our ES at 100K new battery, $124. Then trip checkup: um, you need shocks all the way around, a new water pump and PS pressure hose. $3650.00! 1/2 hr off the labor due to multiple jobs! tire balance half way through our trip(I think the bad shocks made a wheel weight fall off). and new headlight to boot! H11, 55 W. that I did. did I get ripped off?

 

Do you have electronic modulated suspension or just regular? I also assume this is a lexus dealership you dealt with?

 

reg. suspension. toyota dealer,

 

Yep, they ripped you a new one. But, that's to be expected when you go to the stealership.

 

For that you could just bought another car and continued on your way.

 

As long as the water-pump wasn't leaking badly, I would have left all of those components alone and continued on the trip.

At only 100K OEM struts are worn, but shouldn't be to the point of replacement.

 

^^ What he said. I bought my 03 ES300 with 182k miles for $1,500 after taxes and registration almost $2,000 and all it needed was a really good wash, wax, and shampoo.

 

Woah! You stole that thing!

 

when in the spring holder, one of the front struts went all the way to the bottom without even a push

 

If the struts are blown, in order to keep from having to replace your tires due to cupping, your struts will need to be replaced, however I just replaced mine at 155k but mine were not blown or leaking at all.