greatcar

Try www.lexus-parts.com and www.LexusToyotaMitsubishiParts.com I just ordered a set of floor mat for $82+7 shipped from the latter.

You guys are great. My wife gave me a lot of grief last nite...oh well... Lexusfreak, honestly the engine does feel a lot smoother. Didn't notice much difference in braking or steering though. Re transmission fluid, would they have used the 'wrong' type? Should I ask the dealership what fluid they used? Monarch, good point re coolant. I didn't do it because the previous owner had it flushed at Jiffy lube at 40k mi. Latoilette, my owner manual says change belts at 90k if driven at extreme conditions. So what your dealership says has some truth in it. Questions: 1 I am interested to know what kind of maintenance/services you do it by yourself vs. done at a dealership/mechanics? 2 What's the best way to learn how to do those services by myself ? Read a general car maintenance book? Service manual for my car (maybe an overkill for me)? Good how-to guide on the web? It may sound like a dumb question to you but you're talking about someone who doesn't even open the hood to check the fluid level!

Thanks Alex. Actually the dealership that I went to is Hudson Toyota in Jersey City. Don't think I will go back again!

Took the car from the dealership this evening. The good thing is it does feel a lot smoother. The bad thing is by looking at the invoice, I am pretty sure I was ripped off. Here's the breakdown: Replace timing and engine belts $400 (labor 280, parts 120) Throttle body service $ 90 (labor 72, parts 18) Fuel injector $120 (labor 85, parts 35) Power steering fluid $ 70 (labor 41, parts 29) Brake fluid $100 (labor 57, parts 43) Major service - oil change (synthetic), replace transmission fluid, differential fluid, replace air filter, brake service, lube $320 For those of you who have experience in this, please tell me how bad these figures are?! Lesson 1: Do your homework - be an educated consumer Lesson 2: Don't trust the dealership Lesson 3: Toyota service is not necessarily cheaper

Thanks a lot Branshew. Some positive thinking is indeed in order...

Hi, I think I just spent money that I shouldn't have :( . I took my new 98 ES300 to a Toyota dealership for service this morning. The car has only 48k miles on it and runs great. Orginally I just wanted to change the oil, transmission, differential plus the regular service. He quoted the 30k package for $380. The guy called me later and said should change also the brake fluid, steering, clean the injection and change the belts. Guess what, I said yes and the bill went up to $1100. Now I am regretting for what I did. That was really stupid , especially after checking the service manual and reading the posts that I don't really need to change belts until 90k. Can somebody tell me I wasn't THAT stupid??? Well, damage is done (that is, to my bank account) and lesson learned. Can you give me detail advice as to what services I need down the road? Sorry I don't know much about car but I am serious in keeping it in tip-top condition. Also, I read that usually when they change the belts the water pump is also changed. Should I be concerned about that they didn't change the water pump? When do I need to do it? Thanks in advance.

Hi, I'm the new owner of a 98 Lexus and have little to no knowledge about cars in general. The car has 48,000 miles on it and I noticed that the previous onwer had it serivced by the dealer up to 30,000 mi and then only regular oil change since then. Should I have all the recommended 45000 services done now? And should I take it to a dealer or else where? Also, the interior should be cleaned thoroughly. Should I take it to a detailer and how much would it cost? Thanks in advance.