Getting disgusted with Lexus service

I've had similar experiences to what you've had when you compare both dealerships. I've never had warranty work with the Lexus vehicles (yet?...hopefully never) but have found them to be a bit more arrogant. I believe it stems from their sales. Since Lexus cars are better than the Infinitis, their sales reflect it accordingly. The Infiniti dealers, in turn, are hungrier for business and seem to work harder to please.

Other than buying new vehicles and maintenance parts, my Lexus dealer never see me.

I read your post with great interest. I drive a Caddy but my next car is likely going to be a Lexus. The thing is, the dealerships are independent businesses that simply have a franchise to sell a certain brand. They are pretty much free to run the business as they see fit. I imagine there are some constraints, but apparently not many based on some of the horror stories I've come across. Sales and service at the local Caddy dealership here in northern Bergen County, NJ is staffed by lying, thieving bastards. Yet on a couple of the caddy boards that I read, people rave about the quality and ethics of their local dealerships. Personally,I've had better luck with a good local independent shop for any out-of-warranty work.

MY OPINION is that anyone who uses a dealer is an idiot. Except for warranty issues. The dealers make their money with the service departments. Who do you think is paying for the service manager, accountant/clerk, car wash, etc ??? Go to an independent mechanic/garage and you can talk to the mechanics, not need to leave your car all day, pay cheaper prices and get quality work.... Lexus will still warrant qualified issues.

And your opinion is based on....what? The fact that you've never seen a reputable dealership service department or a reputable mechanic that works for a dealership?

ALL mechanics are independent businesses. If there are reputable mechanics that don't work for dealers, then there are also reputable mechanics that do work for dealers. You just have to find them.

Hmmmmmm.....I got to a dealership, I use the same mechanic over the last

I'm with you on that one Shag. My first visit to my Toyota Dealer was in 1972. I wouldn't think of taking my car anywhere else. I have always been treated fairly by them. We discuss the service I need, and we adjust the recommendations up or down based on my driving, and what they know about me and my car. They have all the records and, like you I "hang" with the service guys.

When it is time to buy a new or used Toyota I shop around and know the prices and the values of what I'm looking for. Then I buy from my dealer and the price I determine is fair.

I believe that no one knows my Toyota better than the Toyota Dealer. When I go into the service department I know they have probably seen my problem before and will probably know how to resolve it quickly.

I have invested lots of time in this relationship just as they have. We both benefit. Sometimes I take them muffins or donuts in the morning. Not because I'm trying to get something for free, but 'cause I like them. Some of them are bikers too, and we have ridden together.

The service manager is an UltraRunner like me and we have run 50 kilometer ultras together. I didn't know about the service manager's running until way after our business relationship was cast.

I'm sure there are plenty of quality independent service shops, just as there might be crappy dealers.

yep. I'm with you there. My guy works at night--one reason I'm a Honda guy is because this mechanic works at this dealership which has service hours until midnight--and I frequently take in a couple pizzas or whatever.

They have some slugs working there, but I know that. I know all the ins and outs of who does what, and how management is, and so on. And in the end, my cars are ultra reliable.

Our experience was about the same with a 01 RX 300 a few years back. Traded on a 03 Pilot and have been extremely pleased with the service at our local Honda dealer and with the quality and reliability of the Pilot. Our experience with the key (after a 18 months of ownership) was the same except the cost was less -- recall around 220. for the key and programming.

It's your money do as you like......

I looked at the Pilot and really wanted to like it but..

I'm 62 with size 16 feet and it felt a little cramped, especially the left foot rest.

It's considerably larger than my RX300 so I'm concerned about being able to get it into my 10X20 garage which it has to share with two bicycles and one single stage snowblower.

I guess I could test drive it drive it home and see if it fits.