Hello all, I just bought a 1999 ES300 with 85K miles. The thing is spotless, everything works and is literally immaculate. Drives tight and runs totally quiet. I can't find anything wrong and there isn't a "ding" on the body that I can see. Here are my questions. How important is the 90K service that is coming up? Is it really all that and should I go with whatever the dealer suggests? This will be my first trip to a Lexus dealer this Friday for oil change and inspection so I don't know what to expect. Next, what are the things I can do myself to hold the maintenance costs down? Oil change, air filter, etc. Where do I get comparable filters locally, Louisville, KY, and what kind of oil should I use and weight? I have the owners manual but I don't always go by that. They want $39.95 for an oil change and filter but they claim their filter is the one to use and they inspect and lubricate other areas like door hinges and that stuff. That is cheap enough for me but will they try to find other things to get that price up to several hundred dollars? I don't like giving the dealer a cent more than I have to for something that is simple that I can do. Oh, one last thing about this timing belt issue. Is this motor an "Interference" type that if the belt breaks the valves and pistons catch hell? Going to an unknown dealership is worse than an unknown Dentist for me.
CARL .