Thoughts on Extended Warranty and Lexus Luxury Care Plans?

[Bluegill]

If I only drove 5,000 miles per year then I probably wouldn't do any additional warranty or pre-paid maintenance purchases. Well, I'd have to think about the maintenance because, as serbiansizzlean pointed out, the maintenance is supposed to be time-oriented as well as mileage....but the mileage is certainly the real driver. I wouldn't feel bad holding off on an oil change or other fluid service beyond a 6-month recommendation if my miles are low.

 

[Bluegill]

Curious where you got the ~$600 average for each 5K maintenance service? Is that something Lexus publishes? From what I hear, maintenance on a Lexus is expensive. I drive less than 5K annually and that was when I had just one vehicle (4Runner). I recently sold it to buy a used basic Tacoma SR5 to pair with my new GX (still waiting). After I reach the 6 year power train warranty, I probably won’t have more than 20K miles on the GX. After the 4 year basic warranty, it’ll probably be only around 12-13K miles. I have to think through it but under my circumstances not sure if I need to buy the extended warranty plan. What would you guys do if you were me? Thanks for the post and info. Very helpful and does get me thinking.

I whipped up a spreadsheet with known service items at each service interval (it's in your manuals) and estimated costs based on my conversations with 2 Service Managers at 2 different dealerships. This was very early in the game when GXs weren't yet being serviced much (around June or July 2024) so the numbers are all estimates, but they should be pretty close.

I'll attach my spreadsheet and the actual service intervals from the manual to this post.

 

[vraa]

I'm not buying pre paid maint

I never had to do any maint on my tesla and the Lexus GX is -THREE- years newer, I'm sure they've made even more advancements in that time, rather keep that 600$ in my pocket to spend on onlyfans

 

[Bluegill]

That sounds like a good plan, my man. Run with it.

 

[Inlinefor2025OT+]

I whipped up a spreadsheet with known service items at each service interval (it's in your manuals) and estimated costs based on my conversations with 2 Service Managers at 2 different dealerships. This was very early in the game when GXs weren't yet being serviced much (around June or July 2024) so the numbers are all estimates, but they should be pretty close.

I'll attach my spreadsheet and the actual service intervals from the manual to this post.

Awesome! Thanks for sharing. After year 1, I’ll likely do my own oil change at 6 months and then bring it in at 12 months. This assumes I drive it 3-4K annually. Anyone who wants to buy an extremely well cared for GX OT+ with VERY low miles 8-9 years from now, give me shout!!

 

[Inlinefor2025OT+]

If I only drove 5,000 miles per year then I probably wouldn't do any additional warranty or pre-paid maintenance purchases. Well, I'd have to think about the maintenance because, as serbiansizzlean pointed out, the maintenance is supposed to be time-oriented as well as mileage....but the mileage is certainly the real driver. I wouldn't feel bad holding off on an oil change or other fluid service beyond a 6-month recommendation if my miles are low.

I only took my 2016 4Runner LTD in once a year to the dealership since I was only driving about 5K annually. Never had a single issue. Of course the 5th gen is built like a tank. I may try to do the same with the new GX but of course it’s a new gen with lots of new tech. Engine has been around a few years. Anyway I have options but I’m confident that if I put less than 5k on it annually, I won’t have to incur the normal maintenance cost that the average GX owner will incur. Will definitely change the oil on my own at 1K. I forget who posted it on this forum, but he gave detailed step by step instructions. I have it saved somewhere. Thankful for that. Thankful for this forum!

 

[Southland53]

My GX arrives next week. My Toyota dealer that has serviced my 4Runner all these years told me to bring it to him for maintenance service outside of warranty work. Said it would be much cheaper. Has anyone else been told this?

 

[JoeRob]

The first service at 5000 miles is free from Lexus. After that, without a service "plan", extended warranty plan, you will pay whatever the dealer charges. Go to Lexus for your service even if Toyota company owns Lexus, I don't believe a Toyota dealer/service is appropriate. I just sold my 22 4Runner to Carmax, then bought my GX 550, with extended warranty and a service plan. I was very glad to get away from the Toyota dealer.

 

[REB27]

The first service at 5000 miles is free from Lexus. After that, without a service "plan", extended warranty plan, you will pay whatever the dealer charges. Go to Lexus for your service even if Toyota company owns Lexus, I don't believe a Toyota dealer/service is appropriate. I just sold my 22 4Runner to Carmax, then bought my GX 550, with extended warranty and a service plan. I was very glad to get away from the Toyota dealer.

Respectfully disagree. We don’t have a Lexus dealer in Vermont but we have an excellent Toyota service center (Heritage) three miles from my house. I have no hesitation having them do “extra” oil changes and other routine maintenance (at a lower cost than Lexus) outside the “free” scheduled maintenance. Of course, if it is warranty work I have to travel to the NY Lexus dealer/service center I bought the truck from. Fingers crossed that is extremely rare (so far only for the TSB front brakes fix and tied that in with first scheduled service).

 

[Southland53]

Respectfully disagree. We don’t have a Lexus dealer in Vermont but we have an excellent Toyota service center (Heritage) three miles from my house. I have no hesitation having them do “extra” oil changes and other routine maintenance (at a lower cost than Lexus) outside the “free” scheduled maintenance. Of course, if it is warranty work I have to travel to the NY Lexus dealer/service center I bought the truck from. Fingers crossed that is extremely rare (so far only for the TSB front brakes fix and tied that in with first scheduled service).

I agree. Our Toyota dealer has an excellent service department including an awesome waiting area complete with cafe along the lines with Lexus. They have taken great care of our 4 Runner for the past 14 years.

 

[gxv8happy]

New owner of a '23 GX 460 Luxury @ 14k miles. Truck is Lexus CPO so includes the 2 yr maintenance package. We will probably put 10-12k miles a year on the vehicle. TBD how long we will keep it but probably in the 5-7 year range. I test drove three of these vehicles and just fell in love with them. v8 happy!!

Dealer is quoting me as shown below I've reached out to the couple of contacts I've found in this thread for better prices. Some questions:
1) Do I have to purchase any of these at time of transaction with the dealer? Haven't sealed the deal jut yet so hoping someone will validate this for me quickly.
2) Luxury Care is the prepaid maintenance plan right? In this thread it looks like there are more options for miles/yrs than what is being quoted but it's called Platinum or am I confusing that info with an extended warranty?

 

[vraa]

Welcome to the forum, I had no idea we had previous gen GX owners here! More the merrier!

You do not have to buy the extended warranty at the time of vehicle purchase, you can buy it at any time while under factory warranty

 

[moosemountain62]

Thanks! Is there any disadvantage to purchasing from a warranty provider not associated with Lexus/Toyota?

Yes….. but I’m not sure there’s enough room here to list them all….
Seriously though, I worked in this business many years, I could write books, in fact, I ran fast as possible to begin my own gig around 2002ish when the conglomerates (Auto Nation, Penske, others), came to town and began gobbling up dealerships and pushing all kinds of bogus services. I agree, I’ve been out of it awhile, however, my neighbor, good friend recently retired in 2023….he had an article telling how many hundred millions dealerships paid to NADA to pay lobbyists, and how many aftermarket “extended” warranty companies contribute to the causes . …..… In his words, if there’s an aftermarket extended warranty company that operates as they claim transparent, etc. he’s not seen them in his 35 years. Stick with the factory extended warranties!

 

[SoCal Wolverine]

Contact Jerry Johnson at Midwest Toyota in Kansas (I think). He can sell a Lexus platinum warranty at substantially reduces pricing. I got an 8 year 125,000 platinum Lexus warranty for about $2,900. Good at any lexus dealer.

I just purchased my first Lexus GX this week but I I have been following the GX550 forum for the last year to keep up on everything happening and all the feedback. I appreciate everyone's research, opinions and insight it made the purchase a lot easier. I do have a question on the Lexus Extended Warranty. I was told by a dealer that living in CA I can only purchase the extended warranty from a dealer in CA, OR and WA? Is that true? I am always a little skeptical what I hear from a dealer struggle but was curious if anyone could confirm? Thanks for the help.

 

[Bluegill]

As my young boys would say, that sounds "sus".

 

[MikeyGinSD]

Anyone know of someone/dealer that offers extended warranty in California at a decent price? Getting quotes for $6K for 8/100k at various places. Apparently Jerry can't provide warrties for ppl in California.

 

[SteelWorker]

... After year 1, I’ll likely do my own oil change at 6 months and then bring it in at 12 months. This assumes I drive ....

This in my opinion is a great idea.

You get the best of two different approaches, your engine has new oil and filter every 5k miles (or 6 mos), and a dealer still does the inspections along with the 10k mile (or 12 mos) oil changes.

For me there's a peace of mind/sleep well at night factor knowing my vehicle has oil changes every 5k miles.

 

[jstbelieve44]

I just purchased my first Lexus GX this week but I I have been following the GX550 forum for the last year to keep up on everything happening and all the feedback. I appreciate everyone's research, opinions and insight it made the purchase a lot easier. I do have a question on the Lexus Extended Warranty. I was told by a dealer that living in CA I can only purchase the extended warranty from a dealer in CA, OR and WA? Is that true? I am always a little skeptical what I hear from a dealer struggle but was curious if anyone could confirm? Thanks for the help.

Yes; that's true. California law now requires those selling extended warranty policies to be licensed in California due to state consumer protection laws.

 

[Bluegill]

That's too bad. California is requiring licenses just to collect another tax in the form of licensing fees. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a special percentage tax on the warranty sales amount that kicks back to the state too.

 

[Bluegill]

From the internet:
Based on information from the California Department of Insurance (CDI), the licensing fees for a Vehicle Service Contract Provider in California are:
Licensing filing - two year term: $5,433
Renewal Fee - two year term: $932

Generally, separate charges for optional warranties [like Vehicle Service Contracts (VSCs) or Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) sold after the initial purchase] are not subject to sales tax in California. This is because they are considered service contracts rather than tangible goods.

Interesting, there's no kickback tax on the extended warranties themselves, just a heavy licensing fee.