New Owner Having Several Issues

[daphatchino]

Good day!

I'm new to this so please be gentle.

I just purchased a used 2002 GS300. The car is freaking awesome!!! I do have some concerns about it though.

1. When I am at a stop and then accelerate slowly, there is a very noticeable jerk switching to first gear. It seems to happen only when I don't give it enough gas.

2. I think the subwoofer in the rear is busted. If I turn on any bass, it vibrates and sounds like garbage. I want to replace it, not sure if I can go to any store and get it replaced (I have the Mark Levinson sound system) or do I have to go to the Lexus dealership. Is this type of repair covered under the Lexus 50,000 bumper to bumper warranty? If not, what do ya'll recommend, a Mark Levinson replacement or another name brand subwoofer from some sound store?

Any help will be greatly appreciated it,

Cheers! :D

[1990LS400]

Both problems should be covered under the basic 4 year / 50,000 mile warranty. The hesitation problem might be covered under the 6 year / 70,000 mile drive train warranty or the emissions warranty. Get your car to a Lexus dealer before the basic warranty expires!

For that matter, go over your car with a "fine tooth comb" just before the basic warranty expires and have even the slightest defects taken care off.

There is no reason to pay for any repairs yourself until you have to. Lexus frequently replaces parts with improved versions -- a new subwoofer from the dealer may be better than the original.

Just before my basic warranty expired last summer, I had Lexus replace the A/C controls under warranty because of a tiny cosmetic defect inside the outside temperature display - would have cost $1,000+ if I had to pay for it myself. I could have lived with the defect but why? That's what a warranty is for.

[TurboGS300]

Or you could try pulling the TCU fuse and letting it relearn your driving habits, search for how <_<

[1990LS400]

Or you could try pulling the TCU fuse and letting it relearn your driving habits, search for how <_<

←

Is it a good idea to recommend that daphatchino experiment on a car he just bought, is not familiar with (yet) and which is under warranty?

If he is taking it to the dealer to get a new (and no-cost) subwoofer installed, what would be the purpose of not having the dealer take care of all outstanding issues under warranty?

Plus he gets to drive a nice new loaner Lexus - usually an ES330 or RX330 - and see how other Lexus cars drive.

[daphatchino]

Both problems should be covered under the basic 4 year / 50,000 mile warranty.  The hesitation problem might be covered under the 6 year / 70,000 mile drive train warranty or the emissions warranty.  Get your car to a Lexus dealer before the basic warranty expires!

For that matter, go over your car with a "fine tooth comb" just before the basic warranty expires and have even the slightest defects taken care off.

There is no reason to pay for any repairs yourself until you have to.  Lexus frequently replaces parts with improved versions -- a new subwoofer from the dealer may be better than the original.

Just before my basic warranty expired last summer, I had Lexus replace the A/C controls under warranty because of a tiny cosmetic defect inside the outside temperature display - would have cost $1,000+ if I had to pay for it myself.  I could have lived with the defect but why?  That's what a warranty is for.

←

Thanks for the recommendation!!! I will definitely take it in and get those things checked out. Ya'll make it sound too fun to not! I get to drive another lexus while my car is getting fixed for free!!!

[1990LS400]

daphatchino,

I doubt if you just "fell off the turnip truck" if you bought a fairly new GS but, if you have not experienced a Lexus dealer service department, I would like to caution you that, like at some dealerships for other makes, service writers may try to sell you unnecessary and expensive services.

No, your wheels will not fall off if you don't change the transmission and differential fluid every 5,000 miles, no matter what they say. The normal service schedule is just fine for nearly all drivers except those who use their vehicles for heavy commercial use or drive like complete maniacs. Reading about the normal service schedule in your maintenance manual will help you counter overselling. "Knowledge is power."

I have heard an incredible amount of bull$#!+ from Lexus dealer service writers over the past 15 years - worse than for any other make I have owned. I learned early on to just look at them, smile, and tell them to do exactly what I asked and no more.

Good luck and please report back on this thread to tell us how it went at the dealership.