RX330 Clear Taillights
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From: Richardson, TX
RX330 Clear Taillights
It seems to me the most common negative comment about the new RX330 concerns the clear taillights. I would have to agree to some extent. I have a 2001 white IS300 which also has the clear taillights. I prefer the clears on the lighter colors. In subsequent years, Lexus tinted the clear taillights on the darker colors. Looks much better IMO. I wonder why they didn't do the same thing with the RX. What does everyone else think? Would the tinted lenses improve the look?
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From: Texas
Like you, I too have a 2001 IS - but I guess I'm alone in thinking the tail lights on the RX 330 are an improvement - I really like the clear - my RX 330 kinda reminds me of my IS - only on steroids 
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Texas
I agree! I think the same mindset applies to both the IS300 and the RX330 owner - young, sporty, sleek, etc
In my case we had the IS for two years and when it came time to replace our old SUV - I wanted an SUV that looked and handled like my IS - well I found the closest thing!
I wonder if Lexus has ever done any marketing research on multiple Lexus owners - it'd be interesting to see if the same applies to the "older, bigger, luxury" mindset - with people owning both LX470 and LS430 (or GS430)
In my case we had the IS for two years and when it came time to replace our old SUV - I wanted an SUV that looked and handled like my IS - well I found the closest thing!
I wonder if Lexus has ever done any marketing research on multiple Lexus owners - it'd be interesting to see if the same applies to the "older, bigger, luxury" mindset - with people owning both LX470 and LS430 (or GS430)
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: CA
it's funny you guys brought this up about owners of both is300 and rx330. i just got the rx330 for my wife. i drive an 87 accord with 216,000miles and use it as a beater. i'm thinking the accord is going to go down soon and was thinking about the is300. i am concerned though about 04 being the last year, and what'll be next. should i wait?
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From: California
Re: RX330 Clear Taillights
Originally posted by marke1
It seems to me the most common negative comment about the new RX330 concerns the clear taillights. I would have to agree to some extent. I have a 2001 white IS300 which also has the clear taillights. I prefer the clears on the lighter colors. In subsequent years, Lexus tinted the clear taillights on the darker colors. Looks much better IMO. I wonder why they didn't do the same thing with the RX. What does everyone else think? Would the tinted lenses improve the look?
It seems to me the most common negative comment about the new RX330 concerns the clear taillights. I would have to agree to some extent. I have a 2001 white IS300 which also has the clear taillights. I prefer the clears on the lighter colors. In subsequent years, Lexus tinted the clear taillights on the darker colors. Looks much better IMO. I wonder why they didn't do the same thing with the RX. What does everyone else think? Would the tinted lenses improve the look?
I have breakwater blue and the lights are perfect! I totally agree with you on that the clear lights look better on lighter colors.
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From: California
I remember reading about how they brought the IS300 into the Lexus lineup to bring a younger demograhic into the fold. In our case, guess it worked!
I'm sure Lexus did their homework and I would imagine there are a lot of owners of the LS, GS, etc that buy the GX and the LX.
We have had our IS300 since 2000 and just had a Celica GT-S that came off lease. We wanted to finally get an SUV and the RX330 was the one for us (test drove the FX35, which was pretty cool, but a little too harsh for our tastes).
daywalker, the IS300 is a great car, but it is probably going to be replaced as a 2005. So I guess it depends on whether you can wait or not. The only thing I have heard was that they were probably going to replace the engine with the 3.3 V6 (probably the one from the RX/ES/GS). I think that would be a shame though since I love the straight six that is in the IS right now (smooth as silk but needs more power to compete with other offerings like the G35).
Sorry for getting so far off topic...
I'm sure Lexus did their homework and I would imagine there are a lot of owners of the LS, GS, etc that buy the GX and the LX.
We have had our IS300 since 2000 and just had a Celica GT-S that came off lease. We wanted to finally get an SUV and the RX330 was the one for us (test drove the FX35, which was pretty cool, but a little too harsh for our tastes).
daywalker, the IS300 is a great car, but it is probably going to be replaced as a 2005. So I guess it depends on whether you can wait or not. The only thing I have heard was that they were probably going to replace the engine with the 3.3 V6 (probably the one from the RX/ES/GS). I think that would be a shame though since I love the straight six that is in the IS right now (smooth as silk but needs more power to compete with other offerings like the G35).
Sorry for getting so far off topic...
Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: New York
At first, I didnt like the clear tailights. Now that I've had the RX for 2 months, its grown on me and I like it. Now I dont like that red running light on the bumper. Doesnt look right on the corner and it's now too RED. Also, too easy to damage in parking lot.
Last edited by eyebike; Jun 25, 2003 at 03:52 PM.
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