amcdonal86

You don't have to buy it, just smell it at the store!

They are incredibly hard to find, as they only come in RWD. A salesman told me that you have to special order them. It's "sporty," but nowhere near the competition. The steering is all kinds of messed up, and there are many threads about this issue in the IS 250/350 forum on here.

I, too, need new hood struts. For me, an umbrella works just fine, so I'm not going to worry about it.

Awesome. Better than a window tint!

I started looking at other cars that I could afford to pay cash for. Then I realized why I bought it in the first place--there are not very many cars that are $7000-ish that can drive as good (as in "like new") as the LS does and do so reliably/cheaply. I think I will be sticking onto the LS for a while, perhaps forever. But when I have the money, I'm definitely going to compliment it with something else that revs my engine!! I'm surprised more people on this board don't do that! :D

I guess to get back to my argument that I'd want the IS convertible to come with an optional manual transmission: aren't entry level upscale sedans aimed at younger people? Younger people tend to want some more excitement from their cars!

There is nothing luxurious about a manual. That's why Lexus chooses not to offer them for the most part. If one is the type of person who needs a manual, you're right, they should stay away from Lexus. They should go for Infiniti or BMW--you know, those brands that have successfully combined luxury and some sportiness??? :P I just don't understand why Lexus can't make a car that can compete with the BMW 3 Series or the Infiniti G37. The IS 250/350 is TINY in the back, the ride is jittery, the engine is a grainy-feeling V6, etc. Toyota really dropped the ball on the IS, IMO.

No, it's pretty close. If only they still sold it around here, I might be tempted to put one in my LS. I've gotten lots of comments about it in other cars.

It was the upper strut mounts. I initially went to the dealership to diagnose the issue and then got scammed $200. Then at the recommendation of this board, I replaced the strut rods and sway bar bushings myself. Then I finally replaced the upper strut mounts, which solved the problem. Lots of Toyotas and Hondas have bulletproof drivetrains. Not sure if others can match the styling at this pricepoint, though.

That was my thought. Chugging like a diesel also reminds me of a broken EGR pipe.

Ironic, since you won't even fork up an extra $5 to buy parts at a reputable retailer rather than from some scam business. :P

I'm not buying into this idea that the Lexus is a repair-free, problem-free car. Just look at all the people on this forum looking for help. Heck, I spent $500 myself trying to trace down a suspension noise. With the proper maintenance/repairs, though, I'm sure Lexuses last much longer than most other cars.

I'd love to get an IS300 or G35, but both are out of my price range, and for the age/price, the RX-8 seems like a better value. That, and I'm biased towards Mazda. :D I've driven my gf's mom's '08 G35 Journey, and I wasn't impressed. The driving position is all wrong, and it feels kind of jittery and unfamiliar, if you know what I mean!

Ahahaha. We'll see if they make a repeat customer out of you.Glad to see that you at least know what's causing the alarm to go off. Why don't you actually go get a junkyard ECU?

It's not about acceleration--it's about the whole sports car deal. And also being in the right gear when you're powering through a curve, etc. If they had a decent auto-manual, I guess it would be okay, provided manual shifts were quick and crisp, and putting the pedal to the metal did not automatically produce a downshift. Then again, Lexuses are not meant to be sports cars. :(

I feel the same way you do. The Lexus is a great car. But since it is my only car (and I can only afford/store one at a time right now), I need something else more sporty. At least I have the luxury car bug out of my system--for the short term.

The best one I've found is from "Aerometrics". It's a "New Car" scent.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=56319 You sure it's not something like that? (HVAC making noise?)

Each day more than the last, the LS seems to be incredibly soul-less to me. I'm making tentative plans now to sell the LS to my parents (their minivan is almost dead, and when I bought my LS, my mom said she was going to buy another one that was newer on the lot that the dealer had, but never followed through). I'm thinking of going back to my roots and getting a Mazda RX-8. In my mind, it's like a Miata with none of the drawbacks.

I was most excited to find out that the windshield wipers will do an extra delayed wipe after you spray the windshield with washer fluid if you're driving under 60mph.

What an embarrassment. I've heard from a lot of LS owners that the new Lexuses just aren't as solidly built--lots of creaking/buzzing interior panels, etc. The Jaguar XJ is a really nice car. I'd rather have one of those than an LS, but maintenance costs are probably higher.

If it doesn't have a manual transmission, it's worthless.

That sounds like the HVAC system is resetting itself. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...st&p=349244 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...st&p=351386 That's why you hear a "gurgling" sound. My guess is that your car is somehow losing electrical power when it is parked, and because of that, it is resetting itself when you start the car. Do you have any difficulty starting the car? Maybe your battery is going bad.

Dunno, a lot of highways in certain states have bad rutting issues, which leads to lots of puddles in the wheel paths.

They might send you the right part, but they'll send it to you a month late, and charge you extra for shipping for no reason. There go your savings! Or you could just order from Carson and they'll get it right the first time. I predict you will be disputing this charge with the credit card company. GOOD LUCK!