RX 350 Owners Get Hooped
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2004
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From: Canada
RX 350 Owners Get Hooped
Does anyone know why the 07 Camry V6 which costs about half as much as the RX350 gets the new 6 speed auto and the 07 RX350 still has the old 5 speed tranny? I thought Lexus was suposed to be ahead of Toyota in drivetrain among other specs.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 776
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From: Illinois
I agree... although it's still an excellent car, the RX is falling behind other models as far as innovation is concerned. But, it's been pointed out that it seems Lexus is not pushing the RX as far because it's part of a saturated crossover SUV market. Lexus is putting their effort into other models that can be market leaders rather than "one of many". That's too bad... that's not my definition of "pursuit of perfection", but I guess it's a philosophy that makes money.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: NV
rxd, I certainly see your point, also could the reason not be that presuming the RX is a heavier vehicle it needs the 5-speed. Not sure but I thought the old 300 I have is just 4 speed, at least it seems to shift that way.
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Originally Posted by rxdriver
I agree... although it's still an excellent car, the RX is falling behind other models as far as innovation is concerned. But, it's been pointed out that it seems Lexus is not pushing the RX as far because it's part of a saturated crossover SUV market. Lexus is putting their effort into other models that can be market leaders rather than "one of many". That's too bad... that's not my definition of "pursuit of perfection", but I guess it's a philosophy that makes money.
I am sure Lexus has a very good reason for holding onto the 5 speed. The RX 350 will be sold for years before the RX 350 debuts with the new 6 speed.
Lexus wants to continuosly update things, not everything at one time. This keeps people in showrooms. The 3GS 430 has a new 6 speed auto but the same 4.3 engine as before. So when sales fall, the GS 460 will re-energize things.
The RX is the best selling luxury vehicle offered, they will be fine.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 776
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From: Illinois
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Falling behind innovation? RX 400h has the most tech of ANY SUV ever made!
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Falling behind innovation? RX 400h has the most tech of ANY SUV ever made! Gen 5 Nav.
I am sure Lexus has a very good reason for holding onto the 5 speed. The RX 350 will be sold for years before the RX 350 debuts with the new 6 speed.
Lexus wants to continuosly update things, not everything at one time. This keeps people in showrooms. The 3GS 430 has a new 6 speed auto but the same 4.3 engine as before. So when sales fall, the GS 460 will re-energize things.
The RX is the best selling luxury vehicle offered, they will be fine.
I am sure Lexus has a very good reason for holding onto the 5 speed. The RX 350 will be sold for years before the RX 350 debuts with the new 6 speed.
Lexus wants to continuosly update things, not everything at one time. This keeps people in showrooms. The 3GS 430 has a new 6 speed auto but the same 4.3 engine as before. So when sales fall, the GS 460 will re-energize things.
The RX is the best selling luxury vehicle offered, they will be fine.
....oh well I will get to use it when my GS450h order comes in... 
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Michigan
Perhaps it's the because RX is one of the best selling SUVs, and I think the best seller of the whole Lexus lineup, and they are already selling enough not to worry about losing customers.
Besides, IMO, the 5-speed tranny is nice enough. Smooth shifts, you can't feel it, although the 6-speed might be nicer.
@parula---I don't get what you mean when you say " also could the reason not be that presuming the RX is a heavier vehicle it needs the 5-speed". If you've noticed, Mercedes has begun putting 7-speed trannies into all the new models, including the ML, and the upcoming GL, and the R. They are all about the same range in weight (with the exception of the GL being heavier) yet they all have the 7-speed.
Besides, IMO, the 5-speed tranny is nice enough. Smooth shifts, you can't feel it, although the 6-speed might be nicer.
@parula---I don't get what you mean when you say " also could the reason not be that presuming the RX is a heavier vehicle it needs the 5-speed". If you've noticed, Mercedes has begun putting 7-speed trannies into all the new models, including the ML, and the upcoming GL, and the R. They are all about the same range in weight (with the exception of the GL being heavier) yet they all have the 7-speed.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: CA
Originally Posted by parula
rxd, I certainly see your point, also could the reason not be that presuming the RX is a heavier vehicle it needs the 5-speed. Not sure but I thought the old 300 I have is just 4 speed, at least it seems to shift that way.
Lexus can put the old 5 speed tranny and 2GR-FE into RX350 because they knew they could get away with it. Most RX owners simply do not care how many gears the tranny has or whether RX gets the state of the art engine.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
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Originally Posted by TunedRX300
I thought closer ratio gears help out heavier cars more than lighter cars. Heavier cars needs more power delievered to the wheels because they have more mass to accelerate. Closer ratio gears mean less rpm drops assuming same shift points, and higher RPMs usually give more power delivered.
Lexus can put the old 5 speed tranny and 2GR-FE into RX350 because they knew they could get away with it. Most RX owners simply do not care how many gears the tranny has or whether RX gets the state of the art engine.
Lexus can put the old 5 speed tranny and 2GR-FE into RX350 because they knew they could get away with it. Most RX owners simply do not care how many gears the tranny has or whether RX gets the state of the art engine.
RX350 should be pretty quick and smooth. There is no reason to be annoyed for all the wrong reasons...
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,218
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From: MD
As usual I totally agree with Spwolf....
that the performance is outstanding with the new engine and the reprogramming of the 5 speed auto produces very smooth shifts without any hesitation of the past. Excellent fuel efficiency rated at 19/24 in the AWD. The quarter mile is rated at 15.7 seconds. What are you turning, LexMex? The Gen 5 Nav is a big improvement with Bluetooth II. Drive one and the quiet interior will block out the rest of the pack...
Rock
Rock
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: CA
Originally Posted by spwolf
lol, I can see that 272hp isnt enough anymore :-)
RX350 should be pretty quick and smooth. There is no reason to be annoyed for all the wrong reasons...
RX350 should be pretty quick and smooth. There is no reason to be annoyed for all the wrong reasons...
Let's keep in the Lexus family. How do you explain IS350, a 2527lbs sedan with lower load limit gets 2GR-FSE, with peak HP at 305; and 6 speed sequential shift transmission for a MSRP of $36030?
RX350 weights 4090lbs and tows 3500lbs, costs $39495, yet gets the 2GR-FE and old 5 speed tranny?
Doesn't it take more power to accelerate a heavier vehicle, let alone a SPORTS Utility Vehicle?
Just because Lexus offers RX350, does it mean it MUST be a great product. This is not a religion. The fact is the engine and tranny, two most important and costly features are not state-of-the-art products, not even in Lexus' family.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,419
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From: AZ
When I asked the question, I got the following answer:
The new Camry 6 speed auto is a simpler, lighter transmission than the previous 5 speed. As a result, it does not have provision for a 4 wheel drive option therefore is not suitable for the RX350. Futrue RX models will have the CVT from the RX400h which is more adaptable to the heavier SUV installation.
Steve
The new Camry 6 speed auto is a simpler, lighter transmission than the previous 5 speed. As a result, it does not have provision for a 4 wheel drive option therefore is not suitable for the RX350. Futrue RX models will have the CVT from the RX400h which is more adaptable to the heavier SUV installation.
Steve
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,218
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From: MD
Lexus sold over 100,000 of the RX series...
Originally Posted by TunedRX300
Quick comparing to what? Over RX300 ,Yes. Over FX35, no.
Let's keep in the Lexus family. How do you explain IS350, a 2527lbs sedan with lower load limit gets 2GR-FSE, with peak HP at 305; and 6 speed sequential shift transmission for a MSRP of $36030?
RX350 weights 4090lbs and tows 3500lbs, costs $39495, yet gets the 2GR-FE and old 5 speed tranny?
Doesn't it take more power to accelerate a heavier vehicle, let alone a SPORTS Utility Vehicle?
Just because Lexus offers RX350, does it mean it MUST be a great product. This is not a religion. The fact is the engine and tranny, two most important and costly features are not state-of-the-art products, not even in Lexus' family.
Let's keep in the Lexus family. How do you explain IS350, a 2527lbs sedan with lower load limit gets 2GR-FSE, with peak HP at 305; and 6 speed sequential shift transmission for a MSRP of $36030?
RX350 weights 4090lbs and tows 3500lbs, costs $39495, yet gets the 2GR-FE and old 5 speed tranny?
Doesn't it take more power to accelerate a heavier vehicle, let alone a SPORTS Utility Vehicle?
Just because Lexus offers RX350, does it mean it MUST be a great product. This is not a religion. The fact is the engine and tranny, two most important and costly features are not state-of-the-art products, not even in Lexus' family.
Rock