm not talking about the accuracy of the reco, but even it's whole rasion d'etre, as even if it performed perfectly, it adds little value as it is designed.
Ignoring all the other problems of the nav unit, the thing that makes it most usless is that I only get about a 50% hit with any destination:
- Entering an address often results in "That address does not exist". Really?
- Address entering (umlike a Garmin, etc.) doesn't use the current position to prioritize address entry -- so you end up seeing crap for many miles that isn't necessary
- AFAIKT, the POI list is about 10 years old, or only includes things like gas stations, which I couldn't care less about.
I end up using Telenav on my Blackberry, which is always seems bizzare with an in-dash nav.
They should at least install the head into a standard-double bay so I can replace the damn thing if I want to...
But otherwise, the car has been great. (Ok - adjustable suspension would be nice :))
mike
You do sound unhappy about a lot of things on the RX that I would have thought you would have noticed before you bought one, but the good news is the resale value of your Lexus RX 400h should be real high as hybrids are in demand and short in supply where as other SUV's are severly depressed in the market. Bet you could sell it and make a great deal on a gas guzzling BMW SUV.
As for not getting the mileage the sticker said I do better on the highway side on my 08 RX400h, if I drive carefully I can get around 32.6 MPG I average around 28.4 MPG city and highway combined about 50/50.
As for the nav system, I agree, I have a 07 Acura MDX and the Lexus nav system is a joke in comparison, but I added the Coastaltech Lockpick 3 basic and it allows me to input destinations while moving, look for POI's ect., and for only $99 and it only took 5 min to install. The lockpick really improves the functionality to a point where I am not totally happy with the Lexus system, but it is now quite usable while driving. Oh and while I like my Acura the gas mileage sucks compared with my Lexus RX400h.
One other point, the cup holder you mentioned, wow you must have long legs to have a problem, that it is up past the centerline of the steering column and up against the door, dont know what else they could have done other than not put one there at all.
I think you have to consider the Lexus is a 5 yr old design that will probably be improved when the new model comes out next year, but I doubt the nav system will be improved, except again the Lockpick is well worth the money if you plan on keeping your current RX very long.