any known problems? i've never owned a lexus (or a toyota for that matter), but i've always heard good things...anything in particular to pay attention to? it's an '06 with 35k...she got a great deal on it according to nada (she bought it from fred anderson with taxes, title, and tags included for the cost of private party)

also, they told her it NEEDS premium gas...is this true? from what i've read (again, i don't know much on the subject), higher octane gas doesn't necessarily give you better mileage, but eliminates pinging (though i guess pinging is only an issue in engines that were designed for premium when you're using regular)

4/19/2008 8:51:24 PM

great car.

4/19/2008 9:04:17 PM

I've always wondered about when they say to put premium gas ONLY in upscale cars. In theory, it makes sense. I've never seen any real evidence for/against but I'm too afraid to say screw it.

4/19/2008 9:38:45 PM

most ECU's have an "oh shit she put 87 in!" mode. I wouldn't worry about it.

EDIT: every car is different, but I know on LS1's for example they have a separate high octane and low octane timing map. The ECU continously monitors knock over time and if knock reaches a certain threshold it switches into the low octane timing map which is retarded and safer for the engine overall.

[Edited on April 19, 2008 at 9:48 PM. Reason : an attempted technical explanation]

4/19/2008 9:45:00 PM

The RX 330 is a great car, but YES it needs the Premium gas. If you use the shitty stuff, the car will start knocking and will throw several engine codes. We have 2 different RXs in the family and this was the first lesson we learned. There is also a known problem with the 6 disk in dash CD changer going bad or giving an Error 01 or 02 code.

4/19/2008 10:30:02 PM

ok I guess those cars are more sensitive? I knew a girl who had a WRX and ran 87 in it and never had any obvious problems like that.

4/19/2008 10:55:56 PM

a friend had an older one, it lasted a looooong time. my grandma has an 06 and its a sweet car.

def. one of the few SUVs i would get.

4/19/2008 11:05:59 PM

i don't understand why some people buy premium automobiles and then skimp on the kind of gas they put it. Its beyond me...

4/20/2008 2:26:05 AM

^ exactly.

4/20/2008 2:53:58 AM

because they didnt buy a fucking performance vehicle? the car will run fine on 87. my mom had one for a couple years and never put anything more than 87 in it. premium will get you better mileage though, as it's a lean burn motor, so its probly a wash whatever gas you put in. its the same motor as the camry with a different intake manifold for more torque and less top end.

[Edited on April 20, 2008 at 2:58 AM. Reason : what bearing does gas have on the premium looks and creature comforts of the car?]

4/20/2008 2:57:40 AM

shut the fuck up you god damn half breed peice of no driving shit. you deserve a pineapple in the ass.

4/20/2008 3:03:12 AM

lol? pass the king cobra

4/20/2008 3:11:38 AM

Quote :

"higher octane gas doesn't necessarily give you better mileage, but eliminates pinging"

yes, that would be the definition of octane...look it up

and ^^ lol.. it's probably a marketing thing IMO..a car just seems more expensive if you HAVE to put premium in it. i don't know much about that car or motor and am too drunk to look it up

4/20/2008 3:16:15 AM

Quote :

"pass the king cobra"

4/20/2008 3:18:55 AM

ive explained this so many times already.


two words: additive package

if that chick who worked for the oil companies was still on here she would set you straight

4/20/2008 3:34:54 AM

Quote :

"i don't understand why some people buy premium automobiles and then skimp on the kind of gas they put it. Its beyond me..."

meh, i know more people with premium-only vehicles who put 87 in and do just fine than actually use premium

besides, paying for a "premium" vehicle and spending 20-30 cents more per gallon of gas are two different things IMO...i know for a fact that she bought the car for how well it handles and the features that it has, and i don't think those are quite related to the engine (well, handling is, kinda, but it's not like she's trying to race the damn thing...i know plenty of cars that don't require premium fuel and perform just as well if you want to look strictly at engine performance)...why WOULDN'T you save 20-30 cents per gallon if it didn't matter, anyway?

4/20/2008 10:12:55 AM

I don't know specifically about the lexus, but on my integra, if I put 87 in it, I'd get noticeably lower gas mileage (about 5 mpg less).

4/20/2008 10:33:36 AM

The difference between 87 and premium is not bad.

But I dont get 18mpg either.

4/20/2008 1:20:54 PM

^^^ ignorance

4/20/2008 1:44:55 PM

Hmm, one bored little internet search gives you all the answers you need about putting regular gas in a premium car.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1005091700001

4/20/2008 2:04:29 PM

Quote :

" Deposit Control Standards The standards developed by the four automobile manufacturers (BMW, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota) for TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline are described below. This technical document describes the deposit control performance of unleaded gasoline at the retail level that minimizes deposits on fuel injectors, intake valves, and combustion chambers. These standards comprise the requirements for TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Standards 1.1 Retail Gasoline Performance Standards. The deposit control performance of unleaded gasoline conforming to section 1 of this document shall be met at the retail level in all grades of gasoline sold by a fuel company in all marketing areas of a selected nation. In addition, conformance to the standards shall mean gasoline sold in the selected nation shall not contain metallic additives, including methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). 1.2 Deposit Control Additive Requirements. The deposit control additive used to meet the performance Standards described in 1.3 shall meet the substantially similar definition under Section 211(f) of the Clean Air Act. Also, the additive shall be certified to have met the minimum deposit control requirements established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 40 CFR Part 80. Lastly, the additive shall be registered with the EPA in accordance with 40 CFR Part 79. 1.3 Deposit Control Initial Performance Standards. Initial deposit control performance shall be demonstrated using the tests shown below. 1.3.1 Intake Valve Keep Clean Initial Performance Standard. 1.3.1.1 Test Method. Intake valve deposit (IVD) keep clean performance shall be demonstrated using ASTM D 6201, Standard Test Method for Dynamometer Evaluation of Unleaded Spark-lgnition Engine Fuel for Intake Valve Deposit Formation. Tests demonstrating base fuel minimum deposit level (1.3.1.2) and additive performance (1.3.1.3) shall be conducted using the same engine block and cylinder head. All results shall be derived from operationally valid tests in accordance with the test validation criteria of ASTM D 6201. IVD results shall be reported for individual valves and as an average of all valves. 1.3.1.2 Base Fuel. The base fuel shall conform to ASTM D 4814 and shall contain commercial fuel grade ethanol conforming to ASTM D 4806. All gasoline blend stocks used to formulate the base fuel shall be representative of normal U.S. refinery operations and shall be derived from conversion units downstream of distillation. Butanes and pentanes are allowed for vapor pressure adjustment. The use of chemical streams is prohibited. The base fuel shall have the following specific properties after the addition of ethanol: 1. Contain enough denatured ethanol such that the actual ethanol content is no less than 8.0 and no more than 10.0 volume percent. 2. Contain no less than 8 volume percent olefins. At least 75% of the olefins shall be derived from FCC gasoline as defined by CARB (advisory letter, April 19, 2001). 3. Contain no less than 28 volume percent aromatics. 4. Contain no less than 48 mg/kg sulfur. At least 60% of the sulfur shall be derived from FCC blend stock. 5. Produce a 90% evaporation distillation temperature no less than 290°F. 6. Produce IVD no less than 500 mg averaged over all intake valves. 1.3.1.3 Demonstration of Performance. The base fuel from 1.3.1.2 shall contain enough deposit control additive such the IVD is no more than 50 mg averaged over all intake valves. Results for individual valves and an average shall be reported. The unwashed gum level of the fuel containing deposit control additive shall be determined according to ASTM D 381 and reported. 1.3.2 Combustion Chamber Deposit Initial Performance Standard. 1.3.2.1 Test Method. Combustion chamber deposits (CCD) shall be collected and weighed along with IVD using ASTM D 6201, Standard Test Method for Dynamometer Evaluation of Unleaded Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel for Intake Valve Deposit Formation. ASTM D 6201 does not contain a procedure for collecting and measuring CCD. Adapting a scrape and weigh procedure developed by CARB is recommended (see referenced test method dated March 12, 1999). Results for individual cylinders and an average shall be reported. 1.3.2.2 Base Fuel. Combustion chamber deposits shall be measured for the base fuel from 1.3.1.2. 1.3.2.3 Demonstration of Performance. The base fuel from 1.3.1.2 treated with additive at the concentration meeting the standard found in 1.3.1.3 shall not result in more than 140% of the average CCD weight for the base fuel without additive. 1.3.3 Fuel Injector Fouling Initial Performance Standard. 1.3.3.1 Test Method. Fuel injector fouling shall be measured using the TOP TIER fuel injector fouling vehicle test available from GM. GM will run the test on a first-come-first-served basis and shall make the method available to those who wish to run the test on their own. 1.3.3.2 Base Fuel. Two options for base fuel are available: 1.3.3.2.1 Option 1. A full boiling range hydrocarbon gasoline or gasoline blending component, without oxygenates and without deposit control additives, that results in at least five inoperative injectors when tested by the method in 1.3.3.1. 1.3.3.2.2 Option 2. Federal emissions test gasoline specified in DFR 86.113-04, into which 4-methylbenzenethiol (WARNING: Flammable solid; irritant) has been blended at a concentration of 56 mg/L. The blended fuel must result in at least four inoperative injectors when tested by the method in 1.3.3.1. the Federal emissions gasoline, without deposit control additives, available from Haltermann Products (1201 South Sheldon Road, Channelview, TX 77530; tel.: 800-969-2542) has been found to be satisfactory. 1.3.3.3 Demonstration of Performance. A demonstration of injector fouling shall be done first. At least five out of six injectors (with Option 1) or at least four out of six injectors (with Option 2) shall be inoperative for the test to be valid. A demonstration of additive performance shall be done after the fouling tendency demonstration; no other test shall be conducted on the vehicle in the interim. A demonstration of additive performance shall be conducted using the same vehicle (including the fuel drain and flush procedures and installing new injectors) with the same batch of base fuel, but now containing the same amount of deposit control additive as in 1.3.1.3. A pass is defined as no more than one inoperative injector. 1.3.4 Determination of Deposit Control Additive Performance Concentration. 1.3.4.1 Methodology. The concentration of deposit control additive needed to meet the standards in 1.3.1.3 and 1.3.3.3 should be equivalent. However, if the concentration of deposit control additive in 1.3.3.3 is grater than in 1.3.1.3m the higher value shall be regarded as meeting both standards. Also, if the difference between the two concentrations is grater than 15%, 1.3.2.3 shall be repeated using the higher concentration. 1.3.5 Intake Valve Sticking Initial Performance Standard. 1.3.5.1 Test Method. Intake valve sticking tendency shall be determined using either the 1.9 L Volkswagen engine (Wasserboxer according to CEC F-16-T-96) or the 5.0 L 1990-95 General Motors V-8 engine (SWRI IVS test). Two options are available for demonstrating intake valve sticking tendency. 1.3.5.2 Option 1. The valve-sticking tendency of the test fuel by itself will not have to be demonstrated prior to testing the candidate additive. The following shall be required of all tests: 1. Test fuel shall be either the same as in 1.3.1.2 or CEC valve sticking reference fuel. 2. Concentration of deposit control additive in the test fuel shall be at least twice the amount determined in 1.3.4.1. 3. Test temperature shall be -20°C. 4. Three 16-hr cold soak cycles, each followed by a compression pressure check, shall constitute a complete test. 1.3.5.2.1 Demonstration of Performance. A pass shall result in no stuck valves during any of the three cold starts. A stuck valve is defined as one in which the cylinder pressure is less than 80% of the normal average cylinder compression pressure. 1.3.5.3 Option 2. The valve-sticking tendency of the test fuel together with an additive known to cause valve sticking shall be demonstrated prior to testing the candidate additive. The following shall be required of all tests: 1. Test fuel shall be either the same as in 1.3.1.2 or CEC valve sticking test reference fuel. 2. An additive known to cause valve sticking shall be selected, and, when blended into test fuel, shall demonstrate valve sticking tendency as follows: (a) for the Volkswagen engine, at least two valves shall be stuck; (b) for the GM engine, at least three valves shall be stuck. 3. Test demonstrating performance of the candidate additive shall be conducted at a concentration that is at least three times the amount determined in 1.3.4.1. 4. Test temperature shall be -20°C. 5. One 16-hr cold soak cycle followed by a compression pressure check shall constitute a complete test. 1.3.5.3.1 Demonstration of Performance. A pass shall result in no stuck valves during the cold start. A stuck valve is defined as one in which cylinder compression is less than 80% of the normal average cylinder compression pressure."

4/20/2008 2:17:24 PM

i'm not sure if i'm reading this thread right but is that quagmire guy saying he has a car that takes premium and hes saying it "doesnt matter" if he puts in 87?

4/20/2008 2:25:03 PM

Quote :

"i know for a fact that she bought the car for how well it handles"

Really? GTFO of here with that crap. She bought a Lexus SUV for the way it handled? Bitch please.


Sadly my engine is saddled with the need for premium. Do I drive a premium automobile? No. Do I think its a good idea to go cheap on something relatively minor? No. Taking care of the little things is whats probably gonna help this engine clear 300k miles no problem.

4/20/2008 2:27:40 PM

^well said.

4/20/2008 2:28:56 PM

Side note, my new truck runs very well on mid grade gas. I switched it up to premuim and wow what an improvement, apparantly the higher the octane the better the fuel map! Oh, I also picked up 2 MPGs with the switch. Real world testing defeats cheapskates unfounded opinions, film at 11!

4/20/2008 4:05:34 PM

i heard long term use of premium gas in a non premium gas car is bad also...dont know if thats unfounded as i thought i saw that on tww once

4/20/2008 4:07:02 PM

Quote :

"ignorance"

well no shit, sherlock...what gave it away? THE FACT THAT I WAS ASKING THE QUESTION? i swear, you really DO think you're god's gift to the tdub garage, don't you?

Quote :

"Really? GTFO of here with that crap. She bought a Lexus SUV for the way it handled? Bitch please."

look, kid, you don't HAVE to be a douche (but TKE does say it all, doesn't it?)...compared to the other "luxury" SUVs she tried, yes, she did indeed buy it for the way it handled...i'm sorry that offends you, but you'll probably just need to get over it

Quote :

"Do I think its a good idea to go cheap on something relatively minor? No. Taking care of the little things is whats probably gonna help this engine clear 300k miles no problem."

$0.30/gallon more at 22mpg (average) driving 1500 miles per month over 4 years = $981

granted, i didn't buy the car, and while i know she has plenty of money to afford the extra $1k in gas, $1000 is not "minor" to me, which is why i'm on here asking the question and she's sitting comfortably in her leather seats playing music through a 7-speaker audio system...while neither of those things are actual things i would pay for, at least there's an added VALUE to them, while $1000 for no advantages seems like a waste of money (and before you shit yourself, as you are probably prone to doing when someone asks a question you think you know the answer to, realize that i asked the question and posted my POV - admitting i didn't know for sure - because i was specifically looking for an educated answer)

y'all don't HAVE to be dicks about a simple question, though i'm sure it makes you feel like gods in your pathetic little tdub world...although i think you're lost, and should probably be in chit chat

[Edited on April 20, 2008 at 5:18 PM. Reason : .]

4/20/2008 5:17:06 PM

i don't know anything about the gas question, and neither can i afford the RX 330, however, i was just thinking:

if i were to buy a [sporty?] luxury suv in that class, i would go for the Infiniti FX35/45. it is one of the best handling SUVs in the world (aside from the uber german SUVs with 450+ hp). not to mention, the best looking as well, for me.

and now, the new smaller EX35 is out, which will handle better than the FX35 as it is smaller but has the same powerful award-winning 306 hp engine.

but the Lexus has better overall quality and reliability, and perhaps even more actual utility features than the Infiniti, which is much sportier and less utilitier.

not trying to be a dick... just felt like saying that.

4/20/2008 5:29:16 PM

^ no, i agree with you on pretty much all of those points

she tried the RX330, FX35, the MDX, and the Q7...she didn't care for the styling of the FX35, there weren't any MDXs with the features she wanted (within her price range), and the Q7 was just outside of her price range

she might have waited to find something else, but the RX330 came with EVERYTHING (and i do mean everything) and she got such an amazing price, that it was hard to pass it up...additionally, she loved the way it handled (and to me, it felt more solid than the MDX and FX35, though i - personally - liked the Q7 the best)

i've never owned a luxury car of any kind, so all this stuff is new to me...i'm just happy if my car runs well

[Edited on April 20, 2008 at 6:21 PM. Reason : .]

4/20/2008 6:20:00 PM

Just be careful. The older RX 300 took the standard, low grade gas. That was one reason my mom opted for the RX300. So if someone tells you that they used to put the shit gas in their RX, they had one of the older engines and not a RX330 or RX350.

4/20/2008 6:35:35 PM

^^

haha yeah, the Q7 is way out of that class with those other suvs. however, the Q5 has just been revealed, and will compete ably with the RX 330, FX35/EX35, MDX, X3, etc:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080419.003/audi-q5-official-details--video-revealed

btw, did she try the BMW X3?


P.S. MB GLK, a brand new small suv from Mercedes out as well. has a squarer shape than almost any suv (which is very refreshingly welcome, actually), but at the same time aggressive, thoroughly modern, and has huge wheels which make it look killer:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/3080418.002/2009-mercedes-glk




[Edited on April 20, 2008 at 7:13 PM. Reason : ]

4/20/2008 6:48:47 PM

HEY SHE BOUGHT THE LEXUS SOCCER MOM MINI VAN YAY

4/20/2008 6:53:27 PM

is she planning to do any off-roading? if not, why did she get a SUV?

4/20/2008 8:32:33 PM

Quote :

"is she planning to do any off-roading? if not, why did she get a SUV?"

What? Not all SUV's are off-road capable. Most luxury SUV's are no more than a van on a car platform and raised a little bit.

4/20/2008 8:46:54 PM

Women like the higher up seating, makes them feel more secure or something.


Oh, and you know when the personal attacks start flying that you've got nothing meaningful to retort with. Sorry if I was a little harsh, but seriously. Am I gonna buy a Corvette and then get some cheap ass shitty tires for it to save some money?

V---having a boat, now I agree that buying an SUV was the good move.

[Edited on April 20, 2008 at 9:14 PM. Reason : k]

4/20/2008 9:12:15 PM

Quote :

"is she planning to do any off-roading? if not, why did she get a SUV?"

she bought it because:

1.) she's an artist, and needs to be able to move her (relatively) large pieces...her sedan wasn't cutting it, and she doesn't want a truck (even worse mileage, and less useful for her purposes) or a minivan (not fun to drive and the mileage is about the same)

2.) she wants to be able to tow her boat (this one came with a towing package), though the boat isn't very large

3.) her old car was a 91 maxima with nearly 300k miles...she simply wanted something nice and she can afford it now

Quote :

"What? Not all SUV's are off-road capable. Most luxury SUV's are no more than a van on a car platform and raised a little bit."

yeah, it's on a camry platform

Quote :

"Women like the higher up seating, makes them feel more secure or something."

yeah, she really likes being up higher...i, personally, like it too, but it just gives me a better view of the road (or so it feels)

Quote :

"Oh, and you know when the personal attacks start flying that you've got nothing meaningful to retort with."

i agree with you completely...when you refer to me as "bitch" and act like you know ANYTHING about what we test drove and our experiences in each vehicle, i'm quite aware of the fact that you know absolutely nothing about what you're talking about and you HAVE to insult me (when all i did was ask a question because i didn't know the answer) in order to contribute anything to the conversation

Quote :

"Sorry if I was a little harsh, but seriously. Am I gonna buy a Corvette and then get some cheap ass shitty tires for it to save some money?"

i don't think that's quite the same thing, but apology accepted...i now know that octane rating matters and she'll be buying premium or mid-grade at the lowest and that that's just the way it needs to be

[Edited on April 20, 2008 at 9:14 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on April 20, 2008 at 9:22 PM. Reason : .]

4/20/2008 9:12:30 PM

I didn't know you can get a towing package for an rx330. How much can it tow? I know nothing much of the rx330's. Might trade my Acura TL in for an SUV to tow a bike trailer around for track days.

4/20/2008 9:18:45 PM

^ 3500lbs, IIRC

4/20/2008 9:23:33 PM

Quote :

"$0.30/gallon more at 22mpg (average) driving 1500 miles per month over 4 years = $981"

thats $11,500 in gas anyway, what the hell difference does 5% make, and its .20 extra

4/20/2008 9:58:32 PM

^ you've got a point...and to her, i'm sure it doesn't make a difference at all...but as i've said several times (maybe you've missed it?), to me, $1000 PER YEAR is a lot of money...and that assume average mileage, not all city or all highway driving (and she'll be doing more city, so that number should be lower, closer to 18)

and the VAST majority of stations are charging more than $0.10 more per grade...start paying attention, it's between $0.12 and $0.15 between grades these days

4/21/2008 12:06:16 AM

^I've noticed that as well and it really pisses me off. I had to fill up today and passed 3 stations before I found with one premium for less than $3.85!!!

4/21/2008 12:19:30 AM

It's getting close to that around here too. I filled up with premium (which my car does require...) at $3.65/gallon in Raleigh on Friday. Yesterday, in Chapel Hill, I passed stations charging $3.65 for mid-grade. We may or may not see the predicted $4/gallon regular around here before the summer is up, but I'm positive we'll see $4/gallon premium.

4/21/2008 2:25:52 AM

^^^thats for 4 years, its less than $150 a year

4/21/2008 7:51:23 AM

Quote :

"thats for 4 years, its less than $150 a year"

d'oh! okay, i admit it, my point is virtually gone now...though you're not right, either..it's less than $250 per year

i guess neither of us is going to be a mathematician, eh?

4/21/2008 8:10:32 AM

i pump premium because it's embarassing to pump low grade. I mean, what if someone sees you

4/21/2008 9:18:30 AM

lets think this through shall we.

1. girl
2. relatively new suv
3. not cheap

from these things, one can draw the conclusion that she won't be doing any of her own work to the car so we can throw pride and all that other bullshit half of you are caught up on out the window. she won't be keeping the car all that long, she bought the car after it took the big depreciation hit with low mileage. more than likely she'll dump in a few years and do the same as from what it sounds, she has the money upgrade her car somewhat regularly. why the fuck should she care enough to spend even an extra $100 a year to allegedly preserve a car's later legs that she more than likely won't even own til its midlife?

[Edited on April 21, 2008 at 11:20 AM. Reason : hell, a can of seafoam every year for ~$5 probably does more than $250 worth of gas quality]

4/21/2008 11:17:40 AM

Quote :

"why the fuck should she care enough to spend even an extra $100 a year to allegedly preserve a car's later legs that she more than likely won't even own til its midlife?"

there we go, i think you phrased it better than i was...really, this is her first "upgraded" car, but as it stands right now, she's planning on keeping it for 3-4 years and then getting a new one...if she can get away with saving $250/year and it doesn't affect the car while she has it, what difference does it make? why NOT save the money? just because you have it doesn't mean a person wouldn't like to keep the money if they could

that said, since the rx330 is just a luxury highlander, i asked a friend about his...apparently, his will start knocking pretty good if he uses 87 for too long...89 is usually sufficient, though

meh, it's all just speculation...she'll buy premium and not even blink

4/21/2008 1:19:01 PM

another reason why I won't buy cars from girls. Bitches don't know how to take care of their cars. Girls don't usually have cars that I would buy anyway.

4/21/2008 1:22:43 PM

my buddy's gf told me how she ruined her first car. she was given this car and never changed the oil. After more than a year the engine just locked up. she claims that nobody ever told her she had to get the oil changed periodically.

I like my buddy so I don't say anything to her. but wow man, just wow

4/21/2008 1:54:51 PM

4/21/2008 2:05:30 PM