For residents in Santa Clarita there’s only one word in Lexus and that is Keyes Lexus of Valencia where General Manager Bill McClendon says, “In this extremely competitive luxury vehicle environment, it is imperative that we at Lexus constantly listen to the ‘Voice of the Customer’ in order to continue to exceed their expectations. The only way we can address these changes in expectations is by repeatedly monitoring survey responses and comments.”
Some of the ways McClendon and his dealership are going above and beyond the call are by making customer’s comfort number one with an inviting environment that includes leather seating, internet access with flat screen computers and wireless connections throughout their facility. Lexus also offers a loaner vehicle to customers while their car is being serviced and a complimentary car wash with each service. Fresh pastries, baked cookies, a complimentary cappuccino machine, cold beverages and fresh fruit round out the customer service experience.
If you’re in the market for a Lexus and aren’t sure which one to buy, here are two options that offer the best in quality.
Lexus ES350
This Lexus is all about comfort and not so much about the flash that other Lexus models might offer.
Completely revamped for 2007, the car offers more horsepower and better performance with a 3.5-liter V6 with 272 horsepower, 254 pound-feet of torque and you can still get where you are going just as easy – in fact how about 60 miles per hour in just 7.1 seconds. It is also the quietest ES ever built. Completely updated, the body has a slicker shape with a longer hood and shorter rear deck. The wheelbase is 2.2 inches over the new model, but it’s not too bulky and inside the interior seems to be about the same size as in years past and the legroom is not noticeable different either.
Standard on the ES350 are also the 17-inch wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. There are also lots of seat adjustment options as you sit in the driver’s seat – 10 actually. You can also opt for a power cushion extender and a seat position memory button. All-in-all, the ES350 is luxury at its best.
Cost: The four-door sedan I drove came in at $35,000 and some change.
Miles per gallon: With 21 gallons in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway, the Lexus ES350 is a workhorse that brings luxury and common sense home to the driver.
Lexus LS460
The LS460 is a newly-designed sedan that offers unprecedented luxury. As the folks at Keyes say, “There are an abundance of features that include laser-guided cruise control, the first eight-speed transmission and the revolutionary Intuitive Park-Assist feature.”
The vehicle has also received numerous awards for both Best Value and Best Dependability in its class.
A large, luxury sedan, the LS460 is a 4.6-liter V8 with 278 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque. The zero to 60 mark comes in around 5.5 seconds and it will take you there fast. There are two models available: the regular 460 and the extended 460 L. The L package has an Executive Class Seating package option with some extras that might or might not be that extra that you need.
Cost: The LS460 comes in from $61,000 to $71,000 depending on your additions.
Miles per gallon: On this Lexus you can expect about 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway.
Keyes Lexus of Valencia has been in business for 50 years and the current GM, McClendon brings more than 20 years of experience, offering a standard of excellence that has seen the dealership’s Sales and Service departments earning a number one ranking in customer satisfaction in the first quarter of 2007. In addition, the dealership was awarded “Elite of Lexus” for five years, a prestigious award that few dealerships receive according to Barbara Myler, Keyes Lexus of Valencia’s spokesperson.
Always going beyond the call, an example of this happened recently when a local customer, and film producer on a shooting schedule that was too tight to accommodate a flat tire had this very problem. Two Lexus teammates were sent with tools to replace the tire with a spare, driving it back to the dealership for the needed repairs. After the repairs, the dealership delivered the producer’s car back to the studio amazing her with the above-and-beyond service.
“We have been dedicated to providing a standard of excellence that goes above and beyond their expectations,” McClendon says. “We care about our customers and want them to see it in everything we do for them.”
