Advice sought, 2001 ES 300
09-19-11, 05:23 AM
#16
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The car looks very nice, sans the rust spot which will not be that difficult to repair. The leather, damn near perfect, better than mine for sure. Another place to check for rust is underneath the cladding right in front of the rear wheel, the small piece. Water and dirt accumulate there very easily. A sign of rust there is the seam will be separating, sometimes pushing the cladding out a bit and deforming it.
09-19-11, 08:19 AM
#17
Yes ......The car looks very clean inside -- but the rust is a major red flag for me. I have been looking for another older lexus and you still see a lot of one owner cars of this model. If this model is maintained and kept in a garage they really hold up.
Rust does not just happen in one place -- you need to inspect this car for rust before you purchase otherwise rust could burst out all over the place -- and rust like this is difficult to fix -- it always comes back. It may be that the car was bumped in a parking lot and the bumper cracked the paint in that area and rust started -- but you need to be sure.
Everyone has different expectations in a used car -- some are willing to have damage and items not working others want something nicer
Rust does not just happen in one place -- you need to inspect this car for rust before you purchase otherwise rust could burst out all over the place -- and rust like this is difficult to fix -- it always comes back. It may be that the car was bumped in a parking lot and the bumper cracked the paint in that area and rust started -- but you need to be sure.
Everyone has different expectations in a used car -- some are willing to have damage and items not working others want something nicer
09-19-11, 10:40 AM
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Definitely have the timing belt changed and have a mechanic go over it from top to bottom. Have the rotors checked and make sure that your fuel injectors get cleaned... Good luck!
09-19-11, 12:23 PM
#19
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Yes ......The car looks very clean inside -- but the rust is a major red flag for me. I have been looking for another older lexus and you still see a lot of one owner cars of this model. If this model is maintained and kept in a garage they really hold up.
Rust does not just happen in one place -- you need to inspect this car for rust before you purchase otherwise rust could burst out all over the place -- and rust like this is difficult to fix -- it always comes back. It may be that the car was bumped in a parking lot and the bumper cracked the paint in that area and rust started -- but you need to be sure.
Everyone has different expectations in a used car -- some are willing to have damage and items not working others want something nicer
Rust does not just happen in one place -- you need to inspect this car for rust before you purchase otherwise rust could burst out all over the place -- and rust like this is difficult to fix -- it always comes back. It may be that the car was bumped in a parking lot and the bumper cracked the paint in that area and rust started -- but you need to be sure.
Everyone has different expectations in a used car -- some are willing to have damage and items not working others want something nicer
Thanks, good tip on the rotors/fuel injectors...
09-19-11, 02:42 PM
#20
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Its very tough to tell from your pics but id check the body panel gaps well... check trunk and hood alignment as well. Should be close to perfect on these cars or its been smacked.... take it to a mechanic or body shop that hasn't seen it and get it on a lift... an hour labor is worth it.
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