WhitBaby

After owning four Lexus' I'm thinking it's time to get out of the Lexus lines.

Like many LS's my '08 LS tends to pull to the right, even on uncrowned roads.
I was quoted $130 for their 4-wheel alignment at the dealer...seems they do have their own alignment rack. Lexus already charges $50 to $80 more than most other shops.

After sitting around for 2 hours they came out and said while the actual measurements are in the 'green/acceptable' range they'd need an additional $240 so they can move some sub-frame to regain the adjustment they need to make the car run straight. Apparently the LS doesn't have the usual cam'd adjustment most cars have to do this...Lexus does it with 'slots' and takes longer.

I raised hell saying the $130 should have covered this, they said no so I left with nothing done.
The service manager offered to drop the additional $240 to $120...so instead of a total of $370 it would be $250...I declined. They probably think that because you were dumb enough to pay $70K for the car in the first place you wouldn't flinch with outrageous repair costs. It's not so much the additional $120... it's the principal. They're probably used to walking all over their customers and are surprised when anyone balks.

I've got a few more months left on my 7-year/100,000 warranty so I think when that runs out I'll start looking at the Toyota Highlander (wifey likes them, easy access and exit, good visibility, great ride and all tricked-out like RX) or some sort of Hyundai. I've had it with Lexus and their in$atiable service costs and attitudes. This whole fiasco has left a bad taste in my mouth.

Lextrician

soooo you went to dealer and you are mad that they are trying to rape you. I undertand your gripe but I feel the same way at times and when I look at what it is out there I calmly come back to reality that the other brands have there issues as well. at first I would look at a specialist instead of the dealer ( i know you figure lexus should know more about there stuff than others) but that is not always the case.

jmcraney

Whitbaby,

I have to agree with you about the dealerships. And they all seem to be the same. I still have my '07 LS460 and have returned to the dealer only for the fuel-rail and valve-spring recalls. I parted ways with them over the wind-noise issue and have since gotten all my service requirements satisfied at an independent shop that only does Lexus and Toyota vehicles.

In your quest for a new vehicle you should consider a Toyota Sienna. We have a 2011 Sienna Limited and it is a very nice vehicle with easy ingress and egress for old folks and great visibility. I think it is regarded as a "Soccer Mom" vehicle but this one is our 4th Sienna and will probably not be our last.

We get our Sienna serviced at a Toyota dealer however all Toyota dealers are not equal and I have been messed over by two of them too. The dealer where we get our service now has been aboveboard in all regards but the dealership where I bought the Sienna was ethically challenged.

In spite of the difficulties with the dealerships the LS460 is a real joy to drive. I have been wanting a new one for a while now but just can't bring myself to go to the dealership because I dislike them so much.

I don't think you should ever expect much from Lexus or Toyota corporate because if you do you will certainly be disappointed. Maybe it's that way with all car manufacturers.

Soldier76

To be fair, not all dealerships are the same. Even though we both know that all man made things are flawed and have serious issues at times. One must look at things in a broader perspective and realize that the grass ain't always greener on the other side, but staying in the Toyota family really helps me realize your not running away from home. As for the highlander, I bought my wife a 2014 highlander limited platinum front wheel drive the first of this month. She absolutely loves it and it even rides smoother then my Lexus. Potholes are basically invisible to this beast, road and wind noise is down to a whisper, feature and creature comforts galore, and probably most importantly, Toyota is offering tremendous deals on them right now. My LS is pulling to the right right now as well and I just purchased it about 2 weeks ago. I prolly end up taking it to another mechanic thats cheaper, but I'm not gonna let this problem deter me from loving all the many other aspects of this car.

roadfrog

You guys are hating your CARS because of bad DEALERSHIPS???!! Kinda like hating your home because of a bad plumber.

That makes no sense to me. If you don't like your service go somewhere else. I go to a Toyota dealership for any work I don't do myself, and they have been great (and cheaper than Lexus).

shrikelex

Man good thing you didn't get a 7 series lol, you'd paid more for repairs than everyone's going to be paying for universal healthcare once that ever kicks in full swing.

roadfrog

TRUER WORDS NEVER SPOKEN!!

From a still, "butt-sore former E65 owner". Took it dry so many times with that car.

My Lex is an, All Wishes Fulfilled Vehicle.....reliable luxury, inexpensive parts, gorgeous and longevity. All at a bargain price.

Luxofreak

^^ Agreed. Again, 2007 owner here since new, great dealership, great car, absolutely no issues.

dlbuckls10

That's a minor issue, plus the service manager lowered the cost. No one likes spending money on vehicle repairs but it comes with owning one. I would have gladly paid the $250 and moved on. The Lexus (Toyota family) dependability and reliability is hard to beat.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like they know why the car is pulling to one side. I had my 12,000 mile alignment done on my IS250 and everything was "in the green" except the steering inclination angle. "Not a problem" sayeth the dealership (as the have to move the engine on the subframe to correct this). At 50,000 miles I had the alignment done again and they said "needs the SAI adjusted - $250 please". I said "everything is in the green so leave it alone". So it sounds like Lexus won't pay for this under warranty but the dealers like to correct it on our dime!

Nospinzone

Hey, I hear you WhitBaby, but that crap happens with every car dealership.

But you know change is good every once in a while. I would say go try something else if that's what you feel like doing.

LordBowral

You will rue the day you leave Lexus for anything else ..if you think you were treated badly by the service dept just wait till you try BMW or Mercedes service ! you will come running back so fast your feet will be on fire !

CEOEngr

Long time lurker here. I am one of those who had four Lexus products in my drive way at any given time, but slowly moved away to other manufacturers because of the horrible & poor service by our local dealership. I would like to share that my experiences with other European brands have been extremely positive and rewarding. No I did not purchase any BMW products. FWIW I have not totally given up on Lexus; I might consider another LS when they come out with the new design.

roadfrog

Sooo true.....and you'll be doing it frequently. I will NEVER go back to German marques again. I need my car in the driveway, not the service lot.

WhitBaby

I've been hearing really great things about the Highlander's for a couple years now. The 2014 was the first year they had the memory seats, which we wanted.

Unfortunately we don't have the 'deals' you have. My local dealer doesn't have any 2014's left and half of the 2015's that are coming in next week are already sold. From everything I've seen about them is that the dealers aren't doing any real negotiating with them like they are the Camry's, other SUV's and pickups.

But I'm not in a hurry. We're making a CA trip next week and the LS IS a great highway car. My extended warranty is good through Mar '15, then I'll start looking around for Highlanders.

I'm not inclined to get another Lexus...ever... I just don't like being fleeced.
Toyota might do the same thing... but at least they use K-Y.