16th Feb 2006, 07:24
If you're going to buy an old Lexus, BMW or Mercedes, you need to get it maintained by a specialist, not the main dealer, as they charge top dollar for everything.
And they lie and cheat you.
Better to buy a nice old Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis or better still, a Lincoln Town Car and forget about these pretentious, overpriced cars.
Do yourself a favour and forget about showing off by driving a "Premium Brand."
16th Feb 2006, 12:35
Is there a troll on this site?
Just about every poor review is followed by a comment suggesting the reviewer to go out and buy a Mercury Grand Marquis.
For Pete's sake, NO ONE currently behind the wheel of a Lexus RX300 will EVER consider an "old Mercury Grand Marquis" until the social security checks start rolling in. Talk about comparing apples and oranges.
If I owned a Mini Cooper S, should I dump it and hop into a Grand Marquis, too? They're practically the same car!
16th Feb 2006, 18:09
Haha I agree with the comment above. Its true. I've noticed every Mercedes review says to look at a Lincoln Town car. Come on who would drive that unless you 60 and over. I would never trade my RX300 for a Town car even if the dealer does rip me off.
17th Feb 2006, 18:00
I would urge the original reviewer to reconsider trading his Lexus in for a Honda... the problems he lists are universal among Japanese makes... Buick and Chevy have many models rated best in initial quality... The new Impala SS has a standard V8 that would blow the doors off your Lexus and is priced thousands of dollars less!
17th Feb 2006, 20:05
Yes, if you owned a MINI Cooper S, you would soon get fed up of the cramped cockpit, stiff ride and noise on long trips and wish you were driving a wonderful Mercury Grand Marquis or luxurious Lincoln Town Car.
And with the bigger car, you would have a decent space in which to bring along a few suitcases or baby paraphernalia.
18th Feb 2006, 09:13
Sorry, but the MIni Cooper does not have a cramped cockpit. I am 6'2" and easily and comfortably fit in one with a sunroof. I cannot say that about many "larger" cars.
The rest of what you say is true, but in reality the cars you are debating about serve different purposes.
18th Feb 2006, 14:40
I'm not an Lexus owner, so you can take this for what it's worth. The repair costs indicated seem blown well out of proportion. I'm tempted to call Lexus and ask them how much it costs to have the knock sensor replaced on a 99 RX300. I've broken off the part before on my Integra, and had to replace it. Not that expensive, not that hard to replace. I would say $100 for the part, plus an hour of labor. Basically just screws in. Obviously could be different on the Lexus. $1000 for an exhaust leak? PLEASE. Maybe Lexus owners don't do this or see it as below their level, but instead of taking it to Lexus, take it to some place like Joe's exhaust and have them put it on the lift, and see where the leak is and WHAT is leaking. You can almost always just replace a certain part of the exhaust and not the whole thing. They must have replaced the ENTIRE exhaust system with a 24k gold plated one. $1000 for a timing belt? Probably wasn't just the timing belt, but the 90k mile service that probably also included coolant flush, oil/tranny fluid/brake fluid/power steering fluid change, new spark plugs, distributor, brake pads, machined rotors, etc. Timing belt at a dealership is usually no more than $600. By the way, next time you need BULBS replaced, I'd think twice about the $2200 you say you spent. Tell you what, I'll make you a deal. For only $1100, I'll come over there and replace them for you.
22nd Feb 2006, 10:28
I am the one who posted the original review. Just to add to my story, the $2200 I spent on bulbs also included an idle arm valve. I can't believe how defensive people get on here. I DID NOT blow any of the prices out of proportion. Go ahead and call the dealership; they will quote you the exact price that I quoted.
And for whomever posted to comment about getting into a GM, PLEASE! I would drive a broke-down Lexus before I would ever drive a GM! They have horrible electrical problems. Every day I see at least 5 GMs with faulty front lighting. As for the Ford Grand Marquis; this is the most LOW BUDGET luxury vehicle. You couldn't pay me enough to drive that hoopty! AMEN!
I am working with the dealership, and they have admitted fault for most of the service problems! They have found problems with the transmission, tires that they put on, as well as many other repairs that they had done. The dealer has been great, and has worked with me 100%. However, this may be because I have threatened a sexual discrimination law suit against the dealership. They are working to get my vehicle appraised, and then they will make me an offer to get into a new Lexus.
I also found out that the "new" transmission that was put in my vehicle was not new at all, but rather reconstructed. This upset me, and I told the GM of the dealership that I was lied.
BEFORE YOU BUY A VEHICLE, go to dealerrater.com and check out what the Better Business bureau has to say about the dealership.
More updates to come. Please get off the Fords and GMs. They are junk, and have horrible resale value. My car has 172,000 miles on it, and is still worth close to $9000.
22nd Feb 2006, 15:05
After all this you're really going to buy another Lexus from the same dealership?
You're crazy, lady.
Everyone knows women get ripped off by dealers.
You're like a lamb to the slaughter.
Baa Baa Baa...
22nd Feb 2006, 21:09
I considered Lexus new and used, but went with another Acura a TL. It handles better,270 hp and is by far the best luxury value I could find. I do not like hanging out in repair shops even if a loaner was available! And I also like GM. I bought a (2004} Silverado pickup which has not had any issues at all. Its been extremely reliable. I feel that there are good vehicles both import and domestics. The Lexus to me was more of a status car not an enthusiasts car. I am glad I have not faced your repair expenses!
23rd Feb 2006, 20:29
I don't consider Acura a luxury car. I owned a 2001 TL which needed a transmission replacement at 60,000 and again at 80,000. I find that ridiculous. My 1996 ES300 had close to 200,000 when I sold it to get the Acura. I am now in a LS430 which is by far nicer than any Acura or Mercedes in my mind. Lexus isn't a status symbol, Mercedes is.
15th Feb 2006, 02:10
Lets just talk about bulbs... You paid 2200 $ to get the burnt bulbs changed??? If you change all (and I mean all) the bulbs buy yorself it will cost you about 100 $. You have been robbed brother.