L200 vs L300

Test drive them both, get in the L300 with the sport package. It's a totally differnt car. The way I've noticed it, a 4cyl L series seems to fall short when compared to similarly priced 4-cyl competitors. However, a well optioned V6 model, compared to competitors (V6 Camry, V6 Accord), is a bargain--especially with the 0% and cash back bonuses. A new, loaded L300 with sport package is comparable to a $30,000u.s. car that can be had for $21,000u.s. after rebates.

This year, it's a very good looking car. That's the only regret I have about my wifes' car, an excellent machine, but wow they got a lot better looking in 2003.

Drive both - we weren't overly impressed with the 4cyl engine in the L200 - the extra power of the V6 is nice. The only differences between the 200 and the 300 are the engine, wheels (16" alloy vs. 15" steel), brakes (disc/disc vs. disc/drum), and suspension (sport tuned in the L300) - I thought the differences were worth the $3k price difference. (we have an '01 L300 which is my wifes daily driver - option packages have changed quite a bit, but we got the leather package with the seat heaters and power drivers seat along with the ABS/traction control (now standard) - she loves the car

Wish they would use foglights which don't suck - the little 15 watt units which came standard in 01 are now part of the sport package in 03 are pretty much just for show.

Get the L300! You won't regret it (unless you wanted a manual)

We have an 2002 LW300. Nice car. Wife is primary driver. I'd want the manual trans with the V6, but no can do. By settling for an L200 in order to get a manual trans you to give up too much. (V6, brakes, suspension, tires and wheels) Think I'd politely tell them why you can't buy a car from them and encourage them to tell the folks at corporate how and why they're missing sales. Some times it seems like a GM disease: You can have a 4 cyl and manual or a V6 and an automatic, that's it, we've decided what's good for you (for them really).

Pete Geurds Douglassville, PA

Has anyone had wind gust noise occuring around a specific door at higher speeds (worse when cold out or on a windy day)? On inspection, I think the passenger side doors are not closing as tight as the driver side but I am not sure that is the reason. Thers is no wind or water leaking, just an occasional load gust sound.

Thanks.

Andy in Lexington, MA

A hush fell over the crowd when, "Andy Lowen" stepped up to the podium and announced:

This is what my dealer did with our '00 LS2 with similar problems. He said, (obviously), you can do this yourself at home.

Run the car with the a/c on MAX and fan on HIGH with all windows rolled up and transmission in Park. Make sure all the doors/windows are tightly closed. Leave the car, you need to be outside the car for the next steps.

Let the car run with the ac on high and windows rolled up for about 5 minutes. This helps to build up air pressure inside the car.

From the outside, using a heavy mixture of dish soap and water in a spray bottle, spray or pour generously around all the door seals. If you have a sunroof, check there as well.

He did that to our car, and immediately big soap bubbles started forming around the top passenger side door. All other seals were fine. This was much faster and cleaner than baby powder and other things I've seen dealers do before to check door seals.

Now, what he did to correct it, takes a leap of faith. What he did was, open the passenger door, and with the window rolled down, put his knee onto the arm rest and grab the top of the door and bend it slightly towards him. Essentially, bending the top of the door, (that frames the glass), more towards the seal on the car.

Made a *big* improvement in the reduction of outside road noise. He only bent it about 1/8" of and inch but the difference was night and day.

Has anyone had wind gust noise occuring around a specific door at higher speeds (worse when cold out or on a windy day)? On inspection, I think the passenger side doors are not closing as tight as the driver side but I am not sure that is the reason. Theres is no wind or water leaking, just an occasional load gust sound.

Thanks.

Andy in Lexington, MA

I had complained to my dealer about the passenger door sticking about a 1/4" out when fully closed on my 98 sc2. I just thought it didn't look right. They adjusted it for me. They said the reason was to dampen wind noise. So you may get the dealer to make this adjustment on your car. Jon