Gryphon

This is really an interesting observation that I have not considered nor read about before. Tom

Yea, me too SW. It's aggravating. FYI, many vehicle dealers use software called Matrix (or similar) to determine parts markups. Matrix applies multipliers based on many factors (considered proprietary), to calculate a selling price. Cheap parts get a much higher markup that major parts such as short blocks, for example. So you may be buying a bolt that costs the dealer $1.00, has a list price of $2.00 (which really should be the sellng price) and Matrix calculates a selling price of $4.00. If you ever open a wholesale account at a dealer, which I commonly do, you have to be careful of how they compute your price....25% discount from Matrix, 25% discount from list, 20% above dealer cost, etc., which can be vastly different. Tom

Paintless dent removers do drill small holes in inconspicuous locations, often near the bottom of the doors. But they also install a plug after the work is done. I don't know what "part of the main frame" could mean unless they were inexperienced and drilled at the wrong spot. I think the only way you can be assured of the integrity of the door is to ask the dealer to remove disassemble the door for you to inspect. Frankly, with modern metals and coatings, I doubt you need anything more than a new plug. Tom

My 2007 RX400h Owner's Manual came with defective binding. After some 9 months and many phone calls and emails, Lexus finally sent me a replacement manual. In the process they also sent me two 2006 manuals, which are not the same as the 2007. IF you need a spare manual, perhaps one to refer to in your home/office, let me know. They're free for nothing more than postage. Tom

A mistake I made last weekend with a parking lot valet who said he sat and stared at the dash for 10 minutes before figuring out how to park my 400h. Hopefully no one was waiting behind him. Tom

FYI, the Lexus extended warranty has a markup just like any Lexus part--I believe from my research around 100%. I phone shop extended warranties with out-of-state dealers and save considerable money over the local dealer and/or ask the local dealer to match the price. And as far as I've seen the service department does not seem to know where the extended warranty was purchased. SW03ES, I agree regarding the expected reliability of the LS400. Tom

I have no experience with Lexus wheel bearings but I do know that many mechanics clean out the grease that comes in the wheel bearings and repack them with a known brand of grease before installing them. Tom

Unless most of your driving is less than a few miles, or a few minutes, the 5000 mile schedule is fine. Tom

The Lexus extended warranty paid for itself on my 91 LS400. Tom

Chevy Vega...aluminum engine crapped out at 30,000 miles. Tom

That would be Paris before implants.

Personally, I've always found it uncomfortable to ask for old parts back, even though you have an absolute right to do so. Tom

There is a Tom Woods Toyota in Indianapolis. Tom

Money buys it all, including crooked doctors and attorneys, who came up with the perfect excuse for getting out of jail--a "medical matter" that will not be made public, in or out of court. And I had sooo wanted Paris to make me a nice new license plate. Tom

Choose a wire with enough slack that it can be spliced/soldered, should you make a mistake. Tom

I predict that you will soon be sorry you posted this, Mesh. The Lexus police will soon be chiding you. 175 indicated on a Kawasaki Z12R. :chairshot: Tom

Could you give me the name of the Arizona dealer, itselectric07? Tom

My 400h starts without any contact with the brake pedal. If it's broken I have not intention of "fixing" it. I like it fine the way it is. Tom

Somehow, I have the strangest feeling that this might be a spoof. Tom

I've owned a number of Porsches--lovely fun cars but definitely neither reliable nor cheap to repair. Tom

I agree that the drive batteries represent a significant future expense. But, they may well come down in price over an 8 year span, and an extended warranty is available if desired. Tom

Holy cow! Does this mean no suction-cup mounted radar detectors either? Tom

I too would rather not register but, for the record, two 2007 RX400h's, both driver 70/30 city/highway. One gets 22.3 mpg and the second gets 22.6 mpg. Tom

Beg, borrow, or buy a hand-held GPS receiver and you will know the accuracy of your odometer to within 1 mph. I use one to check/calibrate all of my cars/motorcycles. Tom

Try Park Place Lexus. They sell the assembly for the RX330/350/400h for $219.95, which is considerably less than my local dealers. Tom