Yesterday I got the chance to play with my new toy. I have made a list of things I want to do.
They did a decent job delivering the LX although they didn't fix the antenna. No big deal, I will do it myself. They did fix the airconditioning and it was pretty clean. Not to my standards but good enough. When I drove it back I fell totally in love with it. Just an awesome vehicle, exactly what I want. it feels tight and very solid, everything works and it is very quiet.
DHL delivered my bluetooth module, a BT35. A real nice gadget. It took some time to build it in because I had to disassemble the dash but it worked out good. I love how Toyota (and Lexus) build stuff. Everything makes sense to me, nothing broke and everything went nicely back together again. The module uses the dvd changer connection (which I won't be using anyway) and connects via bluetooth to my iPhone. I can stream music and use it as a car kit. It works great and I can even operate it with the buttons on my dash and steering wheel. There
are some threads on the module.
I also fixed th ashtray. It wouldn't pop out because they but the cigarette lighter in there and it got stuck and dislodged the metal lip. I was hoping to find the spare key there but the lighter is a good second. The ashtray is spring loaded and of course it exploded when I tried to force it open it out so it took me quite some time to put it all back together again but it works.
There is still a lot to do, the antenna of course and also a new navigation disk, both ordered on
eBay. The nav I have now is really outdated. It could even find my home let alone get me there. It took me all over the place we driving back from Toronto. A good thing I know where it is. Not a very good system, those aftermarket ones and the one on my phone are way better. I can't even imagine how expensive it was when new. Too bad I won't be able to replace it with a better system.
I also ordered a set of weathertech floor mats online. It now has one Land Rover (!) mat at the passenger side, a Acura mat at the drivers side and piece of Audi mat in the trunk that fits nowhere, haha. That's what you get when you get a good deal I guess.
I also need a remote for the after market dvd player in the back. Not that I will be using it but if it's there I want it to work. It is a AudioVox Advent ADV8SR Overhead System. Not impressed with it. Much has changed if you look at electronics the last couple of years.
I am also looking into a second key. I only have one now, which is scary. It apparantly is pretty difficult and expensive because it is chipped and I don't have a key code. It is a US vehicle wich would probably make it even harder to find a spare key. Help would be appreciated.
And then there are other things like winter tires and wheels. I am not sure what would look good and I don't want steelies. But is still have some time intil snow falls. It will also go for undercoating next week.
I am also going to change the AHC fluid (the automatic hight control). I needs to be done at 60k miles and I am pretty sure they didn't. It should improve the ride quality even more. There is a nice write up
here. I used to own a couple of Citroëns (a 2CV, a CX and a XM) and you can't beat them when it comes to suspension. The Lexus system is not as good, but it doesn't break as often as the French version.
I also took all day to detail it. It turned out pretty good. I used this some kind of black wax that was on sale at Canadian Tire. It is a two step process (actually 4 steps) but it took out most of the minor scratches and swirls. A lot of work but the LX feels more mine now. I still have to give the interior a good scrub but that will have to wait for next week.
All in all I am very happy wih my purchase.
