Lexus Nerd

There's some past discussion that can be found by searching for "angel eyes". Here's one thread with two or three people who have tried it:

http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9540

PM sent.

Moved topic to Off Topic Chat.

I guess there are two parts of the problem: opening the .docx file, and then translating the content from Japanese to English.

First thing's first:

1. Are you using any of the following:

- Microsoft Office Word 2007

- Microsoft Word 2010

- Microsoft Word 2003 with Office 2007 compatibility pack installed

2. Can you confirm that you can open .docx files that are written in English?

3. Are you able to open the Japanese .docx file in Word?

- If so, what do you see? Japanese characters or gibberish (like squares)?

- Have you tried cutting and pasting the text (even if it's gibberish) into Google Translate, Bing Translate or babelfish.altavista.com?

- If not, what is the error that Word displays?

I was also given the opportunity to take the new GS 350 F Sport for a short drive over the weekend.

I won't say much about the looks, as it's I mentioned it in a first looks review last month. But I must say I'm getting used to the Garnet leather interior (no-cost option), after wondering what the Yanks were on when it was first shown at Pebble Beach last year. It's a change from your stock black, cream or grey leather, yet stylish. Oh yeah, and the self-healing Sonic Silver paintwork - that still wows me.

I'm a little apprehensive about driving other people's cars (loan IS 250 cars excepted). But while there's so much new technology in the GS, it still has a familiarity about it which, together with the technology, should make any IS driver drive it confidently. The steering wheel, the seating position, the door silll height, the combimeter position, the feel of the accelerator and brake underfoot - they all felt right. On top of that, the HUD showing my speed, and the blind spot warning indicator on the wing mirror meant that I didn't have to frequently shift my eyes away from the traffic ahead during Sydney's busiest time of week for driving - Saturday afternoon. While I didn't drive it all that fast, the brake feel at low speed at least didn't feel jerky which, together with the spaciousness of the cabin, would make riding in the GS as a passenger far more comfortable than in an IS.

The first thing that obviusly felt different from driving an IS was the lack of a foot brake. The automatic park brake meant that I instinctively pushed my left foot before moving off ... and finding nothing to depress.

The steering also feels very direct, so there doesn't seem to be the "flat spot around the middle" that some reviewers have complained about with respect to other cars with electric power steering.

If you like the quietness of a Lexus IS cabin, you'll love the GS. If you like the sound of revving your own engine, be aware that the insulation does mute engine noise much like turning down the volume on your audio system when playing Gran Turismo. The healthy growl on acceleration is still audible, however, and will definitely grab the attention of onlookers. The DAB+ audio sounds amazing and, while luxury car markers will no doubt follow Lexus' lead by including digital audio, one wonders if they can match the quality of the GS cabin and ML audio unit.

The New Generation GS was such an enjoyable drive. Not only would it be a leap ahead in stock performance and handling, but I suspect it would still keep my family members happy when I feel the need for a little performance driving.

Thanks to everyone who came along. That's 16 plus a GS - great turnout!

There was quite some interest in another group buy for Meguiar's products, so I'll set up one by the end of May, for delivery in time for our next meet.

If you're looking for the pics from our meet, try here.

Hi this is Sam nice to meet you all.

[link to Website deleted]

So your name is Sam, your profile says Marlon and you hijack a thread with [product name deleted]? ok..

Thanks coconut. Spammers will not be tolerated on this forum, and this dude with the identity crisis is hereby blocked.

To steve and Mel - Welcome!

Some people don't know car makes or models, but they know what they like.

I'm still laughing at the Nine newsreader who, on live coverage last night, kept referring to a stolen BMW sports car as a "B-M-W Twenty-Four" ... Um, that's Z4, dear.

So Lexus of Chatswood finally repaired my bumper. It took a little over two days, with the car being kept inside on the second night to avoid the rain. On the third morning, the car was given a wash and driven back home to a waiting family member, while I was interstate.

They've done a great job. The bumper looks brand new, with even the scrapes on the bottom of the bar - from multiple run-ins with kerbs and parking chocks - having disappeared. Two dents were also removed for $120 each: one from my fender ... um, front quarter panel (history here) and one from a rear passenger door (some idiot threw a can at the car one night).

You never know how long a respray job will last but, for now, I'm pretty happy.

A very belated thanks to Dr-Gadget for his input.

I have since learned that the technique he describes is called "paintless dent removal" (PDR). I recently got it repaired at Lexus of Chatswood, although they subcontracted it out to someone else. The cost to me was $120. I have received cheaper quotes, but I was getting the PDR done at the same time as other repairs.

The Lexus technician said that, because the dent was on the metal crease, there was no guarantee that the dent could be fully removed. The end result was good enough: although you can feel a ever-so-slight indentation at the site of the dent, you can't see any damage. Nobody will know there was a dent there (except you readers). Good enough for me!

In North Sydney this week. Not everyone likes gold IS250s, but I thought this suspension and wheel treatment makes all the difference.

As an owner of two Camrys before buying my Lexus, I don't see such comparisons between Lexus cars and Toyotas as the insult people expect it to be. All Lexus owners know that Lexus cars are very different to Toyotas where it counts, but sharing the same quality, reliability and refinement (relative to their target markets) has got to be a good thing. It's got to be better than saying an A4 is a "Passat in disguise".

As for what the "general public thinks" - it depends which part of the world you're looking at. In the US, the Lexus is clearly seen as a luxury brand that often betters the German competitors. And unsurprisingly, in continental Europe, Lexus has a long way to go before it is seen in the same light as Mercedes, BMW or Audi. As for Australia, the general public's Euro-fetish has existed for quite some time. Mercedes and BMW have been long entrenched as prestige brands, while I would argue that the prestige that Audi carries in Australia has to do with the migration of mainland Chinese, with their propensity towards Audis (the car of choice for Communist Party members and their aspirants).

The rarity of Lexus cars in Brisbane probably has more to do with Brisbane's lack of a luxury car market in general (again, migration is changing that in favour of Audi). But, strictly speaking, your question was about Lexus being seen as a prestige brand, and not its popularity converted into sales. A brand can carry a lot of prestige, and yet not sell.

One more thing ... check that your three-year warranty is definitely one that requires you to get your car serviced at Lexus of Sutherland. Most 3-year Lexus extended warranties should not be dealer-specific; although, if the warranty was thrown in as a sweetener to the deal, perhaps it is dealer-specific after all. If so - and if Lexus of Chatswood presents the cheapest 75,000 km service with genuine parts - the question, then, is whether you should pay $252 to retain a two-year warranty? On a luxury car, I think so.

Welcome, Tan.

For answers to Tan's question, please reply on this thread: http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10991

Actually - ignoring the fact that repeat buyers can really score themselves a deal - I believe that's rather good value.

IMHO, the problem is that most buyers don't search beyond their own backyard. Even with rarer cars, they are only willing to drive so far. Case in point: If you search for used IS Fs, you will find that those on sale in SA are noticeably cheaper than those in the Eastern states; WA is much cheaper still.

I just looked at carsales very, very quickly. There are 64 IS 350s currently on sale, which is a large enough result to cause some people to restrict their search to their home state. (33 F Sports, but I'd say few will restrict their search by badge.) I note the F Sport with the second best price for the distance travelled is located in ... WA.

The 75 000 km scheduled service for an IS 250 requires the fuel filter to be replaced. The filter is located underneath the back seat, so accessing the filter isn't trivial. In April 2011, a member was quoted $440 by Ultra Tune, and you wouldn't get a genuine fuel filter. So, at $498 (and unchanged after a year or more), Lexus of Chatswood appears to offer excellent value.

For most services, you may find cheaper options at Ultra Tune or your local Toyota dealer - although Ultra Tune may not use genuine parts and, although Toyota is typically $50-$100 less, you won't get the usual Lexus service benefits like a courtesy car or pickup/dropoff. So, relatively speaking, the prices at the Lexus dealerships aren't the "rip offs" you think (although the high variability on 75,000 km servicing between dealers is still a mystery).

Check this thread for more information: http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10006

I fully agree, Chris - Notwithstanding our best attempts in iPhone photography appearing on this page, no photos I've seen compare to the GS in real life.

Almost every review of the GS you'll read will mention that grille. I don't want to overemphasise it, as there's more to this car than the front end treatment. But for anyone that's worried wheter a seemingly aggressive front will work with a classically understated Lexus side and rear panels, don't fear: it actually works quite well, certainly much more so than the latest renditions of some of the GS' German competitors. Incidentally, those other panels make the GS look even more refined - indeed, much like a reduced-size LS 460, with a nod to current-model IS styling evident in the rear indicator lamps.

The 265 R19 Bridgestone Potenza tyres fitted to the GS 350 F Sport - which are even than what's standard on the IS F - gives the vehicle a wide, aggressive stance when viewed from the rear. Compared to the 5 series, the outer edge of the wheels are almost flush with the wheel arches, and so you may not bother with changing the wheel offset.

The 12.3" multimedia display needs to be seen to be believed. Yes, we all know it's huge, but it's also crystal clear and sharp. It's large enough and positioned reasonably well so one can view a DVD video even from the rear seats, so you won't have to buy aftermarket rear headrest-mounted screens for the kids (well, not immediately anyway). The centre console controls look very different to anything we've seen from either Lexus or Toyota, yet it's still easy to use.

I was pleasantly surprised by the electronic park brake, since an early review I read whined about a foot brake.

Looks, comfort, space: the GS definitely has it all. I look forward to some local driving reviews ... from what I hear, the power figures (similar to the current model IS's on larger, heavier bodies) belie the responsiveness of the powerplants ...

Welcome to the Club, Tristan!

Welcome back, dis-lex-sic. Some interesting news there. Was I right to say that there *is* an IS estate car planned?

I recall we were awaiting a GS/5 series/E class comparo from you, with bated breath ... ;)

mikenbn advises to use EBC brakes with EBC rotors; otherwise, your rotors will wear out quickly.

DANSLEX agrees, and also suggests you try Green Stuff instead of Red Stuff.

IronFist uses dba rotors with dba ceramic pads, and seems very happy with the result.

Honestly, do the search ... You'll find a wealth of information.

Zed_IS250's right: There are low-dust pads available, but reportedly not available as a warranty fix. Search for "dust" in this forum for lots of threads on this issue.

The only thing I can add to what's already written is that, as an alternative to pad replacement, you can coat your wheels with something that repels dust, or at least makes them easier to wash off. Autoglym has something; Meguiars has a metal polish. They also have a dust-repelling spray but, alas, it isn't available in Oz yet and, as an aerosol, it would be hard to import yourself.

Maybe meet at Hurricanes epping for some ribs , -Everyone loves Ribs.! then head into the city for a night cruise. you guys can show me all the camera hot spots.!

Epping's around the corner from me, but I don't know of a Hurricane's there. Do you mean Top Ryde City?

The mirrors fitted with indicator lights are standard from the 2009 manufacturing year onwards. One of two types are fitted, based on the luxury grade: ones that include puddle lamps and indicator lights, as well as auto-dimming and auto-tilting when in reverse; and ones that don't have the auto-dimming and auto-tilt feature.

According to Sewell Parts, both types can be fitted to older IS250 vehicles, as can be seen here:

http://is.sewellparts.com/accessories-catalog/Exterior/IS250-2006/2399.html

http://is.sewellparts.com/accessories-catalog/Exterior/IS250-2006/2149.html

How this can be done is uncertain: as Ashpoint suggested, the mirror would need to receive a signal for the indicator status, and it's unclear where within the old IS the new mirror's wiring harness would need to plug into in order to get that signal. Nonetheless, I have been told by Club members that it's possible.

Also, it's not clear whether the ECU and wiring in a Prestige model IS would provide the means to activate the auto-dimming and auto-tilt features in the more expensive version of the mirror. It may be worth contacting Sewell Parts to find out.

Moved to "General Lexus Discussions Forums".

got one quote back almost 2k

the f**kwit scratched my rim as well

Ouch. What part of the body got damaged - the metal body near the wheel (what we now call a "fender")? Or is the sheet metal OK, and it's a bumper replacement for $2k?

BTW, I went with Lexus of Chatswood, although they won't be able to do the respray until the second half of March.