How to find a (good) independent repair shop
10-19-16, 02:48 PM
#16
As far as independent shops, we have regional forums. I would advise to post there to ask for recommendations in your area.
03-28-20, 12:56 PM
#17
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I do and have done both. I have a great independent shop, the owner was a Lexus Master Tech for 16 years. He's roughly half the cost of the dealer for everything. When its something thats not much, I'll use the dealer and get the loaner and all. For instance, the 5k service is just a tire rotation basically...he's $49 and the dealer is $99, but the dealer gives me a loaner and I don't have to wait...is that worth $50? Depends on the day. For the oil change service (10K) the dealers $199 and he's like $129. Again, same question. Is the ease more valuable than the cost. Now...30k service. Dealer is $600 he's $275. Thats a no brainer.
Dealer wanted $400 to resurface the rotors. Insanity.
I also feel like it gets better service with him, he's using the best oil, all OEM parts, etc. For instance the last stop he told me the Lexus dealer I use doesn't use Toyota oil, or even their coolant. I've known him for years, he's not lying to me.
If you use the dealer, a ton more expensive. If you don't use the dealer...not really. Parts are going to cost more, but it will need less repairs as it ages. Routine service not really any more.
Its a very well built, reliable car. The great thing about it vs say a BMW or Mercedes or Audi...is that its essentially a really nice Toyota. Anybody can work on it, its a standard OBD II diagnostic system, nothing special. If you want to...you could have it serviced at a gas station. I've had three, the first two I had over 100K miles, the 98 until almost 200k miles, no issues, few repairs. I also have in the family an old ES series Lexus, it has 190,000 miles, only repairs its ever had other than brakes, tires, maintenance, etc is an alternator, and I replaced the lower control arms at about 150k miles, cost me $1,250 (dealer wanted $4k) at my independent. I also replaced one engine mount at some point. It just had a valve cover gasket replaced also, but again its 13 years old...
The LS460 has a benefit over older versions of the LS also because it has a timing chain, the LS430 and LS400 had timing belts, those have to be replaced every 90k miles and its an expensive job ($1,500 at Lexus, $800 or so at my independent)...but not an issue with the LS460.
If you're worried as someone else said, go CPO and make sure it has a warranty, but I think you'll be happy.
I would keep my LS460 for 15 years and 200k miles without hesitation.
Dealer wanted $400 to resurface the rotors. Insanity.
I also feel like it gets better service with him, he's using the best oil, all OEM parts, etc. For instance the last stop he told me the Lexus dealer I use doesn't use Toyota oil, or even their coolant. I've known him for years, he's not lying to me.
If you use the dealer, a ton more expensive. If you don't use the dealer...not really. Parts are going to cost more, but it will need less repairs as it ages. Routine service not really any more.
Its a very well built, reliable car. The great thing about it vs say a BMW or Mercedes or Audi...is that its essentially a really nice Toyota. Anybody can work on it, its a standard OBD II diagnostic system, nothing special. If you want to...you could have it serviced at a gas station. I've had three, the first two I had over 100K miles, the 98 until almost 200k miles, no issues, few repairs. I also have in the family an old ES series Lexus, it has 190,000 miles, only repairs its ever had other than brakes, tires, maintenance, etc is an alternator, and I replaced the lower control arms at about 150k miles, cost me $1,250 (dealer wanted $4k) at my independent. I also replaced one engine mount at some point. It just had a valve cover gasket replaced also, but again its 13 years old...
The LS460 has a benefit over older versions of the LS also because it has a timing chain, the LS430 and LS400 had timing belts, those have to be replaced every 90k miles and its an expensive job ($1,500 at Lexus, $800 or so at my independent)...but not an issue with the LS460.
If you're worried as someone else said, go CPO and make sure it has a warranty, but I think you'll be happy.
I would keep my LS460 for 15 years and 200k miles without hesitation.
I live in MD, what is the name of your mechanic and his shop? I having been trying to find an independent lexus dealer in the area.
03-29-20, 08:43 AM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Cant send you a PM since you only have one post, but its LXT Automotive in Rockville.
03-29-20, 09:00 AM
#19
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03-29-20, 09:13 AM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
03-31-20, 10:45 AM
#21
So I really want a newer 2013 or 2014 LS460. There's a couple other posts about where to find one etc.
I called my insurance and the costs aren't so bad. About a third more than I'm paying now for my VW Golf.
and then today I called a nearby "certified" Lexus repair shop. Independent and not a dealer but still their web site looks like they know what they are talking about. Now perhaps the guy just didn't want to talk because he wasn't going to make any money off me, but he was VERY unenthusiastic about talking at all. Like one word answers, etc.
My questions.... do y'all go to the dealer for repairs or an independent shop.
My bigger question: Is the Lexus LS460 more expensive to maintain than say a 2015 F150 Kings Ranch (my wife's vehicle.)
For example, if I buy a gently used 460 will maintenance and repairs send me to the poor house? From everything I read here these cars are ultra reliable and practically bullet proof. The mechanic I spoke with today sounded like doom and gloom.
And yes, this forum is awesome! I'm reading as much as I can about these cars and trying to soak up enough information to not be a newbie Lexus buyer when I go plunk down some money for one. So thank you in advance....
I called my insurance and the costs aren't so bad. About a third more than I'm paying now for my VW Golf.
and then today I called a nearby "certified" Lexus repair shop. Independent and not a dealer but still their web site looks like they know what they are talking about. Now perhaps the guy just didn't want to talk because he wasn't going to make any money off me, but he was VERY unenthusiastic about talking at all. Like one word answers, etc.
My questions.... do y'all go to the dealer for repairs or an independent shop.
My bigger question: Is the Lexus LS460 more expensive to maintain than say a 2015 F150 Kings Ranch (my wife's vehicle.)
For example, if I buy a gently used 460 will maintenance and repairs send me to the poor house? From everything I read here these cars are ultra reliable and practically bullet proof. The mechanic I spoke with today sounded like doom and gloom.
And yes, this forum is awesome! I'm reading as much as I can about these cars and trying to soak up enough information to not be a newbie Lexus buyer when I go plunk down some money for one. So thank you in advance....
If I owned a older LS I would used a independent shop. Personally if I was thinking about buying a '13 or new LS I would definitely take it to a dealership for maintenance and repairs. That's their specialty and expertise. I would get an extended warranty for a peace of mind. Every warranty I have purchased have saved me thousands of dollars in repairs. I owned a MB and my extended warranty paid over $12k in repairs. The LS is well built and a fine automobile but it isn't bulletproof.
Thanks for all the replies. I was sort of thinking in the same direction, but it's nice to hear other people's experiences. I didn't mention the independent shop I spoke with, because I really have no experience one way or another with them, and didn't want to give them a bad review off of one 5 minute phone conversation.
04-01-20, 10:36 AM
#22
Caught my independent's student mech trying to pierce my muffler to then tell its no hgood anymore,
havent been really fond of bringing any car anywhere but in my own place. I dont own a ls yet but will probably try to do 99% own the work myself when I get mine...
I trusted that place for years then saw them in action LOL
If id have to go to a place, it would have to be a place where I can see the work being done, or a place that feels right... but I keep beng disappointed 50% of the time. Last time I can think of I got a flat fixed and they scrapped my wheel. Too bad I didnt hae time to argue, I should learn to patch flats myself I guess. That was a walmart, not a lexus dealership so I guess im responsible for it :P
havent been really fond of bringing any car anywhere but in my own place. I dont own a ls yet but will probably try to do 99% own the work myself when I get mine...
I trusted that place for years then saw them in action LOL
If id have to go to a place, it would have to be a place where I can see the work being done, or a place that feels right... but I keep beng disappointed 50% of the time. Last time I can think of I got a flat fixed and they scrapped my wheel. Too bad I didnt hae time to argue, I should learn to patch flats myself I guess. That was a walmart, not a lexus dealership so I guess im responsible for it :P
Last edited by cochiseg; 04-01-20 at 10:40 AM.
04-25-20, 07:32 PM
#23
if you’re in the st louis, mo area you need to go to Alleyway Auto... Jean Paul does all the maintenance on my foreigns. upgraded my rotors and pads (f&b) and changed sparl plugs on my 13 ls for less $300.. Centric rotors akebono pads OEM DENSO PLUGS I supplied parts( $175 ebay & a1auto)
https://www.yelp.com/biz/alleyway-au...ir-saint-louis
https://www.yelp.com/biz/alleyway-au...ir-saint-louis
07-20-23, 11:08 PM
#24
Driver School Candidate
Did you ever find a good independent mechanic in Bay Area, CA? I am looking for same. There are (2) independent in San Mateo: Envirotech Toyota Lexus Scion and C&T Automotive Toyota Lexus Specialists. Have not used either. There's a shop in Campbell called Toyota Lexus Auto Service. Shop is owned by former Toyota dealer mechanic but the tech working for him is not factory trained, not technician schooled not sure if that matters.
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ToyotaLexusMaster (01-30-24)
07-21-23, 07:51 AM
#25
Did you ever find a good independent mechanic in Bay Area, CA? I am looking for same. There are (2) independent in San Mateo: Envirotech Toyota Lexus Scion and C&T Automotive Toyota Lexus Specialists. Have not used either. There's a shop in Campbell called Toyota Lexus Auto Service. Shop is owned by former Toyota dealer mechanic but the tech working for him is not factory trained, not technician schooled not sure if that matters.
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ToyotaLexusMaster (01-30-24)
08-02-23, 08:02 PM
#26
Most of the "independents" in my neck of the woods charge pretty much the same as the dealer. No free loaner, coffee, donuts, and questionable accountability if something's not right. I'll go to the Lexus dealer or Toyota dealer over the "independents" (if I can't fix it myself).
01-30-24, 09:10 AM
#28
01-30-24, 09:25 AM
#29
Most of the "independents" in my neck of the woods charge pretty much the same as the dealer. No free loaner, coffee, donuts, and questionable accountability if something's not right. I'll go to the Lexus dealer or Toyota dealer over the "independents" (if I can't fix it myself).
There is no winning.
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sktn77a (02-01-24)
01-30-24, 11:33 AM
#30
Lexus Fanatic
The key is to use word of mouth to find a really good shop
Last edited by SW17LS; 01-30-24 at 11:59 AM.