On Nov. 4, I was returning from lunch when my car suddenly began to sputter and lurch and shudder and shake, and all kinds of warning lights came on. I pulled over and the car acted like it didn't even want to idle. So I said damn the torpedoes and limped to the dealer about 10 miles away. Managed to keep it from shaking the car apart by downshifting and keeping the revs up.

Diagnosis? Broken intake valve spring.

They had to order a part from Japan, and that took a week. Then they had a helluva time getting the cams timed. They had to be on the phone a number of times to headquarters in California, and I think those guys had to talk to the Japanese before it finally got fixed. In the meantime, they had it apart and back together several times.

I picked the car up on the 23rd ... the better part of 19 days in the shop. Very odd experience and highly unusual for a Lexus. But I guess anything can break, huh?

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It seems like it's back to normal again, Oz.

I talked to the mechanic more than once during this process, and I never really got a good explanation why they had so much trouble bringing it back from the dead. Seems like to me it's Tab A into Slot A, but apparently it's not that simple. Four timing chains, 4 cams, variable valve timing on intake and exhaust, and direct injection ... not exactly like the old small-block Chevys and flathead Fords I used to play with. Back then, you just put the #1 cylinder at top dead center, lined up the timing index marks and she was timed.

Progress seems to bring with it lots of complexity.

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Very odd thing to happen to a Lexus LS460.  I recall my LS430 had nothing go wrong. . . ever, zilch nada.  Other than having no soul it was a perfect car.  Of course, given that I'm driving a lemon of a M6 now, I guess it can happen.  I wish there was a way you could manage to get a well made version of whatever car you drive.