juttabw

Never dealt with Sears before, but I remember Dateline having a show some time back that did not speak very well of their work. I had the following quotes today: Lexus dealer: $1,830 (including alignment) My independent Lexus repair shop $1,345 (claims to be the same product as dealer and says the ride will be better than using after-market product) These guys quoted after-market product: Local tire and auto repair (AAA): $1,150 (alignment extra) Goodyear: $980 plus tax (alignment included) - cheap, eh? I think I talked myself into going with my independent Lexus repair shop. Just wish I knew if the extra bucks are worth the difference in the ride…

Thanks juttabw! My sis told me the same thing. I have full coverage but am not sure if that includes window coverage (hopefully it does). Do you know if the crack can still be seen after it is filled, or does it still show up when looking from certain angles? Mine was very small but right in my field of vision - driver side. It bothered me and I hoped it would disappear after they filled the little crack but it did not. Although it is hardly noticeable now. Maybe I got used to it. I do have glass coverage as part of my comp/collision and the glass coverage has no deductible. Sometimes the glass companies will eat the deductibles on windshield repairs/replacement. Shop around and see if your deductible is high. My insurance company had a list of shops they like to deal with. Check it out. Might want to have your coverage amended - it's mininal cost, I am sure. Can't find the extra charge on my policy but I do have a seperate rider that covers glass. I use The Hartford.

Had the little crack in my windshield of a 1997 ES 300 filled a couple of months ago. No deductible, no charge, have glass coverage. It works well and keeps is from running, so you don't need a new windshield. Call your insurance company and they will send someone over and fix it with a mobile unit. Takes about 10 minutes. :)

I just spent (literally today) a little over $1000 on all four new struts because they were causing the steering wheels to shimmy. The last time I had them replaced was when my 1998 ES300 had about 50K. It was covered by warranty then. I was told that we need to have them replaced every 60K. Mine has 160K miles on it. I do have a question about Yokohama tires. Any opinion on the YK520? Thanks. JS Had 4 new Yokahama Avid tires put on my '97 ES 300 last November for $85 each (installed $415). The tires seem to be doing fine. Need struts as well and had a quote for $605 (front) and $740 (rear) - not a dealer. Should the guy include the alignment? I only have 83K on this car. I signed in to see who might have had struts put on lately and for what price. My guy says these struts are the "real" thing, not some after-market stuff, claims there is a difference. Any thoughts?

We bought our 1997 ES300 (65K miles - one owner) September '06 for $8,000. I love this car... :) My neighbor was pressured by her son to buy a new car. He kept telling her that nobody should own a car that is 10 yrs. old. I just could not in good conscience let her use this lovely thing as a trade-in on a Toyota Camry. Now she is sad that I have her wonderful car and she has to ride in a not quite so comfortable new car. Replaced the timing belt, water pump and seals and bought new tires this year. Struts are next. Any idea what Struts should run? It now has 78K miles on it.

It "seems" like your $999 is a little high here. I paid less then that for all the item you stated (+ coolant & drive belt). Also what are front seals? That could mean a lot. i had my cam and crank seals done since it was cheap. Well, it is done. They did the following for the $994: Timing Belt, Water Pump, Cam Seals and Crank Seals, New Idler Bearing and Tensioner Bearing, New Drive Belts and New Thermostat and Coolant. They gave me all the old part, I think they washed them. :( I guess the next big hurdle is at 90K-95K with new spark plugs, transmission fluid and what else? :cries: Thanks everyone for your opinions, this is a coold site, glad I found you.

We are the proud owners of a 1997 ES300 with 73300 miles on it. We bought it Sept. '06 when it had 65,000 miles on it. The previous one-owner had it for service into the dealer on time and I have all the records. We are about to go on a 2,000-mile trip and my recent visit for an oil change and replacement of break light bulb; to the local independently owned Lexus/Toyota guy recommended the following (I am placing the email in it's entirety). Is this an over-kill? "I LOOKED THROUGH ALL THE RECORDS YOU PROVIDED AND THERE IS NOT A REPAIR INVOICE FOR TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT. IF YOU REPLACE ONLY THE TIMING BELT IT WILL COST $395.00 IF YOU REPLACE THE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, BEARINGS AND FRONT ENGINE SEALS- THE COST WOULD BE $990.00 WE CAN CHECK ALL THE ITEMS FOR LEAKING WHEN WE ARE IN THERE, HOWEVER MOST PEOPLE REPLACE FOR PREVENTATIVE REASONS, DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR." We have absolutely no issues with the car at this time. It runs like a top, no leaks, no overheating, nothing! Thanks for your opinion.