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Just picked up an 04 for my wife with 6,000 miles. It's Egyptian Sand Pearl with gold emblems, not my favorite color but she likes it. I do think it would look better with chrome emblems though. Anyone know where I can find a set? I've searched online and came up short.
It'll look better without the emblems. The front emblem is a single screw. There's a little nub on the bottom side of the grill you have to cover with black tape, paint or marker. The rear emblems come off with dental floss. Then you have to polish out the ghost mark. The rear, center "L" has a couple holes behind it, so I would leave that. Or switch it out for chrome. But I would try removing them first and see how you like the look before you buy the new emblems.
+1 on removing the "Lexus"& "SC430" from the trunk lid, leaving the L center logo. Gives the car some mistique. BTW would NOT go for aftermarket badges if you do decide to replace them. Aftermarket versions don't hold up. OEM is the way to go.
Another potential path is to offer to swap with someone. There are some folks who prefer the gold emblems and would quickly swap theirs out with yours. That method should only cost you shipping.
Welcome to the forum. Feel free to post pictures. Maybe another owner with the Egyptian Sand Pearl can comment.
Thanks for the replies. I'm kind of on the fence now, gold doesn't look bad against the sand color sometimes. I was planning on chrome wheels though and thought the chrome emblems would look good. I'll just look at more pictures and try and decide. Thanks for the heads up though in case I want to buy a set or trade.
On a side note, drove the car for the first time tonight. Wow. Really impressive. My daily now is a Dodge Cummins diesel one ton truck, so it's a whole new world to me!
Just picked up an 04 for my wife with 6,000 miles. It's Egyptian Sand Pearl with gold emblems, not my favorite color but she likes it. I do think it would look better with chrome emblems though. Anyone know where I can find a set? I've searched online and came up short.
6k miles? Holy Cow! Must be nice. Where did you find her? Where in NY? Im interested in a swap if you like. I have the Chrome badges.
Lou in Joisey
Hey Lou. We found it at a dealer out on the East End of Long Island. It was a recent trade in and it's definitely in nice shape, pretty much feels new. Picked it up for 25K so I think it was fair for the low mileage.
I'll definitely keep you in mind for a trade if I decide to drop the gold. Thanks for the offer.
PS - You talk funny, unlike us New Yawkers who talk perfectly fine.
Hey Lou. We found it at a dealer out on the East End of Long Island. It was a recent trade in and it's definitely in nice shape, pretty much feels new. Picked it up for 25K so I think it was fair for the low mileage.
I'll definitely keep you in mind for a trade if I decide to drop the gold. Thanks for the offer.
PS - You talk funny, unlike us New Yawkers who talk perfectly fine.
You really did well if you got an 04 with 6k for 25k. I paid 24 for my 02 with a little under 12k.
I bought mine on Long Island too from some Dude who had too many cars. He was the original owner who purchased it and had it serviced at Rally Lexus in Long Island.
When I got mine I noticed that the timing belt was done in January of 2012. I found it odd that such a low mileage car had its timing belt done (usually done around 90k miles) was yours done?
Where you eligible for a warranty? I was not cause it is too old, but you might be eligible. I would definite inquire about a warranty if available .
Good Luck with your car. Do you drive to NYC at all? I love to drive there with the top down. if I wasn't working this minute, I'd be there.....see you on the road.
Remember for maintenance it not only miles, it's time too. Your 02 was probably built in 01 so its 11 going on 12. I replaced the belt on my 02last summer at 60K it had a little fraying. Other than that in good shape. But on an interference motor, certainly not worth having it fail.
Thanks guys, I searched for awhile and never found one with mileage so low. I never knew a timing belt was also dependent on age, this one was never changed. I'll keep it in my mind as my next job, after new wheels of course
Wife drive the cummins??? I actually tried that, but she won't go near it. We're lucky the Lexus is our 3rd car, she has a new minivan. So I may actually get my hands on the 430 once in awhile