Bought a 2012 IS350, so...now what?
01-02-12, 02:40 PM
#18
First off I want to say that I've been browsing this forum for quite awhile before the purchase. I'm also a 240 owner and I must say the vibe and people in this forum are orders of magnitude more helpful and friendly compared to other car forums.
Anyways, I'm a new proud owner of a 2012 Nebula Grey Pearl IS350 F-Sport with Nav. Got it the day after Christmas. I live in San Diego but my parents and brother bought two other Lexus cars from the dealership in Glendale so I went there (Anyone have any experience with their "Elite" Club services by the way?)
I don't like the fishbowl look so I'm going to tint soon. I went through the 33 page tint thread in the FAQ (took me a little bit of time but when it comes to my car...well you know how it goes if you're on this forum and reading this) and it's a toss up between Formula One Pinnacle and 3M Crystalline right now. Probably somewhere between 30-50% all around since I have a completely black interior and I don't want the cops to hassle me.
Anyone have any recommendations for a shop in SD? I yelped a couple shops (San Diego Tint and Alvin O's have good reviews) but have no personal experience with them. I also do drive up to Orange County and LA to visit the family and friends so it wouldn't be a stretch to go up there if it's worth the tint service.
Good chance I'll also clear bra too with 3M Venture-shield. Recommendations to where I should get it done?
Last but not least I plan on redding out my tails. I hear Rvinyl is the way to go from the posts way back in 06 (and links are now broken to aerotech and Rvinyl). I don't mind doing this myself so I emailed Rvinyl to get a kit but they don't have one for a 2012 and linked me to a 60 dollar custom kit (http://www.rvinyl.com/custom-tail-light-tint.htm). Any updated info on where I can get the vinyl for this job?
My bank account will hate me for asking but any other recommendations for things to do specifically on a brand new car? (Wheels, suspension, exhaust, etc may potentially come later)
Couple pics:
Thanks all,
Chris
Anyways, I'm a new proud owner of a 2012 Nebula Grey Pearl IS350 F-Sport with Nav. Got it the day after Christmas. I live in San Diego but my parents and brother bought two other Lexus cars from the dealership in Glendale so I went there (Anyone have any experience with their "Elite" Club services by the way?)
I don't like the fishbowl look so I'm going to tint soon. I went through the 33 page tint thread in the FAQ (took me a little bit of time but when it comes to my car...well you know how it goes if you're on this forum and reading this) and it's a toss up between Formula One Pinnacle and 3M Crystalline right now. Probably somewhere between 30-50% all around since I have a completely black interior and I don't want the cops to hassle me.
Anyone have any recommendations for a shop in SD? I yelped a couple shops (San Diego Tint and Alvin O's have good reviews) but have no personal experience with them. I also do drive up to Orange County and LA to visit the family and friends so it wouldn't be a stretch to go up there if it's worth the tint service.
Good chance I'll also clear bra too with 3M Venture-shield. Recommendations to where I should get it done?
Last but not least I plan on redding out my tails. I hear Rvinyl is the way to go from the posts way back in 06 (and links are now broken to aerotech and Rvinyl). I don't mind doing this myself so I emailed Rvinyl to get a kit but they don't have one for a 2012 and linked me to a 60 dollar custom kit (http://www.rvinyl.com/custom-tail-light-tint.htm). Any updated info on where I can get the vinyl for this job?
My bank account will hate me for asking but any other recommendations for things to do specifically on a brand new car? (Wheels, suspension, exhaust, etc may potentially come later)
Couple pics:
Thanks all,
Chris
I got mine at Longo Lexus. Right now I only have the F-Sport Carbon Fiber shift **** and the Lexus L chrome valve cap. My next mod would be the F-Sport Spring Set and some 19-inchers. 
01-02-12, 03:04 PM
#21
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Thanks all! Always liked Lexus' since my bro and mom got one...now I do and my dad is thinking about getting the new GS in Feb/March...
Glendale Lexus had a tungsten pearl IS350 with same options in stock but I definitely prefer the grey...no offense to those who have tungsten...I just like grey better =).
Coils and wheels will probably come. I just prefer to knock out the tint and clear bra first since it's harder to go with the car without those...and I definitely don't want to clear bra an already chipped bumper. =) Gotta recover from the down payment...hopefully I'll get a nice raise to offset a car payment and so I can start saving again...haha
I'll give bumperdoc and star shield a call.
I gave SD Tint a call and they quoted me 500 for 3M Crystaline for all 7 windows. 550 for Xpel Ultimate paint protection for the front bumper. fogs, headlights. 850 for partial hood and fenders, and 1300 for full front.
I called Alvin O's only uses solar gard film and quoted me 450 for all 7 windows. They do clear bra'ing too but uses an "Autobahn" product which is now owned by 3M? (He talked pretty fast and was explaining the history of vinyl branding). I did search for clear bra'ing but now I guess brands have changed and bought each other out...time to do more research...
Any other rec's for San Diego shops? There's a ton of paint protection products to look into...so if you guys have any rec'd that aren't outdated that'd be sweet.
Thanks again
Glendale Lexus had a tungsten pearl IS350 with same options in stock but I definitely prefer the grey...no offense to those who have tungsten...I just like grey better =).
Coils and wheels will probably come. I just prefer to knock out the tint and clear bra first since it's harder to go with the car without those...and I definitely don't want to clear bra an already chipped bumper. =) Gotta recover from the down payment...hopefully I'll get a nice raise to offset a car payment and so I can start saving again...haha
I'll give bumperdoc and star shield a call.
I gave SD Tint a call and they quoted me 500 for 3M Crystaline for all 7 windows. 550 for Xpel Ultimate paint protection for the front bumper. fogs, headlights. 850 for partial hood and fenders, and 1300 for full front.
I called Alvin O's only uses solar gard film and quoted me 450 for all 7 windows. They do clear bra'ing too but uses an "Autobahn" product which is now owned by 3M? (He talked pretty fast and was explaining the history of vinyl branding). I did search for clear bra'ing but now I guess brands have changed and bought each other out...time to do more research...
Any other rec's for San Diego shops? There's a ton of paint protection products to look into...so if you guys have any rec'd that aren't outdated that'd be sweet.
Thanks again
Last edited by cjfung10; 01-02-12 at 08:02 PM. Reason: Added questions
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