BaddBoi70

Picked up the car last week. I didn't want to negotiate any more and I was pretty satisfied with the car. I am coming from TSX and I am loving the power on the car. Only if the gas price was a bit lower. But it's okay, I had to pay much more up in Canada :P

CONGRATS and welcome to the LOC! I recently purchased an '06 IS 350 with 9,450 miles for $32,100 (Premium package only, but the car was in mint condition and CPO).

BaddBoi

so i see "tsb" everywhere...and...well...IVE HAD IT! WHAT DOES IT MEAN!??!? lol

Here ya go: http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/maintenan...45/article.html

I went in for the break TSB for squeaky brakes at 26K and since the rotors were also worn and questionable to resurface, they replaced those for free also - anyone else get free rotors?

Rotors worn out at 26K!!!!!!!!!!! What's this world coming to???!!! :o

Agreed. It seems that car manufacturers are starting to follow the "trend" of building an item for a specific period of time and expecting US, the CONSUMER to be OK with it <_< Not enough resources are being dedicated to R&D; rather, it seems that Toyota is soooooooo concerned with catching and surpassing GM that they are willing to forego the quality workmanship their brand was built on! It's scary to think that Toyota/Lexus is "resting" on their laurels :(

I own an 08 IS 350 with the 18 inch wheels. Now I know you guys have mentioned some all season tires above. Do those fit the 18 inch wheels as well? If not anyone know if some that I could look into more? Thanks

GoodYear Eagle F1's :)

ok so i was super gluing some stuff in my car...and when i opened the cap of the super glue a small tiny drop squirted out ONTO MY STEERING WHEEL...i rubbed

it off and it got SMEARED on it...

it's on top of the steering wheel so u cant see it but STILL how can i get it off?!?!?!

Ri*BLEEP*hen7 -

YIKES!!! I have heard that "Tea Tree Oil" may work. Also, do NOT use acetone as it will severally damage the "color" of your leather!

Good luck!

P.S. There still seems to be an issue with your username :)

As some of you may remember/know, that I have had some minor issues. And for a first time Lexus owner, I am a little disappointed. I (and this is just me so I am not making judgements here) would not call my Lexus a bomb. The ride is comfortable and, for the most part, quiet. The ML stereo is great; but holy cow though people...40 or 45 on the volume!!!!. I know that when Peter Frampton comes on (showing my age), I want to turn it up but 40-45...whew!!!! I can only get to 28 and I am happy with blowing my ear drums out!!! ha ha! Back to the subject....but I can understand jig50's disappointment. To go up to a Lexus, like most of us have done, we probably expected more than was reasonable. I haven't gone in the LS forum, but there is where I would really be upset if some of these things happened and I paid $70K for a car!!!!

JGT and Jig -

I also fit into the "disappointed" bucket with my '07 ES 350 purchase. However, I feel that ALL manufacturers have recently "cut corners" in an effort to boost their profits :( The earlier version ES300 is a GREAT car! The '07 & '08's have great lines, but the small issues most of us have experienced should be non-existant in a luxury automobile. I have the ML system and to me 40 on the volume level is where is just starts to get FUN!

I just recently purchased an '06 IS 350 and although it is a much different vehicle, I am MUCH more satisfied with the quality of the workmanship on the interior of this vehicle vs. my '07 ES 350 - sad, but true!

I am also switching to Mobil 1, but I have not experienced the "dieseling" effects that others have (I continue to hold my breath)! Have you been filling with 93 octane? If not, you may want to try that approach.

Best fo luck to you -

BaddBoi

Thanks for the response. I still don't know where I find out which version of the Nav I have. I don't wanna buy an upgrade for it if it turns out that I already have the upgrade. Is it somewhere in one of the menus on the nav system it's self?

Scorpio -

I am assumingyou are questioning the NAV DVD version? What year is your new ride? Most NAV DVD's are released in October for the previous year. So, if your vehicle is an '07, then it is safe to say that you have the '06 version DVD. Unless you live in an area that is under lots of new construction, it may not be worth upgrading!

Good luck.

just turned 21 black on black is the way to go IMO I woulda gotten one earlier but I bought my parents 07 camry for their aniversary

lol @ saabkyle, for about 2-3 months I was considering getting an infiniti too but decided to go w/ the reliable toyota esp in toronto where our roads are full of salt/snow/worlds worst drivers (toronto statistically has the worlds worst drivers :( )

OK Tom S. we all hate you too! ha ha. Did you buy your parents a Camry? Ok, you and saabkyle are the two guys who invented google!!! LOL

I know about salt and snow....Pennsylvania is the same way....but maybe not the world's worst drivers' though. But you know what, I think Boston, MA has the dubious honor for having the world's worst drivers...I think Toronto is a distant 2nd then! :)

Tom.S and saabkyle,

NICE to see our younger generation having early successes :) I am 37 and got a killer deal on a UL w/ ML; however, after driving it for 1,000 miles I decided it was not what I was looking for in a daily driver and so I purchased an IS 350 - WOW, now that is a performance ride!

BaddBoi

Iv'e noticed that I can feel the engine downshift and do some slight engine braking when I take my foot off the gas in the power mode also. But when I am in normal mode the car "coasts" more. I do notice the take off is much more "Now" in the power mode. My wife thought the power ect mode and the VDIM stuff was all just a gimmick. So with it in normal mode and the VDIM on, from a dead stop I floored it, while the rear tires did break loose, the VDIM quickly engaged and kept it civil, then I pushed the VDIM for 5 seconds to turn it completely off, and then put it in the power mode, again from a dead stop, I floored it and lit the rear tires up and pulled a 30 foot drift until she screamed and begged me to never do that with her in the car again. LOL!!! She'e a believer now! Not bad for a little luxury people mover.

Smooth1 -

I've been trying to figure that out - THANKS :) I'd like to put it into a power slide (closed circuit course or at 3am in a vacant parking lot) :) However, I will be doing that withOUT the wifey in the car - LOL!!!

BaddBoi

I drive with the Power ECT on all the time...

Manolo1 -

I'm curious how this has impacted your MPG City/Hwy? Please share.

BaddBoi

How would I know if I drive all the time with the ECT on?

My guess is that it is totally inmaterial as all you get is faster response and that should amount to -at most- 2%-3% worse mileage...

Manolo1 - I believe what Baddboi was trying to get at was what MPG you get with the Power ECT mode so that he could compare to his mileage.

But Manolo lives in Florida, and Badboi lives in Denver. Huge elevation difference. Not to mention it's more about driving habits not the setting of the car. If you had it in power mode all the time, but drove it like a granny, you would probably show better gas mileage than someone who drove it regular mode very aggresively all the time.

But to help with the comparison, I live in Florida also, I "mostly" drive in the regular mode, but I admit that I am not a "Passive" driver. I seem to be getting about 21-22 mpg when I drive regularly bith city and highway combined. When I drive in the power mode for a couple of tanks fulls, I can get as low as 18 mpg's. Well, I should restate that as I have gotten as low as 18 mpg's. I'm sure I could get worse if I tried to.

Thanks for the clarification and update :)

I drive with the Power ECT on all the time...

Manolo1 -

I'm curious how this has impacted your MPG City/Hwy? Please share.

BaddBoi

Does anybody wants to set up a all Lexus,import meeting in Denver?

It would be sweet to have a meeting for the Denver area Lexus owners. Let me know how I can help, I know a few other Lexus owners I could probably get to join.

I'd be happy to help organize an LOC meetup here in Denver.

I just bought a Jabra SP5050 bluetooth speakerphone at Costco for $50 with coupon. So far, it works great. Sounds is very loud and clear, and people on the other end have no problem hearing me. I guess it doesn't hurt that the IS has a pretty quite interior. Its also pretty slim, and slides right onto your visor. I'm pretty happy with it, and it sure beats wearing a goofy headset in my ear.

My 2 cents...

And see, I was at Costco and forgot that coupon. I almost got that and went with the earpiece instead.......argh!

If you are settling on an "earpiece" BT device, then the Jawbone is the only way to go! Yes, it is on the pricey side; however, the noise cancelling feature is amazing and it is VERY comfortable on your ear (comes with 2 right and 2 left ear pieces that you can swap out).

I just referenced the hybrid disk because the 08 has the latest software that does not allow the override, and that is why the hybrid was created. Until Lexus comes out with something different I will live with what I have, legally and ethically!

Gotcha :) Thanks for clarifying.

As JGT says, it may work for you, but the 08's have the next version of the software, that although eliminates the need to hit OK every time you start your car, you cannot override it. Some people have created what is called a "hybrid" which combines the old executable with the updated maps. The pro is that you can override it, the con, you have to press OK.

Personally and ethically speaking, I would not buy a hybrid disk. One, because having been an software developer I understand that my income came from people buying the software legally. And two, I don't think I would risk $300 on buying something that is not guaranteed by the manufacturer.

AZ -

I am not sure why you are referencing a hybrid disk????? The post doesn't refer to a hybrid disk; rather, simple instructions to use to override the system "manually". I woudl also not recommend to the masses purchasing a "black market" DVD as it is a serious piracy violation. You see, I too am in the software biz :)

I discovered this post on the IS350 forum (looking at an '06 IS350) and I was wondering if this "trick" worked on the '07 ES350 NAV system:

NAV override instructions:

This is not permanent and it has to be done everytime you start your car.

Press Menu

Press Volume

Press the Top Left Corner of the Screen

Press the Bottom Left Corner of the Screen

Press the Top Left Corner of the Screen

Press the Bottom Left Corner of the Screen

A Menu will come up.

Press and Hold Override for 5 seconds or until you hear a beep

Hit back and you are done, you should be able to enter destinations while driving.

My car is at the dealership (again), so I will try this tomorrow when I get my baby back!

Got a great deal on one in Denver (pre-owned). Not sure how many other ES 350 UL's are in the area, but I would have to agree with all the other posts that there were more than 50 made :)

I currently have an a 2008 RX, but I'm thinking of getting the redesign 2010 RX when it comes out. Any suggestion of where to sale your vehicle when the market value of your vehicle is still 35-40K? I know if I was to trade in, it would worth 3-5K less, but when sell privately a vehicle that cost 35-40K, who has the cash to pay it up front these days? (I sold my last vehicle privately before, but it was only worth 6K, so people can manage it.)

Thanks.

I would also recommend CraigsList! You will be pleasantly surprised at the number of luxury vehicles listed on this site.

Good luck.

Update: I got a great deal on a new smoky mica ES350/UL/ML at the very end of February and I am really enjoying this car. I'm still figuring out much of the technology, but loaded up the changer with DVD-audio discs and the sound is to die for.

Nelsjay -

Congrats and enjoy!

Here they are after the car got back from the detailer.

SWEET RIDE! And you bought this for the wifey - lucky woman! I'd be afraid of staining the seat from $hittin' my pants behind the wheel of this beauty :) Have fun!

Maverick,

I recently purchased a pre-owned 07 ES 350 (Smokey Granite) w/ 13,500 miles for $33,500.00, which when it was new the MSRP = $43,989 based on the window sticker, which includes the following options:

MSRP: $33,170.00

• Intuitive Parking Assist: $500.00

• Luxury Package: $5,380.00

o Perforated Leather Trim Interior w/ Memory Driver's and Front Passenger's Seats, Outside Mirrors, Power Tilt/Telescoping Wood Steering Wheel, Panorama Glass Roof, Heated and Ventilated Front Seats, HID Headlamps with AFS, Power Rear Sunshade, Rear Seat Side Airbags, Driver’s Power Cushion Extender, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Bluetooth, 10-Spoke Graphite Wheels with Full Spare Tire

• NAV/Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package: $4,050.00

o Generation 5 NAV system with Rear Camera, Bluetooth, Voice-Activation w/ Destination Input, Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio with 14-Speakers, In-Dash 6-Disc DVD/CD Changer and Cassette Player

• Cargo Net: $59.00

• Trunk Mat: $69.00

• Wheel Locks: $66.00

TOTAL: $43,989.00

The car was very meticulously kept and is having a new “rain-sensing” windshield installed by the previous owner (retail cost is $1,100.00).

I just can not justify buying a brand new car anymore, given the fact that I buy a new car about every 2-3 years as it just doesn’t make for sound financial sense and I am not a fan of leasing due to the number of miles I drive each year.

As for the economy, here are my 2 cents:

The continued and unfortunate negative press regarding our economy is going to continue to wreak havoc on the US dollar, financial and real estate sectors. The recent housing news is just the tip of the iceberg. The "recession" we are currently faced with and the rising price of gas will continue to drive down prices in the auto industry. I also believe that the housing slump created by the subprime debacle will continue to affect the financial and real estate sectors through 2009. Based on some of the info I have been reading/researching, I am placing my money on a 2010 turnaround. I sure do hope that I am way off base on my personal opinions and we start to see a recovery sooner than 2010.

Wow, you are buying a new car every 2-3 years? That's a lot! What do you do with your old car? Trade in? The last time I bought a brand new car was 2001, I just bought a brand new RX400h again this year, that's 7 years. But I agree with your about buying slightly used car. Brand new car depreciate WAY TOO FAST!

ILUVLEX -

I am in sales and so I put a lot of miles on my vehicles and I like the upgrades available every 3 years or so! Depends on what I am buying and where I purchase the vehicle from (private vs. dealer). I prefer to sell my old car myself, but it all depends on the new car I want to buy.

I know the exterior still looks the same, but what about the interior, engine? Any upgrade that worth buying the 2008 instead of 2007? My sister is looking at the ES350, but if nothing changes between 07 & 08, I think she will get an CPO 07 ES. Thanks

ILUVLEX -

Please note that some of the 2007 models experienced a transmission issue. In fact, I purchased my 07 (previously owned) and the transmission was replaced by the dealership prior to my purchase of the vehicle b/c the "software" fix did not resolve the issue.

I would recommend reading as many posts on this site as you can before drawing your own conclusion on which model year she should purchase.

Best of luck and enjoy!

Have you considered a clear bra? Much more attractive.

Does Lexus sell one for the '07?

What is this clear bra I keep hearing about?

A clear bra is a plastic cover applied with a sticky backing. It is sort of like that shelf paper with the sticky backing - forgot the name of it. Anyway, it is (semi)permanent and durable.

Do a search of this site for posts on the good and bad qualities of a clear bra. From what I've read it is expensive and having a good installer is critical to it being applied correctly.

Found some stuff on it... http://www.automotivearticles.com/Clear_Bra_3M.shtml and http://www.invisiblepatterns.com

Has anybody here done it? What are your opinins on it?

AZ -

My 07 ES had one installed by the previous owner on the front bumper, side view mirrors, front windshield supports and most importantly on the rear bumper. Why on the rear bumper you ask? Well, how many times have you or the wifey loaded something into the trunk and it slipped and fell onto the bumper? Ah ha! Saves on the incidental scratches - also protects the car while in the garage around the kids!

I've always had them installed on my vehicles and they are a huge paint chip saver, especially here in Colorado! However, make sure you spend the money for a good quality clear bra! The cheap imitations tend to turn "milky", hence ruining the beautiful look of your luxury vehicle :) Again, back to the wise old adage of, "You get what you pay for!"

Hello

I just bought our Lexus ES 350 used six months ago, and it has 26000 miles on it. We love it so far.

On smooth roads I have noticed that as I start up and increase speed that a low frequency

roar noise like a bearing sound. The sound does not change with engine speed or trans shifting or road surface.

It is a constant sound with speed. It sounds just like a bad bearing I have heard in the past.

It is a very low freq at low speeds but as the car speed up the freq turns slightly higher.

The tires are the factory tires that come with the car - TOYO tires.

Have not had a chance to take it to a dealer since I live 100 miles from the nearest dealer.

Just thought you guys might have some experience on this so I can inform the dealer. Noise's are so hard

to deal with. We are a old honda family and are hoping the lexus will be just as great of a experience.

Thanks for your Help.

C J

BBW and ClayShooter -

Very interesting that this has happened at about the 25K mile mark on your vehicles :( This is definitely a topic that you should bring to a site moderators' attention as they may want to "PIN" it for future reference as this may be a potential defect situation.

Best of luck to both of you with your rides!

Take it from an old time car audio system competitor (IASCA), I have an 07 ES350, UL with Levinson and it is nothing like what you could put in aftermarket for the 3-4k you'd spend on the Levinson. I wouldn't have gotten the Levinson except that it's almost standard in the UL package and is so integrated with the NAV/Bluetooth etc. that unless you just have more money than you know what to do with, it doesn't make sense to tear it out. Don't get a factory Lexus system, go with aftermarket, good head unit, MB Quart speakers and a nice Subwoofer or tubes if you can afford the space in the trunk. You won't be disappointed. I could build a system for $2500 that would leave the Levinson in the dust, although alot of the integration would be gone, so I'll stay with it for now...sigh...Good luck!

ClayShooter -

Well said! The ML system is nice for factory, but aftermarket systems would leave it in the dust.