Besides having to endure “stealership” pricing, the Lexus service departments are setup for warranty work and simple maintenance so when an older car like ours shows up, not only are they drooling at how much they can charge an inexperienced public, but their skill level and experience working on the older vehicles are limited. Same with Toyota IMO.

Best to research and find a highly regarded independent and use this site to bounce prices off of so you avoid getting ripped off….

 

This is what happens when an amateur does the timing belts. This is from my Tundra 4.7 right after I bought it. Apparently a nut from a pulley fell off leaving the belt to begin working it's way off. The mechanic told me, "Whoever worked on it put a wrench to the nut. That should NEVER happen.". I only found out because I had an oil leak at the cam seal and told the mechanic to fix that...the timing belt job had been done a year or two previously. I'm lucky to still have an engine.

 

I consider myself a saver when it comes to $. However, after seeing so many fake parts online (which looks so real), I stopped buying Toyota/Lexus part online. I found my local dealers carry parts very close to online price and no needs to worry rather parts are real or not. As for timing belt, I know most of the time you can get the job done cheaper at local shops. The issue is I don't know what parts they use and not sure if they have the knowledge on LS. Maybe I just not able to find some shop I trust enough. For me, I just don't feel comfortable taking it anywhere else other than Lexus (even though I know it cost more)

 

It's hard to trust most mechanics, but I wouldn't place any more trust in a Lexus dealer... or any manufacturer dealer for that matter. Knowing how dealerships operate... they rarely look out for your best interest. Service advisors carry the job because of the money potential, not because they find passion in being a middle man for parts servicing. Unless you have good prior experience, I'd personally trust a local Japanese auto shop over a dealer.