any suggestions on replacing ugly antenna-- any ideas for the best lube so it doesn't make as much noise going up and down

 

I don't think Lexus recommends putting any kind of grease/lube on the antenna mast itself. I use a little 3-in-1 oil on mine while it is in the up position. Put a little on a paper towel, wipe it back off with a dry paper towel. Let the antenna retract and do the process again, maybe 3 times total. It keeps mine quiet. I do this every so often when I hear it making noise. I use the CD player much more, so I forget to do regularly.

 

Buy a Lexus OEM antenna ONLY. And if you feel like it, remove the motor and rebuild it. It's no big deal, you just have to remove a lot or the interior rear plastic panels to get to the motor. Then remove it, take it apart and clean the old grease out, put new in, and reassemble. There also may be some pieces of broken plastic from the old antenna, or a previous old antenna. I did mine about three years ago, trouble free since then.

 

I rarely use the radio after installing the Grom. I get better reception and of course much more variety streaming off my phone.
The only annoyance is you can't easily change channels on the phone like you can on the radio.

 

ill have to address that grom device---thx for the input gentleman