FitDesiGuy

Hey all,

I am looking to purchase a 2001 Lexus Es300 from a Lexus dealer in Illinois. I live in Minneapolis and would have the car transported here. The car was originally listed at $4900, but they lost the only set of keys they had and so we have a purchase agreement price of $2700. The car itself has 162k on it and looks to be in mint condition.

Here is the VIN: JT8BF28G310291775

So the process is that I'd have the car transported to my local Lexus dealer, and they'd reprogram the car and make me a new key fob for it, costing around 600-800 bucks. Shipment is about 400. I have agreed to purchase the car, but am wondering what steps I need to take to ensure that I don't get ripped off. I found another vehicle as well but it was $1000 more compared to this one, and it doesn't look as clean. I'd appreciate all the advice possible. Here are the pics of the car


Thank you!

Oro

That a Lexus dealer (the seller) cannot re-key it is a red flag to me.

It makes no sense that they could lose the key and not replace it. i would make them doing the work part of the sale price. I would also not buy it sight-unseen. I've bought a number of vehicles long-distance and I always get on a plane or train and go get it, and look it over myself before handing over the money. Always cheaper and much safer than shipping without inspecting.

In your previous post, you outlined your needs and wants out of the car. One of the posters recommmended looking at an 02/03 for those reasons. I agree. The added space, more mpg, better transmission, etc. will over the long term outweigh the slightly higher purchase price now. The 02-03 is not nearly as attractive a car as the prior gen, but it has some real plusses for what you want. When I was in med school, I had a finicky older, but very cool car (non-Lexus) and it was a real PITA.

If you are really liking that model/car, I'd negotiate them fixing the key issue, then get on a bus, train, or plane and go look it over with the cash in hand. It might be a great car.