The IS350 is Home! (bad pics and mini review)

[airbalancer]

Yea...it's easy to turn it off.  Just start the car with e-brake on, push brake pedal twice (keep it pressed), push e-brake twice(keep it engaged), then push brake pedal twice.  Completely disengages VDIM, except for ABS.   

Do you rub your tummy clockwise or counter clockwise   

[rrocket]

Ah, but no button I forgot about that sequence.

They put a button in it for 2008 IIRC.  I have a  button there, but it only works at disabling traction control until 50km/h.  It also doesn't disable VDIM.  With the cheat codes, everything is off.  Donuts and mayhem ensue!   

[dr_spock]

Do you have to re-do the "cheat codes" if you turn off your car?   That's a lot of steps to remember.   I think I would print it out and stick on the dash for those who borrow the car.   

[normancw]

Inside the console is where the aux. power source and aux input for stereo is.

BTW, in case your car doesn't have Bluetooth, I found the Kensington LiquidAUX Bluetooth Car Kit works really well if you have an aux power and aux input close together.


http://us.kensington.com/html/14484.html

Works really well for hands-free phone calls and music (you might need to open your console to answer the phone!).

[rrocket]

Inside the console is where the aux. power source and aux input for stereo is.

BTW, in case your car doesn't have Bluetooth, I found the Kensington LiquidAUX Bluetooth Car Kit works really well if you have an aux power and aux input close together.


http://us.kensington.com/html/14484.html

Works really well for hands-free phone calls and music (you might need to open your console to answer the phone!).

Thanks!!  I'm going with the EGO Dash TS system.  It's plug and play with the Lexus OEM wiring harness and works with the factory stereo.

[normancw]

Thanks!!  I'm going with the EGO Dash TS system.  It's plug and play with the Lexus OEM wiring harness and works with the factory stereo.

That looks really slick - wish they had these for other cars!

[Benhaze]

Congrats rrocket!  Very nice ride!  The IS350 has grown on me over the years.

Weren't you looking for a winter beater a few months ago? (I haven't been much around lately...)

[Flinter]

Thanks for sharing some pics of the new IS350. Looks like a beautiful ride.  Congrats!

[rrocket]

Congrats rrocket!  Very nice ride!  The IS350 has grown on me over the years.

Weren't you looking for a winter beater a few months ago? (I haven't been much around lately...)

Yea...we have the trusty Echo and a 2001 Honda Insight as beaters!

[Giant Dwarf]

I'm late to the party here, but hey, congratulations!  Nice BMW-wanna-be ya got there.    Too bad about the transmission though.   

Kidding aside, you can tell just how much Lexus and BMW were cheating off each other's answers when you list so many of the neat features and amenities you like (ie. the little LED that bathes the interior in a very soft light, et.c etc.).  Heck, even your fuel economy is almost as good as the 3-series.  I managed a full tank that averaged 7.4L/100km recently, but then, I don't have 300 hp. 

I'm really keen to see it in person and be able to make some direct comparisons side-by-side with our two very direct competitors (hopefully before you mutilate it mods too much!).   

[Julie]

I'm late to the party here, but hey, congratulations!  Nice BMW-wanna-be ya got there.    Too bad about the transmission though.   

Kidding aside, you can tell just how much Lexus and BMW were cheating off each other's answers when you list so many of the neat features and amenities you like (ie. the little LED that bathes the interior in a very soft light, et.c etc.).  Heck, even your fuel economy is almost as good as the 3-series.  I managed a full tank that averaged 7.4L/100km recently, but then, I don't have 300 hp. 

I'm really keen to see it in person and be able to make some direct comparisons side-by-side with our two very direct competitors (hopefully before you mutilate it mods too much!).   

I realize there are more things on my car than I originally thought... so I agree with you there.

And frak, 7.4L/100km???  Do you drive mostly highway?

[rrocket]

I'm late to the party here, but hey, congratulations!  Nice BMW-wanna-be ya got there.    Too bad about the transmission though.   

Kidding aside, you can tell just how much Lexus and BMW were cheating off each other's answers when you list so many of the neat features and amenities you like (ie. the little LED that bathes the interior in a very soft light, et.c etc.).  Heck, even your fuel economy is almost as good as the 3-series.  I managed a full tank that averaged 7.4L/100km recently, but then, I don't have 300 hp. 

I'm really keen to see it in person and be able to make some direct comparisons side-by-side with our two very direct competitors (hopefully before you mutilate it mods too much!).   

I realize there are more things on my car than I originally thought... so I agree with you there.

And frak, 7.4L/100km???  Do you drive mostly highway?

Julie...remember..his car has less HP than a Toyota Camry..so it's pretty frugal...  

[rrocket]

I'm late to the party here, but hey, congratulations!  Nice BMW-wanna-be ya got there.    Too bad about the transmission though.   

Kidding aside, you can tell just how much Lexus and BMW were cheating off each other's answers when you list so many of the neat features and amenities you like (ie. the little LED that bathes the interior in a very soft light, et.c etc.).  Heck, even your fuel economy is almost as good as the 3-series.  I managed a full tank that averaged 7.4L/100km recently, but then, I don't have 300 hp. 

I'm really keen to see it in person and be able to make some direct comparisons side-by-side with our two very direct competitors (hopefully before you mutilate it mods too much!).   

Nah...just an exhaust and intake in it.  Really..it's a bit too quiet.

[vdk]

LOL LED lights above the centre console? A $20k Golf has that too  

[rrocket]

LOL LED lights above the centre console? A $20k Golf has that too  

Yea, but in a VW it's likely to burn out.  Twice a week.   

[vdk]

LOL LED lights above the centre console? A $20k Golf has that too  

Yea, but in a VW it's likely to burn out.  Twice a week.   

That's why they put 2 LEDs in

[Giant Dwarf]

I'm late to the party here, but hey, congratulations!  Nice BMW-wanna-be ya got there.    Too bad about the transmission though.   

Kidding aside, you can tell just how much Lexus and BMW were cheating off each other's answers when you list so many of the neat features and amenities you like (ie. the little LED that bathes the interior in a very soft light, et.c etc.).  Heck, even your fuel economy is almost as good as the 3-series.  I managed a full tank that averaged 7.4L/100km recently, but then, I don't have 300 hp. 

I'm really keen to see it in person and be able to make some direct comparisons side-by-side with our two very direct competitors (hopefully before you mutilate it mods too much!).   

I realize there are more things on my car than I originally thought... so I agree with you there.

And frak, 7.4L/100km???  Do you drive mostly highway?

Julie...remember..his car has less HP than a Toyota Camry..so it's pretty frugal...  

Which makes the fuel consumption of my underpowered car all the more impressive.  So does the ability to keep up with the 300 horsepower Japanese cars.  Must be smaller Japanese ponies. 

In fairness, Julie, it was an all-highway round-trip with an avg. speed at 120 km/h.  My usual consumption (with a lot of {ahem} enjoyable revving) nets me around 9L/100km avg.  I just felt it was important to reach out to Rrocket on a level he can appreciate -- fuel consumption performance.  You know what those granola-crunching Hybrid-folks are like. 

[safristi]

..indeedy Japanese PONIES are SMALL-errr.................but read the "fine " print...NO RAPID STUNT STARTS and definitely NO MEXICAN STAG PARTIES..................

[initial_D]

Congrats, Ron. ... You do need a better camera tho. 

Those pics were taken with a cell phone!!

Right. So what about a REAL camera then? 

[rrocket]

Which makes the fuel consumption of my underpowered car all the more impressive.  So does the ability to keep up with the 300 horsepower Japanese cars.  Must be smaller Japanese ponies. 

Thank goodness for bumper to bumper traffic, eh Jeff?