MO-Lexus

My 2004 LS430 (30,000 miles) will runout of the warranty this April. I contacted the local Dealership in Kansas City and the rep. was not willing to negotiate on extended warranty and was only willing to sell the warranty that included the GPS unit even though mine does not even have it. Does anyone have a suggestion on who to contact for a "Gold Warranty"?

Great news. Thank you for your insight.

Getting close to 20K and ready for an oil change but not major maintenance. How is it possible for a dealer to give a new smartkey that the metal key would fit the current glovebox and doors? As I stated the only key I have does not open anything, it simply starts the car.

I purchased a used 2004 LS 430 a couple of weeks ago off the internet. No rips on the internet purchase because saved over $10K off the dealer price. Anyway, there are a few minor hick-ups that I am starting to take care of. I obtained a friends owners manual that answered a lot of my questions. However, found out a major issue. 1. I failed to check the key before buying. The "smartkey" needed to be in the ignition to start the car but just thought that I needed to reset settings to work properly. After looking at the manual I thought that I must have the valet key since no trunk button. Well, this weekend I started to detail the car and found out that the metal key of the "smartkey" does not unlock the doors, trunk, or glove box. Thus do I need to take to the local dealership and get all locks replaced and then have "smartkey" made to match or can I have a "smartkey" made to match my current locks? Any idea how much this "learning experience" should cost?

Never mind. The used Lexus did come with an owners manual so borrowed one of a friend of a friend. Yes, there is a way to reset the computer after every fill-up.

Sorry in advance if this has already been discussed--I tried the search option and got every link that had the word "rear" or "sensor" in it. Was taking waaaaaaaaaaaay tooooooooooooo long to get the info I was looking for. 2004 LS 430: when I bought the car a week ago the rear driver sensor would be activated when in reverse. I have tried to clean sensor with no change. Are there suggestions on how to fix the issue? The car is still under warranty so should I just take to local Lexus dealer even though bought privately? On the dash it has a fuel economy reading that is driving me crazy. Is there a way to get off odometer reading or reset so accurate? The individual that I purchased it from ran 87 octane through it for about 2,0000 miles and was getting around 17.5 mpg around town. Since I have it I having been putting 91 octane. This past weekend I drove 500 miles and the reading has changed to 17.8 mpg but when figures from trip A sensor and gas receipt I am getting 28.1 mpg. How do I either remove this reading from the dash or reboot so am having correct info?

I recently purchased my dream car, a Lexus. I would have prefered a 2007 460 but could afford a 2004 430 ($37,000) with 25,000 miles. This is my first luxury car and need to know what to do to keep it looking and responding perfectly. I live in the middle of the midwest so get the wide range of weather: from -10 degrees to 110 degrees, rain, snow, ice, strong winds, intense sun, and even hail. The major questions that I have are: 1. Is there a wax/protection that I should use to help maintain the color of paint verse plastic so in a couple years it does not look "worn out"? 2. My wife likes to eat and drink in cars, with a '95 Buick who really cares. I have spoken with her about not treating the Lexus like the dining room but can imagine that over time sodas and snacks will once again make it inside the car. Did any of you do anything to protect the leather seats be it some sort of ScotchGard? 3. The tires on the car are getting worn and need to replaced in the next 10K miles. Do you have a specific brand that you would advise? 4. I grew-up a farm boy so enjoy doing routine maintance on my vehicles, it is not a money issue but an enjoyment factor. With the old Jeep it is easy to replace belts, hoses, plugs, rotate tires, and change oil/filter. With the tight tolerances of a Lexus can I do my own routine maintance (oil changes), can I take to any local lube shop, or should I take to local Lexus dealership for something as easy as oil and filter change? 5. The car already has 25K miles so have another 15K left on warranty. I was considering purchasing the extended warranty for the $1,500 to $2,000. Since I did not buy from a dealer do I need to pay the $500 for the 161 point inspection before they will sell me an extended warranty? I am not one who likes to replace cars, I have 250K miles on a 1990 Jeep so plan on keeping this Lexus until 200,000 to 300,000 miles. Thus would appreciate any advise you seasoned owners could give. I am not trying to preserve for the next guy, I am trying to preserve for myself.