| Aze |
| I hear that Lexus surpasses Acura in customer service but I thought I'd as a bunch of Acura owners (who might also be Lexus owners). |
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| phins2rt |
<$.02>
A lot depends on individual dealers. I have heard both good and bad stories from both sides of the fence. I have not had many problems with my Acura dealer. IMHO, Lexus should be better overall since it looks like you pay for it!
<$.02/> |
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| JeffK |
Not a fair comparison: You must compare similarly priced vehicles.
I would expect better service from Lexus, as across the board, they are much more expensive than Acura.
Part of the extra service is built into the price.
BTW, this is my second Acura and service has been good - not great but more than good enough. I would rather have $3 to $4,000 in my pocket and Acura service. In other words the Lexus difference o f $3 to $4,000 should buy a whole lot of service!
JeffK |
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| dipersp |
Like they said - first, you're PAYING for ass kissing from Lexus, so you better expect it.
Second, really depends on the dealer. Around Philly, we only have a few dealers and every one I've tried has been pretty much horrible. |
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| Aze |
quote:
Originally posted by dipersp
Like they said - first, you're PAYING for ass kissing from Lexus, so you better expect it.
Second, really depends on the dealer. Around Philly, we only have a few dealers and every one I've tried has been pretty much horrible.
Right now though, the MDX is more expensive than the RX. So you're paying more and maybe getting less service. I think they set the MSRP on this car a little too high when you consider some things. |
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| fatass |
quote:
Originally posted by Aze
Right now though, the MDX is more expensive than the RX. So you're paying more and maybe getting less service. I think they set the MSRP on this car a little too high when you consider some things.
I've been thinking about the price as well, and in the end I think Acura did alright. Consider when you price it against the x5, q7, whatever mercedes has as a rival and I think you get a good value as you expect with Acura. Also consider in a year or so that hopefully prices drop closer to invoice... |
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| ROTORRAY |
I have had no experience with Lexus but my Acura experience has been abyssmal. They seriously damaged my engine on a warranty repair. It took them 5 days to tell me about it. I had to press them for an extended warranty. I did not feel they were up front and honest in handling the problem. Then they made a big deal about how they were going to pay for the repairs!! Duh!
On another site they were talking about a customer bringing in his new MDX to the dealer for an oil change. After the service customer left the dealership but the car stalled shortly thereafter. He started it and it limped along, stalling again. He returned to the dealership and they discovered that they had failed to add new oil after draining out the old. According to the post they told the customer it was probably just some bearings that had to be replaced but later called to tell him he would be getting a NEW ENGINE! it's nice to get a new engine courtesy of someone else but this was a NEW MDX!
I know folks make mistakes and have bad days. I don't expect to be treated like an idiot, however. Just be up front and honest and we'll deal with the problem together. Better yet, repair according to the factory recommended procedures and you won't have problems! Seems simple to me but some folks just don't get it. |
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| trixie |
Doen't Saturn also gets high marks? The price of a car should have nothing to do with being treated as a human being who works hard to maintain mobility.
Bad to mediocre is how I'd describe every experience the I've ever had at an Acura dealership. Would it keep me from buying another Acura?--probably not. My experience with Toyota dealers has been worse. Come to think of it, I've had consistently lousy service from GM and Chrysler. Nissan has been a bit better, scoring a mixed bag of good and bad. So, what does it take to sell me a car? Start by building a decent car.
Car dealers are blood sucking leeches. However, they've got what I want and therefore can not be avoided. What do you do? Educate yourself and beat them at their own game. Or at least break even. I think that I just talked myself into a Lexus. |
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| jurincie |
| I have had 2 Lexus and 1 Acura purchased in Phoenix, AZ and 2 Acura purchased in Charlotte, NC. The Lexus sales and service experience blows Acura away hands down in my opinion. I am frugal and the Acura vehicles are a better value so I tolerate the sales & service. |
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| JL_SS |
| Our local Acura and Honda dealerships are owned by the same person (dealerships are in two seperate towns). The Honda service experience is much much better than the Acura service experience. Even our local Chevy dealer I use for my crew cab is much much better than our Acura dealer. I don't hear too many complaints about our local Lexus dealers. |
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| Blackura |
Had an MDX. Traded for a Lexus hybrid.
Having been to both dealerships, I can report that the froth on the double skim half-caf latte cappuccino is of higher quality at the Lexus dealership. The also use a more expensive designer lip gloss before planting a kiss the customer's ass.
Mechanically though, they are similar. |
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| KK |
I'm looking at purchasing an '07 MDX after being out of one since selling our '01 a few years ago. Since then, my daily ride has been a BMW 530i. When I went from Acura to BMW I felt like I had entered a whole new plane of service. I'm going to miss it going back to Acura. I'll also note that while I haven't owned a Lexus, my parents own two, and I've been impressed with the overall level of service they receive.
Acura makes great cars that, fortunately, don't need to see the inside of a repair shop too often. Based on my experience owning three of them, though, their customer service is barely adequate. Not only that, but they'd send me letters after each service visit reminding me what to say when I received my survey from Acura! Insulting AND annoying, and likely unnecessary if they had actually provided service on par with other luxury brands. |
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| TorontoTL |
This is a post that outlines what I posted on the TL boards on acurazine. I posted this just before picking up my new Lexus IS 350. In this I was explaining some of the things that lead me to switch from Acura to Lexus. Now that I have had the Lexus for over one month I have to say that I couldn't be happier with the post purchase experience and the service department in comparison to Acura....
I have been such a supporter of Honda and Acura I actually feel guilty about leaving. However, I just had another service visit and was the icing on the cake so to speak. There is a loose screw/bolt of something that has been rolling around in my centre console. I finally got the car in for the scheduled appointment. 1 hr later the service advisor calls me to say they couldn't find the sound and thus cannot take the car apart to find it. Of course that is reasonable if they tried and couldn't hear the sound. However, as I instructed them all they had to do was accelerate quickly or stop quickly and the "screw" could be heard rolling. They would not take it out again without my returning to the dealership to drive with a tech. At this point I was somewhat peeved as this has always been their approach to these issues. They always say they couldn't hear it. On this occasion I couldn't believe that they even tried because it is that loud and obvious. Passengers in my car have been commenting on it and it has been rather embarassing to have a luxury car and have such noises. So I had to cancel an hour of patients in my clinic to go down to the dealership to try to get this fixed! I get down there, wait for a tech to be freed up and then drive with him at the wheel. After instructing him on accelerating quickly or stopping quickly he hears the sound at least four times within minutes of leaving the dealership. Anyhow sorry for the long rant, but I had to inconvenience four patients so I could go down to the dealership to sit in the car with a tech so he could hear a very obvious sound and of course there is the frustration of yet again being made to feel like I was hearing things and making up sounds. The noise was very obvious to the tech. So back to the dealership so they could take the interior apart to find the item making the noise and back to work and apologizing to my patients for being late and having to cancel some of their appointments. In the end they didn't find the cause of the noise, but whatever they did to take it apart the thing must have lodged somewhere or fallen further into the console of the car. I haven't heard it recently.
Anyhow, to answer Neuronbob's question, I decided to try a Lexus. I am hoping that the Lexus experience will be better in terms of service. Those I have spoken to about Lexus has been very very positive about the service experience. I am hoping that the Lexus experience will be better for me than the Acura one. I also decided that I don't need as large a car as the TL so I am buying an IS350 fully optioned out. This is another issue with Acura, I wish they would offer the TSX with all the bells and whistles of the higher end cars including a big motor for power. I wanted a small, powerful and fully optioned car. The IS 350 fits the bill.
I hope one day to be back in an Acura but the service here needs to change before that will happen. Acura still makes awesome cars, I love the MDX. They are moving in an interesting direction in design. |
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| mogur |
Having had experience with both: Lexus beats Acura by a country mile.
Tom
quote:
Originally posted by Aze
I hear that Lexus surpasses Acura in customer service but I thought I'd as a bunch of Acura owners (who might also be Lexus owners).
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| wmquan |
Purely anecdotal, but in my experience working with Lexus salespeople and Acura salespeople, I found the Lexus ones to provide the better experience.
Sure, I ended up buying an MDX, but that was more for the vehicle (RX was too small and pricier than the MDX in those days). |
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| dmz |
| The short answer is NO. Lexus have the best service in the industry. Acura is not even on the top 5 in my list. In my experience, Infiniti is a close second to Lexus in service. I don't agree with the more expensive the car the better service you get theory. My local BMW and MB have horrendous service, But that is because they get more business that they can handle. In my area these luxury car dealer don't need to work too hard to get customer because of the large customer base. So their service is acceptable at best. |
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| kflint |
| I have a 2002 MDX. My wife has a 2002 RX300. We paid about the same for each. Acura service isn't bad, but Lexus service beats it hand down. |
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| ROTORRAY |
| ..why should there be any difference at all?? You pay good $$ for the vehicle and you have a right to be treated honestly and with respect no matter which vehicle you have purchased. Some dealers feel that once they have you at the sale's side of the store they have you at the service side but that is a BIG mistake, as many of them eventually find out. Unfortunately, for the customer, many of them don't, which is probably why this question was asked in the first place. |
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| mpulsv6 |
Lexus service is hands down far better than Acura's.
I took my 07 MDX in today to get the running board and day/night mirror installed. They told me that Enterprise would pick me up and take me to their office, etc, etc. I left the dealer with my MDX and came back later on and they would still not give me a loaner til they learned I knew the owner personally.
Lexus ALWAYS gave me a Lexus to drive. Heck, I took our Land Cruiser in and they still gave me a Lexus.
When I take my M6 in, I always get a BMW to drive but BMW service is horrible compared to Lexus...MB is FAR worse than BMW. |
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| singh963 |
| Lindsey Acura in columbus ohio, i feel, probably is the best place to buy a car from. Ive bought and traded in 9 acuras over the past 11 years, and know the owner personally, maybe thats a reason i get treated so well there, but all the people ive seen there, and the overall atmosphere there is one like no other. If you likve anywhere near ohio and are looking to get an acura. Lndsey Acura is the place to be. |
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| jurincie |
quote:
Originally posted by mpulsv6
Lexus service is hands down far better than Acura's.
I took my 07 MDX in today to get the running board and day/night mirror installed. They told me that Enterprise would pick me up and take me to their office, etc, etc. I left the dealer with my MDX and came back later on and they would still not give me a loaner til they learned I knew the owner personally.
Lexus ALWAYS gave me a Lexus to drive. Heck, I took our Land Cruiser in and they still gave me a Lexus.
When I take my M6 in, I always get a BMW to drive but BMW service is horrible compared to Lexus...MB is FAR worse than BMW.
I agree about the loaner car situation. My Acura dealer has a lot of rules around when they will give you a loaner such as the amount of billable hours, etc. When I take in my 9 year old Lexus they simply ask if I would prefer an ES or RX to drive.
In addition, I routinely have had to take my Acura's in for the same problem multiple times to get it fixed. I don't recall ever having to take any of my Lexus vehicles in for the same problem more than once. |
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| BigHersh |
Yeah, I don't care if you're driving a Kia, you should be treated like a respected human being, who is spendign your money on their product.
Those who can afford a $90,000 LS460 L, should be treated no better than the person who can only afford a Kia Rio. That $90K to the person buying the Lexus, may be only 10% of their annual gross salary. But, the person buying the Rio maybe spending the equivalent of 25 - 50% of their annual salary...
It'll never be the same, but- when it comes to customer service, customers are customers, they shoudl be treated as such. |
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| ardvarkus |
quote:
Originally posted by dmz
The short answer is NO. Lexus have the best service in the industry. Acura is not even on the top 5 in my list. In my experience, Infiniti is a close second to Lexus in service. .
Bingo.
Infiniti was MUCH better than Acura. Actually FORD was better than Acura.
HOWEVER, I do need to admit that a lot depends on the dealership owner organization....
I am friends with my BMW SA, so that changes the equation a bit.
A |
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| texrb |
quote:
Originally posted by JeffK
Not a fair comparison: You must compare similarly priced vehicles.
I would expect better service from Lexus, as across the board, they are much more expensive than Acura.
Part of the extra service is built into the price..........
JeffK
Well Jeff, I have to disagree - although after reading all the posts - I am the ONLY one to disagree :1:
I have had 4 Acuras since 1989 & 2 Lexus (2001 & current 2004). Maybe I am lucky, but David McDavid Acura in Plano BLOWS away the Lexus dealer's service dept. The waiting room isn't as nice, but the staff & techs are superior to Lexus. I get a loaner car from both no charge - so that's not an issue.
The Sales staff at Acura sucks though. Lexus is far better in that respect. :4: |
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| socalJD |
quote:
Originally posted by texrb
I have had 4 Acuras since 1989 & 2 Lexus (2001 & current 2004). Maybe I am lucky, but David McDavid Acura in Plano BLOWS away the Lexus dealer's service dept. The waiting room isn't as nice, but the staff & techs are superior to Lexus. I get a loaner car from both no charge - so that's not an issue.
Maybe because you spend too much time at the Acura service dept whereas the Lexus service techs hardly know you . . . :D
My '02 Mdx had far too many unplanned visits to the service dept - you know it's not good when the service advisors know you by your first name . . . ;) |
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| Husker4theSpurs |
quote:
Originally posted by Blackura
Had an MDX. Traded for a Lexus hybrid.
Having been to both dealerships, I can report that the froth on the double skim half-caf latte cappuccino is of higher quality at the Lexus dealership. The also use a more expensive designer lip gloss before planting a kiss the customer's ass.
Mechanically though, they are similar.
Can you help me out a little? I'm currently deciding b/t the Lexus 400h and the 2007 Acura MDX ... having a tough time. They are 2 different cars really. I know I'd never need the 3rd row seat and would really like the fuel economy of the RX 400h, but the price difference plus the fact that you get a lot better (imho) amenities with the Acura has me holding off.
I could get heated rear seats (unavailable from factory in Lexus), Rear DVD, factory satellite radio (unavailable from factory in Lexus), and iPod connectivity (unavailable from factory in Lexus). A WAY better stereo in the Acura as well. All that for about $4000 less MSRP than the Lexus 400h I priced out. Of course the thing the hybrid Lexus has going for it is fuel economy and the CVT transmission imho.
Anyone have some opinions? |
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| Husker4theSpurs |
quote:
Originally posted by mpulsv6
I took my 07 MDX in today to get the running board and day/night mirror installed.
Is the "day/night mirror" not a standard feature on the 2007 MDX? |
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| rsnaider |
quote:
Originally posted by Husker4theSpurs
Is the "day/night mirror" not a standard feature on the 2007 MDX?
Only in Canada. It is easy to install but around $250 to buy. |
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| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by Husker4theSpurs
All that for about $4000 less MSRP than the Lexus 400h I priced out. Of course the thing the hybrid Lexus has going for it is fuel economy and the CVT transmission imho.
Anyone have some opinions?
I would suggest to see how many miles you would need to travel to recoup that $4000 "investment" in better fuel economy. Don't forget you will need to replace the batteries in that car at some point as well. Also factor in the lost interest of the $4000 over the life of the car. I think it should be no-brainer. Mdx all the way!!! |
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| ROTORRAY |
| Price the non-hybrid Lexus and your price may be better with the Lexus. It will take YEARS to recoup the difference between the hybrid and non. I think you'll also take a severe hit down the road when you try to sell an aging hybrid with it's old battery pack. I don't care if they do warranty it for 10 years, eventually SOMEONE will have to replace it or the car won't run. |
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| Husker4theSpurs |
Now guys ... this isn't ALL about money though. It's about a smoother transmission and about just trying to use less oil. I already know that I won't make up for the hybrid is terms of gas cost.
If you're talking about trade-in value later b/c of an "aged battery", etc ... the Prius' still hold their value MUCH better than most cars. I wouldn't have the RX 400h long enough to worry about replacing the hybrid batteries.
I should note I currently have a 2005 RX 330. I was looking at first to just trade and get the hybrid and have the smoother transmission and better fuel economy, but when researching price, etc I started to consider the new 07 MDX. (guess I'm violating what I said earlier about "it's not just about price" :))
After researching I found myself drawn to the MDX b/c of it's aggressive look ... plus the fact it's a brand new model (could be a bad thing as well when you look at minor tweeks/updates down the road--getting the bugs out). Then I find it's got integrated XM (why Lexus STILL doesn't have this in the RX line I'll never know), a WAY better stereo, iPod link, more room, etc.
It'll be a tough choice ... feel free to keep adding input.
One question ... since the MDX doesn't come with the night/day mirror (dimming mirror, etc), does this mean the side view mirrors don't dim as well (and cannot even with the add on of the night/day mirror as an accessory)? |
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| fosters.2 |
| Have you driven the 07 MDX yet? I have had mine for almost a week now and it is a great suv. It has a lot sportier feel then the RX...if you haven't driven it yet, go do so this weekend. I will not be surprised to see a post saying you bought one after you drive it! :D |
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| Husker4theSpurs |
quote:
Originally posted by fosters.2
Have you driven the 07 MDX yet? I have had mine for almost a week now and it is a great suv. It has a lot sportier feel then the RX...if you haven't driven it yet, go do so this weekend. I will not be surprised to see a post saying you bought one after you drive it! :D
Is yours a sport model? I am anxious to drive it and kind of afraid you'll be right about wanting one after driving it :D!!!!! |
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| fosters.2 |
quote:
Originally posted by Husker4theSpurs
Is yours a sport model? I am anxious to drive it and kind of afraid you'll be right about wanting one after driving it :D!!!!!
No, mine is not a sport model and it still handles and rides great! Our two local dealers didn't have any sport packages with entertainment in any colors we wanted. So we got a tech/ent model in silver. I did drive the sport though before the purchase and decided it definitely wasn't necessary for us, although if they had the color combo in stock in a sport I would have paid the $2,000 extra for it. Go drive it....:cool: |
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| texrb |
quote:
Originally posted by socalJD
Maybe because you spend too much time at the Acura service dept whereas the Lexus service techs hardly know you . . . :D
My '02 Mdx had far too many unplanned visits to the service dept - you know it's not good when the service advisors know you by your first name . . . ;)
Nope - just go to Acura for normal maintenance. I have visited both dealers the same amount of times per year. The Lexus dealsership isn't friendly & you're just a number to them at the service dept. It is also more of a hassle to get a loaner at Lexus than at Acura. Obviously my experiences are opposite of what everyone else has posted. I love both vehicles & believe the Lexus has Acura beat hands down for luxury. But in the battle for service in Plano, TX - Acura wins that war! |
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| Husker4theSpurs |
Test drove it today and REALLY liked it ... especially when comparing to the Lexus RX line. I'm just having trouble justifying the fact that I was only looking to get a new car (400h hybrid) to get better fuel economy and now if I end up purchasing an MDX I'd actually be getting LESS fuel economy than I get now.
Anyone have any pics of their MDX with the different running boards/chrome steps? |
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| fosters.2 |
| I have the sport running boards on mine if you want a pic of those. |
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| Husker4theSpurs |
| Yeah ... please post or send me a pic ... THANKS! Did you consider the other kinds of side steps at all? |
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