New LX-470 Fiasco - Need To Vent

[donco]

bumper fix

I'm assuming the dealer is going to write off the bumper repair on their shop's liability insurance. I don't know how it could happen but just make sure they don't somehow let it get onto the Carfax (or Esperian or Equifax) records on your LX's VIN.

 

[cary]

I'm loving all the legal advice that consists of nothing but speculation and old wives tales. A few points:

1) You guys are getting way to bent out of shape about the rear bumper. Apparently many of you are not aware that new vehicles are damaged and repaired all the time during transient. In fact most states don't require that this damage and repair be disclosed. For the states that do (NY is one), they require that the damage exceed a certain dollar value, often $1000-2000, or in other cases 10% of the value of the vehicle.

2) Under the laws of most states, the dealer is not required to replace the vehicle, they are required to make him whole. In the case of the bumper, it is repairing it properly and any diminished value. The wiring harness is the same thing.

3) Lemon laws have no place in this discussion. This is not a defective vehicle, it is one that was damaged by a dealer.

4) The dealer has stepped up to the plate pretty well. The only other thing I would suggest asking them is to guarantee in writing that for as long as you own the vehicle, should there be any problems that are directly attributable to the botched installation of the security device, the will pay for the repairs. If they are confident the wiring was repaired properly, this shouldn't be to hard for them as they will likely never have to cover anything.

 

[calamaridog]

They are some hard core mo fo's up in this shizzle!


Anyways, this stuff sounds good:

- Free 15k service
- A free 7 year / 100k mile extended warranty
- The affected wiring harness will be replaced

I don't give a s*** about your tupperware bumper

This is an offroading site after all and I'm hoping this won't be the only scratch and ding on that sweet 06

 

[hoser]

I would tell them to them to give you the cash value of a painted new bumper and put that $$ towards a Slee bumper!

 

[a990dna]

greynolds,

I feel for ya bud.... my '05 Land Cruiser only has 2,500 mikes on it, and:

1) It's been tapped from behind in a car wash already, leaving two dings on the plastic covered bumper---incompetent car wash dudes pissed me off big time.

2) While in traffic I ran over a piece of wood and somehow it scratched the running board. I don't consider myself an incompetent driver, but I felt like it at the time. I guess I can blame it on Home Depot for selling the wood to some clumsy homeowner.

3) I was on a Sunday drive with my GF cruising down the freeway and a huge rock bounced off the front hood and hit the windshield. I was lucky the windshield it didn't crack, but it left a huge divot in the paint on the hood.

The bright side is I haven't been hit yet...

While going to dinner last Saturday my GF and I saw a brand new Lexus sandwiched between a truck and a car... the poor sole got rear ended and the front and rear was folded like a beer can. Life can be a bitch sometimes.

Good luck and get your plates on it soon... we seem to be a target.

 

[WES1977]

I would ask for your money back. Most car dealers around here will give you a 72 Hour Exchange Privilege (500 miles). Thats with no questions asked.

 

[Jim_Chow]

greynolds,

I feel for ya bud.... my '05 Land Cruiser only has 2,500 mikes on it, and:

1) It's been tapped from behind in a car wash already, leaving two dings on the plastic covered bumper---incompetent car wash dudes pissed me off big time.

2) While in traffic I ran over a piece of wood and somehow it scratched the running board. I don't consider myself an incompetent driver, but I felt like it at the time. I guess I can blame it on Home Depot for selling the wood to some clumsy homeowner.

3) I was on a Sunday drive with my GF cruising down the freeway and a huge rock bounced off the front hood and hit the windshield. I was lucky the windshield it didn't crack, but it left a huge divot in the paint on the hood.

The bright side is I haven't been hit yet...

While going to dinner last Saturday my GF and I saw a brand new Lexus sandwiched between a truck and a car... the poor sole got rear ended and the front and rear was folded like a beer can. Life can be a bitch sometimes.

Good luck and get your plates on it soon... we seem to be a target.

aa990dna, when I read your post, it reminded me of living/driving in LA. Then I read your location. Once I saw a washer machine in the middle of the 405 freeway around UCLA! Back in the 80s, my first car got hit by road debris...a bunch of pvc pipes about 2" in diameter smashed in the valence under the bumper. That same day, I saw the entire rear bumper fall off one of those old Country Esquire wagons in I-5 north of Dana Pt. at 65mph!

 

[greynolds]

I would tell them to them to give you the cash value of a painted new bumper and put that $$ towards a Slee bumper!

That's a great idea, but I doubt they'd go for it .

 

[MoJ]

That's a great idea, but I doubt they'd go for it .

With all due respect, get some balls!

 

[a990dna]

aa990dna, when I read your post, it reminded me of living/driving in LA. Then I read your location. Once I saw a washer machine in the middle of the 405 freeway around UCLA! Back in the 80s, my first car got hit by road debris...a bunch of pvc pipes about 2" in diameter smashed in the valence under the bumper. That same day, I saw the entire rear bumper fall off one of those old Country Esquire wagons in I-5 north of Dana Pt. at 65mph!

Jim, I'm getting to despise this area...

Your comments bring back some fond memories as well. Back in the 80s when I was in outside sales and had a Porsche, I came upon a 2x4 in the middle of the lane... damn, I thought my baby was a gonner.

The washing machine story sounds familiar too... once, in the evening on a Friday evening we were heading for happy hour traveling south on the 57 fwy. All of a sudden I saw this huge dark object in the middle of the lane. Upon a quick lane change I passed a old Volkswagen bug engine sitting in the lane... just the engine, no car.

My night vision and reflexes aren't as good as they were in the 80s, so when I run over something in the road I feel incompetent, but usually blame it on the dip s***s in LA.

 

[greynolds]

With all due respect, get some balls!

With all due respect, you're out of line. I need to be able to sleep at night and look in the mirror in the morning. If I go into the dealership and make ludicrous demands, start yelling, jump up and down, and stomp my feet in anger it's simply going to be embarrassing for everyone including me . Legally, I believe ALL they're obligated to do is to fix the problems. Common sense says they ~should~ do something additional to keep the customer happy and they're doing that.

I'd hate to have to deal with some of you people if I ever made a mistake servicing your vehicle. It's so easy to post completely unrealistic advice, but very different to follow through when the shoe is on your foot.

 

[Da Hapa]

With all due respect, get some balls!

That seems a little harsh and uncalled for, no?

 

[MoJ]

With all due respect, you're out of line. I need to be able to sleep at night and look in the mirror in the morning. If I go into the dealership and make ludicrous demands, start yelling, jump up and down, and stomp my feet in anger it's simply going to be embarrassing for everyone including me . Legally, I believe ALL they're obligated to do is to fix the problems. Common sense says they ~should~ do something additional to keep the customer happy and they're doing that.

I'd hate to have to deal with some of you people if I ever made a mistake servicing your vehicle. It's so easy to post completely unrealistic advice, but very different to follow through when the shoe is on your foot.

A bit touchy this morning eh?

No one said to go in there and throw a tantrum, just set your expectations higher. Keep in mind that this is a public forum where all opinions are offered, not just those that suit you. Here, my opinion, like it or not, is that you've spent a ton of coin on something and should expect perfection, nothing short of it. Sorry I didn't tell you what you wanted to hear.

 

[Brentbba]

Great feedback. My experience with Lexus over a 3 year ownership of a GS300 was nothing short of great. No issues like this and you are absolutely paying for all the ass kissing at Lexus.

Sounds to me like they are trying to take care of you and go a step beyond. Those customer survey's are life and death to them. I riped Family Scion a new on on my new car purchase for my daughter and got calls from both Customer Service at Family Scion and Scion Corporate.

Da Hapa - welcome to another South Orange County Member!

 

[greynolds]

A bit touchy this morning eh?

No one said to go in there and throw a tantrum, just set your expectations higher. Keep in mind that this is a public forum where all opinions are offered, not just those that suit you. Here, my opinion, like it or not, is that you've spent a ton of coin on something and should expect perfection, nothing short of it. Sorry I didn't tell you what you wanted to hear.

The difference between your previous post and this one is that the first could EASILY be taken as a personal attack while the second offered an opinion.

Regarding expecting perfection, that still only goes so far. If we collectively assume that there's no way I'm going to get a brand new replacement vehicle out of this (I see absolutely no legal basis to make hiring a lawyer and going down that road a worthwhile venture), what more should I expect beyond what they've agreed to at this point?

 

[e9999]

OK, everybody, tech content of this thread is already not that significant any more at this point.
No personal bickering, please.

 

[e9999]

GR, you asked for opinions, we gave you plenty. Now you just have to decide -or already have decided- what you're comfortable with and will be able to live with in the future. That's all that matters.
Let us know the developments if you care to.
Good luck!

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

First things first, I hear what you all are saying about demanding a brand new vehicle, but it's much easier said than done. Unless things get really bad, I really don't want to go down the road of hiring a lawyer and investing the time and money it would take.

- A free 7 year / 100k mile extended warranty

2 comments:

New vehicle: I make a lot of money. I'm sure if you're buying a new LX470 you must too. I wouldn't accept that vehicle at any price. That thing cost $65K+. It's not some Honda Civic you'll junk soon. I think you're foolish to not at leat SEE A LAWLEY and have the LAWYER CALL THE GM. You're out a couple of hundred bucks and I know you will end up with a new LX. Yes, it's a hassle however you got screwed, you're getting screwed (by the GM's comments) and it's up to YOU to correct it. Sounds harsh but we're talking a boatload of money here.

7-yr/100K: Careful here. Toyota offers two plans. One doesn't cover a bunch of the electrics and one does. Make sure you get the best one.

Good luck...but don't rollover to thei intimidation. It's WORTH the added work IMO.

 

[greynolds]

GR, you asked for opinions, we gave you plenty.

And I appreciate them all, save the (real or just perceived) personal attack from this morning.

Now you just have to decide -or already have decided- what you're comfortable with and will be able to live with in the future. That's all that matters.
Let us know the developments if you care to.
Good luck!

Assuming they come through with the Lexus Platinum 7 year/100k mile warranty along with the other things, I think that's reasonable and I can live with it. Thanks for the good luck and I'll post an update with the final resolution - or perhaps another "need to vent" post if they decide to jerk me around on things .

 

[a990dna]

I took delivery of my 2006 LX-470 last Monday.

Gents, this is the fundamental problem, delivery has been taken and the title sent to the DMV.

Once you drive off the lot and take delivery its basically yours, unless there's a major factory defect with the unit.. transmission falling out, etc. In this case someone hired a third party to mess with the LX.

Plus, its past the 72 hour mark to cancel the deal.

I've been through this before in the late 70s with Ford.

I would just make sure the warrantee is good for life by the factory.. not the dealer, a lot can happen over ten years with that dealer.

My .02