kh046

Yes, I am dealing directly with the internet manager. I agree w/you. when I talked to a sales person at a Lexus dealership over the phone. He gave me the run around, trying to get me to make the deal within 72 hours and wanting me to go in. I told him No. The dealership that offered me the $300.00 over invoice requesting that a leave a $500.00 deposit until the car arrives. Fully refundable. Is that customary? :D B) From what I understand from dealing with Toyota, that's the sort of thing they like to do to make sure that you're a serious buyer and not just any other window shopper. If you want it sure enough, $500 is usually what I've been hearing on things like locating a certain car with certain options that a customer wants. I think that's a little cheezy. However, the bottom line, get the best deal for the car. That $500 is then added back to you when you decide to purchase the car.

Try to sell your car yourself. I believe you can get more than trading yours in to a dealership. All you need to do, if you don't have time: Find a good shop where they can detail it for you. Some shops around here will clay the car, spray wash the engine, detail the engine, detail the inside for less than $150. I know it's kind of pricey, however, it will certainly bring up your price value of the car when a prospective car buyer comes around.

Other than the dealership here in Fresno, CA, is there another reputable independant shop that I can take my RX330 to for a 15,000 check up? I think Lexus wants about $500 for the 15000. Thanks

That sounds like a beauty. However, from my experience, don't ever deal with MSRP price. There's always a meeting ground where the dealer and you can always settle on. Remember, if you take MSRP, both the salesperson and dealership will be celebrating after you leave. Therefore, do your homework and search out for prices of this particular RX that you want. If not, you can always wait for a while. The best times to buy cars are always at the end of the month, or the end of the year. Good luck!

$300 over invoice sounds resonable as long as they show you the invoice price on paper. Go even lower if the salesperson (I'd rather deal with the fleet manager or internet mangager, they give the best deals) can. Don't let them pull that back and forth mumble jumble , time wasting, "No my manager can't go that low," on you. P.S: Make sure that the car has all the bells and whistles that YOU want.

Hey, you're from Fresno too! Great! Our local dealership is okay sometimes. But you're right, the prices they offer are steep. Ask around, you might find a member here that has connections somewhere.

Please keep us posted if you have trans "fix." I have experienced a couple of times with my RX330 a slugish acceleration. I have been debating myself about getting the new ECU on the transmission changed. I've also driven the RX330 Loaner, and somehow did get a better acceleration and smoother change.

You might want to seach this site for that particular problem. I had that problem with my RX330 as well. My only problem with taking my RX to the dealership is that will work perfectly fine when I'm there. Somehow, my Rx tended not to work whenever I was at Costco (????). They way that I made it work again was to manually opening the hatch and manually closing it. Somehow this resets the hatch's operation. To make a long story short, I saw a member post an ECU part number on this site. I copied that information down and took it to my dealership. They took my paper and ordered the part for me. Although it took them almost 2 months to get the part, they were able to replace it for me. After replacing the ECU, I haven't had that happen to me since April. My advice, check this site for the ECU part, copy it down, and take it to your dealership. They have the part. If you don't ask, they won't give. That is the only thing that I dislike about dealers.

I didn't buy the extended warranty with my RX330 but I did buy it from my credit union. They gave me a better price. The dealership wanted $1800, for the extended warranty. My credit union sold a 7 year warranty for much less. However, I did see that these F&I managers at dealerships tend to want to milk you for all you've got. This past weekend, I went to a local dealership to purchase a toyota, and at first he offered it to use at about $1,500. After seeing that I wasn't much interested in his offer, I slashed his price down to $1,000. Their job in the F&I office is to get you to spend, spend and spend more.

I live in Fresno (Central Cal), with a Silver and Black Interior, it's been fine. I think the black leather and the burgandy wood compliments each other well. I've driven in some of the Lexus Loaners with Tan interiors as well, and I don't like it. Again, just put up some front shades.

That sound sounds familiar to what I am going through now. The first time, I told Lexus, they took a look at it, and determine it to just be an air condition line or something in that area to be loosen. It was insulated. However, the problem never got fix. I had to make another appointment and had one of their techs drive with me. Luckily for me, the first bump we went over on their lot made the sound. He determine it to be from the sub frame. I took it in this past Friday, and they told me that it sounded like it was coming from my struts. The techs tightened up the bolts and torque. They had struts on order for me. I am just waiting for Lexus to call me in to have it installed. I hope that replacing the struts will resolve my popping noise. Hope this helps.

Your tick sounds familiar. With mine, I hear a short tick/pop when I go over bumps, dips, or back out from my driveway. I sounds like it's coming from underneath the engine, possible the rack and pinion area. I'm not a mechanic but I know I didn't here that when I was driving it 4 months ago.

I don't know what is causing this popping noise that is coming from the front end of my RX330. Intermittently, the noise comes when I drive over a dip, bump, down an driveway approach, etc. The sound seems to come from under the car right below my feet on the driver's side. Anybody have that same experience? Kevin

I'm not an expert on leases, however, it all depends on what you're looking for in your package. You may want to check out the prices at edmunds.com. They do a pretty good job at pricing options and other whistles and bells you may opt for. In addition, do you plan to purchase the car after your lease contract? If so, look into plans that will allow you to do so. Kevin

I don't know about used parts. However, when my driver's side view mirror cracked, that was about $500 to by the mirror and the plastic part as well. Good luck. P.S: Don't let the liquid from your defroster side view mirror stain your car's paint. If it happens, wipe it off immediately or it will set in the paint.

Please keep us posted on how well your back hatch is operating. If you're is okay, I'm going to take mine in soon.

I have had the same problem with my RX330 as well. It's happend at least 10 times since I purchase the car in Oct of 2003. I took it to the dealership the next morning that that had happened. One of the guys there filling in for the service manager, took a look at it and couldn't open it with the remote or the car button. But after a few times, he manually opened the hatch and closed it. After that it worked. He told me, "It must have been my trunk carpet." I told him that I don't think my trunk carpet is causing it to not open. He just kinda shrugged his shoulders. I've taken it in 2 times for this particular problem. The dealership in Fresno just told me they haven't heard of anything like this before. If you can find out more information regarding this problem, please pass it on.

I am new to the post. However, I've been reading what everyone else have posted. Last week, I was driving up north to Fresno from San Diego, and my compass was showing S (south) all the way until I reached Los Angeles. I took it in for a 5K and had the guys check it out. They told me that nothing was wrong. Also, the rear hatch on my RX330 sometimes does not respond using the remote. I will have unlocked all the doors, and then try the hatch. Sometimes that would not respond. Even after opening it manually, trying to push the close button on the rear hatch does not respond as well. I've had my RX330 since October 03. This has happend to me at least 5 times. I've had this car in the shop more times than my 93 Camry. Any inputs or related problems?