Why is 15k service so expensive for 2013 GS350?
04-03-13, 08:25 AM
#61
Hear, hear Steve! Excellent delineation of differences between dealer and independent service models. The conclusion is, as always, different strokes for different folks. Those with more than adequate cash on hand (most late-model Lexus owners) who desire others to carry responsibility for their car's condition will LOVE the Lexus cradle-to-grave, everything covered, lap of luxury treatment, even at the high prices charged.
Others, possibly with less means but mostly who want more direct involvement in their vehicle's maintenance and service needs cannot abide the insulation of the Lexus service model, regardless of cost differentials. They will seek out a trustworthy independent for routine service and even major non-warranty service, often performing routine maintenance themselves. They work on the "if you want it done right..." principle.
Each service model has its adherents and they CANNOT be convinced to convert to the other model based on cost since the basis of their choice is NOT related to money - its a matter of trust, involvement and CONTROL. Different folks...
Others, possibly with less means but mostly who want more direct involvement in their vehicle's maintenance and service needs cannot abide the insulation of the Lexus service model, regardless of cost differentials. They will seek out a trustworthy independent for routine service and even major non-warranty service, often performing routine maintenance themselves. They work on the "if you want it done right..." principle.
Each service model has its adherents and they CANNOT be convinced to convert to the other model based on cost since the basis of their choice is NOT related to money - its a matter of trust, involvement and CONTROL. Different folks...
04-03-13, 08:26 AM
#63
Lexus Fanatic
I make a great living but I value what I make, and I'm not going to just spend more for something out of some sense of obligation. Its just a car.
If an independent service shop does a lousy job repairing your vehicle, they lose one customer, big deal. If a dealership service shop does a lousy job repairing your vehicle, they lose one customer, lose a future potential sale, and may have issues with the vehicle manufacturer. That's a bigger deal. When the stakes are higher, performance is typically improved.
You can't just use *any* independent shop, you have to take the time to find a good one. I know that my cars get better service at my independent mechanic than they do at the Lexus dealer, and it costs me less.
As for my business being more important to the dealer vs my independent thats ridiculous. My independent is a small business owner, my business is very valuable to him, the referrals I send, etc. To the dealer I'm one of thousands of customers.
Experience working on a specific vehicle is a valuable skill. If this weren't the case, why would some independent shops specialize in certain vehicle types?
I used to say the same stuff you are saying here, until I let this guy change my oil one time and then I vowed I would never spend another dollar at the dealer's service department and I haven't. I had used the Lexus dealer exclusively for years and years. I met this guy after having the 90k service done (timing belt) and front brakes at Lexus at a cost of $2,000. He could have done the same work for $900.
Originally Posted by Blueprint
Steve you would slap me as I'm getting my springs installed at an independent shop right now (but we have a "relationship" so its kind of different). I just thought of this and chuckled.
Last edited by SW17LS; 04-03-13 at 08:31 AM.
04-03-13, 08:34 AM
#64
One could argue some are trying to rationalize their desire to save a few bucks servicing their $60,000 vehicles at the cheapest service shop they can find.
If an independent service shop does a lousy job repairing your vehicle, they lose one customer, big deal. If a dealership service shop does a lousy job repairing your vehicle, they lose one customer, lose a future potential sale, and may have issues with the vehicle manufacturer. That's a bigger deal. When the stakes are higher, performance is typically improved.
Experience working on a specific vehicle is a valuable skill. If this weren't the case, why would some independent service shops specialize in certain vehicle types?
If an independent service shop does a lousy job repairing your vehicle, they lose one customer, big deal. If a dealership service shop does a lousy job repairing your vehicle, they lose one customer, lose a future potential sale, and may have issues with the vehicle manufacturer. That's a bigger deal. When the stakes are higher, performance is typically improved.
Experience working on a specific vehicle is a valuable skill. If this weren't the case, why would some independent service shops specialize in certain vehicle types?
Most of the time, dealers charge you an arm and a leg for the "experience." If you feel that paying $120 for an oil change for example, is justified, then your the type of customer that Lexus wants.
Then again, Im not taking my car to jiffy lube for a $20 oil change either.
04-03-13, 08:53 AM
#65
Lexus Test Driver
If you decide to take your car to independent shops, most of them offer these visual inspections and topping off the fluids as well.
You can even do these things yourself: topping off fluids and checking your brakes. Theyre not hard to do
Tire rotation should be done as needed and still isnt worth the "premium price" that Lexus charges. You can even go to a Toyota dealer and get everything done cheaper
I'd prefer to have my vehicle serviced where the entire staff has worked on over 50 2013 Lexus GS 350 similar to mine, as you would find at a dealership. An independent shop will often "make due" with what manuals or tools they have available. There are some vehicle-specific techniques and tools out there. Will an independent shop invest in these things if they are only working on one 2013 Lexus GS 350? It is unlikely.
When I drove a Dodge Neon (before getting my GS) there was a time where they had to work on the car. After working on my Neon one particular occasion, for some odd reason, everytime I opened the driver side door, an alarm would go off as though I had left my lights on. They never fixed that problem and eventually, I got tired of asking them. A few times after that issue surfaced, I had actually left my headlights on believing it was simply the same old alarm going off.
Get back to the Neon later and sure enough, the battery had died. Needed a jump.
I still allow them to work on my wife's minivan, but I'm skeptical about letting them touch my Lexus while it's under warranty. Maybe after my 7-year warranty ends...
I may search around for another independent mechanic, but untl then, I will take it to the dealer. You're right, there are some decent independent mechanics out there somewhere.
04-03-13, 09:47 AM
#67
One could argue some are trying to rationalize their desire to save a few bucks servicing their $60,000 vehicles at the cheapest service shop they can find.
If an independent service shop does a lousy job repairing your vehicle, they lose one customer, big deal. If a dealership service shop does a lousy job repairing your vehicle, they lose one customer, lose a future potential sale, and may have issues with the vehicle manufacturer. That's a bigger deal. When the stakes are higher, performance is typically improved.
Experience working on a specific vehicle is a valuable skill. If this weren't the case, why would some independent service shops specialize in certain vehicle types?
If an independent service shop does a lousy job repairing your vehicle, they lose one customer, big deal. If a dealership service shop does a lousy job repairing your vehicle, they lose one customer, lose a future potential sale, and may have issues with the vehicle manufacturer. That's a bigger deal. When the stakes are higher, performance is typically improved.
Experience working on a specific vehicle is a valuable skill. If this weren't the case, why would some independent service shops specialize in certain vehicle types?
The thing is the GS has a Toyota engine.A 3.5L Camry engine with direct injection.Lexus shares many things with Toyota.
A Porsche,BMW,Benz etc need more of a independent shop that specializes in those type cars.
04-03-13, 01:19 PM
#68
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by rlj4246
It's 107.50 at my dealership. I'll pay that.
04-03-13, 03:49 PM
#69
Dealer maybe is the specialist but not necessarily will take good care on your car. My previous 3GS has light grey interior and a few times after services at the dealer, I found fingerprint / smudges around the inside door panels especially the grab handle area. On the other hand, I went to an independent shop to install coilover and damper control unit on the same car and the mechanic actually changed his dirty clothes before working on the wiring inside the cabin because of the light grey interior. I am impressed and would go back.
04-03-13, 04:20 PM
#70
Driver
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Has anyone on this forum had experience with Stevens Creek Lexus in San Jose?
Any good Indy shops in the South Bay Area?
For my old BMWs, there were great Indy options - folks that only did BMW or Luxury German brands. I thought it was a good thing that I could not find a single Lexus Indy shop!
Any good Indy shops in the South Bay Area?
For my old BMWs, there were great Indy options - folks that only did BMW or Luxury German brands. I thought it was a good thing that I could not find a single Lexus Indy shop!
04-03-13, 04:29 PM
#71
Has anyone on this forum had experience with Stevens Creek Lexus in San Jose?
Any good Indy shops in the South Bay Area?
For my old BMWs, there were great Indy options - folks that only did BMW or Luxury German brands. I thought it was a good thing that I could not find a single Lexus Indy shop!
Any good Indy shops in the South Bay Area?
For my old BMWs, there were great Indy options - folks that only did BMW or Luxury German brands. I thought it was a good thing that I could not find a single Lexus Indy shop!
04-03-13, 09:33 PM
#72
Lexus Test Driver
My dealer has been spot on, so far. Haven't had any problems. Guess I've been lucky. I'll stick to them until they give me a reason not to.
04-03-13, 10:15 PM
#73
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One of the reasons I bought a nice car is because it's more fun to work on nice cars. Learn how to change your oil, the air filters and even do the brakes. With the money you save, you can buy some really nice tools. Buy the Service Manuals for the car. Honda made some excellent manuals for the Accord. Very easy to use. I'm hoping the Lexus manuals are also good. You can buy a lot of coffee and donuts for the thousands of dollars you'll save over time. Maybe even a gym membership so you can burn off the calories.
04-03-13, 10:18 PM
#74
Lexus Fanatic
The Lexus manuals are pretty good from what I've seen.
I just don't have the time or the space to do any maintenance myself unfortunately...
I just don't have the time or the space to do any maintenance myself unfortunately...
04-04-13, 08:53 AM
#75
Lexus Test Driver
One of the reasons I bought a nice car is because it's more fun to work on nice cars. Learn how to change your oil, the air filters and even do the brakes. With the money you save, you can buy some really nice tools. Buy the Service Manuals for the car. Honda made some excellent manuals for the Accord. Very easy to use. I'm hoping the Lexus manuals are also good. You can buy a lot of coffee and donuts for the thousands of dollars you'll save over time. Maybe even a gym membership so you can burn off the calories.
