Newby, here! Loving my '03

[hans_a]

Hi everyone! This weekend I became the proud owner of a 2003 100. So far --- save for some minor issues to have fixed under warranty --- I love it. White on gray, nav, all the usual options except DVD.

It's certified with the extended, Platinum warranty (I hope that was worth the extra spend!), and it does have a few little nuances I want fixed:
- There's an annoying squeak or groan coming from just behind the steering wheel (when the wheel is turned approximately 1/4-turn to the left from center)
- There is a lot of wind noise, which seems to be coming from the lower, middle portion of the windshield (I thought it might be noise off the wipers, but turning them on had little affect on pitch of the noise)
- The navigation system is not currently recognizing CDs (or DVDs for that matter --- is it true this system will play DVDs?)
- I did not get the electric brake controller "plug" (does anyone have one they don't plan on using?)
- The lumbar in the driver seat is not working

Everything else seems great. I am taking it back in this week to get the dealership to fix all of the above. Is there anything else I should be weary of to have them look at (that may not be obvious, yet). She has 70K miles on her.

Thanks and I look forward to my ownership!
John

 

[e9999]

welcome to the site! You'll learn plenty and get good help from good people!

you may want to start by checking the FAQ and doing some searches on the various issues you mentioned. Plenty out there...

good choice of year and color too!

 

[UltraFJ40]

Welcome and (customary greeting for Mud).

Definitely read the FAQ's it'll answer questions that you haven't even thought of yet.

Need to post pics of your new ride!

Welcome again.

 

[hans_a]

Can't win for losing...

Well, after only two days of ownership I took my new to me 03 LC back into the dealership I bought it from (certified BTW) to get a couple of things worked on... namely the CD/DVD changer was not working, lumbar support was not working, the seal on the windshield was improperly installed and there was some touch-up work to be done (which was part of a due bill).

And here it is going into the 3rd week.. still sitting at the dealership (Kerry Toyota in Florence, KY) and they don't know where the DVD player is (I guess they send it out to get fixed).

At this point I'm pretty miffed. They gave me a Camry as a loaner, which has no rear brakes and the windshield wipers are broken. Certainly not the vehicle I bought. Anyhow, the dealership has been all over the place as far as working with them. The guy I actually bought it from basically told me to go to hell and to stop calling him (he actually made the appointment with service for me).

Anyway, first question: according to the documentation, a certified vehilce should have a working CD player. Is this something that should have precluded my LC from getting certified?

Second question: since I have not seen the LC since 9/5 and I only drove it 2 days, should I try and get the dealer to compensate me somehow for that time since I am obviously NOT driving the equivalent vehicle to what I am paying for. It's ok if I only had a loaner for the originally stated day that they would have the truck, but it's been over TWO WEEKS!!!!!

Just a little upset right now....

Thanks for the help and I look forward to hopefully driving my LC in the future.
John
'03 LC

 

[drsales]

I would have expected that the DVD would have been checked. But it was not. Raise a stink or just act major concerned. I would get upgraded into a better loaner. Squeeky wheel gets the grease. However do it with a classy but firm approach. No one likes a bitcher, but they will work with someone who is concerned and feels like he was not delt with fairly. Turn the guilt on them make them feel like they did short change you.

 

[tabraha]

I'd definitely ask them what corporate is going to think when they find out you bought a "certified" vehicle that is the Toyota NA flagship model and has these kind of issues. They should jump pretty quick.

Welcome to the board, sorry I missed your first post.

 

[SWUtah]

Go campout in the GM's office and ask him to let you drive his vehicle until your LC is where it should of been when you bought it.

 

[Jim_Chow]

They should be fixing that stuff for you under warranty provided their warranty is underwritten by Toyota financial services and not some third party (sources of warranties discussed in a recent thread). I'm glad I got a CPO lexus over a CPO toyota for the service. The one warranty claim I made (steering wheel 5-10 deg off center), they ordered the part and made me an appt, the part came the next biz day. Once the parts are in, you bring it in for service. I dropped off the car that morning, got a new '06 RX330 w/ 1200 mi as the free loaner (5min drop-off time w/ their valet service), picked up my washed & vacuumed car the same afternoon (5 min pickup), plus gas in the loaner was free. Problem was fixed, no issues other than that.

You dealer's service is completely unacceptable. Any way to bring it to another dealership? It wouldn't surprise me if there were shortage of parts and the part is common to both toyota and lexus, that lexus would get the priority on obtaining the part (I have no way to confirm this, but I just say I wouldn't be surprised if it were true). Judging from comments on clublexus, some guys have had multiple new drive-shafts replaced on their GX's (clunking complaint) while the 4runner owners w/ the same problem have problems getting their Toyota dealers to do anything. I have dealt with both good and bad toyota service centers/managers as I'm sure most of you have...it's all hit & miss.

BTW, the LX's (at least '03+) have this plastic "wing" attachment that clips to the driver's side wiper to reduce wind noise. It's only on that one side. Not sure if the LC's have it. You can only watch DVD's if the car is stopped (and I think the e-brake engaged), while you can listen to them (w/ no picture) while driving.

 

[e9999]

2 weeks definitely not OK.
If after talking to them again you are not getting anywhere, it's time to get Toyota Corporate involved... Contact your regional rep etc.

 

[LXPearl]

Welcome and congratulations on getting a 100. The 03 is a good model year.

The NAV system does play both CDs and DVDs, but DVDs only play with the picture when in Park and the ebrake engaged. There are some posts on this site regarding means to get DVDs to play while in motion - if you really want such a feature.

The dealership is not handling your situation well, but there may be more than they are willing to tell you. The part may be hard to get. Still, it is hard to believe they did not order the parts and let you drive the 100 until the parts arrived (like Jim Chow described at Lexus).

I would look at the fine print on the extended warranty to determine if it is handled by Toyota Financial Services or a 3rd party. If it is TFS, then you should be in good shape and can have leverage with Toyota corporate. If it is a 3rd party, then you may have difficulty throughout the warranty period and you have little recourse through corporate. However, look at the fine print for turning back the warranty and getting your money back - because you should be in the return period. There usually is a small fee and it will take several months before you see the funds back.

Another consideration if it is 3rd party, that may be why the dealer is having trouble getting the part. Any certification requires an inspection and repair of deficiencies before the certification is implemented. The dealer may have been "caught" getting ahead of the game here just to make a sale. Considering what I mentioned earlier about canceling a warranty, if you do so, it could be difficult to get one with TFS with pre-existing conditions that do not meet their requirements.

I really recommend getting your info together, then visiting with the finance officer or owner to find out the real story. Explain that you bought the top of the line vehicle and you are extremely disappointed in their ability to repair it in a timely manner. Give them an opportunity to explain their side, what they are doing, and when you can expect results from them. It will not hurt to request a meeting with the regional rep to make sure the vehicle and dealership are processing everything well and to ease your mind about your purchase and your confidence in the dealership and the Toyota reputation.

Try to keep your cool throughout your dealing with them - as a professional transaction - they should try to help more. No need to threaten with going to media, etc. Referencing your desire to have confidence in the Toyota reputation and in their ability to deliver effective customer service will put pressure on them. Noting that the LC is their flagship product with its own stellar reputation should give notice that you expect top quality service.

Best wishes. I really hope you have the TFS warranty because you will be in good shape going to Toyota corporate if necessary. Otherwise, it could be a more difficult situation. As you may have gathered, I learned the hard way.

 

[gaylon]

Welcome to the board. Your experience with the vehicle, once you are driving it will make this bad initial experience seem like a distantly remembered bad dream. Enjoy the truck and the board. Good vehicles and great people can be found here.

 

[Jim_Chow]

[snip] Referencing your desire to have confidence in the Toyota reputation and in their ability to deliver effective customer service will put pressure on them. Noting that the LC is their flagship product with its own stellar reputation should give notice that you expect top quality service.

This is the inherent problem w/ Toyota USA dealerships. It doesn't matter if you pay $15K for a Corolla or $60K for a LC..you get the same service. Unfair, but true. They just charge you more for everything because it's the top-of-the-line (meaning they think you're a money bag and can afford it). It's like paying $2K for an economy plane ticket.

 

[hans_a]

Thanks much for everyone's help. The dealership is bringing me a new car today to drive until the LC is done (The dealer is an hour away making this whole thing a little more difficult to negotiate). Apparently, they fired the guy I bought the car from (who I make mention to above).

Thanks to the posters re: the function of the DVD changer... the unit didn't function at all, so it's getting repaired under warranty. And yes, the warranty is underwritten by TFS (platinum level) along with the CPO warranty.

I just can't wait to get my LC back home (which it actually has never seen...).

I look forward to the ownership and hopefully being engaged on the board. Brief background... I'm a BMW guy (as I see there are a few posters on the board who cross into the sports car world) and have a modest race car (currently undergoing LOTS of surgery to get on track for next year). The LC is replacing my E350 diesel van as a daily driver/tow vehicle and I hope to get back into the off-road realm, as well. One of my first cars was a modestly built '84 Jeep Scrambler (it's been awhile... back before everyone went to coil spring swaps, etc) and I really enjoyed the trails.

I look forward to joining a great group and if anyone is in the Lexington, KY area give me a holler (as we say it in these parts!).

Oh yeah...

John aka Hans
03 UZJ100
Lots of BMWs

 

[spressomon]

Welcome to 'MUD John...er Hans . We'll be more than willing to help you spend your money on great LC/LX mods to make it more off-road worthy...and even some road-worthy mods too .























I salute you:

 

[Dandon]

Welcome to 'MUD John...er Hans . We'll be more than willing to help you spend your money on great LC/LX mods to make it more off-road worthy...and even some road-worthy mods too

Hi!
You should start your mods by installing with these. Never go off-roading without them:
Absolutely necessary LC100 accesories

 

[NMuzj100]

Hi!
You should start your mods by installing with these. Never go off-roading without them:
Absolutely necessary LC100 accesories

Slip covers, Just like grandma had. At least they're not overpriced.

If my interior was that avacado green I'd be looking for seatcovers too.

 

[hans_a]

You mean those weren't supposed to already come on the 100?

Shoot... just another thing I need to have the dealer remove.

John