sford52

I'm looking at 2 very similar used (2010) 350's. The big difference is that one comes with nav, the other without. I think (but I'm not sure) that the nav unit also gives (or can give) a backup camera and a graphical interface. The difference in price is about $2000. So, I'm curious what Lexus owners think-
Nav yes or no,
and if yes, is it worth $2000?
Thanks,
s

Dave Mac

Yes, it probably worth it although I would try to get the difference down a little bit more, like to $1,500. NAV car simply have better resale. I resisted NAV for years but got it on my 2010 and like it although I use the backup camera more than the navigation. If the car you are looking at has NAV it probably has a few other options as well.

If you are buying from a Lexus dealer see if they will include the latest Navigation update in the deal.

Dave Mac

SW17LS

I would never buy another car without nav...

garsarno

Once you have it, you will want it. Same for me with moonroof.

LexBob2

Good catch on requesting the map updates if the car is from a dealer. The update costs $200+ on 2010+ models. The cost seems high when you consider the competition from smart phones and portable GPS devices.

But I vote thumbs up for a variety of ressons for getting NAV.

We use our car frequently for trips and use eDestination and Destination Assist all the time when travelling.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

The Toyota/Lexus NAV stinks but I like the way it looks and the back up camera.

LexBob2

I agree that the NAV improves the look of the center stack in the ES350. For $2k it should!

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

So true.

However,it's sad that a $150 Garmin is so much better than a Toyota/Lexus NAV.Must be something to do with the integration of all the other things the unit does.
Smart phones have better NAV.

RickC5

Yeah, the cost of the updates sucks, especially when Garmin offers lifetime updates for $80.00--free on some models. Plus, once you update one vehicle, you must leave that $200 DVD in place--no moving it to a second vehicle (like our GX). No wonder so many older versions of the DVD are offered on eBay--everyone's trying to recoup a bit of that $200. Yes, I know Sewell offers the updates for $169. Whoopee!

I also resisted spending all that money on factory NAV systems as we have a $200 Garmin that works perfectly well and is at least as useful/good as the factory version. However, now that we have it, we do use it more frequently, and the backup camera is a plus.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

On a trip we take the Garmin and use it while driving for checking points of interest,restaurants etc so we don't have to pull over and use the $2K factory NAV.That's sad.
As far as updates,I'd buy one every 3 years.If I would keep my car that long.

marvinje

The Nav is an awesome feature, but God forbid if the screen cracks like mine did and then you are SOL because so much runs through the Nav screen and its very expensive to replace

sford52

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I decided to go with the nav unit. Not sure if I'll never need need it, but it's there if I do. It's strange that it doesn't seem to have real time traffic

RTSM

I would go with the nav, it is great when you enter your destination and get voice updates as to traffic issues up ahead. IMHO I had a third party nav. and it looks cheezy no matter where it is placed, the integrated nav is better looking has a bigger screen and you also get touch screen commands for other functions.

RickC5

Not too strange when you consider that the basic technology is pre-2007. Supposedly the 2013 Lexus & Toyota models will have NAV systems that are the newest & greatest (meaning that they're only a couple of years old). We'll see.....