hspLOBO

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/5333305322.html


Here is link. Could use advice as I see car tomorrow. Thanks in advance.

utlexuses3

I'm new to the forum. I just bought a 1999 ES 300 today. I wasn't looking for a Lexus. I drove a few before I settled on the one I got. There was about 10 different ones, with various miles ranging from 145k to 191k. Priced between $2300 to $4000. I ended up getting mine for $2200. It drives great and I hope to continue to love it for years. I have 152k on it. The clear coat is going on the hood, roof and truck lid. Great car for the money. I figure if I have to put in a $1000 in the future its worth it. That is my two cents!

jaredmac11

I would make a legitimate offer at 3200-3500 and be very firm @ 3500. That car is nice but not $4500 nice. Good luck!

Check for suspension. If it feels soft, that would need to be replaced and its kinda pricey. At this age, you will likely hear rattling indicating bushings are out. Not a terrible job but still a job.

There are TONS of ES300 in your area, but this is one of the lower miles, but 140k miles is not unheard of for this car. My 1997 ES300 was purchased at 137k, there are quite a few out there. MANY of these cars have good looking interiors as well, so just because his is clean doesnt mean you wont find another clean Lexus, trust me.

One edit: At the end of the day, there is craigslist price and price of what the car would be professionally valued at by your insurance, and having recently gone through this, car valuations will tell you that CL is always higher than the true value of a car. CL is basically hogwash made up prices. KBB is close but not on the money; and KBB values that car at $2350 to $2600. $3300 would be very fair, especially if it needs new struts (which MOST cars do, unless he did them in under 5 years.)

nuvoturbo

I bought a 2000 es300 off craigslist about 8 months ago with 135,000 miles that was in decent shape and had reasonable maintnence records. Found out after I purchased it that it had a sludge motor. The motor gave up 2 weeks ago. I'll be spending the holidays doing an engine swap. It's hard to tell if the motor has sludge without pulling the valve cover but the 1MZ-FE is prone to sludge if the oil isn't changed every 5000 miles. I believe the most suceptable years are 99 thru 2003.

808mcv20l

Is the engine completely seized? if not did you already try running marvel mystery oil in the crankcase?

I always do oil changes after I buy a used car just because most of the time you don't know when the last oil change was and what kind of oil/filter they last used.

I always run my cars with mobil1 and oem filter w/ new crush washer.

nuvoturbo

The motor is toast...lost oil pressure on the highway and started banging like a steel drum band. After it was shut down, it wouldn't start, just sounded like fingernails on a chalk board. I've already found a low mileage motor for $650 with a 30 day warranty that is sludge free. Gonna run Mobil 1 to prevent any sludge issues going forward.

mmatheny

I bought an '01 that had the engine dealer rebuilt before I bought it because of the sludge problem! I ALWAYS run a quart of motor flush in for 5 minutes before I change oil. Even if I get it changed at a mechanic, I sit in the front idling with the flush in for 5 minutes - I make sure and tell the mechanic so he doesn't have a heart attack when the oil comes out with the viscosity of water!

OceanView

These cars are good for the money. I ran my last 98 ES300 to 347K miles before it got rear ended. Otherwise the car was in great shape with routine maintenance.
Look for a well maintained car and you should be ok.