Bought my first Lexus... never again.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
From: WA
Bought my first Lexus... never again.
Bought a lease return 2006 Lexus RX330 AWD w/Nav & Sport Package two weeks ago with 61700 miles. The vehicle had no accidents and a perfect service history - every 15,000 mile service at a Lexus dealership. The interior was spotless, a real gem... or so I thought. One week after I took delivery, the AFS OFF light started flashing intermittently. The next day, the brake warning light came on. I checked the brake fluid and it was low so I filled it up. A couple of days later, same thing happened.
Brought it to the dealer and turns out the master brake cylinder is leaking ($1700) and the AFS electronics are shorting due to severe moisture in the headlights ($1100 each!!!). I had passed on the extended warranty as I expected better quality from Lexus. Not even sure if that would have covered the headlights. The dealer I bought it from is offering a 3-year extended warranty through Auto Services Co. for $2500 and the Lexus Gold warranty is $3200, which would cover the master cylinder, but not the AFS headlights.
I paid $22000 for it, which I thought was a good deal at the time, but now I wish I could just return the damn thing. What should I do? Help anyone?
Brought it to the dealer and turns out the master brake cylinder is leaking ($1700) and the AFS electronics are shorting due to severe moisture in the headlights ($1100 each!!!). I had passed on the extended warranty as I expected better quality from Lexus. Not even sure if that would have covered the headlights. The dealer I bought it from is offering a 3-year extended warranty through Auto Services Co. for $2500 and the Lexus Gold warranty is $3200, which would cover the master cylinder, but not the AFS headlights.
I paid $22000 for it, which I thought was a good deal at the time, but now I wish I could just return the damn thing. What should I do? Help anyone?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 769
Likes: 55
From: ma
Sorry to hear your woes, especially in this tough economy.
For future reference, when you buy a used car, you should take it to YOUR mechanic and have him check it out. $300 well spent! Failing that, you need AT LEAST a 90 day warranty.
Used cars fall into two categories:
1) a headache someone just unloaded
2) a serviceable vehicle someone who wanted a brand new car just unloaded
I would guess the balance on those would be 50/50%! If it was a lease return in good mechanical shape, it would have been on a Lexus dealer's lot, so warning bells should have been going off.
The good news about Toyota products is that they DO last a very long time. The bad news is that when they do fail, the parts cost is very high. I like them since they seldom fail--I do not have the time to sit around the dealership getting things fixed. I guess if you are a housewife with lots of time on your hands, you could get a low reliability vehicle with a 10 year 100K warranty, and buy some good books to read.
For future reference, when you buy a used car, you should take it to YOUR mechanic and have him check it out. $300 well spent! Failing that, you need AT LEAST a 90 day warranty.
Used cars fall into two categories:
1) a headache someone just unloaded
2) a serviceable vehicle someone who wanted a brand new car just unloaded
I would guess the balance on those would be 50/50%! If it was a lease return in good mechanical shape, it would have been on a Lexus dealer's lot, so warning bells should have been going off.
The good news about Toyota products is that they DO last a very long time. The bad news is that when they do fail, the parts cost is very high. I like them since they seldom fail--I do not have the time to sit around the dealership getting things fixed. I guess if you are a housewife with lots of time on your hands, you could get a low reliability vehicle with a 10 year 100K warranty, and buy some good books to read.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 542
From: Florida
I have to agree with biff and it would not matter what brand unit it was if it is used it get inspected by a reputable/certified mechanic. Buying from a wholesaler "as is" might have saved you a few bucks at purchase time but in the long run . . . .
Sorry this happened to you but thanks for posting so others may be reminded
Sorry this happened to you but thanks for posting so others may be reminded
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 513
Likes: 3
From: QLD, Australia
Please don't take this as a reflection of Lexus quality.
Personlly, I have found that most ex-lease vehicles are not a good buying proposition. A lot of people "drive them like they stole them" so a service history is only part of the story.
Sorry to hear that you have problems
Personlly, I have found that most ex-lease vehicles are not a good buying proposition. A lot of people "drive them like they stole them" so a service history is only part of the story.
Sorry to hear that you have problems
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,283
Likes: 63
From: FL
I've owned vehicles and I've leased vehicles. Guess which I took better care of.
If I were looking for a used Lexus I'd first look for a Lexus certified model that was a trade. Since the 2010 RX models are about to hit I suspect there will be a supply of fine one-owner well maintained certified models to choose from.
That said, it sounds like you will have a good vehicle even though the service intervals were on the long side. Every 15K is too long a service interval IMO. I'd have liked to see something closer to half that but I happen to think oil and an oil filter is cheap insurance.
If I were looking for a used Lexus I'd first look for a Lexus certified model that was a trade. Since the 2010 RX models are about to hit I suspect there will be a supply of fine one-owner well maintained certified models to choose from.
That said, it sounds like you will have a good vehicle even though the service intervals were on the long side. Every 15K is too long a service interval IMO. I'd have liked to see something closer to half that but I happen to think oil and an oil filter is cheap insurance.
Trending Topics
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 339
Likes: 3
From: MD
hey you win some by getting this ride for $8 grand less than it really costs, then you lose some by having to put a bit of money into it. Sounds that you did not have to put a $1300 into new tires and brakes in order to pass inspection, and that's already money saved there. These repairs are not powertrain related, so the dealer won't help.
You don't have to go to Lexus dealer, or for that matter any dealer, to get the work done. I'd encourage you to seek the second opinion and shop around. This will save you $$$, even on labor rates. If I paid for diagnostics I would make sure the mechanic will provide enough explanation and show me the faulty part. Worst case scenario you can try locating the parts from the salvage yard.
G/L
You don't have to go to Lexus dealer, or for that matter any dealer, to get the work done. I'd encourage you to seek the second opinion and shop around. This will save you $$$, even on labor rates. If I paid for diagnostics I would make sure the mechanic will provide enough explanation and show me the faulty part. Worst case scenario you can try locating the parts from the salvage yard.
G/L
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 0
From: IL
idk but $22k seems kinda steep for an rx330 with 62k miles. you can find rx350's close to that price range on cars.com with similar miles. i would have had it inspected first, esp coming from a non-lexus dealership.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,397
Likes: 453
From: GA
A rule of thumb on buying cars from a non-dealer....buy cars with left over manufacturer's warranty. Then you can spend the time to make sure all the TSB, issues have been done on the car. If not, get the dealer to perform them. At the same time since the warranty has not expired, you can purchase an extended warranty for a reasonable price. Then you would have protected your initial investment.
Or else buy a CPO. Then headaches are much less. But means more $$ upfront.
Or else buy a CPO. Then headaches are much less. But means more $$ upfront.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,573
Likes: 83
From: CA, Mid OC
06 with 61K miles? There was a reason this was sold at auction. It cannot be sold as CPO with those maintenance intervals. You can't just beat the crap out of a car, expect it to be ok, and when it isn't, blame the manufacturer.