jason60050

Ok so I guess I started a little bit of discussion about this. I went to the dealer the other day and they charged me $136 for a oil change, tire rotation, and full inspection. They said I could forgo the inspection and just get the tires rotated and oil change for $86...thoughts anyone? Do they really inspect anything for an additional $50?

MelYW

For my GS, I got an oil change and tire rotate at the Toyota dealer for less than $40. A good alternative to the Lexus dealer, I think.

I have a RX that I go to Tires Plus for $20+ with no ill effects that I can see/feel (includes free tire rotate). I know this is heresy to others on this forum, however.

Dont ask me why I treat my GS differently from my RX...well the truth is RX is wife's.

mole

iTrader: (3)

I found a good independent Lexus / Toyota mechanic who is used to work for Lexus, is a Lexus master tech and does great work and a great price.

I don't know what the dealer is charging you $50 for but it seems like they should do a moderate amount of inspection simply cause the car is there, but maybe my expectations are too high since I have been spoiled. The only things I used to bring the car to the dealer for was warranty work and stuff my mechanic advised me to visit the dealer for.

In my experience, the dealer has screwed up more things on my car and charged me and not corrected problems I have complained about. The rear axle noise I complained about I was told would cost $800. I paid it and it was still there when I picked up the car. When I talked with them about it they said the part needed to be replaced and that they never said that would fix the noise I was complaining about.

I have had good experiences with the dealer too, but not enough of them at a reasonable cost for me to consider taking my car there anymore.

I drive 50 mile round trip to my guy passing 4 other Lexus dealers on the way. I even bought AAA plus to cover 100 mile towing in case I need to have the car towed to him in the future.

Seven07

You have an 09 gs and it's not under warranty? Anyway, they basically charged you $50 to check you brake fluid, steering wheel fluid, anti freeze, and windshield fluid, then they probably just looked to see if your brake pads are still ok, which you just have to look through your wheels to check. Which I think they didn't have to put anything in. I think every car driver should learn how to check these stuff. If you're too laz or don't care to change the oil yourself, go to walmart or something, they do oil change there. I changed the oil on the GS and there's not anything special that walmart couldn't do. If you do it yourself, it would probably cost you about 25 bucks for regular oil or 45 bucks for synthetic oil.

worker

Do it myself.

mole

iTrader: (3)

My independent guy charges me $50.00 for an oil change with synthetic, seems like a deal to me.

Modeler

Toyota dealer down the block from the Lexus dealer charges $30 for oil changes. Paying more than that is like throwing money down the toilet.

Coolpop

Advance Auto has a sale on Valvoline - 5 quarts and a Purolator filter for $16. Not my preferred choice but money is tight and it was a deal. I bought an extra quart and ramps, now I can't wait to get to it this weekend. Hope I can find the filter....

kahuna2

I like the Toyota dealer and the independent repair shop ideas. No need to have Lexus do the oil change for more $$$! Another idea, also, is to use synthetic oil instead of the basic carbon oil. I've been using Amsoil in all my vehicles and motorcycles now for almost ten years. And, in addition to increased mileage, I also don't have to do another oil change for at least 15,000 miles! The oil I used is rated for 25,000 miles, but I set my reminder for 15k. Yes, each quart does cost about $11 each, but this will help save you from having to spend money for at least two more oil changes. Plus, synthetic oil also prolong your engine's life. My Toyota 1997 4Runner had 268k miles when I sold it. And, it was still running strong!

energie8

I do it myself, it's easier than my civic,why do people go to dealers and shops?

ivanz

Not everybody lives in the suburbs and has acres of land. It is against bylaws to do any car maintainance in my building garage for example, and the whole garage is sloped with no flat area except a few peoples' stalls. The fine is pretty big for getting caught, and way cheaper to have the Lexus dealer do it. Not to mention I have no way to get the car up as I wouldn't even have a place to store those blocks in my apartment. Likewise, I wouldn't want to get covered with oil and spend my time off work to replace the oil in my car...maybe if I was retired or had nothing to do I might consider it. However, these days I don't even have time to wash my car except once every 2-3 months. I'd rather go somewhere else (like local mountains for a hike) and enjoy that instead. So a $100 Lexus oil change (or whatever the price is...I don't believe its that high), which gives me a loaner and is on my way to/from work is 100% worth it because I don't waste any time except 10-15 mins on that day.

xmike714x

iTrader: (1)

where is your guy located?

Thanks.

energie8

I use to do mine in my building parking lot all the time and never had problems and we do my buddies oil in the basement parking of his condo. Maybe here in Ontario it's different. But I hear ya though.

Bavaria

As an aside, my wife recently bought a new RX350. Synthetic oil is now being used, with a resultant oil change interval of 10,000 miles (first and second services are free - first being tire rotation and second adding the oil/filter change). I asked my(our) service advisor if, I used synthetic oil in my '07 GS, I could go 10k miles between changes, and he replied in the affirmative. I have been using synthetic, and have changed the oil/filter every 7500 miles.

rjacket

Oil change seems simple but please don't give your Lexus to Walmart. There are several things they could easily get wrong. Use one of the following options:

1) Look out for Lexus dealer coupons online and ask your local dealer to match the prices of their competitor. Most people should be able to get an oil change, tire rotation and maybe some checks for $50 this way.

2) Find the independent specialist or Toyota dealer with good BBB ratings and other recommendations. I use a highly recommended specialist and for $30 excluding the oil that I provide myself I get the oil change, the OEM filter, and a multi point inspection. I get free rotations at America's Tire.

3) Learn to do it yourself.

Lastly, if the stealership regular price was the only one out there, I probably would be doing it myself, but not only do I avoid the mess of the oil, but the $30 I spend twice a year gets my car up on a lift and an experienced technician checking over my car. Yes I can check most fluids etc myself, but having an experienced (but honest) person looking for more work to do results in a more thorough check than I can manage myself.