Love my '16 LC, but can't stand going to the dealer...

[Katkon]

I love the truck. It hasn't been quite as reliable/high quality as I'd hoped, though.

It started with improper fit of the driver seat cushion from the factory. The the rear DVD screens lost audio to the headsets. The lid on the wireless charging compartment got stuck and had to be replaced. The fan belt and fan belt tensioner failed with 15,000 miles on this brand new truck - while on vacation out of state. And now the side steps are to be replaced due to excessive scratches (pretty silly to paint these things Toyota). That being said, this isn't too bad - much like owning a BMW, Audi or Mercedes. Certainly not rock solid reliability, but I can live with it as I love the truck more broadly.

The visits to the dealership every 5,000 miles, plus the visits to fix all of the above, are wearing me out - however. The Toyota service experience is just so..... pedestrian and poor. You feel like a number; totally and completely unimportant. Doesn't help that the techs don't know how to reset the service internal in a LC (I'm 2 for 2 on this front - seems like my primary dealership isn't the only one). But really, it just feels downmarket. Which I suppose it is, presumably by design.

I'm seriously considering getting an LX570 as a result. I absolutely can't stand its front grille; it's way to "bling" for my liking, but I love the idea of never having to visit a dealership again. The local dealer will pick-up and drop-off the truck for all services and warranty repair. To never have to step foot in a Toyota dealership again would be pure bliss. I'd feel a total idiot for trading it in with just 1 year and 15,000 miles on the clock so may wait a year. And who knows, maybe Lexus will tone down that grille. According to the local Lexus dealer 30-40 percent of prospective buyers "can't stand" the new spindle design.

My only regret will be - if I ever do it - getting a Lexus over a Toyota Land Cruiser. I find the badge/heritage of the latter infinitely more exciting. But the frequent dealer visits is killing the ownership experience for me.

Anyone ever made the leap from a LC to a 16+ LX? If so, did you get used to its face??? Gotta say I love the understatement of the LC....

 

[Katkon]

I should mention that I spent an afternoon scouring the country for NEW 2015 LX570s. Saw some advertised on auto trader by dealer, but a couple of calls suggested these are no longer available. I'd gladly pay to get into a new 2015 LX. It's understated - and looks like a LC...

 

[gaijin]

 

[blatant]

Why not just take it to the Lexus Dealer, see how that works out? It is after all a 80k truck. Lexus DOES easily recognize that...

 

[Canyonero]

I would suggest not buying a truck if you "can't stand" the way the front of it looks. As for 40% of Lexus customers saying they hate that grill, I'd counter that by saying 75% of statistics are made up on the spot. One statistic not made up: Lexus sales are way up since the spindle grill has been rolled out.

Personally, I absolutely love the style of the LX570. I'd buy it in a heartbeat for my wife if she weren't saying things like "you'll have to pry the minivan out of my cold dead hands..."

As for your LC, sorry man, I feel for you. It sounds like the 2016 has some alarming growing pains between your situation and some transmission failures.

Yeah the Toyota dealership experience can suck. But that's true of any of the "pedestrian" brand dealerships. Try to find a service advisor you like and trust-there are good ones out there. Or find a local Toyota specialist shop like I did. Even if you get free oil changes, you bought an $80k truck-you can afford a 5k maintenance elsewhere.

I can't say enough wonderful things about the Lexus dealership experience. It's a huge part of customer retention and Lexus gets it.

Good luck!

 

[Katkon]

Canyonero - I actually don't mind the grille on most Lexuses. But on the LX it just looks out of proportion, not-to-mention the chrome around it makes it a bit too blingy, in my book. I bought the LC so no-one would know what I paid for it - it blends in, despite being rare. The LX is more obvious on that front, especially with the front end. I don't mind driving an expensive vehicle, but I don't want it to look expensive. That's probably not normal! That being said, I may well end being a hypocrite.

 

[Markuson]

Canyonero - I actually don't mind the grille on most Lexuses. But on the LX it just looks out of proportion, not-to-mention the chrome around it makes it a bit too blingy, in my book. I bought the LC so no-one would know what I paid for it - it blends in, despite being rare. The LX is more obvious on that front, especially with the front end. I don't mind driving an expensive vehicle, but I don't want it to look expensive. That's probably not normal! That being said, I may well end being a hypocrite.

I love the understated LC too. But apparently, there are a ton of people who finally bought it BECAUSE it looks bling with that monster grill. Personally, I think the new LX has the ugliest grill I've ever seen on an SUV. But to each their own...

 

[Reckless]

I think the LX looks better when comparing stock LX to stock LC BUT personally I can't stand the hydraulic suspension. I'm glad I have a 2009 and not a 2016 after what you describe. Personally, I never found any option worth the extra cash. Better to have 2 2009 LC then 1 2016 LC. Build one and leave the other stock or get 1 LC and 1 LX.

 

[Katkon]

Reckless - re: air suspension I just came across a thread on the Lexus LX forum wherein owners were complaining that the air suspension makes the car sit at uneven height on a flat surface. For one poster there was over a 1 inch difference between the front right and front left, while others experienced 0.5 to 0.75 differentials. The smallest was 0.25. That would drive me nuts!

 

[liv2bike]

Well, I personally don't buy vehicles based on the amenities of the service department when I need service. I don't buy vehicles b/c their service department is fancy and they treat me special. I don't need all that pampering and I don't want to pay for all the extra service/attention b/c it doesn't come free. It's all rolled up in what you pay for service. I drove Audi's for quite some time and yes, their service department was nice and it feels "exclusive" when you are there for service. But I no longer drive Audi's and I got over it.

Anyway, sorry you are having issues with your LC. That would really bug me too. When you need service...just drop it off. I would rather just drop my vehicle off anyway...fancy service department or not...than sit around. Or as Canyonero suggested, find a Toyota/Lexus specialist and take it there. There is a Toy/Lex shop near me and they are awesome. They get it and I actually enjoy talking shop when there. Either way, I hope you get your LC sorted out.

 

[Like2Detail]

Why not just take it to the Lexus Dealer, see how that works out? It is after all a 80k truck. Lexus DOES easily recognize that...

You can do this, most Lexus dealers will service the truck. You'll pay the higher Lexus labor rate. I work at a Toyota dealer in Central PA and we have some people with Lexus ES models that will bring them to us for routine maintenance just to save a couple bucks. Parts are all the same.

 

[Angelo1]

Canyonero - I actually don't mind the grille on most Lexuses. But on the LX it just looks out of proportion, not-to-mention the chrome around it makes it a bit too blingy, in my book. I bought the LC so no-one would know what I paid for it - it blends in, despite being rare. The LX is more obvious on that front, especially with the front end. I don't mind driving an expensive vehicle, but I don't want it to look expensive. That's probably not normal! That being said, I may well end being a hypocrite.

I agree, the LX front end looks fugly. everytime I see one and point it out to whoever I'm with, they all have the same reaction "gross". It looks better on the sportier Lexus but not on a full size SUV. I wonder if they are trying to compete with the Esclasde and Hollywood elites who like to be seen

 

[studawg]

Why not just take it to the Lexus Dealer, see how that works out? It is after all a 80k truck. Lexus DOES easily recognize that...

You can do this, most Lexus dealers will service the truck. You'll pay the higher Lexus labor rate. I work at a Toyota dealer in Central PA and we have some people with Lexus ES models that will bring them to us for routine maintenance just to save a couple bucks. Parts are all the same.

Yep, I have a relative that takes his 07 LC to the Lexus dealership.

 

[Reckless]

Reckless - re: air suspension I just came across a thread on the Lexus LX forum wherein owners were complaining that the air suspension makes the car sit at uneven height on a flat surface. For one poster there was over a 1 inch difference between the front right and front left, while others experienced 0.5 to 0.75 differentials. The smallest was 0.25. That would drive me nuts!

For me the reason I don't like it has to do with a side by side test I managed to do before buying my LC. I drove the LC to the Lexus dealer and parked it next to a LX. Because the LX had the AHC suspension I was not able to back it out of the spot as easily as the LC. It had different driving dynamics at low speeds and I didn't feel as confident as I did on the LC. With my 100, after ripping out AHC the vehicle had way less body roll and much more overall control of the vehicle. I had originally planned on ripping out the springs and suspension and putting in the OME BP-51 but right now I am not. I love the idea of hydraulic suspension where it softens the ride and can change ride heights but AHC seemed to be very jerky and it seemed to stop the vehicle from doing what I wanted it to do. If I turn I want the vehicle to turn immediately whereas AHC I think counters it in order to make the ride feel more smooth. I guess AHC doesn't suit my aggressive driving style as much as I wanted it to. There is a video of AHC actually having 80% less body roll than non AHC but I never felt that. It always felt like MORE body roll due to the vehicle compensating.

 

[Sandroad]

Any possibility of trying yet another dealer? I have 4 Toyota dealers within less than an hour's drive but they may as well each be on another planet for the huge difference there is in the service departments. One really stands out and of course that's the one I use. It's a pleasant experience going there. However, I realize that problems with a new vehicle of any brand can sour the overall service experience; for sure even more so at this price point.

 

[Tremek]

This is unfortunately a well-known aspect of Toyota... While I did get good treatment from my local dealer re: the 200 from the service writer I worked with, the challenge here is that the entire service model for a Toyota dealer is worlds apart from the luxury market that Lexus is catering to and competing with.

Toyota and its dealers just aren't configured to offer comparable levels of service that an $80k car buyer expects from the dealer across the street. Even 'pedestrian' brands like Chevrolet has this somewhat figured out with 50 years of Corvettes under their belt (not to mention a Suburban can cost that much today - holy crap) and even if they're not anywhere near what you get in a true high-end brand's service department, or even Mercedes, it's better than the rank-and-file feel of a Toyota dealer telling you to go around the corner to get in line behind half a dozen people to talk to the Enterprise rep to get a Chevy Aveo loaner while they service your LC.

 

[Reckless]

Personally I would never service my car at a dealer/$tealership. They overcharge for everything and find reasons for you to spend more money on parts you don't need. I prefer to find a trusted independent mechanic who is actually looking out for me. One of the reasons I love my LC is that it doesn't break down or give me problems and can be worked on by my mechanic.

 

[TonyP]

There's always the option of doing the work yourself. Just keep all the receipts and documents incase you end up selling.
Having a deep (or even basic) understanding of how to wrench on the vehicle can not only save you money but it might give you the experience to fix something on the trail.

 

[04UZJ100]

Frankly, Toyota should not be allowed to sell the LC at Toyota dealers. The salesman know jack s*** and the service is for people who drive corolas.

Only specialty dealers or Lexus dealers should be allowed to sell them.

 

[cruiserdan]

Frankly, Toyota should not be allowed to sell the LC at Toyota dealers. The salesman know jack s*** and the service is for people who drive corolas.

Only specialty dealers or Lexus dealers should be allowed to sell them.

I bet they know how to spell "Corolla".

You paint with a broad brush, not all dealers are like that. I worked with many very talented professionals in my 37 years in the car business.