SW03ES

This is absolutely untrue. I don't think its unreasonable to expect that when my $45,000 vehicle goes into Lexus service at $120 an hour that it be returned to me undamaged. It is very easy to scratch wheels severely when mounting and dismounting tires if the person is not careful. Sounds like the dealer screwed up and are stepping up to replace his wheel which is great. The OP didn't have any issues with the dealer, he just asked if the wheels were more easily damaged than traditionally finished wheels. The answer is no, but they're harder to spot repair. I have had Lexus vehicles serviced at Lexus dealers for 10 years and for the most part I have always been very well taken care of. I do demand EXCELLENT service for the premium I am paying, and my dealership now has never let me down. They have damaged my car before, once and they were more than ready to pay for me to have the bumper repainted. I fixed it myself and it wasn't neccisary but I got no argument. They make SO much money off a good customer, replacing one wheel or repainting a bumper when they screw up is more than worth it to them to keep your business. And as to your last post, you need to chill out and treat your fellow members with respect, the OP didn't do or say anything that is deserving of your attack. If you can't keep your attitude in check, then there's the door.

Thats what you said last time ;)

Never heard of them, but let me know how they do.

Nope, no LS yet. still waiting for this economic turnaround haha. Haven't gotten paid in 3 months ;)

Did it leake any damage? I had a seagull at the beach attack my back bumper because of its reflection, luckily it was right before the bumper was going in to be repainted anyways.

LOL! Yeah there are a couple reviews on Yahoo local for the place, seems promising. Thats good, I never let the dealer wash the car because they screw it up lol

You say it was a third party warranty and not the Lexus Extended Warranty? I'd say the issue is the third party warranty. All car dealers charge a diagnostic fee BTW And again, a check engine light repair for $250 is hardly "thousands and thousands of dollars or it won't run"

Oh absolutely, the Avalon and the LS have a similar look too...but they're completely different. The cars are all designed by the same company, and thus they all have a family resemblance.

Well, sadly my service consultant at Lexus of Rockville has moved on to greener pastures. I've always enjoyed having my car serviced there but a big part of it was him. I've used other Lexus service consultants at that dealer and others and my experience was...not as positive. The Service Manager there reccomended someone else...but I'm dubious. So, since the car is getting older I'm considering finding a good independent shop and using them instead. Anyone ever used LXT Automotive in Rockville? They are MUCH cheaper than the dealer and the owner and techs used to be at Lexus of Rockville and Lexus of Silver Spring.

Hey there, welcome back! We're all still here!

45k miles is more than reasonable brake life on a heavy vehicle like that... although hybrids, generally, have longer brake life due to the regenerative brakes...

It all depends on the buyer, the IS and ES aren't designed to be cross-shopped. The whole reason the IS and ES exist is so Lexus owners don't have to compromise in that segment like they do with every other manufacturer. For instance, I would never be interested in an IS, its just not my kind of car, so to me the ES is way more car for the money. Your previous ES was built before the IS, when they had to compromise. That ES never appealed to me, they made the shift to a bigger, heavier, more LS-like car in 02 once they had the IS to appeal to buyers interested in a sportier car. Thats the first time I became interested in the ES. Build it on lexus.com IS250 AWD with highest available package is $39,585 including destination. A GS350 AWD with the same equipment is $52,710 including destination, making the difference $13,125. Even a base GS350 RWD with no option packages is $45,375 still $6,000 more than a loaded IS250 AWD.

I disagree, something that causes you to potentially be a danger to me and my family should not be a choice, because history has shown people are not willing to make the right choice in these circumstances. There is no argument for there it to be legal to watch TV when driving. Having something on that screen, which is angled towards you not the passenger is EXTREMELY distracting whether you think it is or not. Thats an example of a very worthwhile law. Seat belts, I can see the argument for a choice. TV in front of the driver when driving? Nope.

They don't really charge you $40, but a cost for a loaner is built into the way that they package and price their services, which is why I would never sit and wait at a Lexus dealer. Even if its a small maintenance like an oil change and tire rotation, I always drop it off at my leisure and get a loaner and come back when its convienient. It makes the cost more worthwhile. If you're choosing to wait thats one thing, but if they're denying you a loaner IMHO its fair to ask for a discount. The cost doesn't bother me, you're paying for the experience like you do at an expensive store or restaurant.

Having had Lexus vehicles with both the Nakamichi (in a 98 LS400) and the ML (In the ES and an 04 LS430) I think the Nakamichi was a significantly better system.

The engine and drivetrain are the same thats true. They may look similar, but no body panels, no glass, no interior components outside of standard Toyota/Lexus switchgear are shared. Its not like the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis where the only difference is badging and trim, the ES is as similar to the Camry as the RX is, for instance. Both are on the same platform and share the engine and powertrain. The only Lexus that is a rebadged version of a Toyota (such in the case of the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Town Car is the LX, and thats not even as much the case now with the new LX570. Again, about 20% of the car comes from the Camry.

Where are you seeing that deal? I don't see it on Costco's website...

Actually only about 20% of the car comes from the Camry...

;)

Thats the thing, its not illegal its just something that their insurance company is saying they don't want them to do. What we need to make sure is that it becomes illegal for these places to discriminate against their customers because of their age as long as the customers are adults. You should write a letter to your congressman. I would ask for a $40 credit on the maintenance you have done at the dealer though, because they are denying you use of a loaner which is part of what you're paying for.

Nope, they won't fit.

I'm confused as to how an IS250 could be similar in price to your GS350. Your GS should be close to $50,000, a loaded IS250 should be $10-11,000 cheaper. The ES fully loaded would be close, $45k, as would an IS350, but not an IS250. My suggestion if the car is just an occasional driver...get a lower model IS...maybe without nav.

You should complain, I did when I was your age too. A lot of places won't rent without a surcharge until you're 25. Its age discrimination, at 18 you're an adult, you have car insurance, no reason why you should be discriminated against when you want a loaner car or to rent a car. I've been in business since I was your age, and when I was 19-20 I travelled a good bit and it was SO annoying that I couldn't rent cars. I had great insurance, good income, and a gold AMEX card that covered rental cars 100% but I still couldn't rent a car. I could rent a box truck...figure that out! I did at times too when I had to have transportation. If you can vote and go to war...you can rent a Hyundai... Its not the dealers fault, but it is something that the laws governing insurance need to be changed to address. Some states have done it already, and some states force companies to rent to people 18-21 if their employer rents them the car. In the modern era, people in college lead busier lives than a lot of 40 year old businesspeople and its a crime that they're discriminated against when they need to rent cars. And then the surcharges from 21-25. I rented a Taurus one time when I was 24, it was $50 for the day...the under 25 surcharge was another $80. Again, full insurance coverage and a platinum AMEX card at that point still with full rental car coverage. A crime.

Yep, Lexus sells an XM and a Sirius kit, they're $400 or so installed.

Yep, intermediate steering shaft. Very common, I had mine done at about 60k too, mine was covered under the extended warranty.