SamNBrown

Hey everyone. I'm planning on buying an LX 570 sometime in the next few months and look forward to being part of your community. Looking for an opinion on extended warranties: I think I've found a nice 2011 at Carmax. It has a clean AutoCheck (I'll buy the Carfax if I like the car), two owners and 112k miles. The price is roughly $30k, plus $1800 for the pretty solid Carmax extended warranty (I've used it to get a replacement engine before). It's a 3-year, 36K warranty. In your view, what's the likelihood that $1800 worth of work will be needed within that timeframe? What's the most common big-ticket item to go (I'm a former Porsche owner, so I'm used to ticking time bombs...).

Thanks in advance for the insights!

hankinid

It's HIGHLY unlikely that $1800 in work will be needed in the next 3 years. An LX or Land Cruiser is assembled on a single assembly line in Japan. One does not work on that line without a bunch of experience over the years in other Toyota plants. The trucks are definitely NOT "ticking time bombs"...and I know what you mean having owned a few German cars in the past.

Get to Lexus.com and go to the owners section. Create a user name and password and log in. Input the vin and you'll see all services performed on the truck since it was first delivered. You'll also see any services declined by the owner.

Kind of off topic...In my experience, Carmax is not where you go to get the best price. Carmax may be OK if you're credit is a little or a lot goofy, and/or if you'd prefer not to negotiate. No criticism intended, just my opinion.

SamNBrown

Thanks, that's helpful. FWIW, Carmax has infrastructure most other retailers lack: customer service 800-numbers, case managers for issues, etc., which come in handy if there's a problem. Which is not uncommon--their mechanical/repair side is subpar, and I've returned two cars because of issues. BUT they took them back no problem and refunded my money, something worth paying a little more for upfront IMO.

Ratchey

Depending on your mechanical abilities and what has been done to the vehicle, it is actually highly likely it will need $1800 or more in repairs.
Radiator, Water pump, and the valley plate leak are almost a given to give out and will easily run you over $1800 at a dealer. Add in a possible starter issue and you are even higher than that. (if they have been replaced, then you are good to go)

If you can do the work yourself you will be under $1800 but out many hours of work.
My 2009 with 84K on it required all of that. (except the starter so far)

tuandino

LX is a reliable truck. However, electronic parts can be quite expensive to fix if they break down. In my case, I've had the dealership replace one of the rear entertainment screen due to damage to 1/2 of the screen. The screen itself is $7000, not including labor cost to install. The dealership also replaced the rear AC control panel due to a shorted board. Again, the panel itself costs $1500. Without warranty, it can take a big hit to your wallet.

hankinid

But the odds say you are not likely to need it...i.e., they're in the dealer's favor.

Think about why they want to sell the hell out of warranties.

SamNBrown

Thanks again for the info. All very helpful. I look forward to sharing a picture of my eventual purchase and revealing my decision on the warranty....!

tbisaacs

Alternator and radiator replacement on my truck paid for the warranty...

jsch222

have you looked at drivers.lexus.com to see the exact Lexus service history? I'd look for someone servicing the AHC service being completed at 60k miles. If this was neglected it can be 3-5000 in cost to repair if there is a failure. Also, look for a radiator flush and radiator replacement. With the age of the truck, it likely has the faulty radiator that is known for failure at the part stamp.

z32

5Yrs of ownership, besides services (which I don't count as 'cost to repair'), only had the rear hatch struts replaced (warrantied items).... which shouldn't cost more than 500 if paid out of pocket. It's a (as with most Toyota / Lexus) very reliable vehicle IMO.

hankinid

"Paid out of pocket" you're looking at around $80-100 and literally 15 minutes of labor if you're slow...assuming you get good struts via Amazon or similar. $500 is way out of line, at least imo. Front or rear struts are an extremely simple repair. You'll notice more weakness in warm/hot weather than in cold.

z32

I am referring the 'out of pocket' expenses as if u were to get done at a dealer and using OEM parts. That's why I said "shouldn't cost more than...". Of course you can get quality aftermarket parts and 'do it yourself', but again I am basing the costs as if they were done at a dealer. I got mine done at a dealer because they were warrantied items. If the vehicle / part is out of warranty, one would likely get done at an indy or if more mechanically inclined, would get done by him/herself.

SamNBrown

All, I wanted to share a couple pics of my newly purchased 2014 LX. 89k, 2-owner, bought from a Lexus dealer and with FLSH. Interior looks great, as does exterior. There’s some surface rust on the frame I’m going to get checked out, but otherwise she seems like a good find. Thanks for all the prepurchase advice.

hankinid

Nice truck.

jsch222

Beautiful! Congrats.