Kostyan

Found one RX330 in my area, but its not certified. How much does it cost to the dealer to certify it, given its within aghe and mileage parameters?

salimshah

the terms confuse me a bit.

Dealer or any one can run any checks you want and charge you the labor hours. I have heard now Lexus labor rates are above $100/hr.

Certified in my mind are the vehicles with extended warranty. As a first owner you can purchase it and pass it on to the next owner for $50 transfer fee. The premium has changed over time and last I checked it was $2000 (roughly). No checks are performed. The car sales person sells the extended warranty and the premium is negotiable.
Again my understanding of the term "certified" is that the vehicle carries Lexus extended warranty.

If you want standard tests to be performed, call the service and ask them what sort of tests are done and most important of all, how much would they stand behind their results once they take their money. [Usually in used car market, there is very little they can guarantee]. Also check lemon busters etc . Given permission they can check the vehicle out for a fee of $100-$200 (roughly) and there may be additional charge if they have to make a trip.

Ask for service records and that should give you an insight on long term care.

Salim

Kostyan

Salim, Lexus certified is more than just an extended warranty, there are additional benefits.

salimshah

So what additional things you get with certification?

Salim

Kostyan

you get roadside assistance, one free oil change, and 3yr/100k mi powertrain warranty.

salimshah

The extended Lexus warranty gives you bumper to bumper 100K miles warranty, with break down assistance along with trip assistance. There is some fine print that excludes wearable items and a nominal co-pay ($25 not sure).

The oil change you mention is the only one thing better ($40-60 in value) but the extended warranty seems lot superior comparing the two certifications [again I am using the term bit loosely]

Salim

Tom H

"Certified" usually applies to pre owned cars that are beyond the standard warranty, thus excluding them from qualifying for factory extended warranty programs. The certification is supposed to include a full inspection and necessary repairs/service to bring the car up to factory specs. Then a special certified vehicle warranty is added on. The purpose of coarse is to improve the marketability and value of used cars.

salimshah

Tom:

This is what confuses me.
The impression I have is "certified" from Lexus dealership comes with 100k (extended warranty).
There is another grouping, "n items checked" ... no warranty but assurance is that the things checked are functioning. [A notch above As is]
Last group is "As IS".

Instead of assuming anything, the best course of action for the buyer is to ask and get the applicable warranty in writing ... [the extended warranty certificate come in mail].

Salim

Kostyan

looks like I did some homework and found out what certification really means. Its a way for dealers to charge 2500 more! The process involves reconditioning and insurance policy. I do not believe there's additional reconditioning is required.

Personally, it makes no benefit for me to get that kind of protection, because if I get a car with under 40K mi, it may take my wife 3 yrs to get to 70k mi, so having dual coverage and paying that much extra for it is a rip off.

Bad things is that dealers certify almost any Lexus to get as much $$ as possible.

jednav

certification is a fancy word used by auto dealers on their used vehicles.

basically it is saying give me more money now, and bring in more money later when it breaks down.

bngu1

i think it cost about $700-1000 certify a used car. i might be wrong but remember seeing it somewhere couple years ago. i see the prices of a certified used is always $2000 or more compare to a non-certified.

salimshah

Kostyan's post reinforces my assumption that you get extended warranty. We have had quite a few threads on extended warranty. But that is a total different discussion.

Bottom line , the cost is $2000~$2500 and you get 100K full coverage.

Salim
** my guess is that for extended warranty to go into effect, the base warranty should have not run out so the milage ought to be 60K or less.

Kostyan

Extended wtty: 6 yrs/100k mi = about 1200
Lexus Certified wtty: 3 yrs/100k mi + roadside assistance = 2500 premium on the car

The G Man

I dont think you can get a 100000 mile Lexus extended warranty for $1200.

salimshah

6yr/100k for $1200 is too good a number to believe. Either it is third-party [Non Lexus] or the the reduced premium has been adjusted by increasing the price.

Other thing to watch out for is the time period ... 6yr vs 3 yr ... the 6 yr is from date of sale and the 3 yr is typically beyond the expiration of base warranty. Non Lexus warranty may differ.

Salim