ahearn

Yeah, it's only the seat bottom that is ventilated and I too have been a little disappointed in it on my 460. It definitely cools but not by much even on the highest position. :(

My '08 GS has no problems with the radio (I don't have window tinting). The Mark Levinson system is very good but not particularly better than other premium systems for radio and CDs. However, when listening to surround sound DVDs, it will blow you away. The sound is incredible. After having three cars with navigation systems (one is my GS), I will never again own one without it. It's not so much the direction finding feature, it's more the real-time location-based maps. I've been in traffic jams in strange cities and to get out, I simply looked at my nav screen to find a way around it. I have also discovered new routes to get to places, routes that I didn't know existed. I have found that people who question the value of a nav system have never had a nav system. Once you have one, you'll never go back.

I'm interested in the same thing if anyone knows an answer. I honestly didn't know cars still had ashtrays -- or cassette players. My 2003 Mazda Miata simply had an insert that pulled out if you didn't want an ashtray -- and instantly converted to a small storage compartment.

Same issue here with my GS but I don't thnk there is any kind of solution. I also have mine set at max sensitivity.

I guess I don't have anything to really compare to other than some Toyota 4Runners and Avalons and Hondas, but the 8-speed transmission on my GS 460 seems as smooth as silk. At times, I would swear it's a CVT, it's so smooth. I can barely tell it's shifting unless I'm really tromping on it, which is where I would expect to feel any transmission. I guess it just depends on where we're coming from.

No charge. I did a lot of research on run-flat tires (RFTs) and found that they don't last very long, ride rough, have high road noise, and have flats more often. In fact, my car had a window sticker warning the buyer of rapid tire wear. My conclusion is that RFTs are not quite ready for prime-time. Maybe in a few years. I have been very happy with my Michelins - non-RFTs. Al

I've have a GS 460, puchased before Christmas, that has ML sound, nav, and most of the other options. I am VERY pleased with with. I wouldn't do without the nav system, at any price. Ride quality is excellent, power in outstanding, and very little road/wind noise. I had the dealer change out the Dunlop run-flat tires for Michelin PS conventionals for improved wear, noise, and ride quality. I get 25mph + on the highway, which is great for a V8. I got a little price break, but the 460 had just come out and I got the first one on my side of town. Don't know about the XM traffic question.

Does this work on '08s too?

I had my dealer replace the Dunlop RFTs with normal Michelin P/S tires and I'm very happy with them.

Is it possible you don't have your parking brake set? That would cause the problem, at least on my '08 GS.

Use the cleaning cloths that are sold to clean eyeglasses. Works for me.

After a little research on standard and optional features, here's what seems to be the case: GS 350 RWD - non-RFT w/spare is standard; RFT w/o spare is option (FL) GS350 AWD - RFT w/spare is standard GS 460 RWD - non-RFT w/spare is standard; RFT w/o spare is option (FL) GS 450h - non-RFT w/spare is standard; RFT w/o spare is option (FL); RFT w/spare is another option (FT)

Yeah, strange. Mine is an '08 and originally had RFTs with no donut until I got the dealer to change out for non-RFTs and give me a spare. They told me that none of their cars with RFTs had donuts. In fact, the car had a formed styrofoam placeholder that was designed to sit where the spare sits to give support to the trunk floor. It was obviously not intended to have a spare. I'm wondering if those with RFTs and a spare might have been shipped with non-RFTs that got swapped out by the the dealer. G-Man, did your window sticker show RFTs? Did it show the spare as possibly an extra-cost item? I continue to be puzzled about this.

Mine didn't and I don't know of any car with RFTs that comes with a donut -- it defeats the purpose of the RFT. And it very definitely is a weight saving thing -- and a space saving thing in hybrids and two-seaters. It's not there for the customer's benefit.

I just recently bought a GS460. With run-flats having a reputation for repair problems, high cost, quickly wearing out, and rough ride, I asked my dealer to swap out the Dunlops for regular Michlein P/S tires on the same rims. He even threw in the doughnut spare. I'm very happy with the results. It's probably too late to ask your dealer to swap yours, but maybe you could find a buyer for your run-flats and bite the bullet for the extra cost of a new set of regulars, knowing you probably have saved money in the long run -- plus get a smoother ride, fewer flats, and a longer lasting tire. In my opinion, run-flats are not yet ready for prime-time. The technology is not quite there yet. They've been pushed onto consumers my manufacturers attempting to save weight, space, and improve average gas mileage (by removing the spare) to meet government mandates -- while trying to convince consumers that they should feel more secure, but failing to point out the negative factors. Actually the idea of driving 50 miles on a tire that will probably get destroyed and not being able to find a shop with the equipment to repair or replace it doesn't make me feel any more secure.

I at first didn't think there was much difference between the ML and other quality systems. This was based on radio and a couple of CDs. However, what really blew me way was a DVD movie with surround sound. Holy moly.

If you are asking about using it on the dash, the "shine" creates a glaring reflection on the windshield on a sunny day. The dash of a car is designed to have a dull surface finish for a reason. Personally, if I see a car in which someone has used any kind of slick "protectant", it appears cheap and is very unattractive. Interior materials in modern cars don't need protecting like in the old days.

Personally, I wouldn't use this stuff on my car. It attracts dust and creates a greasy haze on the inside of your windows when in the sun for a while. Having said the above, to be fair, I haven't used it in years and they might have improved it since then.

I agree. I got the first one my dealer received, black/black, ML/NAV/IPA and most other options. Just took it on it's first road trip. Got 24 mpg. Love the growl of the V8 and the silky smooth 8-speed. Very comfortable, easy to drive on highway, no wind noise, and great nav system.

Get an '08 GS. :D My new '08 GS only has a "warning" screen that disappears after about 5 seconds. What an improvement!! No more "agree" screens.

Another good resource is www.howardforums.com. Go to the section associated with your brand of phone and ask members about the ability of your phone to transfer phone books. Whether or not this is possible is a characteristic of the phone itself, not the cell service provider, and not Lexus.

I just got my new '08 GS 460 and a new LG phone from Verizon and will be trying Bluetooth in the next few days. However, on my last car and LG phone, the phone wouldn't allow phone book transfer. Try the website for the manufacturer of your phone to try to find out if your book can be transferred. Clearly, on some, it's not possible even though other Bluetooth functions work fine. Al

The owners manual specifically states that the only thing you can control from the car is the iPod's volume. It states that all other functions must be performed at the iPod. I have not seen any $500 option to control the iPod from the nav screen. It's certainly not a Lexus option. It might possibly be some kind of dealer aftermarket item.

I would be interested as well. I just picked up my '08 Black/Black GS 460 today. Great car. Love the engine "growl." Al