Just wanted to clear it up for ones with stock air suspension who has (or hasn't) swapped out for aftermarket air. The mounts and everything else are the same for both Air and Non-air models, correct? So a coilover made for a 460 would fit a 460L with no issues? To my knowledge, the 460L basically just has bags and a sensor but share the same top and bottom mounts.
View 6 Replies5 Reasons to Drive the 2013 Lexus RX350
by Michael Waterman
2013 Lexus RX350
The Lexus RX 350 dominates the luxury crossover category with more than 1 million sales since 2002. But it has an Achilles' heel: men aren't completely sold.
Wives, girlfriends, daughters and grandmothers adore the car. Testosterone-driven men, not as much, though they still buy plenty of standard RX vehicles each year.
How does Lexus attract more men to showrooms? Make the RX more masculine. In other words, offer the Lexus RX 350 F Sport.
Does the strategy work? Let's find out by exploring five reasons to drive the 2013 Lexus RX 350 F Sport.
Reason #1: Looks Matter
The quick summary of this luxury crossover is that the difference between the regular Lexus RX 350 and the F Sport model is largely cosmetic.The standard spindle grille is mesh on the F Sport. The 19-inch alloy wheels are blacked-out in a dark graphite finish. The seats and interior are decked out in black. The brake and gas pedals are aluminum to create a sporty look.
F Sport badging is visible outside the car and on the steering wheel. And reach behind the steering wheel and you'll find paddle shifters, the first ever in an RX model.Those elements speak a performance design language that will whisper, "buy me" to a segment of performance-minded RX buyers.
Reason #2: Same Engine, Different Transmission
Surprisingly, the RX 350 F Sport uses the same 3.5-liter V6 engine as the standard RX 350. This engine generates 270 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque.It's not wicked fast, nor is it particularly slow.Here's the big difference: the RX 350 F Sport has an 8-speed transmission instead of the standard six-speed of the regular RX 350 model.The F Sport also comes standard with all-wheel drive. The regular RX 350 starts with front-wheel drive and offers all-wheel drive as an upgrade. Strong roadside grip is standard with the F Sport's AWD system. But it doesn't make the car feel particularly sporty. At least no sportier than the standard RX 350 with all-wheel drive.Lexus reports the RX 350 will move from zero to 60 in about 7.7 seconds. That's not fast. But it's fast enough to comfortably move with ease on the freeway.Fuel economy is the same as the standard model, too, with a combined city and highway average of 21 mpg. In mostly freeway driving on a long road trip, I averaged 24 mpg, short of the 26-mpg highway average.
Reason #3: A Firmer Ride Conveys More Sporty Feeling
The biggest driving difference between the standard RX 350 and the RX 350 F Sport is the tighter suspension tuning on the latter model.Shocks are firmer. Potholes hit harder. The ride is rougher.For some buyers, that firm ride translates into what they've trained their brains to believe is a sporty experience.Other buyers may wince and wonder where the soft, comforting ride of the standard RX 350 has gone.Where the Lexus GS 350 F Sport delivers on its sporty promise with a more engaging driving experience, the RX 350 F Sport feels more like a bumpy ride in a standard RX model. Test-drive both models one after the other to decide which driving experience appeals most to you.Paddle shifters also offer the promise of a more sporty experience. They work well but after driving more than 800 miles in the RX 350 F Sport, I rarely felt the need or desire to use them.
Reason #4: Lexus RX Is A Top Safety Pick
Top safety scores are one reason why the Lexus RX models continue to sell at a rapid clip. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the Lexus RX a 2013 Top Safety Pick due to its top scores in front, side, rollover and rear crash tests.Whether you choose the standard RX 350, the fuel-efficient hybrid RX 450h or the performance-styled RX 350 F Sport, you can feel confident that you and your passengers are well protected in a collision.
Reason #5: Recommended by Consumer Reports
The top reason many buyers choose Lexus is for the brand's outstanding reliability ratings. In our highly programmed lives, most of us no longer have time to waste sending vehicles back and forth to a mechanic's shop.Consumer Reports predicts the 2013 RX models will deliver better-than-average reliability and bestowed its coveted Recommended rating on the vehicle.If you pay more than $40,000 for a vehicle, one would hope that vehicle delivers outstanding dependability today and in the future. On this count, Lexus delivers big time.
An Interesting RX Alternative I've had the chance to drive all three Lexus RX models over the past few months. If money were no object, I would choose the RX 450h for its class-leading fuel-efficiency and stylish, upgraded cabin. However, my well-optioned test model topped $64,000.
If I were counting pennies (and what Lexus owner really counts pennies?), I would choose the standard RX 350 for its satisfying mix of luxury and performance and more affordable $40,000 base price.
The last model I would buy is the F Sport. My well-optioned and attractive model had a sticker price just under $54,000. The aesthetics and butch features look good. The eight-speed transmission is smooth and works well. But ultimately, the F Sport model just isn't worth the price premium it commands.
That's not an indictment on the F Sport model as much as a statement about how good the standard RX 350 is.
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Going to replace motor mounts. Foot on brake and placed in gear engine flexes back about 2". Doesn't seem to flex side to side or forward. Replaced dog bone the metal in the middle of the bushing had a visible crack. Still flexes. I am confused about replacing them. Should I replace all including the 2 rear mounts? This is what I have read in many posts and been told by a trans shop. Can I just replace the front and dog bone? Parts guy told me that was all that I needed to do if it wasn't flexing side to side. These things are expensive 170- ea for oems so if I don't have to replace the rear I won't. However I don't want to trash the new ones cause I didn't replace them all.
View 3 RepliesI have recently had my motor mounts and transmission mount replaced.
Before the replacement, the car would shake quite noticeably when the engine was being started (maybe even shake 'violently'). I thought this was normal until I had my motor mounts and transmission mount replaced. Now when I start the engine the SC430 doesn't shake at all. The difference is profound.
Just a head's up. I'm not sure what the implications are of running with bad motor mounts for a long time, but I decided to get it done because my car would shake when idle and at stop lights.
I am looking to purchase a Toyota Venza but can not find what model offers the sunroof. This is a make or break deal for me.
View 2 RepliesIs there any difference between the 2012 and 2015 plug inprius?
View 4 RepliesMy 2004 Phaeton was totaled and I am thinking of purchasing a 2005 that is for sale. What are the differences, if any, between the two models?
View 4 RepliesCan the struts and springs from the 2006-2008 Avalon with the TOURING suspension be put on the 2010-2012. Went to the local Toyota dealer. They had the struts for a 2007 Touring model. We compared them to some from a 2011 , and they looked physically the same.
View 1 RepliesI'm a rideshare driver who drives about 1000 miles/week. I currently have a Gen 2 which I love, but I'm looking to upgrade to a Gen 4 pretty soon.
-Does the Gen 4 have the same kind of under-trunk storage area in the hatch/cargo area? This is important for me on the Gen 2 because it allows me to carry equipment while having an empty hatch space for passengers luggage. Does it depend on if you have a spare tire or not?
-Real-world MPG in extended city driving with A/C on?
-Where are the 12v outlets? And extend one into the hatch area?
-Is there a notable difference in comfort for touring vs non touring models?
-Does the driver's seat with lumbar support make a significant difference in comfort?
Adding cruise control to 1999 S-10 4.3. I have a new turn signal switch with cruise controls and the actuator with cable but don't know exactly where and how the actuator mounts. Is there a bracket it attaches to, does it mount directly to the firewall and if so how do you determine the correct spot? If someone with a '99 or newer 4.3 with cruise could take a few pics of how the actuator mounts on the firewall.
View 1 RepliesI bought an 89 celica gt back in december of last 2010. and my motor mounts recently went out on me and i was wonder how difficult it would be and exactly how many motor mounts does my car have? I am fairly new to car repair.
View 3 Replies2002 Passat 1.8T 170,000. My motor mounts have been slowly going bad for a few months now and they are now to the point where when I am slowing down as it is shifting down into third, it feels like I am being rear ended. My question is, is this doing damage to my engine and tranny or is it more of an annoyance.
View 4 RepliesI replaced my 3 mounts a few months ago with 034 track density mounts. Torqued properly.
I noticed the other day, while in the rain, if I let off the gas when going slow, when the car does its little jolt forward, I heard a squeak. Gotta be one of the mounts...
Could it have been the rubber got wet and one of the mounts was simply squeaking when it moved? I noticed it when dry but not nearly as much. Guess I should re-check the bolts, but other than the squeak nothing feels different.
I recently found out my motor mounts are bad. Almost a year ago I noticed I was leaking coolant so I just filled it with water every time it was empty. Now I have been getting an overheating problem if it's not filled to the right amount. Just yesterday the problem got worse as there is green gunk at the opening of the radiator and it's always hot. The reservoir is filling up with hot water a lot of the time. My radiator will be empty when that happens. As I was driving the gauge was reading hot. Turning on the heater didn't work much. I tested it tonight, with the radiator full and 2 cups water in reservoir. Drove it a few blocks and turned off car. Radiator had lots of pressure and hot. The reservoir was same level.
View 6 RepliesSearch did not yield useful information, maybe I used the wrong search terms?
Is there an easy way to remove the headrest mounts, e.g. the parts at the top of the setback into which the headrest bars slide?
Also curious on how to remove the seat latch release knobs on the tops of the rear seats.
Replacing factory leather with a Street Wire leather kit due to a tear.
(Once leather kit is swapped out I will have the torn panel replaced and will offer the factory leather kit for sale.)
Are the bolt and nut holding the strut to the wheel bearing housing the only things that need to be replaced when removing the strut? Anything else I should change while I'm in there? So far I'm just doing 034 strut mounts and bearings.
View 3 RepliesI have a little vibration from the motor mounts which disappears with an extra soft touch on the gas pedal at idle. If I would keep the car I would change the mounts, but there are a lot of new parts already....I cleaned inside the plenum.....
View 7 RepliesI am feeling more vibration at idle than I believe I've felt in the past. I can feel it in the seat more than I remember before. Granted, it's not like the car is shaking or anything, but I can feel it more than I think I should. Could this be the motor mounts?
View 6 RepliesI had my motor mounts replaced about 2 weeks ago with APR ones and noticed that vibrates more than before at idle. is this normal? One guy told me that it takes about a month for the new motor mounts to adjust and then it will not vibrate that much. after two weeks no changes. Also I noticed that they did not put the rubber cover on the left motor mount (passenger side) could this missing rubber cover bring any issues on the short term?
View 2 RepliesI need to replace the body mounts in my Ex. How do you do it?
View 14 RepliesI am working on a friend's '92 Celica GTS Manual trans, and the massive vibration at idle is telling me its time for engine/trans mounts.
After some searching online..I finally found a place that shows all of the mounts. HERE
In that diagram, which of the mounts/dampers should I replace, and which of them never wear and can be left alone? Or, should I go all out and replace all of the rubber?
I have heard of going with poly mounts, and filling the old mounts with polyurethane caulk from HD, and all of that jazz - I'm not really interested in that - I want to stay OEM here.