rominl

iTrader: (4)

thanks for the update d. good luck, it must be painful

dk0515

iTrader: (6)

Yeah. It sucks. I hope I'm able to get a new car. I don't want to drive around a car that had a major engine problem. We'll see how it turns out.

dimapb

More than likely, if you are successful, this will be a voluntary buy-back and not lemon. My car was purchased back by Lexus as a buy-back. This way it doesn't show up on the CARFAX.

R6_Dude

Do you have an extra car you can drive around for the time being? It would suck to rent and it came back as a non-lemon.

I would feel the same way as you. I wouldn't want to drive the car and have it crap out on me.

Craig B

It uses 0W20, not 5W20. I wouldn't be worried about buying an LS 460.
I've had mine over three years and just ordered a GX 460. I'm keeping my LS 460.

Craig

AceVA

I'm afraid you will most likely not be successful in your claim if the vehicle comes back with a new engine and problem-free.

I definitely understand your feelings on it being tainted. It would bother me too. Unfortunately, it happens.

I would, however, find out if you are getting a NEW engine or a reman'd motor.

jstjohnz

California lemon law is pretty broad. A vehicle in the shop for more than 30 days total in the 1st 18 months qualifies.

AceVA

It qualifies if the repair attempt is unsuccessful and/or additional problems arise.

The OP is not pursuing a legal lemon law claim - he is working with the manufacturer (which I consider appropriate given the circumstances.) The manufacturer will likely not replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price if they've successfully repaired the vehicle, but I'm willing to bet they will throw out an extended factory warranty or otherwise compensate the owner with a "good will" offer.

Further, an actual lemon law claim can take months and although a repurchase is possible, including reimbursement for sales tax, license fees, etc. - the manufacturer, even in California, is allowed to deduct a percentage for "reasonable use" / miles driven prior to the failure. This is a percentage of the original purchase price. If given a true lemon, this is a small price to pay to be rid of it, but it is a consideration nonetheless.

dimapb

My first 460L was purchased back by Lexus (for other reasons) and I got 100% of my money back. Car had 11.5K miles on it.

jstjohnz

Caifornia Lemon Law 1793.22.

(b) It shall be presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been made to conform a new motor vehicle to the applicable express warranties if, within 18 months from delivery to the buyer or 18,000 miles on the odometer of the vehicle, whichever occurs first, either

(1) the same nonconformity has been subject to repair four or more times by the manufacturer or its agents and the buyer has at least once directly notified the manufacturer of the need for the repair of the nonconformity OR

(2) the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of nonconformities by the manufacturer or its agents for a cumulative total of more than 30 calendar days since delivery of the vehicle to the buyer. The 30-day limit shall be extended only if repairs cannot be performed due to conditions beyond the control of the manufacturer or its agents.

jstjohnz

In California, the car would have a lemon law title even if it was a voluntary buy-back.

Craig B

If they don't buy it back, I would ask for an extended warranty...

Good luck,

Craig

AceVA

Noncomformities is the operative word there... if the vehicle is successfully repaired, there's no longer a noncomformity. Even if you file a proper lemon law claim, the manufacturer is allowed a final repair attempt. Further, if the manufacturer is at the mercy of suppliers or other things "beyond the control of the manufacturer or its agents" - the 30 day qualification can be extended. If the vehicle is fine, Lexus can (and would) argue that point for the next 8 months, running up legal bills for the OP which he'd be responsible for if he does not win his case.

Regardless, the point is moot: 1) The OP isn't pursuing Lexus via legal channels at this point. 2) If he does, he should seek proper legal advice.

Schnitz

iTrader: (5)

Who cares? A brand new motor top to bottom is great. Why would anyone complain about that? If it were an electrical gremlin I can understand because you'd never know if it was found.
Just make sure they reset the clock on the 'entire' warranty not just the drivetrain..

Mike_TX

This is interesting. The way my valve spring broke, it left the two pieces in place and they "held" the valve to keep it from falling into the combustion chamber. Apparently yours fractured and the valve dropped in and fragged the chamber and/or piston crown.

If I were you, I'd lean more toward a buy-back than a lemon action. Lemon can take awhile and be expensive in some cases, whereas some friendly urging on your part might just get Lexus to quietly buy it from you.

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