RX400h

Lexus vehicles are so reliable that the dealerships have to become creative....... GM dealerships on the other hand don't have to sell many vehicles. The money they rake in on frequent repairs keeps them fat and happy!

Remember, using premium fuel during cold Winter months is somewhat akin to using 98 octane fuel during Summer - not necessary, since the colder, more dense air during Winter allows the use of lower octane fuels without suffering any ill effects. Similarly, you should wear sunscreen if working outdoors in Hawaii but stop buying it if you move to England; it's not necessary!

I'm getting to the point where I base my DUI vs shop upon the length of time it would take. As I get older, my time becomes more valuable. For the price that my local shop charges, I may not be doing any more brake jobs.

Did you ask WHY the rotors have to be changed? That is odd unless you live in Canada and have to deal with rock salt! Another option is to have a trusted local shop mechanic change the rotors. I was going to change my Mazda's valve cover gasket until I found out what the local shop charges - a whopping $65 for labor. So I bought the gasket and had them do the change. Besides, my torque wrench's torque range is way too high for those valve cover bolts.

I guess I really don't know what you are talking about, being in a climate where it nevers snows, after all......... Seriously, I lived and drove in that type of environment for many years and it does accelerate the rate of having to replace parts, especially brake components. I think at least lubing the slides would be prudent when your vehicle's brake pads last so long. I haven't looked at my pads in a while, so the next time I rotate the tires, I'll take a good look. Thanks for the warning.

Yes, I believe all NAV-equipped RX400hs have the backup camera.

Tom, I like to write! dave Most of the early RX400hs came with everything, including the Mark L. stereo system upgrade. Ours did not come with the video entertainment package, but we really didn't need it, anyway. And as I mentioned previously, you will not find a more reliable vehicle.

Correct! That console slides forward; have the salesperson show you. By the way, we've had our RX400h since new in April of 2004 and it has had zero problems - most certainly, the most reliable vehicle we have ever owned. Our average gas mileage is 24-26, about the same as my 4 cylinder Mazda.

I'm not sure why many RX owners ignore mid-grade. I use it for most of the year and find it to be a good compromise between power and cost. Of course, if I lived in Arizona, I'd be using only premium during those super-hot seasons.

I agree with cduluk; That one is FWD.

Was the inspection completed at the dealership? Is your car still under warranty?

The RX350's 0-60 time at best is 6.9 seconds while the RX400h's is 6.7 seconds. Having an electric "supercharger" definitely has its advantages. Couple the faster acceleration with better fuel mileage and you have a win-win vehicle. (Getting a $2000 tax break didn't hurt, either!)

I'm not certain about newer RX400hs, but my 2006 requires that all doors are unlocked before the remote can open the hatch. Perhaps this is one of the settings that are programmed when we bought the vehicle, but I don't mind as it takes just another second to hit the door unlock button twice before pressing the hatch button.

I've found that accenting the last consonant helps with certain commands like "Suspend". If I accent the "d", it works every time. Dave

Our RX400h has been the most reliable vehicle we have ever owned, including a Honda Accord, Nissan Maxima, and various other makes and models. Since we bought our RX400h in April of 2005, we have not had one problem with it. And while coworkers who bought RX330s have averaged 16 MPG in typical heavy San Diego traffic, we've been averaging 24 - 26 MPG. Hybrids really shine in big city environments and payback can be achieved in as little as 4-5 years. We are very glad that we chose a hybrid over a non-hybrid, especially with gas prices being as high as they are and have been over the years. Needless to say, the hysteria about unintended acceleration that was fueled by the media has not adversely affected our opion of Lexus and Toyota vehicles in the least.

Often, the best way to find out all about damage specifics is to take the vehicle to a good auto body shop. Carfax reports don't always reveal whether an accident happened.

Remember, you would not need to go through a full-blown lawsuit. Filing a small claims suit is much easier and does not involve any lawyers. I went through this type of scenario a while back. The defendants (shop owner and his mechanic) took a look at my "evidence book" of pictures, diagrams and testimonials and they quickly settled out-of-court. Treat it like a school project, prepare well, and you will win.

This brings up a funny story....... A rabbit decided to make its home in my son's Honda Cicic engine bay. It would eventually severe his tachometer wire and then the air conditioning wires. Blasting his alarm at 130 decibles did nothing to get the rabbit to leave so I drove it down to Home Depot and chased it away from the car. Up until then, I really thought the perpetrator was a rat. Luckily I popped open the hood at Home Depot and spotted the guy. Apparently, it is very easy for an animal to hop up from underneath the engine.

I'm afraid it's time for small claims court. It will be a good experience for you; just be sure to send the dealership a formal, certified request for restitution which includes a reasonable deadline for replying. Prepare your defense with plenty of pictures and paper trails.

I had a hard time tracking down my IM box! It'll take a while to get used to it, that's for certain.

Check to see what the maximum award is in Small Claims Court. If it is high enough to cover replacement of the damaged parts, then send the dealership a written request for restitution. Make sure they have to sign for the letter and that you have proof. Then download or retrieve personally, the small claims documents to get the ball rolling.

A police report is not necessary unless they body-damaged your car while taking it for a test ride. You should call corporate if your car is not put back the way it was.

I wouldn't start things off by going in with guns blazing (figure of speech, of course), because animosity begets animosity. Start by showing the top dog all the damage and say something like, "I think you'll agree that this is not acceptable and all damaged items need to be replaced." In other words, give them the chance to make it right. If they refuse to offer you an acceptable solution, send them a certified request for reparation, stating specifically what happened and what you want done. You will need this statement if you end up in small claims court. Good luck.

Our year-round gas mileage is similar to yours during your warmer months (24-26 MPG). BTW, 5 miles to work may not be enough distance to allow the engine oil to reach high enough levels to allow moisture to "burn off". However, a more lengthy trip during the weekend might take care of that issue. In any case, you should follow recommended oil change intervals.

I'm sorry to say this, but some people should not be mechanics. The old saying "all thumbs" comes from describing someone who is not very dextrous with his or her hands. Some of that is from lack of experience and perhaps, patience, but some dexterity is there when we are born. Luckily, not many surgeons fall into the "all thumbs" category.