jezz

Haha. No, student loans don't keep the tank full. LMAO. I have no student loans....But i do see the parallel :)

Sheab, Im a Junior at Vanderbilt University. Im 20. My 98 GS300 is my second car, the first that I purchased myself. Shortly after purchase this past summer, I crashed into a tree, destroying my front passenger side suspension and not to mention the fender, all the while under-insured. To say the least, I was devastated, but surprisingly, I managed to get everything fixed back to specification on a struggling undergrad's budget by January of this year. As far as regular maintenance, I really don't feel like it's too much of a burden. Whenever, I feel like the cost of the dealer's overpriced minor maintenance is too much I just do a little self educating and see what I can do myself. In summary, I think that if I ( the 20yr old, impoverished.lol. , student) can do it, then a fully employed adult should be able to hold things down pretty well ♥♥♥ I hope that helps a lil.

As far as I know, many dealers do not have "lexus owned and operated" body shops, but they rather refer your business to local shops that they feel do good work. That being said, when I asked my local dealer what my body shop options were, they rattled off a list of several options. So I dont think there is any huge difference. The plus side to having a competent non- lexus body shop do the work is that they will have access to aftermarket body parts. I had my passenger side fender replaced and repainted by .....a MAACO...yes I said it...MAACO and when I recently went to the dealer to have a wheel speed sensor replaced ( as the result of the fender area damage), the tech couldn't recognize the replacement fender. He had no idea and was shocked when i told him what the area had been like before. The paint from maaco matched and blended on my GS seamlessly and I would not have apprehension about going to a non - dealer body shop, so long as they offered a satisfactory warranty and a past record of good work.

Thanks 92lex, after some consideration of my mechanical skills, i broke down and had the dealer replace the front fit kit. the back may need to be replaced soon though, so i will begin to prepare my self for this inevitability.

92 lex, i've never seen a brake shim, or changed a tire for that matter. please spell it out for me i apprecite it sooo much. Can i get these different lubricants at an auto supply store? or do i order them through the dealer? thanks, jess

Hi, I had been trying to find the solution for my front end creaking, and I finally found out from the dealer that my brake shims are rusted. They lubed them, but it wore off in less than a day, so I would like to replace them. For as long as the noise has persisted, I have had countless mechanics try to pinpoint the source with no sucess. This makes me skeptical to have a non - dealer mechanic fix something that he couldnt find by himself... but if I can avoid the dealer cost, I want to. Is replacing the shims something that I can do on my own? What would be the steps involved? How do I ensure that I get the correct part? Help, Help, Help :whistles: :cries: Thanks in advance for some pointers

well, I made the trip to the dealer and they checked out both issues, the creaking front end and the rattling, and here is the diagnosis: 1. Rattling at take off: loose front pipe connected to heat shield. Options are to cut the shaking part of the heat shield off or replace the shield and attached pipe for 550 +labor 2. Creaking front end : rusted brake shims. They lubed them, but it wore off within the same day. I would like to consider replacing the shims because it will drive me insane. Does anyone know how that works?:whistles: Thanks

I just came from the dealer today for a similar noise in my 98 gs. Thay told me that it was rusty brake shims. They lubed them, to alleviate the creaking noise, but the lube wore off. I suppose that I will look into having them replaced. Maybe your shims are rusted too.

Thanks Chuckb, I will point this possibility out to the next mechanic I visit :)

Thanks Chuckb, I will point this possibility out to the next mechanic I visit :)

After doing some searching, I see that my creaky, but reportedly "in good condition" suspension parts may in need of lubing. Does a 98GS300 have zerks to lube?

Hi Blexusgs This is very unrelated, but I see that you are from LI, and over my holiday break from school, I will be coming home (To LI, from Tennessee)... I will be needing to find a good dealer alternative mechanic. I have usually gone to lexus of Rockville Centre, but I get the feeling that they can see my naivete from a mile away and may take advantage of complete lack of vehicular knowledge. I also want to get my windows tinted while im home. Please reccommend some good places if you know. Thanks, Jessica

get what exactly rust proofed?

i just had a maaco put the strips on my 98 gs3 for about $110 (parts and labor), while i waited 20 minutes...

im 20 and i pay 230/month for my 98gs