Never going back to the dealer.
03-27-12, 12:58 PM
#1
Never going back to the dealer.
Many of you know my short history on this forum but I just wanted to share with you my experience today.
I purchased my 99 with just under 68K about 3 months ago and I realized I had a small leak of some kind after I was able to get under the car. I decided to go the the one Lexus dealer here in Puerto Rico to have my differential serviced as the gaskets are a dealer only item and the labor was just a tad higher then Pep Boys ( yeah I know, at the time I did not know or trust any mechanics as I am not from PR). Needless to say, the dealer came up with that my power steering high pressure hose & P.S. control valve assembly is leaking and needs to be replaced for $2,534.30 So, I asked around on the forums and ordered a bunch of O rings, power washed the engine, and finally was able to find a good honest mechanic by actually calling back one of the other owners of an LS400 that I test drove and asking him if he had a mechanic he trusted.
I went to the mechanic this morning and he inspected the car thoroughly and all that was wrong was the hose that linked the power steering reservoir to the pump had cracks and it was leaking down the side of the pump and onto the high pressure lines and around the oil pan from there. This was fixed in an hour and for all of $89.00
To boot, I got a quote to do the full timing belt service (labor only) for $650.00 and he will replace all 4 shocks for just $350.00 I'm so happy to find an honest mechanic! I'm mechanically inclined and fully rebuild a 4.3L V8 out of an Oldsmobile years ago but I don't have a garage and certain things are just too much of a pain to tackle yourself.
If anyone is needing repairs may I suggest you search for a good local mechanic. I could not be happier with my first experience. It just goes to show how many shady dealers are out there...
I purchased my 99 with just under 68K about 3 months ago and I realized I had a small leak of some kind after I was able to get under the car. I decided to go the the one Lexus dealer here in Puerto Rico to have my differential serviced as the gaskets are a dealer only item and the labor was just a tad higher then Pep Boys ( yeah I know, at the time I did not know or trust any mechanics as I am not from PR). Needless to say, the dealer came up with that my power steering high pressure hose & P.S. control valve assembly is leaking and needs to be replaced for $2,534.30 So, I asked around on the forums and ordered a bunch of O rings, power washed the engine, and finally was able to find a good honest mechanic by actually calling back one of the other owners of an LS400 that I test drove and asking him if he had a mechanic he trusted.
I went to the mechanic this morning and he inspected the car thoroughly and all that was wrong was the hose that linked the power steering reservoir to the pump had cracks and it was leaking down the side of the pump and onto the high pressure lines and around the oil pan from there. This was fixed in an hour and for all of $89.00
To boot, I got a quote to do the full timing belt service (labor only) for $650.00 and he will replace all 4 shocks for just $350.00 I'm so happy to find an honest mechanic! I'm mechanically inclined and fully rebuild a 4.3L V8 out of an Oldsmobile years ago but I don't have a garage and certain things are just too much of a pain to tackle yourself.
If anyone is needing repairs may I suggest you search for a good local mechanic. I could not be happier with my first experience. It just goes to show how many shady dealers are out there...
03-28-12, 03:51 AM
#4
I totally agree that dealers are know to be wheelers but I am still shocked that the dealer would start listing very expensive items to be replaced when this was not the problem in the first place. I mean to go from from $2,534 to $89.00 is outrageous. I guess there could be incompetence involved as well but I think they were just trying to rip me off, big time.
03-28-12, 04:08 AM
#5
I know how you feel. Two years ago, my dealership wanted to charge me $2700 to replace a catalytic converter and four oxygen sensors. Turned out to be a simple exhaust leak that cause the CEL to come on. Only cost me $25 to buy a new gasket and have it installed at an exhaust shop.
Stupid dealer. They always want to replace the expensive stuff first.
Stupid dealer. They always want to replace the expensive stuff first.
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Lavrishevo
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