HomieG

Didn't have to make any choice... My USA-SPEC PA15-TOY allows me to use both the iPod and the RCA-Aux-In, which I have connected to a dock-type Sirius radio. Indeed both work very, very well!

Do you have indash nav also? Yes, I do.

I installed the USASPEC PA15-TOY in my '06 GS300. Easy install and works great. Paid about $110 for it. They've got versions of this product for various Lexii: http://usaspec.com/

That price is about what Lexus dealers are getting for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) GS's. Check out eBay and look for listings near you. I bought my '06 GS300 in May...for $8,000 less than the Lexus dealer had it for sale at. He sold it to a private used car lot. Sure, not CPO, but for that savings, I can get the extended warranty, and I am not so sure I am going to anyways. They had already done the CPO inspection, and the three service campaigns, so I knew the car was in good shape. Good luck!

Really? Is this subject to the individual dealership, or does Lexus "mandate" it? Also, will they do this after the warranty expires? Does it matter if you purchased ones Lexus at that dealership?

Why would you insist on a new engine? Was the failed engine new when it died? If it were me, I'd love to have a rebuilt Lexus engine, and wouldn't think twice about the incident, especially if Lexus is providing it. How are you less whole with a rebuilt engine? Seems you are more whole with that, than with a blown engine. I guess I just don't get it.

I just bought my GS300 from someone on eBay. The exact car had previously been listed as CPO by a FL Lexus dealer for $8,000 more than I paid. Not sure CPO is worth $8,000...

Thanks to all for their input. Got things resolved today. Car would not start today. Called roadside assistance for a jump. Drove the car directly to the dealer who put in a Toyota Interstate Group 24 battery (84 month), under warranty, at no charge. So be it for the gal I spoke with at the dealership yesterday who insisted it was not covered under warranty... Also put a set of Kumho Ecsta Platinum LX 245/40-18's on the car today. Nice tire. Very quiet (but then many of them are that way when new). Nice handling. Hopefully they'll live up to their reputation. Thanks again.

It does now appear that one cell is dead. Specific gravity of the electrolyte in that one cell is zero. I called the local dealer and they tell me that the battery is -not- covered under the 48 month, 48,000 mile warranty, rather it is only warrantied for 36 months. Then I chat, and phone, Lexus, and they state that the battery is covered under warranty. How should I handle this when I go to the dealer (and who should I believe)?

Would have been nice if the previous owner had checked the levels. I've had the car for 2 weeks. I bet the cell caps had never been opened...until yesterday.

Thank you. I didn't realize that I could check each cell on this battery. Thought it was a "maintenance free" type. Sure enough, all the cells were low on electrolyte. Checking the specific gravity, one cell was at 25%, and two more at 50%. Added a total of about 1/3 gallon of distilled water across all six cells. Battery is on the charger now. I suspect that will take care of this issue.

A couple of times I've run down the battery in my car when in the ACC or IG-ON modes. This has been while I was programming the bluetooth and NAV units, and also when I installed the iPod/SAT interface. Typically the drain occured withing about 20-30 minutes in the ACC or IG-ON modes. Battery voltage was at about 10v after drain. Charges to 12.4v (engine off), and is 13.4v with engine running. Vehicle is a 2006 GS300. Is this a normal depletion time for battery drain in the ACC or IG-ON mode?

I recently used these folks: http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...amp;catalogid=0 Their prices seemed very good. They charge 10% shipping plus $6 handling. Still found them to be good prices, all things considered. They supplied genuine Lexus/Toyota parts, shipped the order when it was complete, and everything looks to be correct.

Installed the USASPEC PA15-TOY in my '06 GS300 (w/ML and NAV) yesterday. Works great. Simple install. Using it with both my iPod and an external docking-style Sirius radio. Sounds terrific. Text display with iPod is very nice, and not kludgey.