Only 38 more months of torture

My wife and I decided to lease the Lexus because in 39 months we may need a mini-van if kid number 2 enters our life. If not, then a smaller car will work for us much better in the city.

We debated over getting a wagon but the wagons were not getting much better mileage. It amazes me that fuel efficiency is worse than it was ten years ago. Given that there are not any hybrid wagons or SUV's worth considering we went for luxury. The Lexus 300 RX feels nice and rides like a charm. I forget I am driving because it is very quiet and the sound system is pointed right at me. Yes, the little speakers are cute when you first see them but they are very annoying visually after a while and the speaker sound hits you so good that it makes it difficult to concentrate on the road.

STUPID FEATURES
The mirror has a compass on there that is also very distrracting for drivers. I am surprised that got approved because it does not feel safe. Luckily a small battery behind the mirror keeps it on so it was easy to disengage this 'feature."

The cupholders seem like an afterthought. No matter what size cup you put there it is not stable and it gets in the way of the automatic shifter. The cup holders for passengers are under the drivers elbow. I am sorry but if someone is grabbing something below my elbow when I am driving I will be annoyed. The cupholders flunk here.

The driver and passenger armrests are smaller than any movie theatre you will ever visit. It does retract for more movement which is nice but I wish I could take out the rear passenger cupholders and have an armrest that actually keeps my elbow from falling off.

The retracting center rear seat shoulder strap with locking mechanism was designed for babyseats but it is useless for that purpose. The California Highway Patrol does not recommend using the locking feature for car seats. The top will continuously go in more eventually capsizing the car seat and making it dangerous for the baby. The metal lock-ring device that comes with most car seats will be useful for making use of the waist belt for ALL THE SUPPORT for the carseat. (I hope you find this *very helpful* for whatever car you have and please pass this info along most manufactures have not updated their materials).

ROAD TRIPS
For long rides the seats are very comfortable but both my wife and I were bruised by the interior molding in the center. The edges could have been more contoured to fit the side of a persons leg and knee. We had to wedge a diaper between our right knee and the panel to make the 400 mile trip. It was very frustrating because we got this car for road trips and my long business trips more than having a city car.

STORAGE
Storage is a problem. I knew it from the start but my wife thought she could deal with a smaller trunk than the 4Runner we had before. If you are 5'11" or taller you will constantly bang your head on the rear hatch door when it is open. I have cursed the car out more times than I would like to admit. Of course a few chuckles are heard in the parking lots. I am a freakin' comedian.

I recommend getting a rack for the top of the car. This will be fine for me but my wife is short so accessible storage is minimal. Get the trailer hitch. We asked for the hitch but since we were so rushed when we got home with the car I noticed there was no trailer hitch. They were so focused on getting us the right color and I wanted to make sure the car was driving fine.

SERVICE
All I can say is that the biggest sleazebags I have met were at Lexus. I have never met a female sleazebag before going to this dealership in Cerritos. We spoke to one salesman and he was slick and rushed us once we got on the lot. We came back later and he was busy so this other salesman let us test drive again. This slimey salesguy is doing all the cliché sales pitches as he drives off the lot. I ask if he is going to test drive this for us and he drives 5 blocks to a dark frontage road. I ask what he is doing and he said we are test driving. I demanded that we go back to the lot. That is when I went to the bathroom and heard him and a saleswoman trash talk us and other customers.

WHY DID WE BUY?
Well, my wife loved it and it is a Toyota with a facelift and a boobjob. She drives the car more and she wanted a safe car for our new baby. This car is very safe and our baby sleeps better in the back without the bumps from the 4Runner. Also, if you like the controls of a Toyota then this could be a nice upgrade. Next time we go German.