Rick-SC430

The lift cylinders wen bad on my 4SC430 after 5 years and low usage. The dealer wanted ~$400 to replace them. I bought OEM replacements from Sewell Lexus in Dallas online at http://www.sewellpartsonline.com/parts_det...44317&all=Y They cost $200 and took 2 minutes to replace. Just pop the ring clip holding the old one on and push the new one onto the stud.

NC, The problems I listed are items that were repaired under warranty. The wheel was a defective wheel that leaked air over time. The clunk in the back was fixed by replacing something that was covered in a service bulliten, same with the speakers. The trim piece was a metal piece (painted) on the ouside of the car that didn't fit correctly. Wiper motor was defective from the start, just took two trips for them to admit it and fix it. None of these are really big deals (except the rotten egg smell). It was just stated that my problems with the car were "Mythical" so I listed them. BTW, I'm 62 years old and have owned at least 30 cars and trucks (not to mention Motorcycles) in my life. I miss the days when I could work on them myself. Anyway, based upon my many years of experience I'm going to stick by my opinion that Lexus isn't a good value. I'm not saying they are a bad car, just that they aren't worth the extra cost. And Lexus dealers aren't any different that any other dealers (except may Ford). On a final note, I'm not getting the G37. I'm in discussion with my local Nissan dealer on a GTR. He has two more coming that aren't sold but I'm not going to pay $30K over sticker. As they get closer to getting here and he doesn't have them sold I'm hoping he will get a little more realistic on the price.

1. Sorry I can't spell 2. Sorry I don't drink the Lexus kool-aid 3. It's about value. This was my first Lexus and based upon my experience I don't believe a Lexus is worth the extra cost (purchase price and maintenance) 4. This whole issue started around the fact that the dealer sold me a an extended warranty that is useless and won't make it right. 5. Sorry that I dare to have a different opinion than you 6. Mythical (false or fabricated) problems list: Replace defective right front wheel - Engine won't idle when cold - Replace noisy wiper drive system (2 times to fix, replaced blades first) - Rattle in both door speakers - Loud “clunk” from left rear when encountering a bump in the road - Replace external trim piece on left door pillar - Replaced defective center console cover - Really strong “Rotten Egg” odor after medium to heavy acceleration (can't fix, it's "normal") - Requires new water pump and timing belt at 40K miles (or extended warranty is void) - Truck lift cylinders failed 7. Based upon your responses and the fact that you are the forums manager, may I suggest that you ad a warning that "Only Happy Lexus Owners Are Allowed To Participate"

I don't recall saying that this was the first problem in 6 years. I have a "laundry list" of items that had to be fixed under the OEM Warranty. Of the five new Japanese cars I've owned (3 Nissan Z cars, Honda Odyesse, Mazda Pickup) none of them spent as much time in the shop as my SC 430. That's the reason I bought the extended warranty. I won't buy Lexus again because (in my opinion) they don't stand behind their products, their products aren't worth the extra money and the exorbitant cost of maintenance. Rick

on an extended warranty from Lexus. I purchased a 4 year, 48,000 mile extended warranty on my SC430 while it was still under the original OEM warranty. I purchased the warranty from Lexus of Bellevue. I requested the best warranty they had available, one equivalent to the new car warranty. They sold me their "Premium Plus, $0 deductible" warranty for just over $2600. So, two years later and I finally need to make a claim under the warranty. The lift cylinders that hold the trunk lid open failed. Took the car to the dealer for the 40K service and asked them to fix the trunk problem at the same time. Well......first I was told that the lift cylinders are a "normal wear" item. I challenged that and so they changed their tune and said they were "body parts" and still not covered. Also, they told me that even though I have had the car serviced by them every 5K miles and I only have 40K miles on the car (but it is 72 months old) I have to change the water pump, timing belt, clean the fuel injectors, and change the transmission and differential fluids (over $3K total cost) or the warranty will be void for any engine or drive train problems. I told them to forget it and just give me my money back for the extended warranty because it is useless and they've never paid a claim out. They offered to give me a prorated amount back that was less then half of what I paid. I know they aren't obligated to give me my money back but I felt it was the right thing for them to do given that they mis-represented the warranty when they sold it to me and they claim they will do anything to keep a satisfied customer. I purchased the new lift cylinders from Sewell Lexus (online) and replaced them myself. They cost $98.00 each and took five minutes to replace. The SC430 was the first and last Lexus I will ever own. I am now trading my SC430 on an Infinity G37 Journey Coupe. So, I guess I should change the title of this post to "Don't buy a Lexus' rather than just "Don't buy an extended warranty. Lexus is a very reliable car as long as you are willing to put thousands of dollars of maintenance into them. What I'd really like to say about Lexus and Lexus of Bellevue is

My story. I had never purchased an extended warranty before but after experiencing the prices just for regular maintenence on my SC430, I decided I should get an extended warranty. Just before the new car 48 month, 48,000 mile warranty expired (I actually had 33,687 miles on my car) I went to my dealer (Lexus of Bellevue) and told them I wanted the best extended warranty they had. They sold me a National Warranty Corp Premium Plus, zero deductible, 48 month, 48K miles warranty for $2318.71. Fast forward to today. I now have 43K miles on my car and had my first claim under my exteded warranty. The lift cylinders for the trunk are defective. Never mind that they shouldn't be defective in the first place 'cause I have a warranty that will cover the repair. WRONG. The warranty states....We will reimburse you or make payment to the repair facility for for any mechanical breakdown on all factory installed mechanical and electrical operating parts except as specifically excluded. They go on to list brakes, tire, lights (all the normal wear stuff) and body parts. Guess what. The mechanical lift cylinders that keep the trunk lid open are body parts. What BS. And the final kicker is that my dealer won't stand behind the warranty either. Out of the goodness of their heart they offered to cancel the warranty and give me half of my money back. Bottom line. I won't ever by an extended warranty again, not to mention a Lexus. Every financial magazine or consumer organization says extended warranties are a waste of money. I should have listened to them. And, Lexus dealers are just like all the others. Don't believe that they are "honest" and would never try to sell you anything that wasn't in your best interest.