tawm

2nd Generation GPS Nav systems are now coming to market, such as the Dash Express Two-Way Internet-Connected GPS Navigator, which downloads real-time traffic data from the proprietary "Dash Driver Network."

Would Lexus offer a retrofit for such an interactive service, or perhaps build their own?
or Should we look for 3rd party systems like this and install ourselves?

I have an '08 RX350 and would love to have this real-time traffic info. I just don't know how ambitious Lexus is on offering cutting-edge new services -- i.e. wait for Lexus, or roll-my-own.

mandyfig

Lexus has not been know to upgrade on existing systems. Nor any car maker...why would they? They want you to buy a new car.

3rd party would be your best bet.

sama

I recently responded to a survey from Lexus . I do not remember everything but it took 20 minutes to fill out and some of the questionnaire was:

1) About real time traffic updates including auto rerouting
2) About buying music you listen on the radio
3) About service similar to GM's onstar
4) Able to locate your car if an unauthorized person is driving & the ability stop it by killing the engine power
5) 3D images of buildings


But the bottomline was how much are you willing to pay for these services, My answer to all of them was $0.

My expalanation for the the $0 answer was: I paid $2600 for the existing GPS package which is locked out, does not have an Ipod connectivity (Atleast a regular input would have sufficed).

So I do not believe Lexus about the upcoming features unless I see them on a vehicle. There are lot of promising technologies that are going to come up in the next 5 years and I don't think the so called "Luxury" car companies can keep up with them. Just take the GPS facility it is now everywhere, a $300Garmin (With GPS/Bluetooth/Audio Books/MP3 Player) can do better than the Lexus package.

ecount00

Lexus is very slow and hardline (nav lockout) in this area. It's become a bit of a big lumbering organization so if you want something like this, you'll have to go 3rd party as others have said. New RX for 2010 but since hard to imagine it will leap as far ahead as this sort of product. Gadget wise, will probably be catching up to some of the things already in the sedan line. ie the 09 RXs don't even have keyless operation yet.

tawm

Thanks folks, I much appreciate your quick feedback!