splinter

Extended warranties are a laugh riot! When we bought our '96 ES, we had the salesman say all the usual stuff ... Lexus = Toyota quality, cars in mint condition, yada yada. Then, when we start talking turkey ... out comes the extended warranty sales pitch, to handle any future problems. Sorry, but I'm buying Toyota/Lexus for a reason. I'll pay the extra as opposed to saving on a (shudders) domestic and crossing my fingers. Point is, like all cars, wear and tear items will need to be replaced like all cars (though stuff like brakes last forever on Toyotas as opposed to GM, for ex), but it is doubtful something big and nasty is gonnna bite you on your a$$ (unless you are one of those people who are perpetually jinxed, in which case you probably should have a good life insurance policy, too :whistles:). In the end, its a gamble, do you think the repairs you will encounter (that the policy will cover -- Very Important!) will be more than the $1 000+ you are going to pay for it? Unless you quantify the "Peace of Mind" factor ... Granted, every used car is different, but all else being equal, and painting in very wide strokes ... get an extended warranty on British cars (Land Rovers ... yikes) and forget it with Japanese ones. my 2 cents (Cdn) -- worth a lot less with in US funds :D

Yeah, Lexusfreak. I'm in the same boat and would like to know what it cost other Canucks to have this done. I'm closing in on 190 000 km and don't know if it was done yet. We do all our service at local dealer and I asked about it. They weren't too worried -- mine's a '96 which, unless I am wrong, is a non-interference engine -- even if the belt failed. The shop doesn't shove the high cost service intervals done your throat. (Though I have paid around $200 for an oil change and general inspection/PM stuff). Overall, the Halifax dealership is really great. I am usually pretty cheap, but after a couple visits with their service dept, I don't mind spending around $80 for an oil change vs. the $20 Cheapo Charley job on the corner. Every time its in for work (even a $15 Motor Vehicle Inspection) it gets cleaned inside and out and we get a loaner! :D Sorry, I rambled. Just thought I'd share the love re. our dealership since so often on auto forums there's a "Stealership" rant. But I digress ... frequently, just ask my wife! :whistles:

Hi, all. Just a basic message about batteries, since this seems to be a power thread. The original one in our '96 died and we replaced it (cheaply, from one from Wal Mart, as per the Wal Mart battery manual specified for the ES). However, though the battery had enough amps (around 575, I think), it was a 72 series and when it started dying, we had the local Lexus dealer look at it. Apparently the ES needs an 84 series with around 575 Cold Cranking Amps, very important in the Canadian winter. Once replaced (/upgraded), we haven't had a problem since. This info may only be repeating the bleeding obvious (informing others only of my own ignorance, if nothing else), but it might help someone ... somewhere ... just as ignorant ... BTW: the Lexus dealer in the Maritimes (Halifax) is great -- professional, knowledgeable, courteous and even trustworthy (this is Atlantic Canada, after all, not New York! no offence ).

Hi, everyone. New to the site and new Lexus owner (since March). My wife and I have the same battery/startup problem with our '96 ES. Though it had low mileage when we got it (around 80 000 miles in 8 years), we average 20 000 to 30 000 miles (that's between 30 000 and 50 000 kilometers) a year, so we definitely don't let our vehicle sit around at all. We have had the problem for months, replaced the battery and everything was great until the cold weather and then things got worse. Now, it won't start most days when its cold (I know, a block heater would help a lot), but the problem is not always cold related. Moreso like your ongoing problem. We are sending it to the local Lexus dealer to investigate. Our fingers are crossed.