juliee

I picked up my new 2010 RX 350 Starfire Pearl yesterday. My salesman told me to seriously consider the prepaid scheduled maintenance plan because the synethic oil changes w/tire rotation will cost $225? I need help. So..if I keep the car 48mos. I think the price was $1485, 60 mos is $1985. Please provide insight. Thanks!

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I personally never would prepay for maintenance. Are you leasing for 48 months or bought it and plan to sell it after 4 years? Is the prepaid maintenance program retroactively refundable of you don't use its full term? you never know what the future holds for you. Financially you may be okay; however, the car may develop problems and you may just want to get rid of it, the car may get into an accident and totaled, the car may get stolen never to be seen again. Under those conditions would you get your money back?

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

PS, you could probably get synthetic oil changes and a tire rotation for a local independent shop done for about $100 or less. I just did my GS430 oil with full synthetic and OEM Lexus oil filter for a total cost of $35 myself. Tack on shop hourly rate if you don't want to do it yourself plus tire rotation and I can't see the price going over $120 max.

The G Man

Is that price for oil change every 5000 miles? How about the location of service, some plans are only good at the dealer where you buy the plan from. Finally, is the plan refundable if you sell the car?

stevemcb

I receive lifetime oil changes for free. Now that is service!! Tire rotation is $20. The Dealer is in Naples Florida and also gave me over $3.5K off the price of a 2010 RX350.

juliee

I really appreciate the feedback! I purchased the car. I plan to keep it at least 48 months or until the next RX design overhaul. He commented what I don't use I will get back.

ggebhardt

I always feel if the dealer is pushing to sell something it is because it is in their favor and not yours. I kinda would rather as I go unless I can see real money savings which I can not see here.

juliee

Thanks everyone! I will not purchase the prepd maintenance.

The G Man

It still amaze me how much it cost to do rountine maintenance on a Lexus these days compare to years ago. Even compare to the German cars, Lexus cost more for routine maintenace. A 5 year maintenace plan for an Audi A6 cost $700 as appose to $2000 for a Lexus RX. Lexus really have a good scheme going with all these schedule maintenance to check this and check that, which they use to do for free. Now it is done at a rate of $115 an hour.

RXSF

if you plan on going religiously to lexus every 5K miles, it probably is in your favor. the way they look at it is that they are afraid you will go to independent dealers or do it yourself, so they rather you pay most of it one time, than not come back at all.

johnpg

Hi Juliee,

Was this a plan from Lexus itself, the dealer or a third party? I'd actually be interested in doing something like that if it was a Lexus offered option.

Cheers,
John

juliee

Hi John,

Yes, it is a Lexus sponsored program. Just ask about the prepaid maintenance plan. If you dealer does know, I can scan in the brochure I received.

Have a great day!

juliee

Hi G Man,

The plan is good for every 5K oil change and tire rotation. The salesman commented that what I don't use is given back. I think the refund would definitely be in their favor. It probably is prorated on a double declining balance. The finance guy didn't mention until the salesman reminded him to talk to me about it.

The G Man

juliee, if you are the type of owner who do all the schedule maintence at the dealer, then the plan is not a bad deal. You will get 7 service, 1st one is on Lexus, the 7 services includes 7 oil change, 7 tire rotation, 3 HVAC filter, 3 air filter, 1 differential fluid changes and 7 multi point inspection. All that work can easily add up to $2500.

johnpg

Thanks for the info. I'd love to see the brochure, but would never ask you to go through so much trouble as to scan it. I'll ask my dealer about it. I plan to go to Lexus for all my maintenance and will probably keep the car for ten years. My wife and I have a deal, we each get a new car when the last one is paid off. This is my turn.

Cheers,
John