Had a 2008 RX350 overnight
Thread Starter
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,481
Likes: 198
From: San Francisco, CA
Had a 2008 RX350 overnight
I brought my 2004 RX330 in for service and got a loaner overnight. its a 2008 with some options except for the nav. Ive had rx350s before as loaners but this is the first time i have one to really try out for a long time.
Some things i can comment on is that the transmission hesitation is completely gone. when reviewers say that the car had buttery smooth shifts, i used to scoff but now i know what they mean.
and the power. *drool* seriously, i wish i didnt have to get my rx330 back. it also is certainly a lot quieter on the hwy and in general. they seemed to make some remarkable improvements.
some things i can clarify is the SNOW mode we have been arguing about. As noted by some Rx330 drivers, the button does nothing except start it in 2nd gear. pedal pressure feel is the same etc. however, in this RX350, there is a huge difference! it really holds the car back so that you have to push a lot further to go. very interesting how they changed it
great car! cant wait until the new RX350 comes out!
Some things i can comment on is that the transmission hesitation is completely gone. when reviewers say that the car had buttery smooth shifts, i used to scoff but now i know what they mean.
and the power. *drool* seriously, i wish i didnt have to get my rx330 back. it also is certainly a lot quieter on the hwy and in general. they seemed to make some remarkable improvements.some things i can clarify is the SNOW mode we have been arguing about. As noted by some Rx330 drivers, the button does nothing except start it in 2nd gear. pedal pressure feel is the same etc. however, in this RX350, there is a huge difference! it really holds the car back so that you have to push a lot further to go. very interesting how they changed it
great car! cant wait until the new RX350 comes out!
Last edited by RXSF; Jan 3, 2008 at 04:13 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
$1400 JUST for the radiator? Ugh... not to say they're the same, because I'm sure the Lexus' radiator is bigger and probably harder to get out, but changed by previous Civic's radiator for $180 (parts only, no labor because I did myself)... 
Tough luck, but atleast you get one more day of loving with the RX350.
Tough luck, but atleast you get one more day of loving with the RX350.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 13
From: Alaska
You sure that radiator is not covered? They had a TSB and known issue of the necks leaking--check on that you may have to pay nothing!!
I agree I sold my 04 and bought an 08--WOW a huge differance just like you said and MORE
I agree I sold my 04 and bought an 08--WOW a huge differance just like you said and MORE
Thread Starter
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,481
Likes: 198
From: San Francisco, CA
yeh, i brought up the radiator warranty about cold climates with my service advisor. I just came back from Reno/Tahoe too, so it makes sense that its cracked. however, he said "its not the right area" that the warranty is covered. sigh
This is actually good to hear. The thing I'm confused about is are they using a different trans in the RX350? If not, why doesn't the transmission reflash work that well on the RX330 trans? I had the latest trans flash update before I sold our 04 and it didn't improve all that much. It may be possible the extra HP from the 3.5 motor just matches the transmission gearing better so the over all drivetrain just works better. Anyway, the news is good to hear as it seems my wife kind of misses the RX and while I was hoping for the new redesign, maybe if the dealer is looking to get rid of the 08s at the end of the year for great deals an 08 RX350 wont be out of the question now.
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ask them cover it under warranty as a "goodwill" type thing. tell them youll do your next major service there and they shouldnt say no. i've driven 2 differnt Rx350's and the tranny still shifts weird not as bad as the rx330 but its there.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 243
Likes: 2
From: CA
I don't know exactly what the tranny issue you guys are talking about but in my wife's 07 RX350, there's an annoying pause when you step on the gas, then pause, then it finally kicks in the engine. Happens when going slow and then you step on the gas, not from a dead stop.
I don't know exactly what the tranny issue you guys are talking about but in my wife's 07 RX350, there's an annoying pause when you step on the gas, then pause, then it finally kicks in the engine. Happens when going slow and then you step on the gas, not from a dead stop.
The question for those that don't notice odd behavior with their tranny is if they are the primary driver or do you switch off with your wife, or any other driver often. Between my wife and I we shared the car a lot, and both of us have very different driving styles. Since this is a so called learning tranny, I feel it just can't optimize itself for multiple drivers.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,321
Likes: 204
From: Miami, Florida
I tested an RX350 over the holidays up in DC. What I noticed is that when I floored if off the light (and this is pretty close to sea level) that there was a pause (not hesitation more of a slow run up to take off), but it took perhaps close to .5 second to engage and take off (I notice it because I race and that would be quite unacceptable), but then again as my colleague CK6Speed pointed out this is a learning tranny and since it was a test drive vehicle I can imagine that if I had it for a bit, this feeling would likely be gone or extremely diminished.
If I just gently rolled down on the accelerator from a light (as is the most common way), then I didn't sense any issue.
The shifts were definitely buttery smooth.
If I just gently rolled down on the accelerator from a light (as is the most common way), then I didn't sense any issue.
The shifts were definitely buttery smooth.