jcalderaio

Hello. I'm new to the site and want to get going with buying a Lexus. My back is horrible. I'm in college and can no longer go to class because I can't sit in the seats there - I take classes at home at a standing desk. When driving a car, I have to actually recline the seat all the way back and just look up and barely over the steering wheel (like a gangster would). It's the only comfortable way to drive for me. I just crashed my car and am looking for a used Lexus in the $9000 range with the most comfortable and adjustable seats possible. What models should I be looking for?

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Welcome to CL! Sorry to hear about your back pain. The LS400 will probably have the most comfortable seats in terms of 'older' Lexus's. The suspension may be less jarring as well

Aron9000

I'd say go for an LS400, or an LS430 is also in your budget. You can buy an immaculate 400 for $9000 or a pretty nice(maybe over 100k miles) LS430 for that money. Read up in the LS forums and welcome.

As for most comfortable car seat ever, it would have to be the button tufted leather seats in my old Cadillac Brougham D'Elegance. They were really, really deep and felt like you were sitting on your favorite couch. Also you didn't slide around that much either since they were somewhat bolstered.

mmarshall

Welcome to CL, and sorry about your back problems. I'll pray for your recovery.

in the meantime, I agree with the LS400/430 recommendations, though I also agree with Aron9000 that the living-room-sofa seats in older American luxury cars were even more comfortable (the cushiest seats I ever saw were in 1965-66 full-size Buicks), though they didn't offer much support.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

maybe you can settle with a higher mileage ls430, i think they have better seats than ls400

jcalderaio

Thanks for the replies guys. It's not 100% based on pure "comfortability" (I know, not a word lol) but also on the number of options so have to adjust the seats. I'd want to be able to adjust it horizontally, vertically, and diagonally (so minimum 10 way adjustment). Does the LS430 offer these ?

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

This LS430 appears to have 16-way. Not sure if that was standard or the option.

jcalderaio

That's crazy! 16 way?? That's more than enough. I haven't been able to find one for a good deal that's not over 130 k miles, but then again I hear they last to 300 k. I do wish there was something with the same seats but a bit sportier. I'm 29 and the LS just looks like it's aimed toward the older crowd. Is there anything a bit sportier with the 16 way seats? Btw thanks you guys are awesome.

Fizzboy7

I'm concerned your safety is compromised while driving. You have to recline the seat all the way back and can barely see over the steering wheel? That doesn't sound like the ideal way to see around you or maneuver a steering wheel in an emergency. Are you doing what you can to get your back worked on? Even local colleges offer some sort of health services.
Best of luck to you. I've had a bad back for ten years now, so I can feel your pain.

jcalderaio

"Can barely see over" was a bit of an exaggeration. When I lean the seat back, I lean forward. It's more that I don't want the seat against my back because it hurts for some reason.

Anyways, I found a 2004 LS430 in mint condition with grey exterior /black interior with 123k miles for $8900. I think this is a good deal. Any thoughts?

LexLuthors

Hi, glad that you decided to go with a Lexus! That sounds like great deal. Is it from a Dealer or Private Sale?

jcalderaio

Private seller. It really does look only a year or 2 old. Best kept condition 2004 car I've ever seen.

LexLuthors

Like I said sounds like a great deal but if you decide to purchase it do your homework first. Ask to see service records (to make sure all the important scheduled maintenance was done). I believe it has a timing belt so you want to make sure that was changed at around 90k. Lexus went to timing chains 2007 and up. Also you should perform a CarFax or AutoCheck, they will give you a lot of important information. After you do these things and take her for a test drive I'd then make your decision. Its a great car, my friend use to own one and I use to have a LS 400. They have nice pick up and give one of the best rides.

jcalderaio

So.... The seller of the car included pictures of the CarFax on craigslist and it looks like everything checked out. However, I had heard that Autocheck sometimes picks up things that Carfax doesn't. It shows the original owner from 2004 until 2013. But then this:

04/29/2013 FL Auto Auction AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS UNIBODY DAMAGE
05/07/2013 FL Auto Auction AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS UNIBODY DAMAGE
05/14/2013 FL Auto Auction AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS UNIBODY DAMAGE
05/16/2013 FL Auto Auction AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS UNIBODY DAMAGE
05/20/2013 FL 98,486 Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION AS DEALER VEHICLE
05/24/2013 FL Auto Auction AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS UNIBODY DAMAGE
06/23/2013 FL 98,486 Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV
06/23/2013 POMPANO BEACH, FL Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
07/12/2013 POMPANO BEACH, FL Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:0092441088) (Lien Reported)
11/14/2013 POMPANO BEACH, FL Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
12/03/2014 FL 107,420 Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV
12/12/2014 LAKE WORTH, FL Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
01/05/2015 FL 107,425 Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION AS DEALER VEHICLE
03/09/2015 FL 112,760 Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION AS DEALER VEHICLE
03/10/2015 HOLLYWOOD, FL Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:0092441088)
08/02/2015 ORLANDO, FL Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL


Why wouldnt carfax pick this up? It looks like someone bought it from a dealer then sold it 1.5 years and 10k miles later to the current owner - why would they sell it so soon? Keep in mind although it seems as if there was damage, no accidents were reported in either Carfax nor Autocheck.

LexLuthors

Wow thats crazy that CarFax did no pick up any of that stuff. If it was me and I was going to cough up almost $9000 I would just keep on looking. When I look for a car for myself or friends, I use Auto Trader or CarGurus. Thats how I found the GS 350 I'm driving now. Keep us updated.