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2010 Lexus RX 350 Or ...

23 messages,  Last post on Jun 15, 2009 at 6:19 PM

You are in the Lexus RX 300/330/350 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 350, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Murano, Car Buying, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 3

#4 of 23 Re: 2010 RX 350 Or... [houmi] by wwest

Apr 26, 2009 (10:44 am)

Replying to: houmi (Apr 26, 2009 12:07 am)
I have owned several LS400s, still do, 1 GS ('00) and 2 RX300's, an '00 and now an '01.
 
All purchased from Lexus of Bellevue. But once I buy the car they NEVER go back to the dealer for service, 1 or 2 BAD experiences there, but mostly DIY anyway.
 
Were I in the market today then the Venza with the I4 and F/awd would be first on my list. If the Venza, then I would immediately change the wheels/tire to something like 17X8 and add wheel spacers all around so rear tire chains can be used like on my '01.
 
My ideal next purchase vehicle would be a Lexus RX250h "AWD" using the new I4 but with DFI and the new rear clutch F/awd system. I'm not unhappy, CLEARLY, with the acceleration level of my current RX.

#5 of 23 Re: 2010 RX 350 Or... [wwest] by houmi

Apr 26, 2009 (11:00 am)

Replying to: wwest (Apr 26, 2009 10:44 am)
I have heard mixed reviews about Venza, basically the stiff ride as was pointed here, but I read that it's basically because of the large tires.
 
It's really weird, we used to take our RX300 to service in the Naperville location and the repairs/oil change were so affordable, but I guess this is not so on the west coast ? I have heard of $100 for an oil change ? is this true ? Is this with a SPA ?
 
Anyways... I really enjoyed the service with Lexus back in IL and the car was rather nice and it had a smooth ride and not noisy, that's the reason Lexus was #1, and w/ consumer reports, edmunds, kbb, it always ranks high w/ Toyotas. It's also true that you can get another car fully loaded and it would be the base price of Lexus, but they give you more (also you spend more)
 
OTOH, I have had a pretty good experience with Toyota of Bellevue where I take my car for service and they're pretty good, that's why I thought to check out Venza/Highlander as well there.
 
I don't know much about other brands.
 
Houman

#6 of 23 Re: 2010 RX 350 Or... [houmi] by wwest

Apr 26, 2009 (11:16 am)

Replying to: houmi (Apr 26, 2009 11:00 am)
The bumper on my then new '92 LS was damaged due to the tight spacing and "don't care" McD graduate doing the parking in the car wash area of the old Bellevue location.
 
I got an "oil change" that involved not draining the old oil before pouring the new in, likely another McD graduate. Luckily I discovered it within 24 hours.
 
One of the mechanics tried to "upsell" me, the '00 RX didn't come with the rear bumper step protector.
 
How do you think that could afford to build and maintain that "palace"...??
 
Manager expressed an unwillingness (due to my no service history) to look into a possible warranty issue until I first agreed to pay the cost if nothing was found. To be fair in the end he waived the cost even though the warranty was not an issue.
 
Even so, I'm fairly sympathetic to them, a single margue shop, HIGHLY reliable product, and a relatively "smallish" installed base. So they must go the extra mile to attract the few scheduled service revenues that they do get.

#7 of 23 Re: 2010 RX 350 Or... [wwest] by houmi

Apr 26, 2009 (6:38 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Apr 26, 2009 11:16 am)
yeah of course we all know that dealers make most their money from used cars & service (labor cost).
 
When I bought the RX300 in Naperville, I did haggle quite a bit... but they wanted a sale, so caved in to my demands (I was ready to walk out and I did walk out once), but they called me to go back....
 
Do you recommend a particular sales person Lexus of Bellevue ?

#8 of 23 Re: 2010 RX 350 Or... [houmi] by mickey34

Apr 26, 2009 (9:42 pm)

Replying to: houmi (Apr 26, 2009 12:07 am)
We bought the 2010 RX 350 and have only 1197 miles on it but we really like it and are comparing to others we have owned: All RXs, 2000, 2002 and 2005. This one is the quietest as they have insullated the wheel well areas and positioned the side mirrors differently. We too calculated the cost difference and went with the 350 over the hybrid. After trying a few other brands we went back to the Lexus as it seemed the best for us. The pricing right now is a bit hard as they are are not shipping with all the options yet due to the economy. We got a AWD with the Nav, Premium pack, Comfort pack and Luxury pack. It was real hard to get one this loaded although we could not get all of that and the new special cruise control and heads up. We did get the 19" chrome wheels and altogether could only get 2600.00 off as they really aren't dealing yet in the So. California area. Today we got 27.2 on the freeway going about 70 miles an hour for a 38 mile trip with no traffic and in bumper to bumper traffic coming home got 22.3 for the same amount of miles. We feel the transmission is much improved and smoother, the acceleration is noticably better and we are enjoying this model. With the AWD it is very stable. We found that there is really a difference in dealership prices as far as service prices go and we shopped for a dealer who was reasonable. For example the list price for stock chrome wheels was almost 1000.00 less where we bought than a closer dealer. I suggest you try other cars and then try the 2010 RX 350. That is how we made our decision.

#9 of 23 Re: 2010 RX 350 Or... [houmi] by mickey34

Apr 26, 2009 (9:56 pm)

Replying to: houmi (Apr 26, 2009 12:07 am)
We bought the 2010 RX 350 and have only 1197 miles on it but we really like it and are comparing to others we have owned: All RXs, 2000, 2002 and 2005. This one is the quietest as they have insullated the wheel well areas and positioned the side mirrors differently. We too calculated the cost difference and went with the 350 over the hybrid. After trying a few other brands we went back to the Lexus as it seemed the best for us. The pricing right now is a bit hard as they are are not shipping with all the options yet due to the economy. We got a AWD with the Nav, Premium pack, Comfort pack and Luxury pack. It was real hard to get one this loaded although we could not get all of that and the new special cruise control and heads up. We did get the 19" chrome wheels and altogether could only get 2600.00 off as they really aren't dealing yet in the So. California area. Today we got 27.2on the freeway going about 70 miles an hour for a 38 mile trip and in bumper to bumper traffic coming home got 22.3 for the same amount of miles. We feel the transmission is much improved and smoother, the acceleration is noticably better and we are enjoying this model. We found that there is really a difference in dealership prices as far as service prices go and we shopped for a dealer who was reasonable. For example the list price for stock chrome wheels was almost 1000.00 less where we bought than a closer dealer. I suggest you try other cars and then try the 2010 RX 350. That is how we made our decision.

#10 of 23 Re: 2010 RX 350 Or... [mickey34] by houmi

Apr 27, 2009 (12:24 am)

Replying to: mickey34 (Apr 26, 2009 9:56 pm)
Thank you for reply. Sounds like you got a very nice car. Like you I will be looking for those packs (Nav/Premium & Comfort), I probably won't go for Luxury pack. I'd basically like to get the navigation, the heads-up display, xenon light and heated/vent seats. I am wondering based on responses here, if I'll see such a car, or I'd have to order it to be built.
 
I thought to forgo the navigation pack and just get a Garmin or TomTom, but I think it will be clunky... but that saves quite a bit of $ and latest TomTom/Garmin are very nice.
 
Yeah I'll probably go test drive the Venza, MDX, Highlander and Murano tomorrow and then the RX on Tuesday.
 

#11 of 23 Re: 2010 RX 350 Or... [mickey34] by rcf8000

Apr 27, 2009 (6:34 am)

Replying to: mickey34 (Apr 26, 2009 9:56 pm)
What did the dealer charge for the 19 inch chrome wheels? You can't order them from the factory except as part of the Sport Package, can you? I have a 2010 RX350 on order with the 19 inch wheels, but I'd like to swap them for chrome wheels when the car arrives.

#12 of 23 Re: 2010 RX 350 Or... [mickey34] by rparis

Apr 27, 2009 (9:37 am)

Replying to: mickey34 (Apr 26, 2009 9:42 pm)
I am driving a 2001 and use regular gas-what kind of gas do you use on the 2010? If not regular, have you tried regular?
 
I am expecting to trade soon and, based on your comments, it sounds like I will notice quite an improvement. I really dislike the turning radius of my car which I know they improved years ago.

#13 of 23 Re: 2010 RX 350 Or... [mickey34] by wwest

Apr 27, 2009 (10:36 am)

Replying to: mickey34 (Apr 26, 2009 9:56 pm)
Unlike the previous RX the new 2010 RX F/awd system is more of a "part-time" system, it remains DIS-engaged most of the time. Only "firmly" engaged with actual front wheelspin/slip or under moderate to hard acceleration. The new F/awd system is automatically disengaged while turning, braking, or with VSC activation.
 
But even with all that it's likely much better than the previous F/awd version, VIRTUAL F/awd using TC braking.
 
I can't imagine the new 6(9) speed transaxle being "smoother", the constant speed "shiftiness" must be worse with the extra gear to "choose" from for optimal FE. And please let us know how difficult, or not, it is to adapt to, learn, the procedure required to avoid the inadvertent throttle lift upshifts that result in the 1-2 second downshift delay upon immediate re-acceleration.

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