Brand new NX450H dented before delivery. Repair question.
#61
Lead Lap
I get your point on the tax credit, but try and see if you can stall until Friday when the house will vote on the updated tax credits. It already passed the senate, and the House votes on Friday. If it passes, I believe the credit might even be better. The thing is that who knows when it will actually be implemented.
The requirements are, to my understanding, tougher than what had previously been the case, and, from what I've read, there are no current Toyota or Lexus vehicles that qualify. Also, I believe that, as soon as the new bill becomes law, the new requirements take effect immediately.
I could be mistaken about my understanding, but I'm just going by what I've read in the last few days.
#62
Racer
My understanding is that the new legislation has strict requirements related to where the vehicle is assembled, source of parts, etc. to be eligible for the tax credit.
The requirements are, to my understanding, tougher than what had previously been the case, and, from what I've read, there are no current Toyota or Lexus vehicles that qualify. Also, I believe that, as soon as the new bill becomes law, the new requirements take effect immediately.
I could be mistaken about my understanding, but I'm just going by what I've read in the last few days.
The requirements are, to my understanding, tougher than what had previously been the case, and, from what I've read, there are no current Toyota or Lexus vehicles that qualify. Also, I believe that, as soon as the new bill becomes law, the new requirements take effect immediately.
I could be mistaken about my understanding, but I'm just going by what I've read in the last few days.
#63
Lead Lap
Further, I believe that, with the new legislation, there is a $150,000 income cap that determines whether or not the buyer will be eligible for the tax credit. That may or may not affect the OP's eligibility for the credit. Also, only vehicles with an MSRP under $55,000 are eligible for the credit.
Last edited by lesz; 08-10-22 at 08:03 AM.
#64
Rookie
Thread Starter
I'm very confident that, with the obsidian color, they can match the color of the bumper perfectly. If it was me, I'd probably ask to inspect the car after the new bumper was installed. Besides checking the color, which should be fine, I would also check to see if the amount of orange peel on the bumper paint is similar to that on the rest of the car. I'd also check to see that the new bumper fits the way it should. The gaps between the bumper and the adjacent panels should be uniform, and they should be consistent in size to those on the rest of the car.
If everything checks out okay, I'd also ask them for some sort of discount to compensate you for your inconvenience. My guess is that they will not be likely to comply with that request because, if you don't buy the car, they will likely not have any trouble selling it quickly to someone else, and the new buyer will probably have no idea that the bumper was replaced and will be happy to have been able to buy the car.
Good luck.
If everything checks out okay, I'd also ask them for some sort of discount to compensate you for your inconvenience. My guess is that they will not be likely to comply with that request because, if you don't buy the car, they will likely not have any trouble selling it quickly to someone else, and the new buyer will probably have no idea that the bumper was replaced and will be happy to have been able to buy the car.
Good luck.
#65
Lead Lap
#66
Rookie
Thread Starter
Is that going to drop resale value quite a bit?
#67
Lead Lap
My guess is that most people, except for those with OCD tendencies (like me) would never notice the difference in orange peel.
Since bumpers are not painted at the same time as is the rest of the car, many cars will come off of the assembly line with orange peel on the bumpers that differs from the orange peel on the rest of the car, but that is not something that I'd expect to be the case with the higher level of quality control that Lexus supposedly uses.
But, if it bothers you, they could still remedy the situation by doing some careful wet sanding now. However, if it done carelessly, they could burn through the clear coat, which would require refinishing the entire bumper. So, you will have to make a decision about how big the difference is and whether it will bother you.
Since bumpers are not painted at the same time as is the rest of the car, many cars will come off of the assembly line with orange peel on the bumpers that differs from the orange peel on the rest of the car, but that is not something that I'd expect to be the case with the higher level of quality control that Lexus supposedly uses.
But, if it bothers you, they could still remedy the situation by doing some careful wet sanding now. However, if it done carelessly, they could burn through the clear coat, which would require refinishing the entire bumper. So, you will have to make a decision about how big the difference is and whether it will bother you.
#68
Rookie
Thread Starter
So we are likely going to turn down the car after looking at it. TipsyTonio pointed out in this video I took that it appears there's something wrong with the tabs or bracket for the bumper. That along with the bumper not fitting well were what decided it for us.
Last edited by oldtripper; 08-11-22 at 12:45 AM.
#69
Zero impact
This is a mass produced entry lux crossover.. not a McLaren or Ferrari.
When you sell/trade in, it'll be Carfax, mileage and does it run, that's basically it...like you think dealer or place like CarMax, carvana will care? Of course not
This is a mass produced entry lux crossover.. not a McLaren or Ferrari.
When you sell/trade in, it'll be Carfax, mileage and does it run, that's basically it...like you think dealer or place like CarMax, carvana will care? Of course not
#70
Racer
So we are likely going to turn down the car after looking at it. TipsyTonio pointed out in this video I took that it appears there's something wrong with the tabs or bracket for the bumper. That along with the bumper not fitting well were what decided it for us.
https://youtu.be/MiLrx6b7X-I
https://youtu.be/MiLrx6b7X-I
- To my eye and at this angle, the gap between the tailgate and the bumper appears to be tighter on the right side then the left
- Also, the matte black trim at the bottom appears to be sitting flush with the painted bumper on the right side, but not the left side.
#71
Lead Lap
So we are likely going to turn down the car after looking at it. TipsyTonio pointed out in this video I took that it appears there's something wrong with the tabs or bracket for the bumper. That along with the bumper not fitting well were what decided it for us.
https://youtu.be/MiLrx6b7X-I
https://youtu.be/MiLrx6b7X-I
If the bumper clips are damaged, they can be replaced easily and inexpensively, but there can be slight and not easily noticed damage/enlargement of the connection points on the bumper brackets. If that happens, the fit of the new bumper cover can be just a bit off and, yes, over time, the connection between the bumper bracket and the clips can loosen, and the fit can get worse. From your video, it appears that there was damage to either the bumper clips or the bumper bracket that was not completely/properly repaired.
Now that I am looking at this specific image, I see a couple of concerning things.
- To my eye and at this angle, the gap between the tailgate and the bumper appears to be tighter on the right side then the left
- Also, the matte black trim at the bottom appears to be sitting flush with the painted bumper on the right side, but not the left side.
For the OP, I think you are likely making the best decision if you decide not to buy the car. The dealer will have no trouble selling that NX, and the buyer likely will never notice that work was done on the vehicle, and he/she likely will be happy with the purchase. On the other hand, there is a good chance that, if you bought the car, because you know about the repair work that was done on it, it would always bother you. I know it would always bother me, but I do admit that I'm more than a bit OCD about things like that. In this case, though, the imperfect repairs are ones that I would not find acceptable even if I didn't have those OCD tendencies.
Considering that you have been inconvenienced by this entire experience, you might want to see if the dealer might, as a good-will gesture, make an extra effort to find and get you another NX450h as quickly as possible.
Last edited by lesz; 08-11-22 at 07:26 AM.
#72
I agree with Lesz about the always bothering you. Had that with a car I bought once door damaged and a repaint to that area, I could always see it in certain light conditions. I accepted the car because I could not get another one. The guy I sold it to a year later was the original person that ordered the car and refused it ! Small world.
Bumper covers are some what difficult to replace properly, who cares on a 4-10 year old vehicle, but brand new, not for me.
The right side should be tight where it seems to move in the video. The left side seems a little off where it meets the matte plastic. Checked mine and it's a very smooth transition
Tough choice, sorry that you have to make this decision.
Best of luck!!
Bumper covers are some what difficult to replace properly, who cares on a 4-10 year old vehicle, but brand new, not for me.
The right side should be tight where it seems to move in the video. The left side seems a little off where it meets the matte plastic. Checked mine and it's a very smooth transition
Tough choice, sorry that you have to make this decision.
Best of luck!!
#73
Rookie
Thread Starter
When bumpers are attached to vehicles, multiple parts/connection points are involved. First, there are bumper brackets that attach to the unibody of the vehicle. Then, there are bumper clips that connect the bumper cover to the bumper brackets. Those bumper clips are designed to break easily upon impact, which is what minimizes damage to the sheet metal in the quarter panels if the bumper is impacted.
If the bumper clips are damaged, they can be replaced easily and inexpensively, but there can be slight and not easily noticed damage/enlargement of the connection points on the bumper brackets. If that happens, the fit of the new bumper cover can be just a bit off and, yes, over time, the connection between the bumper bracket and the clips can loosen, and the fit can get worse.
There is no question that getting a perfect alignment of the tailgate and bumper is especially difficult because, not only do the tailgate and bumper have to be aligned with each other, but they both also need to be aligned with the quarter panels on both sides of the vehicle, and trying to correct a slight misalignment at one spot can make the alignment in another spot worse.
For the OP, I think you are likely making the best decision if you decide not to buy the car. The dealer will have no trouble selling that NX, and the buyer likely will never notice that work was done on the vehicle, and he/she likely will be happy with the purchase. On the other hand, there is a good chance that, if you bought the car, because you know about the repair work that was done on it, it would always bother you.
If the bumper clips are damaged, they can be replaced easily and inexpensively, but there can be slight and not easily noticed damage/enlargement of the connection points on the bumper brackets. If that happens, the fit of the new bumper cover can be just a bit off and, yes, over time, the connection between the bumper bracket and the clips can loosen, and the fit can get worse.
There is no question that getting a perfect alignment of the tailgate and bumper is especially difficult because, not only do the tailgate and bumper have to be aligned with each other, but they both also need to be aligned with the quarter panels on both sides of the vehicle, and trying to correct a slight misalignment at one spot can make the alignment in another spot worse.
For the OP, I think you are likely making the best decision if you decide not to buy the car. The dealer will have no trouble selling that NX, and the buyer likely will never notice that work was done on the vehicle, and he/she likely will be happy with the purchase. On the other hand, there is a good chance that, if you bought the car, because you know about the repair work that was done on it, it would always bother you.
#74
Honestly, it probably wouldn't bother me in of in itself, but considering the price of the car and the fact it looks sloppy right from the beginning, a $500 discount they offered isn't enough. It hurts though that this was my last chance at this or a Prime before the tax credit ends when the new bill is signed. I also posted on Lexus groups on Facebook and the vast majority say they would have gladly bought. Granted I didn't post the pics of video and they haven't had to put up the money yet. The dealer will happily offer to the next person without the discount.
best of luck on your car search!
#75
Intermediate
I’m an old guy with crazy-high standards but I say: Take the vehicle and the likely tax benefit. Ask for a $1,000 discount for your trouble. Compromise at $750 if you must. With the $1,000 or even the $750 or $500 (and the major tax credit), bring it to a reputable body shop and ask them if they can tighten that right side. Either way, you’ll stop thinking about it shortly after you begin to enjoy the vehicle, which is otherwise a 99 percent gem. Don’t spend the rest of your life testing that bumper joint and, when friends and neighbors compliment your new ride, don’t share the bumper story. Life’s too short and these vehicles are too rare. Just…
Last edited by redhot47fl; 08-11-22 at 08:42 AM.