Traded my '99 LS for a '04 LS430 UL, some Q's
06-07-09 | 04:05 PM
#17
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 106
From: AZ
Thanks for the replies. I think the trade from the '99 to the '04 was worthwhile. The additional toys help a lot, shoot, my '99 didn't even have heated seats!! Compare that to the Ultra. Otherwise, nice as the '99 is/was, the '04 is much nicer in every respect.
I do have some gripes, and I do understand that nothing is perfect:
1. The cooling feature in the seats is poor. I see now that this has been much-discussed.
2. In spite of separate temperature controls, setting the rear seat temperature also changes the front seat temperature, and vice-versa. Why call this a dual unit?
3. The park assist is seeing things. Many false alarms. I turned it off. The sensors are clean, and the system is not complaining about any faulty or otherwise offending sensors.
4. The Bluetooth could be implemented better. At least it could allow you to enter contacts manually. Geez, if can't even work with a BlackBerry!!
The HIDs are definitely aimed high, and I know not why. I took it to Lexus and they wanted $220 to aim them properly. I declined because I had read in the owner's manual that it is a 2-screw adjustment for vertical alignment. I got home and set to work, but couldn't find those 2 screws anywhere, on either side. So there it sits. I am going to call my independent Lexus guy and see what he says.
All in all, I love both the '99 and the '04. I would say that if you are happy with your '99, stay with it and save your money. In my case, my wife and I looked at an UL a couple of years ago and wished we were in the appropriate tax bracket to take it home. When I stumbled into this deal, I couldn't resist it. Especially since my wife wanted to go for it. That is amazing all by itself.
I will try to attach a couple if pics of my orphaned '99. If anyone is interested in a perfect '99 with fresh 90k service, both strut rods new, near-new Michelin Primacy tires, and more.......see Auto Trader, Dave Russell Motors, Portland, Oregon.
Sorry, apparently can't attach pics to a reply. If anyone wants to see the '99, let me know and I'll put them in a new post.
Gene
I do have some gripes, and I do understand that nothing is perfect:
1. The cooling feature in the seats is poor. I see now that this has been much-discussed.
2. In spite of separate temperature controls, setting the rear seat temperature also changes the front seat temperature, and vice-versa. Why call this a dual unit?
3. The park assist is seeing things. Many false alarms. I turned it off. The sensors are clean, and the system is not complaining about any faulty or otherwise offending sensors.
4. The Bluetooth could be implemented better. At least it could allow you to enter contacts manually. Geez, if can't even work with a BlackBerry!!
The HIDs are definitely aimed high, and I know not why. I took it to Lexus and they wanted $220 to aim them properly. I declined because I had read in the owner's manual that it is a 2-screw adjustment for vertical alignment. I got home and set to work, but couldn't find those 2 screws anywhere, on either side. So there it sits. I am going to call my independent Lexus guy and see what he says.
All in all, I love both the '99 and the '04. I would say that if you are happy with your '99, stay with it and save your money. In my case, my wife and I looked at an UL a couple of years ago and wished we were in the appropriate tax bracket to take it home. When I stumbled into this deal, I couldn't resist it. Especially since my wife wanted to go for it. That is amazing all by itself.
I will try to attach a couple if pics of my orphaned '99. If anyone is interested in a perfect '99 with fresh 90k service, both strut rods new, near-new Michelin Primacy tires, and more.......see Auto Trader, Dave Russell Motors, Portland, Oregon.
Sorry, apparently can't attach pics to a reply. If anyone wants to see the '99, let me know and I'll put them in a new post.
Gene
06-07-09 | 08:00 PM
#19
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
Once again, thanks to all for the replies! A happy mystery.....I sat down once again to transfer my contacts, and this time it worked! I don't believe I did anything differently this time, but I am not complaining. The BlackBerry Storm was the cooperative one.
Airtime, thanks a bunch for the write-up on the headlight aiming! I will tackle that one next. I am just north of Vancouver, in the Ridgefield zip.
Gene
Airtime, thanks a bunch for the write-up on the headlight aiming! I will tackle that one next. I am just north of Vancouver, in the Ridgefield zip.
Gene
06-08-09 | 08:09 AM
#20
Welcome!
Glad to see you're sorting through your initial issues and concerns.
Re: the headlights, sounds like they could need reaiming as you said, but most places, people will let you know pretty quickly if they are being blinded so perhaps they are normal if people aren't flashing you...
Glad to see you're sorting through your initial issues and concerns.
Re: the headlights, sounds like they could need reaiming as you said, but most places, people will let you know pretty quickly if they are being blinded so perhaps they are normal if people aren't flashing you...
06-08-09 | 10:32 AM
#21
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
I did the headlight re-aim last night, made it better and worse! I got the low beam (HID) right where I want them, but when I flicked on the high beams, the left one points at the ground while the right one is a beacon to the sky.
I know from Airtime's tutorial that the high and low bulbs are linked, but is there some way to adjust them separately without having to remove the rod? I used a 10mm deep socket through the back of the housing. The owners manual says when adusting one of the beams, to keep track of how many turns you make to bolt #1 and make the same number of turns in the same direction to bolt #2 (in so many words). That leads me to believe they are separately adjustable. I did not try the second bolt because I don't have a thin-walled 10mm socket. I'll get one today.
Give me a couple of days and I'll have this car like new!
Gene
I know from Airtime's tutorial that the high and low bulbs are linked, but is there some way to adjust them separately without having to remove the rod? I used a 10mm deep socket through the back of the housing. The owners manual says when adusting one of the beams, to keep track of how many turns you make to bolt #1 and make the same number of turns in the same direction to bolt #2 (in so many words). That leads me to believe they are separately adjustable. I did not try the second bolt because I don't have a thin-walled 10mm socket. I'll get one today.
Give me a couple of days and I'll have this car like new!
Gene
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