Good day all,

I would like to ask you folks whether there is any difference in terms of build quality, accessories, fittings etc. between a Lexus RX330 or its JDM equivalent Harrier. Reason I am asking is that I am thinking of changing my current ride (a 2000 GS300) but there is quite a significant price difference between the 2 models.

I have tried to do a search on the forums but my efforts came up empty.

Deeply appreciate any help, thanks!

 

quality is the same. The differences, well, I think the Japanese Harrier allows you to get more options. It also has that fender mirror on the left side. The American version always gets stripped of JDM options most of the time (but that's starting to change) because of American regulations, etc.

 

Thanks for the reply!

Here in Singapore, we have an authorized Lexus dealer but recently, parallel importers have sprung up that bring in the JDM models.

For example, the new RX330 cost US$91,000 onwards from the Lexus dealer but the equivalent Harrier will be US$72,000 onwards. As such, I am wondering what could the difference be besides the branding and trim difference/options? Do Lexus cars and its equivalent JDM models come off the same assembly line? Or is there a difference like that found between the new 2003 US Honda Accord and the JDM Accord?

 

I was thinking about doing a JDM Harrier conversion to my 330, but after looking it over it would just be a pain. There is Lexus all over the car. When did Lexus start enscribing the work Lexus on the windows? It used to say Toyoto before. Also those lighted Lexus door sills would probably be expensive to change over. I just gave up the idea.

 

Have a look at

http://www.japanvehicles.com/newcars...mainsample.htm

for a reasonable list of the new Harrier models and options in English. (also prices for export ....)


Jeff
98 Harrier S

 

Just spent my Saturday visiting the showrooms to find out more on the local Harrier 2.4G PL vs the RX300 we have here.

Discovered that the RX has more luxury amenities like electrochromic/anti-dazzle rear and wing mirrors, electronic tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 2 individual memory seat settings, rain sensor, power rear door closing and opening, VSC and TRC, wing mirrors that tilt downwards when shifted to reverse, 8 speaker Pioneer system and cushion airbags. Other differences would be AWD, 5-speed transmission and the 3L V6 engine found in the current ES. Wondering whether the price is worth the additional US$20,000?

Would love to hear comments from you guys on which option I should take. Harrier or RX?

 

Why would you want to changeover (downgrade?) a Lexus into a Toyota? I don't know of anyone who would want to convert an Acura into a Honda or an Infinity into a Nissan either.

 

Sounds a similar spec RX to the version they are selling down here in New Zealand - right hand drive of course so closer to a Harrier than the US spec RX

3.3L with AWD,
5 speed auto with sequential shift
HIDs but not AFS
rain sensing wipers
power tail gate
No ML sound, 6 or 7 speaker system with 6 pack CD
no nav, so no backup camera, no RSES
17" wheels, 18" are NOT an option
no air suspension
no laser cruise control
no heated seats - don't need em here in NZ, cooled seats for the summer ? now you're talking.
only 'option' is a sunroof - the multi-panel version I think.

Local price NZ$86k - roughly US$50k

Took one for a test drive on Thursday. Compared to the Harrier I currently have I can't say I noticed the extra power, though climbing the hill to the house, maybe there is a bit more low down torque available. I did like the leather and electrics - the original Harriers had cloth seats with manual adjust. What I noticed most was that the low speed accelerator response was better, not more powerful, but more gradual, so it made driving in slow traffic easier. I didn't like the large blind spots, almost caused me to shift lanes on to a van I couldn't see ......
Also didn't like the new exhaust note - made the engine sound very harsh at higher revs, where as the orignal 3.0L was very smooth and spooled up like a turbine. Didn't notice the gear box nurgles some people have reported, but I only had it for an hour over a lunch break.

One of the local motoring mags had its initial review and wasn't very complimentary about the changes in the AWD system. Reckoned the fixed center diff and braking the wheels to control wheel spin was a backward step compared to the original model's viscous center diff. They found that the new system tended to stall the car when they got in to soft sand - a wheel would start spinning and the managment system would cut the power back to all wheels and brake the spinning wheel to compensate rather than transferring the available power to the other wheels. I can't comment - I only had time to run it on tarmac .

I'm undecided whether to trade up - I may hold off for a year or so to see if they 'sweeten' the package as a mid life upgrade - I really would like the air suspension.


Jeff
98 Harrier S

 

HI Jeff,

I think AFS is only available for models that come with the air suspension. We do not have the NAV package too as there is no point for it in Tiny Singapore but I do wish they did not link the backup camera to the NAV system. Reverse sensor is available with the irritating "beep beep" sound though I think not having 18" as an option is pure rubbish and your idea of having cooled seats is really good since it does get really hot and humid here too.

I only test-drove the RX due to inavailability of a test Harrier 2.4G. This is my first time in a RX and I enjoy the high seating position and the great view I get of the cabin and the road ahead. I do feel that its blindspots are not as bad as that in the GS. However, the transmission is rather jagged especially shifting in the upper gears and the semi-manual shift needs a re-work (not an issue as I am leaving it in auto most of the time). The interior is tons better than my GS with the real sporty instrumental panel, perforated leather seats and an overall more luxurious cabin . Wow!

Only reason why I am thinking of switching is the need for a large boot area for transportation of bulky samples in my work but not sacrificing the pampered luxury I am accustomed to.

Decisions decisions....

 

Is there such a thing as a Left Hand Drive Toyota Harrier?
All the extra gadgets of the Harrier except to be driven on the
right side of the road. I was thinking if you really wanted all
the Harrier goodies that'd be the only way.

 

As far as I am aware the "Harrier" is only sold new as a Harrier in Japan, and consequently is right hand drive only.

Used examples are exported widely to those countries that drive on the right (ie correct ie left )side of the road. Toyota NZ import them and sell them through their dealer network here in New Zealand for example and there are specialist exporters that will buy a brand new car for you in Japan deregister it and export it, but the site I am aware of (see the link I posted earlier in this topic) has a lot of warnings for US based customers.

I hear that from 2005 Toyota Japan will introduce the Lexus brand to the Japanese market so presumably the Harrier will disappear at that point. It will be interesting to see whether the Japanese RX330s will be as fully featured as the current Harriers.

jeff

 

[QUOTE]There is Lexus all over the car. When did Lexus start enscribing the work Lexus on the windows? It used to say Toyota before. /QUOTE]

I spoke to the dealer regarding the Lexus name on the window and they told me that just about every dealer had complaints from Lexus owners that "toyota" was shown on their car, so Toyota decided to change the windows on Lexus models. I used to own a Acura that did have "Honda" on the windshield. In fact, my friend who had a Honda had the same exact Key Alarm Fob as me, but with Honda instead of Acura imprinted on it. I do admit that it bothered me at the time. I am happy to see the Lexus name everywhere it is visible.

 

I was going to convert my Acura into Honda and my Lexus into Toyota...
They're the same cars... You go to Japan, you'll see there's no "Lexus", "Acura", or "Inifiniti"... It's just that the original brand names already have an image built in the U.S consumer market, that they're economical, reliable, and yes, fairly cheap. To come out with a $50,000+ car to compete in the luxury/exotic market just won't work. Therefore, they created the name for the illusion of a totally different brand name in the market to compete with brands like Mercedes, or BMW...

As for me personally, the reason I wanted to convert'em (not downgrade, it's to convert...) is so that I can be maybe just a bit different from every other Lexus/Acura I see on the road... That's also the same reason for some people who modify their cars. Although we have Lexus and Infinity in Taiwan, we do not have Acura's, and let me tell you, to sell a NTD200,000+ ($60,000) Honda is much harder than Lexus or Infiniti... Why does GM have that many different brands? Ford and Mercury? Chrysler? It's so that they can offer "more" products in the market... Instead of having 3 products from 3 different companies, there will be 10 products, 3 of which are from different companies, the rest 7 are from the same company... So the company can make more money...

I guess the bottom line for the car manufacteurs is how to make more money, isn't it always though?

 

i can understand "converting" an acura to a honda, just because its kind of fun modifying your ride. but that would be because we are talking about hondas and acuras. but to try and convert my lexus to toyota emblems and even changing the lexus door sills would be crazy to me. i would rather buy a toyota harrier and modify it to look like an RX, then pay the big bucks for my RX and try to make it look like a toyota.

 

there are no 3.3 litres for the Jap market.
The max is 3.0

SO when i ship my RX330 back to HK, i'd be an individual!