JGTNewLexusOwner

Just a couple of comments. The Buick Lacrosse is a nice looking car and I am sure that some will buy it over a Lexus (I have an 08 ES350 UL). I am waiting to see how the reliability comes out over time....then maybe I would consider it IF I don't stay with another Lexus. On the handling of the Lexus, I always tell everyone that if you want a quiet comfortable luxury ride, go with the Lexus. If you want a driver's handling car and want to drive 80 mph around a curve and feel it, get a BMW or Infiniti....but it is noisier inside ("drivers" like to hear the engine) and it is not as luxurious inside (in my opinion).

Hmmm...I never knew there were two positions? What is the difference and why? I got my 2008 in Dec 2007 and have never changed the position.....so I am just curious.

You should "pin" this to this forum....it does help because that oil maint reqd alert is annoying. For me, I get my car picked up and a loaner left from my Lexus dealer (for free...except I am sure I pay for it...but it is convenient). They forgot to do it once and I didn't know this until I went through all the paperwork with my car then found it on the Internet....argh. Anyway, the dealer doesn't forget anymore...but I am going to use this now since they don't get my car until next week! Thanks again!!!!!!!

If it is a Lexus dealer, I would really be surprised.....unless, you are getting a really great deal on it. If not, I would negotiate the heck out of them. I am sure you know this but in case you don't...use Edmunds.com and use the Apraise My Car area. You can then use the various conditions to see what range of price you should offer (of course go lower than what Edmunds says).

Good luck!

Bobby Rahal Lexus of Mechanicsburg has been great. Each time a very good car....the last one (for the recall) was a 2010 RX ES350. Last year, we got a 2009 RX or a 2009 IS. All were clean and full of gas!

I also believe the Nav system is upgraded - new look, new maps, etc. Do any of you know if that is true? Also, do you know if you can get this upgrade for a 07-09 ES? Thanks in advance for your response!

Did you get a chance to check if the Lexus still has the lock out of messges (MSG) for audio/radio songs and a lock out to use the Navigation? That is the one drawback I don't like. I had to pull over to use the Nav because the voice commands weren't working well and when I wanted the list of POIs that I wanted to go to but could not while driving. The Acura/Cadillac/Infiniti do not have the lock out feature. Please let me know...and thanks for the video!!! It was great!

I guess audio is in the "ears of the beholder". :)

I have the same experience as Appleton. My 2008 ES350 has a fast idle but after a few minutes it slows down. Also, sometimes I put my foot on the gas a little and the idle slows down. I usually make sure I keep my foot on the brake if I don't let it idle for long.

I forgot to say that I am not an audiophile either. Navsafe, it sounds like you are very knowledgeable....I am just a layman and just like good sound in my car....from a novice perspective!

Siva, I offer this. I bought the ML and the base is still not what I am used to. Which brings me to my point...."what I am used to". I used to have a car with the Bose System in it. The bass in the Bose system is a deep, booming bass. The ML and the Lexus Premium system to have a more "balanced" bass/treble sound. I did test out between the ML and Premium and I actually thought the bass was a little deeper on the Premium vs. the ML. However, with the ML, it is "supposed" to be true-er sound and cleaner/crisper sound. Not sure if it what you are experiencing is because of what you are used to....like what I am experiencing. I do have to say though that as I get used to the ML system, I like it more and more. Was it worth the extra $$....I am not so sure but I guess if I get another system, I may not like it because I am "used to" the ML system. Good luck in your quest to improve the audio quality!

I believe that all 08 ES350s had version 7.1. Not sure about 2007 ESs. So if you have 7.1, my opinion is that you wait a year or 2 for the next update. I have a Garmin portable unit also for my wife's car and have not got an update in 2 years and it still works fine. However, new developments, new road updates aren't in but usually the road changes are not so major that the GPS can't get you back on track. Now the new developments are a different story....but, really depends if you need to get into the new developments. Just my opinion.

Hey, I found the link...here it is. It depends on which version of Nav you are running. I think only the v5.1 will work (the 08s have the v7.1 and this doesnt work). Good luck and I wish I could do this.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=46844

Welcome Rick! I, like rtj, have an 08 ES350 purchased Dec 07. I have about 10,500 miles on it and I love it!!! As rtj says, it is not a German driving machine (cornering, etc), but the ride and comfort and quietness is the best. I drove the BMWs 3/5, Mercedes C, Infiniti G/M, Cadillac CTS/STS, and I love the ES. But I valued comfort/quietness over cornering at 85 mph! Again, welcome!

Hi guys,

I have 2007 ES 350. My NAV address is gray out while I'm driving. Is there a solution how to overdrive the NAV system to remove gray out while I'm driving?? Any ideas will help alot.

Info me the email if you have good though sportdss@yahoo.com

Thank you guys,

Dinhpk

Use the search function in this forum and you should find it (use Navigation Bypass or something with more than 4 letters). I remember reading that in the 07 ES you can hit the screen in certain places everytime you start the car to do it. I have an 08 and I can't do this or no one has figured it out yet for the 08 (without breaking a bunch of connectors which will void the warranty). Good luck in finding it.

Can anyone recommend a quality carnuba wax to use on a black 2007 ES350? I would prefer a paste over a liquid (just because I'm old school), but I'll use a liquid wax if it will work great. I have a detailer do a three step process (light compound, polish, then carnuba, and sometimes use a clay bar if needed) once or twice a year, but I'm looking for a great carnuba wax in between details. Also, if anyone knows of a wax (or maybe polish) that dimishes or removes swirl marks from black cars, please let me know. (I have a few minor swirl marks on the hood of the car, but they can only be seen in direct sunlight). Thanks.

(As crazy as I may sound, I would pay $50 for a wax if I knew it would work well and is durable, considering my car is black). My car takes the beating of all weather elements and I do not have the luxury to keep it in a garage, ugh. Rock salt is the worst :(

Hey TeamO, look at this link in this forum: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=45222

It is all you would ever want to know about wax and cleaning, etc. I have a black ES 08 and I started this and hopefully it will help you. If you don't want to read it all...I recommend a sealant Ultima Paint Guard Plus over the carnuba wax but I have both. The wax I like is the P21S100% (or something like that...check the link). Good luck and hope the thread/topic I started helps you like it helped me. Warning though, I have spent hundreds of dollars!!!! You also can check people's pics of what it looks like. The Ultima Paint Guard Plus is soooo cool! It goes on in 15 minutes (the entire car) and no buffing away white dust. It just drys into a mirror finish.....you can get it on www.autopia.com (it may be autopia car care but google it and it will get you there...plus it is in the thread I linked you to above in this repyl). Good luck!!!!

I got mine with the spoiler. I like it alot....even though the ES has a great look with or without the spoiler.

Gr8 pix! but one thing <_< black on black is the mack! ohyah baby black on black!

viva le Black interiors!!! :o :D

Superchan, great looking Lexus! I, like rjt, have black on black....but that Smokey Granite is a great look!!! Welcome to the club (hey, I want your friends SC!!!)...haha!

hi poncherello; So you have caller I.D. working with Rogers on a Blackberry? I'm am pretty sure that just having blue tooth does not guarantee that all of the features will work. Even the Lexus phone list indicates as much.

The caller ID works with my blackberry and Verizon service.

Then the difference is in the carrier. Verizon works, but Rogers does not. Interesting.

Hmm, my Blackberry 8800 with Verizon doesn't show the number or the name. The bluetooth works great but it does not show the caller....wonder why. But really, I am just happy that the Bluetooth works!!

I agree with the last few posters here---if u r spending that much go for new.... with the ul etc.. probably can get a gr8 deal on a new 08....with the economy tanking all are slow...

As far as noise my 08 350 with ul pana roof et al... no noise...

in addition 07 was the first year of the redesign for this ES line, so on this site it seems that the 07 has a lot more quirky issues than the 08,,, dunno about 09, but remember 07 was the first year of the redesign... So iwould advise 08 or 09

so good luck either way... and welcome to the Lexus club MB!

PS whatever you get test everything before accepting it...

rjt is spot on! I would look for an 08 UL....times are tough for all dealers but some Lexus dealers feel the way mine does....the salesman told me this (and he was right)....when you buy a Lexus you don't need a car, you want a car. That makes a big difference when you negotiate!! Oh well, still I think you can get a better deal on an 08 right now. Plus, one other thing, the 07's were the first year for the ES350. Some (as you can see in the post) have had issues with the 07s. I have had a few minor issues with my 08 but I think most of the big issues have been addressed. My recommendation is to try and find an 08! Good luck and let us know how you make out!

I hope either that you have a great relationship with the dealer or you have something in writing (like an email) to show you asked for it. I had a small issue with the spoiler where the salesman said I didn't say I wanted the spoiler but I showed him an email I sent that outlined everything I wanted so they had to give it to me! Good luck.

Congrats! Yes get the clear bra. Your Audi is old enough that it probably doesn't have low VOC paint.

I'd love to see a picture of that grille...

To: SW03ES

I posted pictures of the grille in Member's Gallery under "Chrome Mesh Grille".

The dealer reuses the "L" emblem from the original grille.

Great pics OH Guy. Man, I like that...I didn't even know that you could get a different grill as an option. Did the dealer do that special for you? Is it like the GS grill?

When I got home from work, in my driveway was a black GS and a driver that the salesman sent over to bring me to the dealership to get my car. Definitely nicer than looking for a ride to the showroom.

This is my first Lexus. I got Smokey Granite with the black interior. Its got Nav, Premium Plus, HID lights with AFS (very cool), Parking Assist, Sunshade, Wood steering wheel, etc. I choose this particular unit because it already had the Rear Lip Spoiler. I added Sat Radio and the 'Bentley' grille (chromed mesh) because I liked how that looked on one of their demo's; really makes the car look different. The chrome looks great against the dark gray paint.

I managed to drive home safely despite playing with all the little buttons and screen controls. Next step is to read all the hundreds of pages of owners instructions. I'm really looking forward to taking a long trip in it. I came home from the dealership on route 80 and the car was so quiet and smooth.

Congrats OH Guy! Welcome to the Lexus ES350 club! Enjoy the car. I agree with those below about the clear bra...too late for me. The paint chips aren't that noticeable but when you detail your car, you will definitely see 'em! But I love my ES!

Welcome Missy! Listen to rjt65 and go to the thread he mentioned. rjt is now one of the experts, along with detaildoc.

I suppose I'm just grass seed now? ;)

Welcome to the forum Missy!

What you first have to do is decide, how much effort do I want to assign to keeping the car looking great all the time?

Sitting outside and being black...you could spend 4 hours a week on the car and it would still need more at times to look perfect all the time. If I were you, I would reconcile myself to an hours work once a week, and come to the realization that it will become dirty during that time.

One of the things I can add to the good info you've been given here is never to touch the paint in a circle. Always wash and dry (this includes buffing too) in straight lines from front to back. The reasoning behind this is that scratches you see are visible because the edge of the scratch reflects light. If the scratch is circular it will be visible from more angles than if its straight. So only wash in straight lines.

You also need to invest in some basic detailing tools...good quality washing and drying media, etc. I would buy two big waffle weave microfiber towels, several microfiber sponges (I like these for washing), and several other ultra plush microfiber towels, I like them from www.pakshak.com

For your situation I like a product called Optimum NoRinse as rjt suggested, or ONR. You can buy it from Pakshak I believe, or anywhere online detailing supplies are sold. This product works great for your needs because you don't need a hose.

As for sealants, the Klasse SG might be cheaper than the Ultima, but the Ultima is *much* easier to work with. Klasse is really tricky to use, I'd even reccomend Zaino over Klasse purely because of ease of use. But the Ultima is the product I'd pick.

Lastly for your swirls. They may actually be smearing from the wax and NOT swirls. You'll know after a good quality wash using the tools and techniques we've outlined here.

OMG, how could I forget you SW03ES!!!! I guess I let my jealosy of rjt and ddoc get the best of me. I forgot to be jealous about you too!!!! ha ha! Yep, Missy, SW is good too!!!!

Welcome Missy! Listen to rjt65 and go to the thread he mentioned. rjt is now one of the experts, along with detaildoc. I started the thread and those guys passed me and left me in the dust (cough, cough)! Seriously, there is alot of good information that should help! Good luck and welcome to the LOC!