ADVocate

This is always a funny, heated, emotional and/or personal discussion. Kind of like s*x and religion. There will always be someone who aquired something similar at or below what you paid. But, you don't always here what the guy who paid to much has to say. If you paid below the MSRP, you did not pay TOO much. If you got it near invoice, you got a better deal. But, location and availabilty always dictate that fluctuation. I did not get a great deal on my truck. But, than again, there were FEW of my option package available in Southern California at time I made my purchase. So I do not feel I paid too much, nor do I think others who paid less got a better deal. In my last visit to the dealer for routine service they had 1 GX in inventory. It is too popular at this time around here. If I was looking for an LX ... they had about 10 of those. :) To paraphrase the words of Robert W Wood Jr. and and SW03ES ... don't worry about the price stuff and forget about it, just enjoy it. B)

To this regard, Lexus indeed really sucks @$$.:chairshot: Most manufactures seem to allow some post modification with factory parts. I have a 2004 GX, with KDSS, in which the tow hitch was NOT an option. The dealership will not install it with the manufacture's components, nor will they sell them to you (they want to match the sale of the parts to your VIN). You have to install a 3rd party hitch system. You can look around, but there is a company called Draw-Tite that makes a bolt-in 2" reciever rated for 5000lbs. ( http://www.draw-tite.com ). The model number for the GX is #75155. I think the Ball and Hitch assembly will fall just under your rear bumber, so you do not have to remove the cover plate from the bumper itself. I have not had this item installed, but intend to. As yet I cannot comment on the whole package appearance. Draw-Tite does state that their product bolts into the existing holes and there is NO further drilling or modification. After that, all you need is your wiring loop to be located. There is a thread on this site which concerns that very topic: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...12255&hl=wiring From what I do understand, it is actually a better hitch than what Lexus offers anyway. Good Luck ... I will be joining you in the near future for that same addition. :)

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is what the vehicle rating is for a full load of people and packages. This does not include the towing weight. Think of it as the rating your truck can move down the road, before your axles snap. :whistles: That is not literally what it means, but the rating is something to help determine how much you can put inside the vehicle. The newer rating of GVW6200 lbs. is probably because of the newer horsepower bump which give it more torque to move. :) The "Curb Weight", is what the vehicle weighs empty.

At the risk of sounding rude ..... As I recall this whole scenario, it strikes me as to "whom", should do some more fact checking. I understand that the NHTSA report sided concerned the 2003 GX470 only. And for that year's Tax consequences, fell under the depreciation cap for a "family" vehicle. This GVW error was corrected for the 2004 year series. I am not sure what was modified by the manufacturer, but it is now cataloged as GVW 6100lbs (probably HP and other factors). And that is how it stands now, 6100 GVW, and approved within the "non-family" category. I read some of your other complaints. Some of them could be legitemate problems with your truck. But, some of them are true operational characteristics of ANY car or truck (i.e. uphill assist making noises, same as ABS braking noises can't get around that). It may be true, you might be able to recover some potential tax benefits, lost from the purchase of the truck. But, I REALLY doubt you could get the dealer or the manufacture to seriously consider a remimbursement or return of your purchase price (as cited by Texasoil). I have read quite a few forums, during my selection process of what to purchase, and trust me NONE of them have completely happy people. There is always someone who did not get what they THOUGHT they should. I for one, find some small inconveniences with the truck. But, given what I have witnessed in other manufacturers, have no big complaints. And NO ... I do not represent lexus, just my own cognitive self.

Other possiblities may be .... The Lease payments may also be based on the drive off cost. Which has the lower cost at the front end. If they all have the same cost than it is a bit upside down. There is also a possible tail end payment and penalties to consider. One may be more punishing than the other if you trade it in early. Most dealerships seem to arrange their own lease programs. Also, what are the factory incentives to the dealership to get rid of the car through a leasing program. Those all factor into the monthly cost On another note, Leasing is definetly in your favour if you can write it off to business use. Because you trade in often may not be the best choice for leasing. One HUGE fact for people who are credit conscience is, liablity. If you are planning on buying a home or any other large item. Leasing is a Liability with NO asset. In other words, you are committing money to debt without any added value. If you PURCHASE the vehicle, it is a tangible asset (that can be liquidated), which you can add to your financial net worth. I am not an accountant, but these are all factors that I have become aware of over time. Just thought I would throw in 2 cents ....:whistles:

Not necessarily. You can put mp3 formatted songs on a CD too. ← 'i'm confused because i have a stereo here at home that's having cds problems. Sometimes it would read a cd, sometime not. When i burned that "so called mp3 cd" my stereo can read it loud and clear, as if it was a brand new stereo. so i was really wondering what format the songs are! ← Not that we are trying to turn this into an Techno/Audiophile thread, but ... If you use a "CD" type burning software and you select AUDIO CD as the format. The software will convert the files to an AIFF format. If you select DATA CD, and the files are in an MP3 format, this will creat a MP3 DATA disk. And quite a few of the newer CD players will read the MP3 DATA format as valid and play them. The CD player must have the MP3 hardware codec inside to do this. And further yet, it may work if you select DATA CD with WAV files, this method is compatible on far fewer CD players. There are some DVD players that will also play MP3 data disks. But they are not on the DVD media. MP3's will only work on standard CD media and in a DATA mode. If you place a DATA format DVD with MP3's in that same player, the player will look for a DVD VIDEO disk. The two types are NOT compatible. So, the player will not accept the Audio MP3 DVD disk. This has to do with the formatting structure of DVD in video players. But, if you really had a bug up .. you know. You could make an AC3 format Audio disk that will play in the DVD player. But it has to be encoded as such. As far as the CD sometimes playing and not playing. That is a disk compatibility issue of either media (disk manufacture) or file structure. If your CD player sometimes reads MP3's or not, it is usually just a bad or marginal data record (burn). Sorry for the off topic, and I hope it helps clarifies any fog I may have thrown in earlier...

Actually, this is the major reason I did choose this over the RR (dependablity was the negative here) and X5. And I have had only good things to say about how easily this truck navigates odd terrain (although the running boards do suck in their postioning). Some say the truck rides poorly, I don't have similar views. But, when you get it on the dirt, it really does outshine it's competition in confidence of getting to your destination. EAT that you ... you X5 owners ;) ...

well, I haven't checked the dealer yet, but to have the works (3rd seat, DVD,Nav/ML) would cost you around $51k and $53k (unless they give discounts on 04s). I don't know if the pricing of the 05s are the same still. ← If you are looking for the works, including the KDSS (this feature worth every penny) expect easily pay over $50K. In '04, that feature was extremely limited, about 1 or 2 for every 100 brought in. So there was little moderating the price for it. But, the dealer was still flexible. Just not down to Invoice level. But I understand that more '05's will have KDSS. Ths sad part is, it is now a sport package with some odd colored wood or aluminium trim. This may be cool for some, but not in my particular taste category. I am curiuos what the MSRP difference between the two model years will be. Good luck with you hunt.

what! it does not play mp3s....when u burned ur mp3s to CD, it must have converted them to WAV files..... a good way to verify this, is to ask you, do u have more than 20 tracks/songs on this CD of yours? ← That would be great if the stereo played MP3's. But, I have tried and it does not work. Also, a typcial CD player will NOT play WAV's. The normal encoding method is AIFF. And depending on the song length and disc type (72 vs. 80 min. disc) you can probably get about 22-30 songs on a single disc. I have tried making MP3 data disc's to no availe. With that said, if anyone knows how to encode a CD with MP3's and play them in the ML CD change I would be happy as can be. After all, you can get about 8 HRs. of music on an MP3 disc. Forget about the Ipod for now, an MP3 format would ROCK.

I had a Range Rover with air suspension all four corners. This could be a similar case. The Air Springs are nothing more than rubber cylinders that ride on curved pieces of steel. The natural weight of the truck cause the air seal for the air springs (much like a tire fits its bead on a rim). If you lowered the truck prior to loading your heavy item, this added shifting weight may have been enough to break the bead. The air compressor may have gone into fault mode and not started up again. This also happens when the truck raised on a lift using frame points. Driving your truck to your destination may have caused the beads to seat again. Only after allowing the truck to reset overnight may have cured this. Just a suggestion, since I am not a Toyota or Lexus Mechanic. :whistles: What ever happened, it is pretty weak that the system under that type of condition. Good thing it started to work for you again. Very few things suck as much as riding on the suspension stoppers.

Not sure what you guys expect from a system like that. True it could prevent you from rolling backwards at all. But, if that were the case, it might also lunge the car forward if the incline did not warrant the increased throttle. After all, it is only a set of electronics on a 4000lb truck. It does not have ESP or an unlimited class action lawsuit under-writer associated with the technology. It will probably only work in the event you roll backwards with a particular force. And my guess is you don't want to be in that situation for it to work. I have had it kick in, but I was rolling downhill backwards ... it kicked in at about 2-3 mph, and felt like the ABS system in function. Rather unsettling if you ask me. But, it is there if I were in a worse situation.

Here is a website for a company that has created OEM integration for the new Lexus and Toyota Nav systems. It is a bit pricey, but it is a clean integration with menus. They are about to release the product line. At least that is what their site states. Link --> http://www.vaistech.com/ Good Luck with it !!!

BTW, if you deflate your tires for the sand, you may notice a dash alarm for the tire pressure. This is a light within the area of your fule gauge. It will probably stay that way until you re-inflate your tires, and perhaps put a message in your auto computer regarding the condition. Just an FYI. :whistles:

i believe there is still something wrong with it. that's good ur going to tell ur dealer! ← I think there is a section in the manual about reprogramming a window switch. Apparently, this happens when the power is removed from the battery. But, in your case I am curious if the setting is just goofed up, and needs to be reprogrammed. There is a procedure for teaching the window the roll-up height and tension. Again, not sure if that is what the problem is, but worth looking into the manual for it. :)

I think that a number of people have wanted to do this. And there is a workaround that involves taking part of your dash apart to add some jumper wires to a switch (which simulates the parking brake on and speed sensor to be at "0"). I am not into cutting into the wiring harness of the truck as yet. There has got to be a more elegant solution in the diagnostic computer telling the system to override the safety procedures. If anyone knows if this is possible, I would be interested in getting this done. This would also allow the passanger to use the navigation system usage while driving. Not ALL uses of the DVD or Navigation are dangerous activities. B)

I noticed that in this version they list the ride height control as active. In the 03'-04', this was only the case with the load leveling (rear end lift). Does the 05', now have full ride height control like the Range Rovers ???? I always thought it was silly to do just the rear end, I do miss the amount of lift you can control (although I DON'T miss those times when the compressor died and you were left sitting on suspension bumpers).

The sensation is that of a hydraulic piston releasing pressure. Which is how the KDSS works, by shifting hydraulic fluid to the opposing side/ front to back. It just feels like a sticky piston. As I mentioned earlier, I could be wrong on my conclusion. But, from past experience and some mechanical engineering knowledge. That is my floundering logic. :) I have not been able to reproduce this on command, and it only happens occasionally. Once that is determined, it will be easier to rectify.

I think you do NOT want that little light on. I believe shunts out the viscous coupling of the transfer case. Which would lock that into a hard 4x4, thereby damaging the drivetrain if driven on asphalt roads. This is equivelant to locking your hubs on older 4x4's.

I do not speak for everyone obviously. But, I do not see everyone who posts here, having that particular dilemna. Your correct in that all the vehicles have the same mechanical parts. But, I do not have that driveline issue. Perhaps, I have the defective unit. And the problem I have noticed with my KDSS is not a driveline issue. I can actually feel the truck settle its' position by a shift in tension on the suspension. And it occurs rarely, only after some hard swift manuevering. Once I determine how to recreate this on command, I will let the dealership guys have a crack at it. It would be interesting if my "suspension" issue is really the driveline issue your talking about. It just does not feel like that from where I sit. And it does not happen very often. And, it is not something that would make me feel the truck was a total POS. But, that is my opinion. In the past I have effectively sued an auto manufacturer, and they had to buy the car back. I have not seen ANY issues with my truck that would even lead me to that course of action now. ← Yours is only the second KDSS owner that has described a problem that I am aware of. I don't quite understand what you're feeling when you talk about a shift in tension. Can you explain that again please? Well, I don't know if I am in the minority or majority or just plain lucky, but I have none of the problems currently being discussed on the message boards. The truck doesn't clunk, stray off center, move around in the wind, vibrate, have a stinky catalytic converter, shift poorly or lean to one side. ← I am not sure how to describe it very clearly, which is why the dealership has not been involved. To give you an idea, as the vehicle comes to a stop it feels like the front driver side shock absorber was stuck in the upper position, suddenly releases and drops to the normal position. This has happend periodically in the last 5K miles, but not to the point where I am going to pull my hair out. I have been in different cars which have other types of issues, and I think I can put this in perspective. From what I have read in this forum, it appears that Lexus is at least making an attempt to correct various problems. Which is the reason I think most of us chose "Lexus" versus other manufacturers. As with any "intermittent" problems, the problem needs to be repeatable in demonstration to effectively correct. Once, I can do this, I will pursue a remedy. And I will post the findings here.

I do not speak for everyone obviously. But, I do not see everyone who posts here, having that particular dilemna. Your correct in that all the vehicles have the same mechanical parts. But, I do not have that driveline issue. Perhaps, I have the defective unit. And the problem I have noticed with my KDSS is not a driveline issue. I can actually feel the truck settle its' position by a shift in tension on the suspension. And it occurs rarely, only after some hard swift manuevering. Once I determine how to recreate this on command, I will let the dealership guys have a crack at it. It would be interesting if my "suspension" issue is really the driveline issue your talking about. It just does not feel like that from where I sit. And it does not happen very often. And, it is not something that would make me feel the truck was a total POS. But, that is my opinion. In the past I have effectively sued an auto manufacturer, and they had to buy the car back. I have not seen ANY issues with my truck that would even lead me to that course of action now.

I have not heard anything about the 4Runner having this issue. But, than again, it has only been a few who have had this issue occur on their GX vehicles. There have been discussions about what the problem may be. And some of the owners have said the problem was resolved after the dealer took it in. Perhaps, through a visit or two. I have not had this problem and I now have more than 12K on the truck. Some say that it occurs anytime they drive, and others say only periodically. A lot of it depends on what the owner is expecting, and their sensitivity between a luxury truck and a luxury sedan. I have noticed, on my truck, an occasionaly suspension adjustment after stopping at a light (usually after some hard manuever). This manifests itself as a thump that you feel inside the cabin. The closest I can determine this, is the KDSS suspension correcting the balance of the load through the hydraulic pistons which it incorporates. This does not always happen, and once I determine how to replicate it for the dealer, I will probably have them look into it. This is a curiousity, not necessarily something that drives me crazy. All in all, I still think it's a great truck, and far better quality of components than the 4runner ever will be. It still comes down to how much to you want all the refinements around you, and what are you willing to pay for it. After having Range Rovers for years, I still think highly of the GX, and look forward to having to take it in very little for service. I do miss the European version of a Luxury Vehicle, but I sleep better at night. :)

KDSS is for on road handling too. There are other threads with posts about the difference between a non KDSS and KDSS truck during on road driving. This is also mentioned on the corporate Lexus site as well as GX reviews. AVS is standard equipment. If you adjust the lights higher, you will probably end up with living proof why HID's are not offered on the GX. Well, they are two very different vehicles for sure. Apples and oranges. To each his/her own, which is why the two models exist in the first place. ← Your quite correct in the KDSS is for road handling as well. I have experience in mountain roads with it and without it. And the difference is body sway is reduced significantly. I am not sure at what point even AWD would lose traction, since there is little body roll to judge lateral force, but the vehicle manuevers better than expected. I still think there is a bit too much over-steer, but one does learn to adjust. I have also been looking into HID upgrades for the GX, but have not ventured down that path. I looked at the MDX , but it had few ergonmic refinements and is really a front wheel drive with an electronic clutch for the "all-wheel" propulsion. For the money, the GX works well, but if you never wanted to venture off-road the X-5 is still a great drive. I had my fill of Land Rovers, fantastic trucks, but you never knew when you were going to be stranded waiting for a tow. Which, depending on your locality, would really really suck. I guess even for a company like Lexus, which has the THE highest ratings in consumer satisfaction, can still have the occasional problem child. If you had to buy on statistics, the lexus would be a no brainer. But, when you have been kicked in the gut by a problem issue, there is probably very little any one can say to make it better. After having my truck now for 12K miles, I do not feel I have made the wrong choice. It has only been in for service, which they local dealer completes in a couple of hours and than picks me up or delivers the car. All I can say is good luck to the others who don't feel the same way.

I have KDSS on my truck and does not lean. I have around 15K on it and so far there is no appreciable difference in the posture of the vehicle. I typically drive the truck as a single passenger during commuting. And two or more people usually at other times. So, I cannot say that load issues are effecting it. The only thing that does have a tendency to change is the back end air springs which will raise up when a heavy load is removed. But, it usually corrects itself once the vehicle is restarted. The only issue I have had with the KDSS is the system making a clunking noise occasionally. My guess is that the plungers in the hydraulics are resetting themselves to a new position. And this usually only happens after a bit of hard braking. Which probably puts the vehicle in an odd state and not neutrally balanced. I still think it was every penny worth the option package. :)

I think I understand what the steering complaint is. If I read your point correctly, are you referring to the over-steer issue. IN that the wheel reacts to quickly and too much sensitivity to your changing direction. In that case I would agree with you 100 percent. I do think that the steering of the vehicle is WAY to sensitive. It took some time to get used to. But, when I have used the vehicle in an off-road situation, it did not seem to be as much of an issue. But, I do prefer a biased or weighted response to the steering wheel. But, I will accept that in lieu of better off-road performance, which the GX does well. Rutted roads almost feel like the have been freshly graded, and washed out trails are easily negotiated. :) That is one area that I don't think I would be taking an X5. ;)

Congrats on the purchase, Strindl. I have not had the issues about the vibration other say they have had. But, I have felt an occasional clunk after braking. I think it is the KDDS resetting itself. I have not brought it up to the dealer yet, but I will soon enough. I look at it this way, new technology will always have that development curve. But, I am happy with it all so far. Benefits outway the negatives. Have a good time with it....