new in town
03-12-24, 02:46 PM
#1
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new in town
I am new-ish to Nashville, as well as to this forum. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their favorite Lexus repair shops. I have a 2003 GX470 that needs a little TLC. Nothing major, but I would prefer to begin the car owner/mechanic relationship on the right foot. Any and all advice is welcome.
03-14-24, 06:49 AM
#2
First off WELCOME and congrats on your GX.
Got mine a few months back and I would love to give you my experience.
I NEVER worked on cars. Watched a bunch of Youtube videos with people working on cars and got an itch.
Wife's lease is up and car prices are way too high. Decided to buy a GX that needed "minor" work and give her my vehicle instead of another lease.
In the meantime I have a few months to work out the bugs with the GX while we have 3 vehicles.
FIRST step was to bring it to local Christian Brothers mechanic for their $60 "new car lookover".
They charged me $169, sent me a few pics of the brake lights working and told me I had an exhaust leak around the manifold that would be 17 billable hours to fix.
Brought the GX knowing it needed a new AC clutch due to the obvious noise it was making. They never mentioned it.
Since then I realized the ONLY way to own a GX is to get your hands dirty. Invested in a metric set of sockets, a good 4 ton jack and 4 jack stands.
Watched a bunch of Youtube video and asked the good people here for help and suggestions.
The GX is probably one of the last cars that YOU can work on by yourself and that is part of it's appeal and popularity. Parts are easy to find both stock and aftermarket (don't cheap out on important stuff).
In only few months and with no experience, I have already replaced both sets of both sets of CV boots, rear brake pads and rotors, power steering reservoir, pump and high pressure line, AC compressor, alternator, brake peddle relay switch and disabled the steering wheel lock, and have parts coming to do both struts and shocks next week. Mind you I am out of shape and old too. LOL.
Good luck with finding a shop but my suggestion is to invest the overpriced labor costs into maintenance items and cool upgrades by trying to do the work yourself. It is also so rewarding when you accomplish it (even after you curse it and swear you will sell it in the process).
Again welcome to the club and hope you enjoy your GX!!
Got mine a few months back and I would love to give you my experience.
I NEVER worked on cars. Watched a bunch of Youtube videos with people working on cars and got an itch.
Wife's lease is up and car prices are way too high. Decided to buy a GX that needed "minor" work and give her my vehicle instead of another lease.
In the meantime I have a few months to work out the bugs with the GX while we have 3 vehicles.
FIRST step was to bring it to local Christian Brothers mechanic for their $60 "new car lookover".
They charged me $169, sent me a few pics of the brake lights working and told me I had an exhaust leak around the manifold that would be 17 billable hours to fix.
Brought the GX knowing it needed a new AC clutch due to the obvious noise it was making. They never mentioned it.
Since then I realized the ONLY way to own a GX is to get your hands dirty. Invested in a metric set of sockets, a good 4 ton jack and 4 jack stands.
Watched a bunch of Youtube video and asked the good people here for help and suggestions.
The GX is probably one of the last cars that YOU can work on by yourself and that is part of it's appeal and popularity. Parts are easy to find both stock and aftermarket (don't cheap out on important stuff).
In only few months and with no experience, I have already replaced both sets of both sets of CV boots, rear brake pads and rotors, power steering reservoir, pump and high pressure line, AC compressor, alternator, brake peddle relay switch and disabled the steering wheel lock, and have parts coming to do both struts and shocks next week. Mind you I am out of shape and old too. LOL.
Good luck with finding a shop but my suggestion is to invest the overpriced labor costs into maintenance items and cool upgrades by trying to do the work yourself. It is also so rewarding when you accomplish it (even after you curse it and swear you will sell it in the process).
Again welcome to the club and hope you enjoy your GX!!
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