HRP

Your surface should be smooth before you apply wax. Wash your car and then put your hand in a plastic sandwich bag; then rub your fingers across the surface. If it is rough, you need to at least use a claybar. And use the claybar before using a polishing compound; if the surface is still rough after using a claybar, you will need to use further measures. Surface preparation is the key to, and 95+% of the final results. I, too, am a Zaino user (read Zaino Zealot). Although I have not used it yet, I understand that the new Zaino Z-2 PRO is incredible. with an anticipated duration of at least 6 - 9 months. Suggest you check out www.zainostore.com You might also be interested in the detailing information and discussions on http://www.autopia-carcare.com/

Remember, you only buy your FIRST Lexus once!

Most places that sell replacement batteries will install them at no additional charge. Just watch, and tip, especially if it is cold and wet.

The biggest problem you are creating is the belief that all cars are going to be as good as your Lexus. You really need to own and drive "comparable" vehicles to really appreciate the Lexus. I'm a physician, have driven Buicks, Ramblers, Mercedes (gas and diesel), Packards, Excaliburs, VW's, Fords, Pontiacs, and Cadallacs and even a Kiser). My friends have waded through similar quagmires of vehicles. Now they, like me, drive Lexus. My best friend said to me after coming off years of being a Cadallac loyalist, "You know, this 2003 LS430 is the first real car I've ever owned" Your appreciation of a really great car is amplified by prior ownership of a "good" car.

I spent a lot of time and effort into researching a new/used car in 2001 and 2 when I purchased my LS430. My son (now 43) is a car fanatic, mechanic, and general foreign (German) car expert. He said that unless I were planning to maintain the car and do the repairs, forget the Benz. I chose a new late 2002 LS430 because it was not a first year model, had a great track record, fantastic reviews, was comfortable, was manuverable (more so than the Benz, check the turning radius), had more legroom in the rear seat, was 30 grand cheaper for a better appointed car. I did not, and still do not like the exterior styling of the LS430. I prefer more classic lines like the Benz or Jag; but I spend the time behind the wheel, not outside the car. And not in the shop!!! Unless you plan to do the work yourself, or buy a really good warranty, don't get the Benz. BTW, we drove a new, loaded 2002 Avalon for a week and 1k in the late summer of 2002 in Oregon (right before purchasing the LS), got 30mpg including a trip up to Crater Lake. And seriously considered a new Avalon. It could have well been labled a 'Lexus' Avalon based on the amenities, ride, and solidity ind quietness. But I had a hankerin' for the LS. (and paid the extra 30+ grand) In your shoes, I'd sure check out the Avalon in your price range. I think you might be really favourably surprised. I saw a figure once where the LS actually lost more sales to the Avalon than any of its "real" competitors. And the interior room (even the back seat leg room) in the Avalon is quite comparable to the LS430's. Give it a look-see!

Our LS430 is such a wonderful ride, and that (plus a lot of research) coupled with the 1k we logged on vacation on the Oregon coast in a new rented Avalon, and the drive from Seattle to North Carolina in a rental "stripped" Camry prompted us to purchase Toyota stock. And the stock, like our LS430, is performing well and loking better and better. If you haven't seen the latest Edmunds.com convertible newsletter, check it out at: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/toyota/camrysolara/100413338/roadtestarticle.html?articleId=103784&mktcat=convertibles&kw=TEXT&mktid=NL990278&DARTmail

This is a link to a 15 min video about how Topgear tried to "kill" an old Toyota truck. I'm glad I own Toyota stock!! Even my wife watched it; the whole 15 min and forwarded this link to her friends. http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/prog28/toyota.shtml

When we bought our LS430 (new 2002), we didn't want the sunroof; but were told by several dealers (east and weat coast) that the only way we could get one without the "sunroof option" was a special order. We elected to purchase one with the sunroof because the dealer's price was actually less since he wanted to move a car already on the lot rather than special order one. So I expect some without a sunroof probably exist.

If you decide to take the job, I would definitely find a way to use the commute time to take some courses from an accredited college via audio study and get a degree. On the other hand you could take a tranny course at a local community college and spend much less than 30 hours a week away from your gf and other hobbies. (several years ago while working full time, I took 8 hours a week in the evenings in auto mechanics for 2 years) I'd sure look at a lot of other options, but then in over 35 years, I never lived further than 20 minutes away from my work. I can't imagine even a 1 hour commute.

When we were evaluating new sedans in 2002 (and chose the LS430), we considered all of the cars mentioned which were available for the 2002 model year, and a whole lot more. Our second choice was the Avalon (not just on a cost basis). We drove one (top of the line and loaded) for about 1k miles on vacation in Oregon round trip from Portland down the coast, across to Crater Lake, with multiple side trips before returning to Portland. Averaged 30+ mpg with 4 adults and luggage. At that time it was the roomiest and most comfortable of the sedans metioned except the LS430. Later I read that the LS 430 lost more sales to the Avalon than any other car even though the Avalon was not classified as a "luxury sedan". But we were specifically looking for a reliable, comfortable, roomy (rear seat also), safe, quiet, and well appointed 4 door sedan with well above average handling qualities. Not a "sport "sedan, most of which have very limited leg room in the rear seat. The Avalon stacked up very well against the competition. After purchasing and driving the LS430 and remembering the quality of the Avalon and the Camry(which we drove from Seattle to North Carolina), we bought Toyota stock (which is still looking good)!

Try searching the www.autopia.org forums. And you might pose that question there. Some of those guys are professional detailers and really love difficult detailing problems.

Who says white can't have good reflections: http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s...highlight=white

I love my '02 LS430 and selected it (new0 after exhaustive comparisons, test drives, etc., but I would question your wisdom in asking your question on this board. Isn't it like asking a Republican to comment on the Bush/Cheney ticket? You might also check out Edmunds.com Their reviews are pretty reliable and contain comments by both satisfied and dissatisfied owners. The reasons for not commenting favorably on the LS430 are quite interesting and include too quiet, too smooth, and "boring".

Go here for the Porter Cable instructions: http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-pc7424.html

My elder sons reminded me this evening that they had been into VW beetles really big in the 70's. After 15 years, many modified engines, many repairs, etc; they have returned to the fold. Both have VW's, one is completely redoing a 1974 Ghia; their comments: the engineers at the companies created these engines to power the car efficiently and appropriately; and to get the best service with the least maintainance. Now some "kids" want to change that and do a better job. The balance between economy and performance the factory built into the car can be altered, but at a real price in wear and tear down the road; usually a short road. Most of us old farts have tried it, and with few exceptions, we're back to original specs.

Suggest you check out www.autopia.org It is the detailers' chat site, and has all you need to know about car cleaning and detailing. There's even a review site.. Your personal ride reflects a lot about you, so make it look special. And It Will Feel Special! I like the Zaino products found on line at www.zainostore.com Check it out. Their car wash is excellent. After all you are detailing a Lexus!!

If you checkout the Zaino products, you'll see that they recommend using a solution of their carwash (http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SGCWC&Store_Code=Z) as a lubricant for their clay. The squeaking is an indication of resistance, and while probably not doing any real harm, makes the job harder than needed. And the "clay lubricant" is much more expensive than carwash and water. And it probably isn't as good a lubricant.

This is one of those times where you can't avoid Hormone Alley. If you can direct the need for better 0 - 60 times toward keeping the car a show piece worth driving carefully, it will still attract the girls, and the safety and luxury will let their parents feel better about your staying out late with them. You don't have to be a nerd to have a Lexus; and you can still "pimp it". Besides, you'll save bucks on repairs, gas, and tires; that you can spend on upgrading the car.

At this point, you need a good work history. If you are going to get that, you need to work at the dealership with the best reputation for good service; be it Kia or Mercedes, Lexus or Ford. Once you build a good solid work history and reputation, you can only move upward. Sure, Lexus builds great cars, but check this board; not all the dealers are as good as the car. And just working for a luxury line doesn't guarantee anything. Most Luxury car owners are really picky. After all when you pay 50+ k for a car, it had better be perfect!! Check out the reputation of the service departments of nearby dealers and find the one with the best reputation.

Just a couple of tips: 1) Don't forget the wheelwells. I apply Mop'n'Glo via a spray bottle (using a sponge or rag really gets your hands sticky and wastes more than you actually apply). And turning the front wheels all the way in one direction gives you much more space to clean wheelwells. 2) Zaino Z-10 (Leather In A Bottle) is a gerat product and not only protects and keeps your leather looking great, it keeps that smell of leather in the car for several weeks. 3) Don't forget to clean and "dress" your door seals, and clean and polish the door frames to keep the wind noise down. 4) You'd be amazed at the number of people who forget to clean the windshield wipers. 5) Never detail in clothes that have hard buttons, snaps, rivets, etc. No belts just cotton tee shirt and shorts that have a draw string or elastic. 6) When working on the car, always have one or two MF towels in your hand or pocket. That way when you want to lean on the car, you can lean on the towel. Stops the messy finger/hand/arm marks. And they make a handy cushion for putting bottles products down on the car without scratching. 7) Rolling stool for low body panels, bumpers, wheels........easy on the lower back.

In the for what it's worth department, some Toyota service departments are doing Lexus service at much lower costs than the nearby Lexus dealers. You might check that out.

Look around. No one wants anything to do with a redneck until their car breaks down. My sons (all 3 or them) really enjoy helping out with problems like this. These are some of the guys who ride around in a 4x4 on Christmas eve or in bad weather looking for someone to "save". And all 3 of my sons, aged from 43 down to 27 are excellent mechanics; and none of them do this as a living. One handles the leasing of equipment for major construction, one is a national sales rep for medical technology, and the third is working in a recycle bicycles program in Providence. There are scads of folks out there interested in giving you a hand, and many know what they are doing and do it for the satisfaction of keeping a mechanical monster running. As well aas teaching you haw to handle problems. It's almost like a religion. They'll help you and expect you to pass along the obligation to someone else when you help them out. Most of the time it really works.

Keeping an older car means upkeep expenses and problems. If you are your own mechanic and enjoy doing the work, and have an emergency vehicle available, then keeping an older car is probably your bag and less expensive in the long run. My son has kept an older (83) Mercedes diesel running for over 500k, but he does everything including major engine, transmission, suspension, interior, etc. and enjoys it, but he does have an extra vehicle. On the other hand, if you are like my wife, and you want reliable transportation with absolutely no hassle, and your emotional attachment ends the first time you are stranded in a shopping center; replace it with a new or low milage used vehicle.

This question is asked over and over. I've been "waxing" cars since the mid-50's and over the years tried most of the stuff available at Walmart, Target, Sears, Autozone, NAPA, etc. Several years ago I "moved up" to the methods and products used by "professional detailers". The big "secret" is the preparation. A good cleaning and polishing, claying with a claybar, and then topping with a quality sealant. The last step is the easiest if you do everything right. I've used several and prefer Zaino. It applies and removes easily, gives a great shine, and has a durability second to none. Check out Zainostore.com

Check out the digital media players. When I upgrade my car's system, I'm adding one. Imagine having all your music available, not just 6 or 10 cd's. One of the sites is www.phatnoise.com Also Crutchfiled and other audio sites discuss and sell these units.