I'm going LEXUS CRAZY!!!... 3 Lexus cars in less than 1 year..pics!

So this is what MIDLIFE CRISIS feels like eh???

It all started back in August 31 2005 when I walked in a Lexus dealer to test drive a used 2001 GS300....[url=http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177068]Thread Here[/url] 

[img]http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/medium/01SilverGS300.jpg[/img]

After a couple of months, I decided to buy the Vertex Kit for it (which I still have BTW  :rolleyes: ) and had plans to fix her up with some rims/tires and stereo...then I would get AIR RUNNER to lower the car. But then I had a small [url=http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199914&page=2&pp=15]Buyer's Remorse[/url] and was looking for more power.. :p 

After a couple of "searches", I learned that instead of buying the AIR RUNNERS for about $5K + install, I could get an LS430 ULTRA with STOCK AIR SUSPENSION and spend $700.00 for a controller AND I'll get the "more power" bug fixed!...Great Idea! [url=http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206093]The SEARCH Begins[/url] 

I went through a bit of [url=http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207209]STRESS[/url] trying to locate my PERFECT LS430 ULTRA with ALL the goodies and Air Suspension.

This lead to more searching including OUT OF STATE purchase..Until I found the ONE I wanted..a BLACK on BLACK LS430 ULTRA , but the problem was it was over 2000 Miles away! :eek2: 

I figured it's a LEXUS and it will ride comfortably and what a way to get to know the car then DRIVING IT long distance!..So I bought a plane ticket and flew to IL to take delivery of my new LS430.. [url=http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208196]MY JOURNEY HERE[/url] On March 26, 2006 I got her home..

Pics Below:
NOSE SHOT!
[img]http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/medium/LS430_Front2.jpg[/img] 

All is great and fantastic..no issues, it was the color I want and the package/option I want.

I bought the Air Suspension Controller, installed it and loved it.......

UNTIL LAST WEEK....

I decided that I really want to fix a car up nicely and get it into car shows..6 weeks ago I bought a complete lip kit for my 01 LS and wheels/tires..the wheels and tires came and they look awesome on the car specially lowered..very exciting! Can't wait for the lip kit to arrive..YAY!

last week, the kit came!... 2 HUGE BOXES with Japanese letters and stickers on the boxes! Like a 3 year old on Christmas morning, I go TEARING UP the boxes while wiping the drools off my face...TADA!!!! There they are, the beatiful lip kit all smelling new, in bubble wrap and taped securely.

I take the kit out of the boxes and Low and Behold.... after over 4 weeks of anticipation and picturing my car on the showroom floors in 3 weeks...the kit they sent me was NOT ofr my model year..instead, they send me a 2004+ kit :mad: !!! [B]WHY ME![/B]

Not willing to wait another 4-6 weeks for a replacement, I go and search the web for a car that will fit this kit and make use of my Air Suspension controllers AND the rims/tires...

So 2 days ago (Saturday), I took a trip 95 miles away to look at a 2004 LS Ultra just to get the run around and insulted by a smartass, Australian accent bloke sales manager!

With much dissapointment, I started my way home..but the gas light came on, so I got off the freeway to look for a gas station. Since I set-up my NAV to display Lexus Dealers in the area, I see a little icon less than 1 mile from the gas station...It was Lexus of Glendale! I decided that I'll look around their showroom to see what they had...and THERE SHE WAS!!!

BLACK ON BLACK 04 LS430 ULTRA CPO car staring at me as I pass her by... I sat inside and she STILL smells brand new..like a fresh Chamois at Pep Boys...

A Mr. Richard Park (God bless this awesome salesman for his patience and courteous nature) asked me how I was doing and if I liked the car I was looking at. This guy deserves a BONUS for being able to handle a "GRINDER" like me :p 

3 hours later..I took her out of the showroom!

Here she is!!!
[img]http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/04_Ultra_Showroom2.jpg[/img] 

Looks tooo pretty!!
[img]http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/04_Ultra_Showroom.jpg[/img] 

Ready for me to take her home....
[img]http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/04_Ultra.jpg[/img] 


[B][COLOR=Red]BUT WAIT!!![/COLOR][/B]

The ordeal is NOT OVER.... now my Air Controller Harness do NOT fit ... 

The Saga continues..................................


Thanks for reading!

Mike

Newer VIPcar is always NICER.................. WOW!! :o

[quote={-.-} ]
Newer VIPcar is always NICER.................. WOW!! :o
[/quote]

Thanks Robert...yes it does feel better in a newer car.... at a price of course! :'(

Mike

For the controller, just get a new harness... According to this page: [url]http://www.datasystem.co.jp/catalog/asc/sust.html[/url] you need a H-087E (assuming you have the ASC680). If you have the ASE667, then unfortunately you are kinda SOL.

Congrats on the new purchase... but i hope you didnt lose too much money swapping cars at that rate!

[quote={-.-} ]
Newer VIPcar is always NICER.................. WOW!!  :o
[/quote]

Awww :'(

Wow. The lip kit won't fit so you go out and buy and even newer LS430!!  You sir are ballin'.  8)

[quote=AME_VIP ]
Wow. The lip kit won't fit so you go out and buy and even newer LS430!!  You sir are ballin'.  8)
[/quote]

Deep down inside, I've always and I mean ALWAYS wanted the newest LS430 with the Projection Head lights, the LED tails, the Dual Exhaust sticking out and the better navigation system and not to forget the newer looking front end.... I knew someday I would pay a hefty price for it..it was inevitable to get the 2004+.

So before my 2001 LS430 got really low in value, I decided to take the plunge and just go for it..Over all, this experience did cost me some money but not as bad...

here is the breakdown: 

Aug 31 2005, I bought my 2001 GS300 for $22,000.00 + TTL...Drove it 14K miles before I sold it to Carmax on MARCH 2006 for $20,000.00 which at this time I owed $20,000.00 so I lost about 2K in 6-7 Months.

March 2006, I bought the 2001 LS430 Ultra for $26,500.00 + TTL.. Drove it 9K Miles (From 64K miles to 73K miles) before I traded it in last week and got $23,500.00 for it which I owe $22,500.00..So I am getting a refund check from Glendale Lexus for the difference. So I lost about 2K.

Now I have this 2004 LS430 ULTRA with 24K Miles and CPO till 100K miles which retails for $58,700.00 Per KBB.com and trade in value @ $44,700.00 that I paid $46,000.00+TTL.

So basically it was a 20K dollar upgrade to get the latest and greatest FLAGSHIP vehicle that will most likely have awesome RESALE value later on.

It is still a lot of money, but it is very well worth it and hopefully keep me from this Upgrade itch.

Mike

awesome cars!!!! :smitten:


sweet nsx too!

I still think ur crazy :crazy2:

LOL ;D

I know it's a better car, but it's still a big chuck of change. Anyways, good luck bro I hope you find that harness (as I am also looking for you).

[quote=V8_Aristo ]
I still think ur crazy :crazy2:

LOL ;D

I know it's a better car, but it's still a big chuck of change. Anyways, good luck bro I hope you find that harness (as I am also looking for you).
[/quote]

Thanks man.... you DA MAN!!!!..

Let's go have that Fried Calamari at that one place again...that place ROCKS!!

Mikey

wow, u bought a new car cuz someone sent u the wrong lip kit. :-X

wow what a crazy story, good thing u got some decent prices when you re-sold them.

if your happy I guess that's all that matters.

but please make sure u don't have a change of mind again :)

Crazy yes....insane definitely... ;D

Now show us more pics of the LS430.

[quote=Pseudonym ]
wow, u bought a new car cuz someone sent u the wrong lip kit. :-X
[/quote]

Ya that's what I call VIP.... hahaha.

[quote=jtanoyo1 ]
Ya that's what I call VIP.... hahaha.
[/quote]

V = Very
I = Idiotic
P = Person

 :crazy2: :idiot2:

Man it must be nice is your job hiring? ;D

Thats what VIP is... :) Screw the car, its 'bout the VIP[b]life[/b]style now. ;D

[quote=Dominik ]
For the controller, just get a new harness... According to this page: [url]http://www.datasystem.co.jp/catalog/asc/sust.html[/url] you need a H-087E (assuming you have the ASC680). If you have the ASE667, then unfortunately you are kinda SOL.

Congrats on the new purchase... but i hope you didnt lose too much money swapping cars at that rate!
[/quote]

WOW...This controller thing is getting to be a mini nightmare...i ordered another controller from Carson Toyota and got the controller from the link above for the asc680 with the H-087E harness and STILL it doesn't fit.

Carson even asked for my vin number so they get the right one and still it's a NO GO....

I am out of ideas at the moment...i wonder if they make ANOTHER harness... :uglystupid2: :uglystupid2: :uglystupid2:


mike

get another car to fit the other harnessessssss.... j/k.. ;D


awesome ride... even if you left it stock..

[quote={-.-} ]
HAVE NO FEAR IM HERE.............. ;)
[/quote]

Robert-

You will have to let me know a workaround man.. I just talked to Carson Toyota and Luis over there pretty much told me I am SOL... I'll need to sell it ::) (Like it will fit another 04's just not mine).

I wish I could just modify this plug so it will fit...but I guess my only choice is to do the MANUAL WAY...like cutting the sensors on the control arm and do a PERMANENT lowering..

What do you suggest sir?

Thanks
Mike

[quote=Vertex ]
Robert-

You will have to let me know a workaround man.. I just talked to Carson Toyota and Luis over there pretty much told me I am SOL... I'll need to sell it ::) (Like it will fit another 04's just not mine).

I wish I could just modify this plug so it will fit...but I guess my only choice is to do the MANUAL WAY...like cutting the sensors on the control arm and do a PERMANENT lowering..

What do you suggest sir?

Thanks

Mike[/quote]

Maybe you can email Data Systems and describe your situation, they might have a harness from another Toyota that might fit. 

[quote=V8_Aristo ]
Maybe you can email Data Systems and describe your situation, they might have a harness from another Toyota that might fit. 




[/quote]

Not according to LUIS.... He said...sorry man..you tried every Harness..and none would fit your car..so you will need to SELL IT.... Whatever...if it doesn't fit in my car..how will it fit the NEXT CAR.....

He did offer to help me sell it if someone asks for it at his shop...

Mike

After much research and help from Mike (LEXKOST), I was able to talk to a guy (Mark) who had the same controller on his 04+ car. Apparently the MANUAL directions are WRONG!, the harness does NOT go behind the glove box. The AIR SUSPENSION computer is UNDER the DRIVER SIDE steering wheel.

There are 4 PLUGS total for the kit, 3 (MAIN PLUGS) GOES under the steering wheel computer marked (AIR SUSPENSION) and 1 BLUE PLUG (1 WIRE) that has to be extended (cut/sodered or crimped) to reach all the way across and plugged into a blue plug BEHIND the Glove box.

Mark, the guy I talked to about this said that HIS controller never worked and caused the NAV SYSTEM to freeze or blow the NAV SYSTEM fuse.

So far, my NAV system is doing fine and no issues whatsoever. Also the controller HAS TO BE plugged in or your AFS (Headlight controller) will blink. Make sure to unplug the battery BEFORE any work is done to avoid shorting anything.

Now I am BACk in business with a working controller..thanks to MIKE (LEXKOST) for the info, TED ( Dynamic Auto ) for the manual lowering involving the Sensor Rod and Poyet (V8-Aristo) for the Initial Lowering.

Thanks
Mike

Glad to hear you're back on track!

thats awesome! congrats.. lets see some pictures now!  ;)