socalJD

Glad this works for you Ken, but I guess I'm more of an **** control freak.
In SoCal, there's no less than 12 Lexus dealers w/in a 50 mile radius of me, so I don't want to be tied to any specific one. I'll prolly only go to a dealer if I need warranty or major work, otherwise for simple maintenance I'll go to my local independent shop, which generally charges 50% less than dealers. The local shop uses genuine parts, but I can choose oil brand, weights & type (dino/syn) and they don't try to hard sell the pure profit BS inspections, etc. I've done this with my Acura for the last 5 yrs and it works for me . . .

kensteele

There are only two local dealerships both in nearby Missouri. There might be a few good mechanics in Kansas...but I don't know any.

I forgot to mention, for the deal I could have chosen the short-term which is 5k - 30k regular price $1,293 after tax discounted by only 36% for $825 (you save $468).

True, if you like to work on your own car and you like to choose your own oil and parts, etc. this might not be for you. But at Lexus, I don't mind the loaner, the free tank of gas, the car wash, the relationship-building, and the ability to get other stuff done at the same time if I need to.

Tammy

There is a thing about betting on futures ...

What if your vehicle is totaled or stolen tomorrow? Do you get a refund?

kensteele

they told me the unused portion will be a prorated refund. i'm going in for my "free" 10k service next week so i'll find out exactly how it works.

it's not like a warranty, there is no risk. i paid for service work (in the form of scheduled maintance intervals) so i'll get that work, i just paid for it in advance....at a discount. so they owe me the work regardless....it just can't disappear.

MR LEX

My dealer charges the following for an oil change:

$39.90 - Labor
$7.84 - Replaceable Element
$1.56 - Gasket
$23.70 - 6.0 Qts Castrol 5W/30 Snytec @ 3.950/unit

$73.00 - Subtotal

Lex

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Shop rate = $100/hour. Sounds about what I would expect.

omgitsroy

iTrader: (1)

one screw for the oil.... 3 small screw for oil filter cover.... twist for oil filter....pull filter out .. put new filter in... rotate filter back in... put 3 small screw for oil filter cover back...one screw back into oil pan... now start pouring oil... look at dip stick...

$38 ... i'll make a deal for anyone out there... bring your oil in .. i'll do it for half the price = )

jjbodean

ken,

which company is that maintenance plan through? as in, who backs it, cause i am pretty sure its not a lexus factory plan. just curious, thanks!

kensteele

i dunno but i can only use it at the one lexus dealership that sold it to me, Superior Lexus. it's not a factory plan, it's simply a prepaid plan at a discount, nothing more.

if you are the type of person that will bring your car to the dealership for service work, and there are many of us because i see many cars in the shop bay, you may want to consider this plan. or you can pay as you go and try to use whatever discounts and coupons pop up. i didn't pay any sales tax either.

so my next service is 15,000 miles which i need to do that immediately, i'm just going to take my car in, they can do whatever they want, then i will leave. simple...just like i like it.

bagwell

Ken, you never reported back on your 10K service either.....

ES3

I'll be over next week! If only you lived closer.

Davizzo

hey ken... can u get that discounted program if you didnt buy the car there? cause im getting my lexus in lee summit..

kensteele

bagwell, honestly i have no idea what they did at 10k. i just took the car in, dropped it off, told them what i wanted, they gave me a loaner, called me when it was done, i picked up my car and drove away. that's about all i know.

all, i'm not really wrapped up into these cars like a lot of people. the car is nice and i love it, like to do mods every now and again, but this game we all sometimes like to play is mostly a nuisance to me, there are much more important things in my life that i need to pay attention to. car maintenance is not that high up on the list. i could care less what the money situation is, a dollar here, a dollar there; i'd just rather pay to make it all go away. i don't throw away money but i don't pine over every dollar either. it's pointless because it's irrelevant years later down the road how much you saved on your 15k maintenance. i do understand for some people, it's their whole life....not mine. i would never ever never change my own oil. to me, that's ridiculous.

kensteele

yes i am pretty sure you can. just call and ask.

Evitzee

Ken .... that's my sentiment exactly. I enjoy my car, but I just can't worry whether I got the absolute best deal when I bought it, or if I'm paying a few dollars too much to get it serviced. As long as it is done correctly I'm happy. I had my oil changed yesterday at the Lexus dealer. They greeted my wife and I, escorted us to the waiting area where there was plenty of juice and rolls, newspapers, and free internet service. An hour later they came got us, escorted us to the car, and we were on our way. Is $50 more than I would have paid at one of the quickie lube shops (yes), could I have taken it to a Toyota dealer and had it done cheaper and saved $20 (yes), could I have done it cheaper myself (yes), but in the scheme of owning a $50k automobile it is no big deal. The service experience was effortless. Many people here are so concerned with wringing the last dollar out of the dealer and subsequent service that it must impinge on their ability to enjoy their car. Like most people I don't like to throw money away, but sometimes we take this 'getting the best deal' mentality to the extreme. It is especially prevalent on the IS forum where there is a younger ownership, so they are more concerned about money. No problem there. But a Lexus is a luxury item and luxury items are almost NEVER a good value for dollar as so much is based on image and the feel good aspect of owning the item.