The difference between horsepower and horse plop. My 2002 Lexus has been a workhorse for many years. A few days ago, I noticed I could no longer adjust the mirrors and the cigarette lighter wasnt working. I pulled out all the fuses one at a time but didnt find any blown ones. The next morning, the check engine light came on and I started thinking the end was near (for the car, not me). I made my way over to the Lexus dealer (I wont mention their name) and I explained all this to them, emphasizing the part about my messing with the fuses. They told me it would cost approximately $100.00 to diagnose the problem, but would forego that charge if I decided to have them do the repairs. I asked them to also fix the taillight and change the oil while they were at it. They called a couple of hours later and gave me the bad news: 1. Both air/fuel sensors were bad - $860.00 2. The main engine seal needs replacing. 3. The valve cover gasket needs replacing. 4. We changed the oil. 5. We gave you a complimentary car wash. (laugh goes here) Total estimate: approx $3,000.00 to do all the work. Needless to say, I told them I had to think about it. The bill came to $200.00, $100.00 for the diagnosis, and I guess $100.00 for the oil change By the way, they forgot to fix the taillight. Since Roberts Service Center in Milford, CT has been working on my car for forever, I called Steve and told him what has transpired. He told me to bring the car in this morning. I brought the car in, and they gave me a ride home. A couple of hours later, he called and told me the car was fixed. I got very nervous, since I was expecting them to give me an estimate first. When I got there, he told me the main seal and valve cover gasket were indeed leaking ever so slightly, but wouldnt bother fixing them (the car has almost 180,000 miles on it). That made sense to me since I never add oil, only change it every 5000 miles or so. He fixed the taillight and replaced a blown fuse which also took care of the mirrors and cigarette lighter. As for the two sensors, I had caused the problem by putting the fuse back in the wrong place. Total cost: $100.00 Morals of the story: 1. Never trust anyone who charges you $200.00 for an oil change and then tells you they gave you a free car wash! 2. Stay the hell out of your fuse box! 3. Always get a second opinion (I know, Im ugly too) 4. Go to Roberts Service Center when you need work done on your car. BTW, they have always been honest with me. I told them I needed brake pads and rotors a couple of times only to have them tell me it was brake dust which they fixed for free. 5. McDermott Lexus of New Haven my ass!
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 01:29:18 +0000
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