Highlights from live coverage of SEMA 2012

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The Lexus CT Hybrid Virtual Tour: Unrestrained. Unexpected.

Introducing the most fuel-efficient luxury car available, the radically new 42-MPG rated Lexus CT Hybrid. With its multiple drive modes for multiple personalities, sporty styling, and dynamic, responsive handling, it is a dramatic testament to the power of unconfined thinking.

It's unlike any hyrbid you know.

Be Sure To Take Advantage Of Our Savings!

Print off this coupon to receive our special on a full service oil change and tire rotation. Hurry, this offer expires October 31st!

Lexus brings a Magazine to Life with CinePrint™

 

Watch a clip of the innovative new CinePrint™ technique Lexus has created to merge print and digital. Inspired by the stunning technology of the 2013 ES.

Life Is Easy When You Shop With Us!

"What am I doing here?" went through my head when I parked my car and walked into the Lexus of Wayzata dealership. I was looking for a good used car--but a Lexus? Who am I kidding? There were rows of 'em on the way in, all shiny and new, but yes, I spotted some pre-owned ones for sale too. Fifteen minutes later Paul had me sizing up a 2007 RX350. Really clean, plenty of headroom, lots more options than I expected, and surprisingly affordable compared to the used Toyotas and Subarus I had been looking at. Two days later I owned it. It's what I was looking for all along: a reliable vehicle at a competitive price, no pressure. I still smile every time I get inside and start it up. What a nice car!"

- Jim

We Love Satisfied Customers

"Very helpful, first class operation that cares about their customers and wants them for life. Excellent service and a very well appointed waiting room as well."

- Scott

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: From The Service Bay

As a Lexus owner, you’ve no doubt seen it and experienced it: Lexus delivers an almost unbelievable level of personal service.

And the thing is, that’s no exaggeration.

To Lexus, this has been terrain to own from the beginning, something to set it apart from other luxury brands. To Lexus dealers, this is a professional lifestyle—a skill they pride themselves on doing better than anybody else. Period.

So, with this in mind, we decided to go to the source and talk to as many Lexus dealers as we could to find out if anything new is being offered these days, as well as to glean some good tips, from the Lexus dealers themselves, for making your service visits as convenient as possible:

Tip 1: Dealers are starting to go mobile.
Check with your dealer on their plans for smartphone-related services. Your dealer may have already mentioned Lexus’ new app, Enform Mobile, which, among other features, includes a “Dealers Nearby” tool that allows you to quickly find and call your nearest dealer. Also, for example, Lexus of Memphis offers its own customer app that, right now, largely showcases inventory; future features, like mobile appointment setting, is being worked on, says General Manager Bryan Smith.

Tip 2: Many dealers make house calls.
You may not need to go into the dealership for service at all—some dealers can actually come to you. “We offer a mobile van service for minor services, and a flatbed service for major services,” says Chris McCarty, vice president/general manager of Longo Lexus in Southern California. “Or, what we’ll do is drop off a courtesy car and pick up the car, then return it when it’s done.” Depending on the nature of the service, there may be no extra charge for this convenience.

Tip 3: Many dealers make sales calls.
Here’s a surprise. The previous tip about not having to come into the dealership also applies to sales. When looking for your next Lexus, you can request remote test drives, and even make your purchase and delivery completely off-site. It’s a perfect choice for customers for whom time is a precious commodity. “We work a lot of deals where the guests never have to come to the dealership,” says McCarty. “I have an owner here who’s had her car since 1998, and she’s never seen the dealership. She’s very busy, loves her LX, and loves Longo Lexus. But she’s never even seen it!”

Tip 4: Feel free to instruct your dealer.
One thing that virtually eliminates any misunderstanding on the Lexus dealer’s part is to hand over a written list of what’s wrong, and what you want done, instead of just a verbal summary, says Caren Myers, general manager of Fresno Lexus. Lexus dealers obviously won’t see this as any type of nuisance, and will take the time to go through any written instructions carefully. “It really helps to be clear, and communicate what your expectations are—because we intend to exceed them,” says Myers.

Tip 5: Take time to review the order.
Lexus drivers are smart. So be sure to take the time to read over the repair order and estimate before you sign it. Over and over, the dealers we spoke to mentioned this tip, and emphasized that no dealers will think you don’t trust them. But a simple slip of a pen could turn a 60,000-mile service into an oil change. “Just take a quick look,” says Myers. “Make sure that we’ve listened to you, and put down what you told us.”

Tip 6: Your dealer knows you, but always bring identification.
Picking up a courtesy car? Be sure to bring your driver’s license and insurance card, says Myers. Several dealers told us this is a common oversight. In a way, it’s understandable: Lexus dealers are so amicable that for many customers it can seem like borrowing a car from a friend. But they’re a business, and they have legal and contractual requirements preventing them from giving you a loan car without a license and insurance.

 

Courtesy of Lexus

A Flood of Customer Opinions, All Great! Thank You All So Much.

"They consistently exceed my expectations in all areas. Had the car serviced; time it took to service was what they said, estimated cost was the final cost, car returned clean and vacuumed out."

- Arlis

"Lexus of Wayzata has far exceeded all expectations. Great service. Love having a reliable car. Jamie is an excellent salesman! He is very knowledgeable about every aspect of a Lexus and is a really nice man."

- Lori

"The staff we dealt with when we purchased our ES350 were some of the most professional automobile dealership people we have come in contact with. From our sales person, Tim, to the service department to the financial staff, all treated us courteously and made us want to work with them in the future. We love our Lexus and Lexus of Wayzata."

 

"Had never owned a Lexus and after a lot of shopping settled on a Certified pre-owned ES350. The car is great but just as important to me is the way I was treated during the purchasing process and now in getting my car serviced. My service consultant, Doug, treats me like a friend and always takes the time to explain the recommended work. (I've owned the car for 18 months and have not had to do anything but routine maintenance.) The various spaces in the waiting area allow me to work or relax and watch television while my car is being worked on. Highly recommend Wayzata Lexus."

 

"We have purchased two preowned cars from Lexus of Wayzata and cannot recommend them more. Cal took so much time with us to make sure that our experience was top notch in every way. He never pressured us, loaded the contacts from our Bluetooth, spent two sessions teaching us to thoroughly use the GPS and generally had the attitude of "whatever it takes." He expressed that he wants us to use every feature of the car to the ultimate and has proven that. We know that we can call him at any time for a phone consult or for an appointment. It is also all the little touches that enhance the whole experience: a full tank of gas when we picked up the car, totally clean car inside and out every time we have service, the luxurious lounge area, every kind of complimentary beverage and snack available, an attitude of respect and caring, etc. We really would not consider any other dealer after two exemplary experiences of purchasing plus great follow up service."

 

""What am I doing here?" went through my head when I parked my car and walked into the Lexus of Wayzata dealership. I was looking for a good used car--but a Lexus? Who am I kidding? There were rows of 'em on the way in, all shiny and new, but yes, I spotted some pre-owned ones for sale too. Fifteen minutes later Paul had me sizing up a 2007 RX350. Really clean, plenty of headroom, lots more options than I expected, and surprisingly affordable compared to the used Toyotas and Subarus I had been looking at. Two days later I owned it. It's what I was looking for all along: a reliable vehicle at a competitive price, no pressure. I still smile every time I get inside and start it up. What a nice car!"

- Jim

Why We Do What We Do: Listen to Our Happy Customers

"Timm was recommended to us by a friend who had purchased several Lexus from him. We found the purchasing experience to be very easy and were completely satisfied with how we were treated, not only by Timm, but by the whole Lexus of Wayzata team. Timm did an excellent job of explaining all the features of our new ES350, and made sure we were comfortable with all the bells and whistles before we drove it out the door. We hope to do business with him again in the future."

 

"I had a great sales experience working with Gary on my new ES350. Gary was friendly and knowledgeable about the vehicles. There was no pressure and Gary did a thorough job of reviewing the features and demonstrating all aspects of the technology.

The service experience has also been great. I enjoy the quiet and comfortable customer lounge and the nice selection of refreshments while you wait!"

Lucky Lexus Fan Unleashes the LFA

One man. One racetrack. 552 horses. Get a taste of the best day of Unleash the LFA winner, Mark Clemons', life. http://unleashthelfa.com.

It's So Wonderful Hearing From Our Customers

"I had great service on my vehicle and a nice visit with Russel, my salesman. My son rode down with me and ended up buying a car also. All in all this is a fine dealership to buy a vehicle and get service."

- Judy

The 2013 Lexus ES: A Story Behind Every Surface

Lexus to Get Turbo-Charged Four-Cylinder Engine in 2014?

Last week at the Paris Motor Show, Lexus announced a new 2.5-liter hybrid engine that will be introduced into the lineup next year — now Toyota has released a couple more details:

An enhanced engine for use in hybrid vehicles, based on the 2.5-liter AR gasoline engine, adopts the Atkinson cycle and D-4S system. The enhanced engine achieves the world’s highest maximum thermal efficiency of 38.5 percent, realizing both high fuel efficiency and high output. Hybrid vehicle models equipped with the engine will be launched starting 2013.

Still no mention of the hybrid engine’s total system output, but early estimates have put it somewhere between 220-225 horsepower.

Also announced is 2.0L turbo-charged engine (!!!), set to debut in 2014:

Starting 2014, [Toyota] plans to launch a vehicle with a new 2.0-liter, turbo-charged AR engine, also based on the 2.5-liter AR gasoline engine. The new engine’s smaller displacement will provide higher fuel efficiency while the turbocharger will improve output.

While it remains unconfirmed, the 2.5L hybrid engine should be used in the next-generation IS and the current GS — considering compatibility, this would make both models eligible for the new 2.0L turbo-charged engine in 2014.

(The front-wheel drive ES and RX are also available with AR engines — the ES 300h and ES 250 in China, and the RX 270 in various markets. However unlikely, these two models could also be offered with the turbo-charged engine.)

These two engines are only part of the announcement made by Toyota regarding their technical development timeline — I recommend reading through the full press release, as it details much of the company’s future plans.

Courtesy of Lexus Enthusiast

Our Be Pink event is this month!

Lexus of Wayzata is proud to support the fight against breast cancer. Be Pink this October and get involved! We are partnering with the Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center, CBS TV and WCCO to encourage Minnesota to promote the importance of early detection and support education, outreach and annual mammogram screenings in our community.

Lexus of Wayzata is hosting a BE PINK Celebration at the dealership. Here are the details.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 24th, 2012
WHERE: Lexus of Wayzata Showroom

WHAT: Join us for a night of shopping, spa treatments, prizes and more…enjoy appetizers and beverages…meet a WCCO personality and learn about BE PINK and Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center’s fight against breast cancer. Purchase a $20 raffle ticket at the event and be entered to win a special painting for BE PINK by Teri Bennett. All the proceeds will be donated to the Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center.

RSVP: By October 19th to reserve your spot and a special gift from Lexus. Call 952.476.6111 or email BePink@lexusofwayzata.com with you and your guests’ names.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Windshield Wipers

Ah, windshield wipers. Like so many indispensable things in life, we tend not to appreciate them until they’re gone. But what if all drivers had a basic understanding of the wonderful world of wipers, enabling them to identify problems early and choose replacements wisely? We like that idea. Accordingly, we’ve put together a crash course that should bring your knowledge up to speed. Your automotive windows to the world require dependable wipers, so let’s learn more about these unsung heroes. 

Wiper Maintenance
The most important thing you can do for your current wipers is check their performance on a regular basis. Are they skipping or squeaking and leaving streaks on the windshield? Do you consistently notice rivulets that evade their sweep? Do they leave a film of moisture on the glass instead of wiping it clean and clear? If so, try cleaning the blades with a shop towel or sponge, and see if that helps. Remember, all it takes is one rainstorm or blizzard to turn worn-down wipers into serious safety hazards. You need to be able to depend on your wipers in the worst conditions, and that starts with being mindful of how they’re working every time you switch them on. By the way, don’t forget about your rear wiper, if you have one; it’s there for a reason, and it can be just as important as the ones in front.

 

Now, suppose you live in a temperate climate with little precipitation—or perhaps there are lingering signs of the dry season. You should still perform periodic inspections of your wiper blades, regardless of the weather. Is the rubber deteriorating? Can you see spidery cracks forming on the surface? If so, test your wipers immediately by spraying windshield-washer fluid and wiping it off, following the guidelines above for evaluating their performance. Even if your blades look great, it’s not a bad idea to do the spray-and-wipe test every week or two. You don’t want to wait for your wipers to go to pot before replacing them, so stay ahead of the curve and monitor their status year-round.

 

Buying New Wipers
Fortunately, wipers generally aren’t very expensive, so the “Better safe than sorry” approach won’t hurt your wallet here. As such, we recommend replacing your wipers if you have any reason to believe that they’re not up to snuff. Here are some general guidelines for the wiper-shopping process.

 

The first rule is to buy the entire assemblies, not just the blades themselves. Yes, it’s typically possible to keep your old assemblies, yank out the old blades, and shoehorn in new ones—and you don’t want to do that. Like we said, wipers are pretty affordable, so do your car a favor and start with a fresh set. We should add that there’s a new one-piece wiper design called “beam blade” that seamlessly integrates assembly and blade, so if you’ve got that kind, blade-only replacement isn’t even an option.

 

Second, make sure you’re getting the correct wiper specification for your car. Like most auto parts, wipers come in different shapes and sizes. It may sound trivial, but we’ve heard stories of mismatched wipers flying off their mounts at the worst possible time. Although your mechanic or auto-parts advisor should know what your car needs, it’s always a good idea to consult your owner’s manual as well, just to be safe.

 

Finally, don’t skimp on quality. Generic-brand wipers are cheaper, of course, but they can wear out in as little as a month or two of consistent use. If your manufacturer recommends a particular brand—German automakers often prefer Bosch wipers, for example—we say go for it. Otherwise, ask your trusted mechanic who knows your make and model inside and out. Don’t pay later to replace cheap wipers; pay now for a high-quality set, and you’ll reap the benefits down the road.

 

Courtesy of DriverSide.com