SKM

2008 ES350 Ultra-Lux. Recently my rear sunshade got stuck. Replacement costs approx $1,600 + installation. I didn't have the dealership try to take it apart as yet to determine if it can be repaired. Has anyone else have this issue and resolved? The fuse is good.

I added GS430 Chrome wheels to my 2007 ES350. They are 8" x 18" with a +45 offset. (Stock ES350 wheels are 7x17 +45). tires are Yokahama Avid w4s 235/45/18. It looks fantastic because it fills out the wheel wells better and brings the tires out closer to the width of the body. They do not rub anywhere and the ride is much tighter. looking from the front or back of the car, it looks more agressive GS'ish without going overboard. Nice, classy, sporty.

I was also thinking about upgrading the wheels! Here are a few questions...

1) Did you purchase the rims from a Lexus dealer?

2) Does this affect the precision of the speedometer?

3) Will changing to this rim & tire configuration void the warranty?

Please post some pictures...

I believe that most (if not all) recent model phones with Bluetooth technology should work. I am just not able to send my address book over to the car automatically, so I just add into the car's phone book only the numbers that are frequently dialed.

Perhaps you could try connecting with a friend's phone that you may consider purchasing. The settings could always be removed. :)

I would appreciate it if anyone could provide feedback on a specific issue.

Rogers is my cell provider. I chose a MOTORAZR™ V3T GSM from the Lexus list of ‘tested’ devices although it was difficult because the Canadian / US models don’t match exactly. The Razr I selected does not marry all functions (phone operates through the NAV on my car). Specifically, the Caller ID and battery strength indicator do not work. Caller ID works on my cell phone, but does not show up on the NAV screen. The battery strength indicator isn’t a big deal, but it would be nice if the Caller ID worked. I have manually entered my entire contact list into the car’s telephone book, so the data is there and available to the system.

Does anyone in Canada, who is with Rogers, have a cell phone that is fully functional with their ES 350 UL? If so, would you share what model it is? Thanks.

So... just as I feared, the Lexus hands free system doesn't work with ANY Rogers cell phone in Canada. At least based on responses through this forum. Darn. Hard to believe that could be possible.

Hello Appleton, I use an HP iPAQ 6950 on the Rogers network and have had no issues. However, this phone is similar in size to the BlackBerry.

You should definitely go with the Lexus spoiler :D It looks so awesome, I plan to get it soon!! I've also seen those sport rims that they offer, like BBS styl wheels, they look really nice. Also you can check out ebay, if you are a fan of chrome, they have plenty of cool accessories to choose from like chrome billet radio knobs for instance. I even saw a listing for a stainless steel chrome trim package for the bottom of the car to make it look like the GS and LS. hope this helps, good luck!

Hmm...stainless steel chrome trim package. Now this sounds a bit classy. Where did you see this? :)

I have notice about a dozen around the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) over the last 6mts. Mine is a 08 Obsidian/Cashmere/UL/spoiler/ML/... B)

As of today (April 1st), Lexus Canada is offering a new $500 Cash credit and they’re allowing a 60 month lease term at 4.9%.

Finance wise, Lexus is offering a 5.5% rate for up to 48 months. B)

Not sure if they are also still offering the feature where the financing interest rate gets reduced by 0.10 for each $1,000 in the down payment. There website still behaves this way in the 'estimate payments' section (button available after selecting options and colour combinations).

Hi,

I'm a newbie to the forum, in need of some help. I'm looking to purchase an ES 350, with Premium Package, all-season mats and cargo liner.

I'm in Ottawa. There are only two dealers here. One is Bel-Air Lexus. The other is Tony Graham. There may be one in Gatineau. The guy from Bel-Air has offered me $49,618, all inclusive (car, gas tax, a/c tax, freight/PDI, PST, and GST). The retail price of all this off the Lexus.ca website would be $51,750. So, this is only $2,132 off. The $500 rebate would be assigned to the dealer, so they are really only losing $1632. The guy from Tony Graham has refused to discuss pricing by email unless I come in and talk to him. However, he says he will match whatever price I come up with from some one else (of course).

I've contacted a broker in Montreal to see about getting in a car from the U.S. Although the retail price looks a lot lower U.S., once you factor in all the standard features they put into the Canadian models, the exchange rate (which is starting to creep up again), and the broker's fee (he wants $2000), the 6.1% not-made-in-North-America tax (or whatever you call it), it looks like I will only net $2000 off the retail list price and whatever "deal" he can get.

I've read on the Toyota site that when you buy from the U.S. they will honor the warranty, however, you lose a few things, such as road-side assistance (unless you break down in the U.S.).

The Tony Graham dealer basically said that if I buy from another dealer, his dealer will treat me like a second-class citizen. I won't have access to their loaner cars and will be at the end of the line for service.

I'm fed up with the arrogance! I just want a good deal. I'll travel to Montreal or Toronto to get that deal if I have to.

If somebody has any ideas, please let me know. Thanks.

That's too bad about the loaner. I purchased my car from an out-of-town dealership and the dealer in town is servicing my vehicle - and providing the loaner. I thought that the loaner car was part of the Lexus ownership service experience...

I used Car Cost Canada at www.carcostcanada.com. I believe that the cost was approx. $40 and you are able to view wholesale prices on up to five different vehicles. I used a Broker that was affiliated with them to complete the purchase as it was the best price I could get. I never did actually meet the Broker in person, we did the deal over the phone and through emails - he was located in Mississauga. The car was delivered via truck from Windsor to my front door. The actual purchase experience was good with the only drawback being that I had to wait 1.5 months to get the vehicle with options I wanted; it was on a vessel to Vancouver, then by rail to Toronto, and this was over the Christmas holidays.

You can also join the APA at www.apa.ca. It's the same concept as the above.

I am around the Toronto/Canada area. Can anyone recommend a location, either a store or online that is in my neck-of-the-woods. Also, for cleaning the leather (cashmere/tan) I read in this group to use Woolite that was diluted. I have checked and can only find 'Zero' by Woolite, and I don't think this is what was recommended - is there something else with similar results?

To each his/her own experience. I have never been so disappointed with a vehicle and dealership service. My 2008 ES 350, ultra premium package, was delivered on Jan 07, 2008, it felt great. Then it was sent for repairs on Jan 29th where it had spent 8 days at the dealership after the computer/navigation system did not load. There was no access to any features controlled by this unit, most heater controls, stereo, bluetooth, etc.. To add insult onto injury, the vehicle was returned on the eve of Feb 6th, the dealership damaged my leather seats - there were cuts and scrapes to both front seats (the center console had to be removed to replace the unit) that were noticed later that night and the car was returned first thing in the morning when the dealership opened for their inspection. I was told that they would get back to me as to whether the manager would accept responsibility and repair the damage (yes - can you believe this). Now the navigation system cannot seem to position my car correctly on the maps, it becomes out of sync (sometimes placing me in a different city), I have reset my current position following the instruction in the owners manual on several occasions; each time it becomes out of sync again. It's now Feb 10th, and no reply from the dealership on whether they will repair the damage they created - I am sure that they will eventually let me know their decision. Guess what I believe they will say?

Touché – The Lexus Experience… ‘Pursue the moment’, ‘The Pursuit of Perfection’

It sounds to me like your issue is more with the dealership than the car...

Unfortunately the dealers are all independently owned and Lexus doesn't have much control over the way the dealers are run. I would get my issue dealt with there and then take the car to a different dealer.

My dealer is wonderful. They put a very tiny mark in the rear bumper of my car (something most people would not have noticed) the last time it was in and they agreed to take care of it to my satisfaction at my own repair shop.

Lexus Canada did respond to an email that I sent yesterday and indicated exactly what you mentioned - that they have no control and that this dealership has a good history. Well, the dealership agreed today to fix their damage to the seats and inspect the nav system next week. Hopefully this bad situation will go away.

Update...I received my car back last Friday.

1) The navigation system was the GPS antenna not attached properly (claimed that it was a wire in the harness problem).

2) The calendar not working...this was part of number 1 - the GPS antenna.

3) The seats were repaired. They claimed that the area of leather that was damaged was replaced. This is possible for the driver's seat, however, a closer look at the passenger’s seat indicate that some type of filler was used (I will have to monitor this).

I had noticed that the strip of material (I think plastic) between the passenger doors, front and back is not glued down properly; it has become lose. They did not damage this but forgot to complete the repairs, it's related to fit and finish with the manufacturer.

I should have mentioned that the vehicle was purchased at a different dealership than the one completing the service. My experience with the selling dealership was EXCELLENT - Lexus of Windsor.

Today my local dealership called and said that they would repair the damaged seats (I was surprised) and that they will check out the NAV system. Let's see if everything gets set right next week.

Is the 'servicing' dealer Northwest Lexus in Brampton?

I don't want to disclose the servicing dealer as they are attempting to correct the situation (at least I hope that everything gets corrected - and without further damage). As for the NAV system, I am leaning towards the GPS antenna not working, turned on, or connected to the unit based on the response to my posting on the Navigation thread. I have also noticed that the calendar on the NAV is not working. I cannot change or select the days,months, etc.. Perhaps there is a setting to turn on that I have not become familiar with as yet. I will be happy to post the status of the repairs when the car is returned, it goes into the dealer next Wednesday.

How can I turn on the GPS receiver for the navigation system, or is this just something that has to be done by the dealership? I believe that it is turned off as I cannot see the GPS symbol on the screen and my position on the map is completely wrong.

Thats a defect in the 2007 ES350 Navigation system. Your dealer will have to order a special navigation DVD for you. Its just a firmware update that will fix the problem.

Sorry, forgot to mention, I have a 2008 ES350 so I believe that there may not be a firmware update. A earlier post (today) recommended that I take it back to the dealer and have them fix this as the GPS should start automatically. Am I correct to state that a 'GPS' symbol should be displayed on the screen if it is working?

How can I turn on the GPS receiver for the navigation system, or is this just something that has to be done by the dealership? I believe that it is turned off as I cannot see the GPS symbol on the screen and my position on the map is completely wrong.

To each his/her own experience. I have never been so disappointed with a vehicle and dealership service. My 2008 ES 350, ultra premium package, was delivered on Jan 07, 2008, it felt great. Then it was sent for repairs on Jan 29th where it had spent 8 days at the dealership after the computer/navigation system did not load. There was no access to any features controlled by this unit, most heater controls, stereo, bluetooth, etc.. To add insult onto injury, the vehicle was returned on the eve of Feb 6th, the dealership damaged my leather seats - there were cuts and scrapes to both front seats (the center console had to be removed to replace the unit) that were noticed later that night and the car was returned first thing in the morning when the dealership opened for their inspection. I was told that they would get back to me as to whether the manager would accept responsibility and repair the damage (yes - can you believe this). Now the navigation system cannot seem to position my car correctly on the maps, it becomes out of sync (sometimes placing me in a different city), I have reset my current position following the instruction in the owners manual on several occasions; each time it becomes out of sync again. It's now Feb 10th, and no reply from the dealership on whether they will repair the damage they created - I am sure that they will eventually let me know their decision. Guess what I believe they will say?

Touché – The Lexus Experience… ‘Pursue the moment’, ‘The Pursuit of Perfection’

It sounds to me like your issue is more with the dealership than the car...

Unfortunately the dealers are all independently owned and Lexus doesn't have much control over the way the dealers are run. I would get my issue dealt with there and then take the car to a different dealer.

My dealer is wonderful. They put a very tiny mark in the rear bumper of my car (something most people would not have noticed) the last time it was in and they agreed to take care of it to my satisfaction at my own repair shop.

Lexus Canada did respond to an email that I sent yesterday and indicated exactly what you mentioned - that they have no control and that this dealership has a good history. Well, the dealership agreed today to fix their damage to the seats and inspect the nav system next week. Hopefully this bad situation will go away.

To each his/her own experience. I have never been so disappointed with a vehicle and dealership service.

SKM,

What dealership did you buy your ES 350 from?

Welcome to the club btw.

I should have mentioned that the vehicle was purchased at a different dealership than the one completing the service. My experience with the selling dealership was EXCELLENT - Lexus of Windsor.

Today my local dealership called and said that they would repair the damaged seats (I was surprised) and that they will check out the NAV system. Let's see if everything gets set right next week.

To each his/her own experience. I have never been so disappointed with a vehicle and dealership service. My 2008 ES 350, ultra premium package, was delivered on Jan 07, 2008, it felt great. Then it was sent for repairs on Jan 29th where it had spent 8 days at the dealership after the computer/navigation system did not load. There was no access to any features controlled by this unit, most heater controls, stereo, bluetooth, etc.. To add insult onto injury, the vehicle was returned on the eve of Feb 6th, the dealership damaged my leather seats - there were cuts and scrapes to both front seats (the center console had to be removed to replace the unit) that were noticed later that night and the car was returned first thing in the morning when the dealership opened for their inspection. I was told that they would get back to me as to whether the manager would accept responsibility and repair the damage (yes - can you believe this). Now the navigation system cannot seem to position my car correctly on the maps, it becomes out of sync (sometimes placing me in a different city), I have reset my current position following the instruction in the owners manual on several occasions; each time it becomes out of sync again. It's now Feb 10th, and no reply from the dealership on whether they will repair the damage they created - I am sure that they will eventually let me know their decision. Guess what I believe they will say?

Touché – The Lexus Experience… ‘Pursue the moment’, ‘The Pursuit of Perfection’