# Help! Need a Good Shop for My Baby (Lexus 300es)

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-need-a-good-shop-for-my-baby-lexus-300es/77980>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** lexus\
**Created:** [March 14, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-need-a-good-shop-for-my-baby-lexus-300es/77980 "2013-03-14T00:34:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![1200-LA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/22d042/32.png) [@1200-LA](https://community.cartalk.com/u/1200-LA)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-need-a-good-shop-for-my-baby-lexus-300es/77980/1 "2013-03-14T00:34:15Z")

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Can’t find a dependable shop on the west side of Los Angeles. Nothing in “Mechanic’s Files” that is current or folks that are experienced working on a Lexus. I am ready for a new timing belt – local dealer says……$2,200. Got a kid in college and an x-wife. I am getting drained and think the friendly guys at Lexus have their eyes on the rest of my cash. Pleeez, I need some help.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-need-a-good-shop-for-my-baby-lexus-300es/77980/2 "2013-03-14T01:05:33Z")

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The good news is that the ES300 is identical (99% at least) to a V6 Camry, so any good Toyota shop can handle it. You don’t need or want to take it to the dealer, I stopped doing that early in the life of my ES300. You might want to check out Edmunds long term test of a '96 ES300, they discuss mechanics in LA that they’re happy with working on their ES300:

> **[1996 Lexus ES 300 Long-Term Road Test - New Updates](https://www.edmunds.com/lexus/es-300/1996/long-term-road-test/)**
>
> Read the latest updates in our long-term road test of the 1996 Lexus ES 300 as our editors live with this car for a year.

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**Author:** ![LedLawless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@LedLawless](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LedLawless)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-need-a-good-shop-for-my-baby-lexus-300es/77980/3 "2013-03-14T01:22:01Z")

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Texases is right on on this, it is a V6 Camry in Lexus drag. Broaden your search to Toyota specialists.