andyj

Our SE-L purchased mid-October has 2005 version 2. It identifies the road name "M6 Toll" when you're on it, but doesn't show it on the map - so you get the same appearance of driving across fields with the SatNav lady trying to get you back thru' a hedge onto the nearest road. Doesn't seem very good as the thing's been open for over a year now.

I agree with Damian's opinion - the camera is surprisingly good. Haven't quite interpreted what all the lines do (you can remove them anyway) but the red one at the bottom is what you line up to the thing you are reversing towards. Once the line on the screen touches the object, you are 14 inches away! Had this demo'ed in the handover bay when we picked it up - me sweating that the salesman was about to splat our new rear end into the wall. Couldn't believe the difference between what seemed like close and the reality of the position.

Ah! Thanks Pete, I wondered what that was on the roof. Duh!

I'd go for SatNav - but I suppose it depends on the type of journeys you do. It's a very sophisticated system - traffic avoidance, finds hotels, petrol stations, restaurants etc from it's database. You can ring an hotel direct from the screen (if you have a Bluetooth phone) to make your booking and the SatNav takes you to the door! Loads of other features that I haven't got near investigating yet. Parking sensors were quoted at £500+ each end when we looked. Seemed a lot of money to solve a problem I wasn't sure I had Plus you get a neat rear view camera anyway if you have SatNav. As ever, you pays your money........

Thanks for the congrats. Collected it on Saturday - and it's superb! Just to answer a couple of queries: Yes Pete, I know it's sad posting at 8.07am - although it wasn't that bad - the clock is an hour behind on this site (suppose it'll be correct at the end of the month!) Yes Pete (again), we have the same prob with the DVD! The 'solution' nearly eliminates the problem - but not enough for me to say I'm satisfied. Also have a problem with some very faint horizontal lines on ONE screen when in zoom mode (other screen is fine). Dealer collects car tomorrow. If they can't make it 'perfect' (shouldn't it be for £2600?) then I'll talk to them about taking it out and investigate having something else installed. I'm sure that for £2600 there must be some seriously good aftermarket installations available - previous posts from guys who clearly know more than me would indicate so! I also agree with your opinion regarding inaccessability - does the unit have to be mounted so far under the seat? And switching itself off when you start the engine really pleases the kids! Pete, you mentioned about LED's in the roof (I think) regarding the use of the DVD. We don't have any. What's that all about? Hi CMJJ, don't mind you being nosey - I got just over £2k off list, but as I mentioned in a previous post, I wonder if this is because of the DVD. I'm sure that, even though the quality of the kit appears good (if not the installation) there must be a big margin in it.

Having just picked up a new RX 300 SE-L on Saturday :D the SatNav is 2004/2005 Version 2 now.

Lexus Hatfield - good experience so far...... I'll post a report in the Dealer review section in due course. Only 2 hours 25 minutes to go......! :D

I know what you mean Damian. If you're like me, you make your choice and you want it.............yesterday! Still, !8th December - can't think of a better Christmas present :)

Thanks Pete - yes it would be nice to skip Friday altogether! I know you're right about the headphone batteries - had the same problem with a demountable DVD driving round France this year. At least that system had speakers in the screens as a last resort. I assume the Lexus system only plays through headphones? Yes - I saw your previous posts so I'll certainly be looking out for interference. Gut reaction would be to say "fix it Mr Lexus or give me a refund"! - the 'solution' doesn't sound much of a solution - but then my tech knowledge is pretty slim. I'll let you know how it goes! Andy

Thanks Easylife Yes, went for ICE in the end - liked the idea of dealer having to sort out any problems rather than potential conflicts of one supplier blaming the other. The discount from the dealer meant that I only payed £500 more than the list of a non-ICE SE-L. I'm pretty happy with that (until someone tells me they got a much better deal!).

Further to postings earlier this month, we are collecting our new SE-L from the dealer at 11.30am on Saturday 16th Oct (we're counting down the minutes!). Really looking forward to it - saw one in the same colours on the road this week - looked magnificent! Great service from the dealer so far - ordered the vehicle on 28th Sept, dealer a bit dubious about getting it to them and prepared in time for our requested date of 22nd Oct (wanted it then because we have a weeks hols coming up) - but have managed to get it a week early! (and it's 05 spec, BT, Voice etc.). Only glitch with dealer so far is that they told my wife yesterday that we'd paid for it already (we haven't) - suppose we'll have to confess sometime! Anyway, the point of this post was to enquire of others experiences running in a RX300. My attitude for the first couple of thousand miles is don't labour the engine too much (not thrash it either) and don't go too heavy on the brakes etc. whilst everything 'beds in'. Is a Lexus any different? Can we expect any driving characteristics to change - MPG, peformance and so on. Also, any common 'problems' requiring return to dealer? Glad to hear of anyones experiences.

I agree about the extras - we do have young kids, and having tried a portable DVD on a journey to to the South of France this year we know it keeps them quiet! The other bits - Sat Nav upgrade, Bluetooth etc. - are just part of the new 05 spec (and a reason to put prices up!). They may or may not prove useful additions - the traffic avoidance feature sounds potentially useful, but seeing as traffic is so awful in this country you can imagine turning a 150 mile journey into a 300 mile trek by zig zagging around the jams! The other interesting one is voice activation - apparently there are 200 (?) commands you can give it, including changing the route, adjusting the hi-fi etc. Might be nice to shout back at the lady in the dashboard, but also have visions of the kids overriding everything from the back seats while we veer into a ditch with the stereo at full blast!

Thanks for your views. I believe that the 05 model adds about £800 to the 04 list of £40800, so I guess the discount I got was fair. Anyway, what's the saying about knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing? The reassuring comments make believe we made the right decision and we're really looking forward to the delivery of a great car! Andy

Like many of the members posting here, we have been going through the decision making process weighing up Lexus, BMW X5, Merc ML, new Discovery etc. Took the plunge yesterday and ordered a new RX300 SEL! Seemed to have the best combination of space, quality, driving enjoyment and off road ability (like most people - we don't need much!). My question is regards price. We ordered a 2005 model (uprated Sat Nav, Bluetooth) in metallic with ICE. About £39.5k all in (no trade-in) - which I thought was a good discount off list, but then wondered whether the 'discount' is really swallowed up by the (inflated) price of the DVD kit - £2600! On a connected point, I'm sure one dealer said the ICE was 'factory fitted' and if we had one fitted ourselves it would invalidate the warranty. Other posts have indicated that the ICE is installed in the UK. Was the ICE option a good choice or have I been deceived?! Thanks Andy