You’ve seen the sign. Driving down State Street in Murray, it’s basically impossible to miss that massive "L" glowing against the Utah sky. For most locals, Larry Miller Lexus Murray is just another landmark in the sea of dealerships lining the "Auto Mile." But there is a lot more going on behind those glass windows than just shiny RX 350s and free espresso.
Honestly, it’s kinda fascinating how much the place has changed. People still talk about it like it's a small-town family shop, but the reality is way more corporate—and way more high-tech—than you’d think.
The Weird History of a Utah Icon
It all started with $88,000. That is basically nothing in the car world today. In 1979, Larry H. Miller and his wife Gail bought a struggling Toyota dealership just down the road. They weren't wealthy. Larry was a parts manager who had a knack for numbers and a work ethic that was, frankly, a little terrifying.
He grew that single store into an empire.
By the time the Lexus brand launched in the late 80s, the Miller name was already synonymous with Salt Lake City. But here is the thing: the Larry Miller group doesn’t actually "own" the dealership in the traditional sense anymore. In 2021, the whole automotive group was sold to Asbury Automotive for $3.2 billion. That’s "billion" with a B.
Does it feel different? Sorta.
The name stayed because the Larry Miller brand is gold in Utah. You’ve still got the same "Elite of Lexus" awards hanging on the walls—awards they’ve snagged multiple years in a row, including 2017 and 2018. They’ve managed to keep that "guest-centric" vibe Larry obsessed over, even if the paychecks now come from a massive national corporation.
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What Actually Happens in the Service Bay?
If you own a Lexus, you know the drill. You aren't just paying for an oil change; you're paying for the lounge.
The service department at Larry Miller Lexus Murray is a weird mix of a high-end spa and a NASA lab. They’ve got the standard stuff: free Wi-Fi, snacks, and those warm cookies that everyone talks about. But if you look closer, the real value is in the "Service by Lexus" program.
- LexusCare: New cars get their first and second maintenance visits for free (6 months/5,000 miles and 12 months/10,000 miles).
- Loaner Fleet: They have a massive fleet of Lexus loaner vehicles. If your repair is going to take more than a couple of hours, they usually just hand you the keys to a newer model and send you on your way.
- The "Uber" Factor: Sometimes they’ll just call you an Uber to take you home or to work.
But it isn't always perfect. If you read the reviews, you’ll see people complaining about 3-hour waits for simple oil changes. It happens. Even with factory-trained technicians and the best diagnostic tools, they get slammed. Pro tip: Don't show up at 8:00 AM on a Monday without an appointment and expect to be out in twenty minutes. It’s not happening.
Beyond the Shiny Cars
Community involvement is where the "Larry" part of the name still really shines. They do this thing called "Luggage of Love" for foster kids. They’ve also handed over $40,000 checks to local charities like the Children's Service Society of Utah and the Christmas Box House.
It’s easy to be cynical about "corporate giving," but $10,000 chunks of cash make a real difference to a local non-profit. They’ve kept that "better because we are here" philosophy that Gail Miller still champions.
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Buying Online: The Clicklane Reality
Most people still think you have to go spend six hours in a cubicle to buy a car. You don't.
They use a platform called Clicklane now. You can basically do the whole thing—trade-in value, financing, paperwork—online. You can even have the car delivered to your house. It’s a bit weird to buy a $60,000 SUV from your couch while wearing pajamas, but that is 2026 for you.
The inventory has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately. You might walk onto the lot at 5686 South State Street and see plenty of used cars, but the new NX or RX models can still be tricky to snag if you're looking for a specific color or trim.
The "Elite of Lexus" Myth
Is it actually better than other dealerships?
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Lexus gives out the "Elite of Lexus" award to dealerships that hit specific targets in sales and customer satisfaction. Larry Miller Lexus Murray has a whole shelf of them. But "Elite" doesn’t mean "perfect."
Some customers have reported issues with communication or feeling like they were "upsold" on repairs they didn't think they needed. Others swear by specific service advisors like Lisa or Julian, claiming they wouldn't take their car anywhere else. It’s a human business. You’re going to have human errors.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
If you’re planning on headed over to the Murray location, keep these specific strategies in mind to save yourself some headache.
- Schedule Mid-Week: Tuesday through Thursday is the sweet spot for service. Mondays and Fridays are absolute chaos.
- Ask for the Inspection Report: Every service comes with a multi-point inspection. Ask the advisor to walk you through the "yellow" items—the stuff that isn't broken yet but will be in 5,000 miles.
- Use Clicklane for Pricing: Even if you want to buy in person, use the Clicklane tool on their website first. It gives you a "real" number to work with so you aren't guessing when you walk into the showroom.
- Check for Recalls: Lexus is great about reliability, but they do have occasional recalls for fuel pumps or sensors. You can check your VIN on their site before you head in so they can tackle everything in one visit.
- Verify the Loaner: If you need a loaner car, call and confirm one is available the day before your appointment. They run out faster than you’d think.
Basically, the place is a well-oiled machine, but you still have to know how to navigate it. Whether you're there for the $42,000 average-priced used car or a brand-new hybrid, the Murray "Auto Mile" wouldn't be the same without it.