Husker4theSpurs

I just received an e-mail from the Sales Manager here and he said 7-10 days they expect them to start showing up.

Is it true the 18" wheels on the performance package are different that the 18"s on the other models?

Yes, they can be turned off --- the rain-sensitive wipers that is. I would guess the sequential shift would have the same MPG if not used.

Looks like most are sent out down there w/Premium Plus Pkg and the 18" rims with cargo mats and wheel locks. MSRP -- $39,713 OR All of that PLUS Navigation System. MSRP -- $42,063 ------------------------------------------------- Of course those are 04 prices, but I think we've seen there'll be a $280 increase in general for the 05s PLUS some of the packages will have elevated pricing as well ... for instance expect the Premium Plus to cost more as well b/c of the AFS now being packaged with the HIDs.

Check out Lexus' website for the options that are generally sent out in your area.

From what I've heard about the AWD system you'd be fine with the FWD model. Most have said it's not necessarily the truest form of AWD (i have no clue, but it was something to that effect). I would think FWD would do fine in the few times you head into the mountain and it's not like L.A. gets that much rain. MPG would go up (according to Lexus) 2mpg for both city and highway ... a pretty decent increase really. I think I read about the voice activated not being available on the Lexus website when watching a flash presentation on the Navs, but come to think of it it was probably a tutorial on the OLD Navs prior to the 05 coming out, so I'll bet you're right about the voice activation being on the RX for 05. Are the 05 brochures at the dealerships right now? From what I have read about the performance package the adjustable height adjustment air suspension really doesn't do a whole lot (of course this is based on people's OPINIONS I have read), but the sequential shift can help make the car feel a little sportier for those who would use it. I personally would just go with the Premium Plus Package myself b/c I would think more about getting the best MPG than having a sporty shifting option. That's just me though. The HIDs have been on the Premium Plus Pkgs in the past, so I would assume that the AFSs would now come with that as well at a higher price for the overall package. Most people who I've chatted with really like the rain-sensitive wipers, but that'd be up to you. They can be put on separately from the heated seats or packaged together. I would guess most in the LA area are sent with just the rain-sensitve and NOT the heated leather seats. Not sure if you know this but most Lexuses are just sent out to dealerships in certain configurations and the 05s with the Premium Plus package will have the Navigation system as well and have the 18" rims as well. Otherwise if you want a few different options that they don't send them out in, you have to order and then it would take 3-4 months.

Sorry ... your other questions. The Levinson has the same 6 disc load in dash function and basically looks the same as the other stereo (from what I could tell). If I recall correctly there aren't many if any multi-panel moonroofs that came out ... some problems maybe??

If it was me I'd wait for the 05s if you can guarantee that $1000 over invoice price. You could get just the FWD that way if that's what you want and there are other little changes that would be nice as well. Plus you'd have all the updates that have come through for the 05s from the 04s like the little computer tweaks and whatnot. If you get one with Performance Pkg (or any pkg actually) you get the roof rack and rails. If you wait for the 05s you'll get an 8 way power passenger seat as opposed to a 6 way. You'll get the AFS with the HIDs even if you forgo the performance package as for 05 they'll be packaged together. I read somewhere that the new Nav on the RX330 for 05 WILL NOT be voice activated in the RX, but will in the other models it's going in ... no idea why, but I DO know I read that somewhere. The new Nav will also have all the updated roads and whatnot and be Bluetooth compatible and the numbers of Points of Interest will go from roughly 750,000 to 4,000,000. All in all I'd say wait for the 05s especially if you can get it for $1000 over invoice b/c you'll be able to get your color combo and exactly what you want for the most part.

Here in general regular unleaded is 87, ethanol blend is somtimes 89 sometimes 90, and premium is generally 91 yet once in a while you can find 93.

I'm partial to the light gray interior no matter what ... my opinion of exterior color changes from Black, to Flint Mica, to Silver ALL THE TIME. Think I'm wanting a black one, but they have a loaded Flint Mica on the lot that I think I could get a hell of a deal on ... just really think I want black though! Maybe silver is best for the long haul considering scratches and wear???? Oh no, going through all this again! :)

I believe it will be voice activated and have Bluetooth capability, plus updated roads of course. The sales manager around here told me that the 04 Nav has about 800,000 Points of Interest while the 05 will have 8,000,000 Points of Interest or something like that.

From what I've heard ... no ... but I do think I saw that they eliminated a few interior color options for certain exterior colors???? Can't remember which though ... maybe black interior in Breakwater Blue and one other one?

You're welcome!

I wouldn't think it'd take very long at all in reality ... I was looking at doing the same thing and they made it sound like 3 days. Did they look it up on the computer to find one close to you while you were there? I would think it'd be quicker around there with more population base which equals more dealers to trade with.

Some of the changes I recall that seemed important: -- Bluetooth will be offered -- AFS offered separate from the Performance Pkg, but Sales Manager made it sound like AFS would show up on most lots along with the Navigation System; if you want it separately you'd need to order and that might take 4 months. Sounds like AFS will be on all cars with the HIDs. Basically they're not making the Premium Plus pkg for allocation anymore (the $41,938 sticker equipped) and bumping it up to more NAVs. -- 4th Generation Navigation -- More Production % will be packaged with Nav than in 04 (up to 40% from 26% last year) -- Compasses in all rear view mirrors (including ones with NAV) -- Can't remember about the smart key thing and have no clue how it works. -- The passenger front seat will be 8 way power like the drivers. Want to know all ... go to your dealer ... it was a top attached spiral notebook. I would imagine that they'll start showing up on the lots within the next 4 weeks. Sounds like you've negotiated a pretty good deal on the 04, but I can understand wanting to wait. My dealership gave me about $3700 off MSRP on the same equipped car you're looking at and I'm waiting, but then again I was ABSOLUTELY sure I wanted it at that moment. They made me sound crazy b/c I would pay around MSRP for an 05, but of course they want to sell the 04s ... I mean I'm sure I won't get nearly as good of a deal on an 05 but still may be worth waiting.

OK sorry to bother everyone with my stupidity ... I plan on getting the Curt hitch ... if I have the towing pkg already on the RX 330, I will STILL need the what's listed as "Universal Circuit Protected/Modulite" ... I'm assuming this is the wiring harness? Tell me if I'm wrong please. Thanks again. I will most likely hire someone to put the hitch on. Here's the site where I'm finding this -- http://www.hitchesonline.com/lexus_cl34_rx_330_04.htm

Some other things to consider: The value of your '04 is actually less b/c it's almost like a used car as soon as the '05s come out (of course w/o miles, but it would have a used car trade in value). Generally you would get a better deal on the '04 as opposed to the '05 (obviously), but would it offset the value drop by buying an '05 instead? I don't know for sure ... lots of number crunching to do with and would depend on the deal you could finangle. Another change I've read for '05 is that you can get the AFS (turning headlamps) separate from the Performance Pkg and AFS is packaged with the HIDs from what I've seen. Might be a few little things tuned up from the past model year on the '05s. Nothing noticable to the eye, but the little things like rattles and whatnot. Maybe they've been changed later in the factory run on the '04s as well though. Some people are just leery about buying a first model year auto.

The last I heard from the dealership around here was -- 36 city; 31 highway