Repairs Done So Far - Is this normal?
04-09-15, 10:56 AM
#16
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
You stole my thunder! LOL
1500 bucks for a wheel bearing????!! I just checked Ebay and they can be had for $97.00.......According to my labour estimates from my subsription to "AllDataDIY" - labour is 1.6 hours. for the front and 2.1 for the rear. so......MAYBE $300 all in?
1500 bucks for a wheel bearing????!! I just checked Ebay and they can be had for $97.00.......According to my labour estimates from my subsription to "AllDataDIY" - labour is 1.6 hours. for the front and 2.1 for the rear. so......MAYBE $300 all in?
FYI, I also edited my original post to correct this error.
Last edited by wayman28; 04-09-15 at 11:15 AM.
04-09-15, 11:03 AM
#17
Devh, thanks for your post. Please understand that I am in no way condemning the LS460. I love my car. When I bought my car I had not one but two diagnostic inspections done (one at an independent mechanic and another at a Lexus dealership) to make sure I covered all my bases.
The car was regularly serviced at a dealership so I had the entire history and, while I have no idea how hard the previous owner drove the car, it was regularly maintained. The 60k service was done at a Lexus dealership about 7 months before I bought it.
During the inspections the control arms were noted as an issue and some other minor items. Of all the repairs I've had to do so far, they all seem reasonable for our car (wheel hub bearing, control arms and air strut) but I just didn't think they would all hit at about the same time within 6 months of ownership. The only repair that was really unexpected was the power steering rack. None of my inspections turned up any issues with that and those symptoms started only about two weeks ago. Not sure I could have done anything to predict the steering rack was going to fail before buying it.
I'm not sure I totally agree with your perspective that if you spend more than your warranty cost in repairs then you got a bad car. I paid $2400 for my warranty and it's not hard to rack up $2400 worth of repairs with our cars. I doubt anyone would say that a car was abused if it had to replace control arms and one air strut, but those two repairs could easily top $2400.
The car was regularly serviced at a dealership so I had the entire history and, while I have no idea how hard the previous owner drove the car, it was regularly maintained. The 60k service was done at a Lexus dealership about 7 months before I bought it.
During the inspections the control arms were noted as an issue and some other minor items. Of all the repairs I've had to do so far, they all seem reasonable for our car (wheel hub bearing, control arms and air strut) but I just didn't think they would all hit at about the same time within 6 months of ownership. The only repair that was really unexpected was the power steering rack. None of my inspections turned up any issues with that and those symptoms started only about two weeks ago. Not sure I could have done anything to predict the steering rack was going to fail before buying it.
I'm not sure I totally agree with your perspective that if you spend more than your warranty cost in repairs then you got a bad car. I paid $2400 for my warranty and it's not hard to rack up $2400 worth of repairs with our cars. I doubt anyone would say that a car was abused if it had to replace control arms and one air strut, but those two repairs could easily top $2400.
If everyone had bad luck there would be no such thing as bad luck. If everyone had a warranty and bad luck that paid out more then what the warranty was worth then the company would either raise their premium astronomically or be out of business.
The fact that they bombard customers with aftermarket warranties makes it seem that there is a lot of money to be had at the expense of capitalizing on the fears of owners especially with artificially inflating the costs. Those parts prices and labor prices make it seem like Lexus had to eat the costs when in reality is just the opposite.
It seems as if we as owners are placed in a no win situation but the only difference is some of us choose not to play.
04-09-15, 11:19 AM
#18
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Like I mentioned that it could be bad luck.
If everyone had bad luck there would be no such thing as bad luck. If everyone had a warranty and bad luck that paid out more then what the warranty was worth then the company would either raise their premium astronomically or be out of business.
The fact that they bombard customers with aftermarket warranties makes it seem that there is a lot of money to be had at the expense of capitalizing on the fears of owners especially with artificially inflating the costs. Those parts prices and labor prices make it seem like Lexus had to eat the costs when in reality is just the opposite.
It seems as if we as owners are placed in a no win situation but the only difference is some of us choose not to play.
If everyone had bad luck there would be no such thing as bad luck. If everyone had a warranty and bad luck that paid out more then what the warranty was worth then the company would either raise their premium astronomically or be out of business.
The fact that they bombard customers with aftermarket warranties makes it seem that there is a lot of money to be had at the expense of capitalizing on the fears of owners especially with artificially inflating the costs. Those parts prices and labor prices make it seem like Lexus had to eat the costs when in reality is just the opposite.
It seems as if we as owners are placed in a no win situation but the only difference is some of us choose not to play.
04-09-15, 01:55 PM
#19
Or have the option of doing without air struts and AWD and have a much better drivers car with the least amount of worry. Having less unsprung weight could also go a long way to reducing wear and tear.
04-09-15, 02:34 PM
#21
Pole Position
You stole my thunder! LOL
1500 bucks for a wheel bearing????!! I just checked Ebay and they can be had for $97.00.......According to my labour estimates from my subsription to "AllDataDIY" - labour is 1.6 hours. for the front and 2.1 for the rear. so......MAYBE $300 all in?
1500 bucks for a wheel bearing????!! I just checked Ebay and they can be had for $97.00.......According to my labour estimates from my subsription to "AllDataDIY" - labour is 1.6 hours. for the front and 2.1 for the rear. so......MAYBE $300 all in?
04-09-15, 03:16 PM
#22
I honestly can't believe the prices Lexus dealers are charging, and I feel bad for anyone that pays them. A couple of months ago I ran into a guy on here that swore it was best to get everything done at the dealer and how he "created a relationship with them". I did all I could do to keep myself from peeing my pants...you don't "negotiate" or create "relationships" with dealers. They do just enough to make you feel like you are getting a good deal, to keep you coming back so you can get screwed some more.
04-17-15, 09:01 PM
#23
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Just wanted to add a recent development to the list of repairs I've had to do. I heard another slight rattling noise now that it's warm enough to roll down my windows. I brought it into the dealership today. Turns out it is my passenger side rear air strut that needs replacement. We got the claim approved through my warranty company so there won't be any costs to me other than the $100 deductible so I don't feel particularly upset about it..
At this point three out of my four air struts have been replaced (one of them was replaced by the previous owner but two of them by me). I have 78k miles on my car.
At this point three out of my four air struts have been replaced (one of them was replaced by the previous owner but two of them by me). I have 78k miles on my car.
04-20-15, 08:49 PM
#25
In one month it will be a year that I've owned my 08' 460.
I bought it CPO with 58K miles. In 11 months the following work was done, under warranty.
All control arm bushings - $4500
Front Air Strut - $1800
Front Wheel Bearing - $900
Front wheel ABS Sensor - $500
Brake Actuator - $2000
Fuel Throttle body - Recall
Now it is in the shop for a VSC/Brake Malfunction that left the wife stranded as the data center warned to pull over and call the dealer.
The car has been in the shop no less than 25 days for work.
My last car was an 02' LS 430 UL. I drove that car 230K miles with nothing but routine maintenance and timing belts and water pumps.
The 460 is a costly lemon in my opinion.
I bought it CPO with 58K miles. In 11 months the following work was done, under warranty.
All control arm bushings - $4500
Front Air Strut - $1800
Front Wheel Bearing - $900
Front wheel ABS Sensor - $500
Brake Actuator - $2000
Fuel Throttle body - Recall
Now it is in the shop for a VSC/Brake Malfunction that left the wife stranded as the data center warned to pull over and call the dealer.
The car has been in the shop no less than 25 days for work.
My last car was an 02' LS 430 UL. I drove that car 230K miles with nothing but routine maintenance and timing belts and water pumps.
The 460 is a costly lemon in my opinion.
04-20-15, 08:54 PM
#26
I honestly can't believe the prices Lexus dealers are charging, and I feel bad for anyone that pays them. A couple of months ago I ran into a guy on here that swore it was best to get everything done at the dealer and how he "created a relationship with them". I did all I could do to keep myself from peeing my pants...you don't "negotiate" or create "relationships" with dealers. They do just enough to make you feel like you are getting a good deal, to keep you coming back so you can get screwed some more.
That said part of the pricing structure assumes that most of the work they bill is paid by warranty companies.. you don't think that Lexus corporate pays full price to the dealer for work, do you?
They probably pay about 40-50% of the invoice total. Anyone who pays full price is crazy.
My LS430 needed a timing belt. They quoted me $1650.. I haggled with them and they came down to $1200... I called the toyota dealer who quoted me $825... They got the work.
04-20-15, 09:43 PM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
In one month it will be a year that I've owned my 08' 460.
I bought it CPO with 58K miles. In 11 months the following work was done, under warranty.
All control arm bushings - $4500
Front Air Strut - $1800
Front Wheel Bearing - $900
Front wheel ABS Sensor - $500
Brake Actuator - $2000
Fuel Throttle body - Recall
Now it is in the shop for a VSC/Brake Malfunction that left the wife stranded as the data center warned to pull over and call the dealer.
The car has been in the shop no less than 25 days for work.
My last car was an 02' LS 430 UL. I drove that car 230K miles with nothing but routine maintenance and timing belts and water pumps.
The 460 is a costly lemon in my opinion.
I bought it CPO with 58K miles. In 11 months the following work was done, under warranty.
All control arm bushings - $4500
Front Air Strut - $1800
Front Wheel Bearing - $900
Front wheel ABS Sensor - $500
Brake Actuator - $2000
Fuel Throttle body - Recall
Now it is in the shop for a VSC/Brake Malfunction that left the wife stranded as the data center warned to pull over and call the dealer.
The car has been in the shop no less than 25 days for work.
My last car was an 02' LS 430 UL. I drove that car 230K miles with nothing but routine maintenance and timing belts and water pumps.
The 460 is a costly lemon in my opinion.
I called the toyota dealer who quoted me $825... They got the work.
04-21-15, 05:09 AM
#28
Pole Position
In one month it will be a year that I've owned my 08' 460.
I bought it CPO with 58K miles. In 11 months the following work was done, under warranty.
All control arm bushings - $4500
Front Air Strut - $1800
Front Wheel Bearing - $900
Front wheel ABS Sensor - $500
Brake Actuator - $2000
Fuel Throttle body - Recall
Now it is in the shop for a VSC/Brake Malfunction that left the wife stranded as the data center warned to pull over and call the dealer.
The car has been in the shop no less than 25 days for work.
My last car was an 02' LS 430 UL. I drove that car 230K miles with nothing but routine maintenance and timing belts and water pumps.
The 460 is a costly lemon in my opinion.
I bought it CPO with 58K miles. In 11 months the following work was done, under warranty.
All control arm bushings - $4500
Front Air Strut - $1800
Front Wheel Bearing - $900
Front wheel ABS Sensor - $500
Brake Actuator - $2000
Fuel Throttle body - Recall
Now it is in the shop for a VSC/Brake Malfunction that left the wife stranded as the data center warned to pull over and call the dealer.
The car has been in the shop no less than 25 days for work.
My last car was an 02' LS 430 UL. I drove that car 230K miles with nothing but routine maintenance and timing belts and water pumps.
The 460 is a costly lemon in my opinion.
I put 500-600 miles a week on my LS460, and the only money I have to put into it is money for gas (which at 26.5 mpg, isn't too bad).
I don't have air suspension - so I guess I'm fortunate there - but I haven't had any of the problems you've had. I took my car to the dealer yesterday for the fuel sensor recall...had a nice talk with the service advisor and swore by these cars. He said the LS is a trouble free car that will take you to 200k miles while still feeling like a new car. He then pointed to one that had 140k miles on it and said, the car has been maintained here, nothing but general maintenance has been performed. It was an 08 long wheel base.
One thing is for certain...I'd never buy an IS250 (the car they loaned me). It felt like I was driving a Toyota Corrola. No power, ugly interior, cheap plastics everywhere, loud...it did look cool, but man, not impressed at all. And the thing was brand new.
04-21-15, 07:37 AM
#29
In one month it will be a year that I've owned my 08' 460.
I bought it CPO with 58K miles. In 11 months the following work was done, under warranty.
All control arm bushings - $4500
Front Air Strut - $1800
Front Wheel Bearing - $900
Front wheel ABS Sensor - $500
Brake Actuator - $2000
Fuel Throttle body - Recall
Now it is in the shop for a VSC/Brake Malfunction that left the wife stranded as the data center warned to pull over and call the dealer.
The car has been in the shop no less than 25 days for work.
My last car was an 02' LS 430 UL. I drove that car 230K miles with nothing but routine maintenance and timing belts and water pumps.
The 460 is a costly lemon in my opinion.
I bought it CPO with 58K miles. In 11 months the following work was done, under warranty.
All control arm bushings - $4500
Front Air Strut - $1800
Front Wheel Bearing - $900
Front wheel ABS Sensor - $500
Brake Actuator - $2000
Fuel Throttle body - Recall
Now it is in the shop for a VSC/Brake Malfunction that left the wife stranded as the data center warned to pull over and call the dealer.
The car has been in the shop no less than 25 days for work.
My last car was an 02' LS 430 UL. I drove that car 230K miles with nothing but routine maintenance and timing belts and water pumps.
The 460 is a costly lemon in my opinion.
My car is over four years old and the only thing that was done from the dealer was a battery replacement.
The car runs and drives perfect.
Last edited by Devh; 04-21-15 at 08:04 AM.
04-21-15, 06:02 PM
#30
Read the boards. There are may threads about suspension issues, brake actuator issues, and some other issues that most of us owners have.
If you read the boards some guys are willing to allow Lexus off the hook for these issues. People post "well it's a good thing you have a warranty" guess what? In no time your warranty will be up and I venture to guess you'll think your car is a lemon too.
Maybe your new to the brand, I am not. I've owned a 94' LS a 96' LS an 00 and an 02' LS. They were quality cars with little or no issues. My 02' LS430 UL was a beast that had over 225K miles when I traded it. It ran like day one when I traded it. That was a good car. This car, with impeccable service history, I will add, is a POS. Not just mine, the model. When you build up a good relationship with a service adviser at Lexus they will tell you.
It is what it is. The car is not a true representation of the Lexus brand that I grew to love over the last 2 decades that I've owned em.