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Mine is Blue Onyx Pearl/Black
http://www.carspace.com/lexusgirl1
How often you wash yours? I got lovebugs all over the front bumper.
Does your front 18 rims get any break dust problem?
I have to wash them every three weeks.
How long ago did you buy yours?
R ead
Y our
D amn
M anual
What is wrong with people these days? Are we too &^&%)* lazy that we don't read anymore?
There is nothing that ticks me off more than a client who expects the service guy to do a salesman's job and teach them how to use the car or it's features.
When most people buy a car they don't want to hear all the features, all the bells, all the whistles ... all they want are the darn keys so they can drive the thing home & show it off to the neighborhood.
Then when they want to know how something works instead of READING the manual, they bother the service person. NO NO NO ... bother the SALESMAN, after all, isn't he/she supposted to be better versed in the features & benefits of the automobile? Most probably not.
So if you want REAL answers, take the time to READ THE MANUAL. After all, it was written by the people (read: the ENGINEERS) who ASSEMBLED the car & know how to operate it better than anyone else!
REMEMBER:
R.Y.D.M :surprise:
My salesguy went over a long list of items when I picked up my car. More than I wanted him to, anyway. I believe that is part of the training regimen for a Lexus lot. So that helps a bit, but truth is most people are simply too excitied at the time to pay any attention. Matter of fact, my guy told me some customers actually get frustrated with him during the delivery orientation. They just want to drive it...
From Websters.
Honestly, you guys sound like a couple kids scared of going to the dentist! Well hey, they're your cars, and it's your money, but I've been a Lexus owner going on four years now, and I can tell you there isn't much more to recommend Lexus service over a good indy than the loaner.
I take my car to them for warranty work and major services. As soon as the warranty's up, any good shop that handles Toyota can fix any Lexus. Just having the "L" on the hood doesn't mean there's anything unusual under it...
No way I personally would buy rubber from a Lexus stand. That's basically like unloading your billfold directly into the barbecue! :sick:
1. get my car served anywhere I like, or
2. trade the car in for another IS (hopefully a redesigned one)
Again, that's just me though. And yes, I am naive.
I am simply stating that most people now a days are either too lazy or want someone else to do it for them. Now, I understand this is a B R O A D generalization, and I use the word "generalization" because their are exceptions to everything.
But it really is annoying when you get someone who purchased their car elsewhere and comes in to ask questions that can be found 1) in the manual or 2) shown to them by a SALESPERSON.
That does NOT mean that I will not help them, in most instances, I will because I am now building a rapport with the person and they will see ME for ALL their service needs. I have just WON a new client over.
I was merely stating that it does become annoying when you have a demanding A &^&% who wants it all NOW, NOW, NOW!
It's like this: would you bring a steak you bought at COSTCO to Ruth's Chris Or Smith & Wolensky's and ask then to cook it for you?
OR you own a camera shop (or a widget store), a guy comes in with a camera from E-Bay, asks you all sorts of questions about the camera (picks your brain), doesn't buy anything and then has the local drug store sell & develop his film!
How would that make you feel?
Just MY .02 and there is NO charge
Since all Lexus dealers share vehicle's service history that meant the customer should have the freedom to choose the dealer of their convenience to the services done. Also, if a customer moves after purchased the car then he/she will have no choice but to find a different dealership for the services. Your steak and e-bay examples are totally irrelevant to this situation because customers are paying to get their services done.
As for our store, we don't care where you bought it. We would have PREFERRED you bought it from us but in the end, it really doesn't matter. Just as long as we get to service it. We have one motto: "make the customer happy"
And we do!
As for the steak & e-bay reference, it was meant more to show an example of how some people use others to get "FREE" advise and then spend their monies elsewhere. Similar to going to Nordstrom's, trying on a pair of shoes for the proper size and then going home and ordering the exact same stuff on-line.
Capiche?
And yes, you, as the customer/end consumer have the choice to use ANY dealership that you feel most comfortable with since you are in fact PAYING for those services. But just to give a little edification, you really will be treated BETTER at the selling dealer. Unfortunately, "It's just the way it is, and some things will never change"
Do you currently take you car to the dealer for service/repair?
If the car were not under warranty, would you continue to do so?
If the dealer "recommends" that you perform a brake pad replacement would you let them do it or would you take it to an independent?
Do you think independent shops are as qualified, have the training, the tools & the know how to work on "today's" cars?
Do you not think the dealer has your best service interests at heart?
Would you pay a little more knowing that you would get a warranty, know the job was done right & know that "factory" or OEM (original manufacturer equipment)was being used?
I currently own 2 Import cars - one german & one japanese. Both have long been out of warranty. One has over 106K, the other has 95K. If I need more complicated repairs (clutch, tranz, a/c, oil leaks) rather than brakes & oil changes or fluid exchanges (which I do myself) I ALWAYS take it to the dealer .. and I'm IN THE BIZ.
You all probably know what MY answers to the above questions are.
But here is one thing to think about ... the dealer is NOT always the most expensive. The business has changed. They can be very competitive on things such as oil changes and tire replacement. Ask next time, you might be surprised at the answers you receive.
Thanks!
Thanks all feedbacks regarding summer tire replacement.
I need to think about all these when the time come.
Back to IS,
The car is a masterpiece of beauty. It triggers an emotional response that others cars just don't elicit. Seeing it in person didn't disappoint. Driving it was a most satisfying experience.
benzoservceguy: valid questions and no animosity experienced or intended.
No dealership makes money selling new cars. Just doesn't happen. The margin is pitiful to begin with, the overhead enormous and the customer relations costs verging on malpractice insurance territory.
There are three profit centers in any dealership, AFAIK. The first is the F&I guy's desk (sketchy), the second is the used car mgr's desk (solid), and the third and most profitable is the service bay.
My thought is that any new car under warranty should go to the dealership for warranty work, obviously. In many cases, major scheduled service is probably best handled there as well. Minor services, which are mostly glorified oil changes with routine fluid and wear item inspections can go wherever a good independent can do them, unless a price benefit is available from the dealer. In my anecdotal experience, the price benefit has never been with the dealer.
For major non-warranty mechanicals, I can't say I would automatically defer to a dealer shop for any good reason. Mechanical is mechanical. For brand-specific major electronic items in a luxury marque, OTOH, I think the dealership is probably the best place to go, but only if the car less than seven years old. Technological exclusivity has a remarkably short half-life.
To the question first asked here: I would never buy tires from a dealership unless they price-matched the competition head-on. Now answer me honestly: would your parts mgr. go more than 10% off list for rubber, outside of extenuating circumstance? If so, your stand is unique in all the US! No dealer can do anything with rubber work that a good tire shop can't do, and the tire shops routinely do it for less. Far less, in my experience.
There are components on a brand new S class or LS or A8 or 750i that I wouldn't let anyone but a dealer's service-tech touch for at least the first three years. After that, the tech is in the market and so are the tools. Then again, it's under warranty for the first three years, so why would I?
Aren't you glad I kept it short?
If this discussion is taken elsewhere, I'll certainly follow. I do all of my routine maintenance (as does benzoservceguy) & use the dealer only when absolutely necessary. On our recently-sold 153K mile DC minivan, we used an independent to good advantage.
I had a cooling fan (hydraulic -- go figure) issue a couple of years ago that I took to a dealer & had fixed. The car wasn't long out of warranty, so I got a price break (good thing, because it was an $800 job). Later, when I was replacing a fuel filter, I learned that they'd left off several (not quite half) of the LF inner fender fasteners. Earlier I'd seen that they also forgot to put the clips back on that hold the shift boot to the console.
As I've told dealers (& independents too, for that matter) -- I can screw it up myself for free (and learn something in the process). Why should I pay you for that? That was when I had the time & inclination, both of which I have much less of these days.
If I'm paying $60-100/hr, I expect a technician who isn't a flat-rate drone. Yeah, I'm a tooth fairy, Easter bunny & Santa Claus kinda guy as well.
Prime reason not to go to most dealerships for non-warranty: book rate. If I've got two things wrong with my car, the dealer's tech writes them as two separate items and charges book for both, even if the operations have redundant steps! Charged twice for labor done once.
My independents have always given me the breakdown, ganged tasks and saved my money where possible. That's why they're all still in business, I'm thinking.
Shifty already has a thread in Maintenance and Repair: "Dealer vs. independent shop?" Let's us just relocate there, shall we?
Dealer vs. independent shop?
Have fun!
Looks to me the '07 G35 won't get an all-new redesign instead it's like a minor facelift with a M35/45 style interior. The prototype indicated that the engine has a redline at 7500 RPM (comparing to 6500 RPM for the '06) so I am assuming that it'll receive a re-tuned VQ engine. The official words from Infiniti is that it'll come with "300+" horses and some say it'll have 330 HP under the hood. But whatever that'll come out to be I'll bet that it's going to overtake IS350 in this horsepower race.
I predict the interior will move upscale quite a bit but still fall short comparing to the IS (probably will be better than E90's). By looking at the current G35, it's safe to say that the new one will have a stiffer suspension thus result in clearer road-feel than the IS which is good news for the so call "enthusiasts". Also expect to see both 5 speed AT and 6 speed MT on the new model. The coupe version will follow in 2008.
Here are some pictures:
Considering the porkification of this new IS over the old, going to a bigger car just means being even more detached, IMO.
Still, for all those who feel a need to whine about rear seat leg room, G35 might be just the ticket! :P
1) It seemed like the voice commands on the navigation were pretty lousy (computer often didn't understand my command even though I spoke clearly with the windows up, etc.) Have owners found this to be the case? Or are you able to be mostly understood and get the cooperation of the nav?
2) The suspension seemed just a little "off" going over bumps and such--almost like the shocks weren't that good. Any thoughts on this? How would you say the 250 compares in this regard with the 300 from last year?
3) Finally--I live in Los Angeles where it can get hot, and am planning on getting a black interior, but don't really know if it's worth it to spring for the cooled seats. How do others in warm climates do without having it? Also, if you do have it, do you really notice/appreciate the difference?
Many thanks.
Mine has a black interior without the cooled seats and I live in Atlanta. I think the best way to go with a black interior is to get the ceramic window tint. Believe it or not it truly makes a difference.
I haven't really noticed any problems with my suspension. I can tell you that I used to have a 2001 IS300 and this car blows it away! I LOVE my IS250!!!
As far as the black interior goes I think the seat coolers (which I have) and the ceramic tint (I also have) do help but I think the exterior color has alot to do with how hot it gets inside. My IS250 is white and I think that helps keep it somewhat cooler. Darker colors (I believe) would tend to make the inside hotter. What color exterior are you considering?
I know that the AWD vs RWD IS250 adds about 200lbs, is a bit slower, and has poorer MPG...22/28 vs 24/32. So it's a little tough to justify the AWD..even here in NH - given all the electronics to keep the car on the road, and of course a quick trip to Tire Rack, for good set of tires..
For the 2007 model year, the IS remains pretty much the same. There is one key change though that should make many people happy. More on that later, but no, it's not a manual transmission for the IS350. For now, let's talk about colors.
Three colors are dropped/changed from the 2006 lineup:
Crystal White is replaced by Starfire Pearl (077)
Black Onyx is replaced by Obsidian (212)
Blue Onyx is replaced by Black Sappire (8U0)
The Obsidian black is supposed to be the blackest black Lexus has ever produced and will be shared with the GS and LS. Supposedly a mirror-black finish, expect it to look astonishing - when clean.
Two items only available in packages in 2006 are now available as a standalone option: Aluminum Sport Pedals and HID/AFS. Two new standard features are an illuminated fuel/trunk opener and an additional fog lamp indicator.
The 2007 IS will sport a new shark-fin antenna. Apparently, there was a minefield of patented shark-fin designs that needed to be navigated before this could be produced, but it's a welcome change.
The biggest news though, is the addition of a VSC/VDIM defeat button. Woot! Even better is that this change was the direct result of feedback from enthusiasts (and press reviewers no doubt). Let's pat Lexus on the back for this one, briefly, before we go back to harping about manual transmission options.
Finally, we see a new, less expensive sport package which does NOT replace the ST package, the X-Package (XE):
18" Five-spoke Super Chrome Finish Wheel with summer tires (unique design unavailable otherwise, though previously available as a JDM accessory option, see image)
Front Air Dam (see image)
Sport Tuned Suspension
Aluminum Sport Pedals
Illuminated Scuff Plates (not previously included in ST package)
Anyone getting the cashmere interior should get the dealer to throw in a set of black mats to close the deal, trust me you will be glad you did. And if you have the AWD make sure you get the right mats, they are a different shape than the RWD.
Secondly, wait for the beep. From my experience I have seen people press the steering wheel switch and then talk. You must wait for the system to beep before stating your command.
Lastly, talk at a normal volume level. There is no need to yell at the microphone. The system works better when you speak at a normal conversational tone.
Anybody has any knowledge on how to install the Gas pedal? Any help is sincerely appreciated.
Thanks to all.
manny
Thanks,
Chintan Talati
So far I have found the best deal for a set of all-weather mats (Black) on www.lexus-parts.com. They are selling a set for $69.
If you don't have major winter snow issues where you live I think you would be happier with the original Lexus black carpet mats I mentioned above to solve the dirt problem you are having with the cashmere mats. If you are trying to decide between the two I would go to your local dealer and take a look at the all weather mats to make sure they are what you want...even if you are going to get them online.
I live in Colorado and have to deal with snow so I'll get the all weather mats for Dec-Apr. The black carpet mats look great the rest of the time, and my old cashmere mats are in a bag under the house and won't come out until I decide to sell the car.
Thanks,
I would suggest you look at your bumpers before taking delivery.