l just received the postcard prompting me to update my navigation system. Here are my details and my questions.

l drive a 2004 SC430, live in San Francisco area, pretty familiar with area but still use the GPS a lot, this area was probably the most accurate at the time of purchase*, not planning on selling my car anytime soon.

Do l really need the update? If l do not get this one will it affect my purchase of the next update? Is it updating anything other than the maps and points of interest? (l can not imagine how it could update any features in an in-dash model but...) Can you think of any reason why it would be worth the$265 plus labor when l can get POl address and other info on my cell?

*you will notice that in almost every picture they show San Francisco on the GPS screen. l guess everyone needs a GPS to find their way around here. I've lived here 4 years and still do!

well in some cars like the toyota 4runner (im getting it in april) all there is to do is put a cd in, l dont no what the hell labor for that is, but look at your owneres manual and see how to update the navigation system, because toyota and lexus are the same so they should have be the same with updates to the navigation system

The upgrade that u r speaking of would be to purchase a new DVD since the '04 SC430 is a DVD-based navigation system. Lexus does not do retro-fitting of GPS so ur actually system remains the name.

The benefit of an updated DVD for ur system is that it will add anything that has changed in the last four years.. New streets, highways, new businesses, new attractions.

You mentioned, u live in San Francisco. Not many things have probably changed in the last fours years, but l am sure there r new business & also maybe u decided to take a drive to Monterey or spend the weekend in Napa Valley. And update can be usually for any updates the the highways & roadways along the way.

Since it has been four years, it is my recommendation that u update.

Be very careful before you take Lexus up on that offer! For $265 you do get new maps, but you also will lose the ''Override''- the ability to change destinations or use the touchscreen for phone dialing while the car is in motion.
See LexusOverride.com to see how much the loss of these features bothers new Lexus owners.

l chose not to upgrade mine,. it is 99% accurate,

It is not a big deal. First, l would think there r very few new roads in San Francisco. And yes, as a responsible driver, u r supposed to look things up before u get in a car anyway.

My GPS is 4 years old, but it is still good for times l get lost unexpectedly in unfamiliar areas. For places that have changed a lot, l know how to adjust for the out-of-date information. If u ever move to a booming place where entire towns have sprung up out of nowhere, u might need an update.