HarrierRX300

Hi guys,
I was waxing my car and was thinking, what if I took off the roof rack. So I did and boy, does it look sleeker. The body lines are smoother and simple.

My question is, has anybody else done this and does it cause any wind noise. I haven't drove my car yet. I prepped it for the weekend so it's still in the garage.

Relating to the wind noise, I read somewhere on the threads that when you open the rear passenger window, rumbling vibrating noise can be heard throughout the cabin interior. But, when I rolled another window, the noise (like a bumpy road) goes away. My question is it because the air is circulating or just bad design?

Thanks guys.

LexRX

When you roll down one of the rear windows while driving you will get a buffeting effect. This can be defeated by cracking a front window.

As for the roof rack, I have not tried taking mine off, although it's an easy job. Instead, I've added more stuff to mine (the bike rack) I like the way it looks with stuff up there.

HarrierRX300

Buffeting effect. OOOO.... For a minute there, I thought my ears were going to pop.

I took my roof rack off (been a while since I rode my mountain bike). Simple. We'll see if it makes any noise while driving.

Thanks LexRx.

BTW, anything new to your RX?

mooretorque

RX sans roof rack makes no noise up top. Didn't want the rack and, since (at the time) they put 'em on at port of entry in the US, it was simple to get ours w/o it (or the obligatory trailer hitch, either).

Nice and slick, ours is virtually the only RX around w/o one; makes it easy to id wifey driving down the street.........

Daddy-O

I take mine off every 2-3 months so I can wax the roof unhindered. I tend to leave it off for a few days, so I can add a second layer of wax. I could go either way...It's easier to keep them on rather than store them. I'm reaching another point in my life where I have too much stuff. Time for a yard sale.

I don't notice any difference in wind noise.

Anyone want to see what their RX looks like without roof racks just needs to surf out to European Lexus sites. Even if you don't speak the language, these site are fairly easy to navigate:

http://www.lexus.com/about/links.html

Some nice rackless wallpapers here:
http://www.lexus-europe.com/g/g04_17.html

HarrierRX300

Thanks DaddyO. Mooretorque, I might be the second one without the racks. Looks more sleeker and easier to ID in a shopping mall. I'm glad there's no noticeable windnoise.

Thanks again everybody.

bob2200

My RX300 was also ordered without the roof rack. I consider my bicycles too good to expose to the elements (other than while bicycling of course) . I have Alex Moulton road bike and Montague mountain bike.

While most RX300s I see do have the roof rack on them, quite a few don't. What really differentiates mine is no moon roof. However, from the back this doesn't help in spotting it in a parking lot. I realize it's a matter of taste, but I also think the RX300 looks better without the roof rack.

I just moved to So. Florida from Virginia and there are many, many RX300s down here, sometimes 3 on the same parking lot row.

CK1_RX3

Yup, I leave mine off all the time. Looks much better.

Chuckieb

When we bought our truck, (used) we asked dealer to throw in cross bars, which they did. Then I go to buy a Thule ski box, only to discover that Thulke and Yakima do not recommend attaching anything to the factory rack on the Lexus. (it is only rated for 75 lbs, the boxes weigh 35-45 lbs empty) So, the dealer offered to take the bars back and refund the full retail price, which coincidentally is the exact price of the Thule feet & crossbars. So, the Lexus bars are off, and I do think it looks kinda cool, especially with the new spoiler! I'd post a pic, but the weather is crappy, & the truck probably won't be "picture-taking" clean again before May!

LexRX

HarrierRX300, nothing new yet since the Maniks. Next up is a wood/leather wheel or a larger subwoofer. Gosh knows how long that will take me to do

Lexmexico

I have dragged my 99 RX up and down long, straight Mexican highways with and without my roof racks, and have noticed no difference in sound or gas mileage. Some mechanics down here said they have noticed differences in sound with other vehicles depending on how the roof racks are placed on the two rails, but I have yet to notice any difference after experimenting several times.