2007/2008 Lexus ES350 - Purchase Advice
07-20-15, 12:38 PM
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2007/2008 Lexus ES350 - Purchase Advice
Hey folks,
Need some input here. For budget reasons, I am interested in purchasing a 2007/2008 lexus Es350 for about the $13,500-$15,000 price range. Most of those vehicles are not certified pre-owned b/c of the age and mileage. The ones I have been looking at are 2007/2008 with about 85k-110K miles on them. How reliable is this vehicle going forward for the next 5 years or so? Any red flags I should look out for in this case?
I do know the water pump will probably need to be replaced with vehicles at this mileage but assuming it is has good maintenance records, i.e. oil has been changed regularly, serviced regularly, is this still a good choice? What about purchasing a 2008 Lexus with 100,000 miles on it versus purchasing a 2012/2013 Honda Accord or Toyota Camry with 40,000 miles or less on it and sucking it up and having to get a loan. Please advise. Thanks so much!
Need some input here. For budget reasons, I am interested in purchasing a 2007/2008 lexus Es350 for about the $13,500-$15,000 price range. Most of those vehicles are not certified pre-owned b/c of the age and mileage. The ones I have been looking at are 2007/2008 with about 85k-110K miles on them. How reliable is this vehicle going forward for the next 5 years or so? Any red flags I should look out for in this case?
I do know the water pump will probably need to be replaced with vehicles at this mileage but assuming it is has good maintenance records, i.e. oil has been changed regularly, serviced regularly, is this still a good choice? What about purchasing a 2008 Lexus with 100,000 miles on it versus purchasing a 2012/2013 Honda Accord or Toyota Camry with 40,000 miles or less on it and sucking it up and having to get a loan. Please advise. Thanks so much!
07-23-15, 01:04 AM
#2
There is a TSB about transmission flares, https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...ift-flare.html . Our 07 has never had trany issues, but several folks have.
There was also an issue with a leaking timing belt cover. We had some seepage but since the oil level stayed close to full, I never 'corrected' the problem. Out of warranty, it's a 2K+ jobber.
Earlier this year, Toyota offered to replace an oil line that was prone to bursting - ours did. I paid to get it fixed and Toyota has offered to pay the bill. You will want to check that this oil line has been replaced. It was not a recall, but a self-imposed order to replace the oil line at Toyota's expense.
At this mileage, I would expect the AT to have a new ATF filter. I doubt this one has had it changed. Toyota will claim it's a 'lifetime' ATF. Bull! When I changed the paper filter ATF at 130K, I could not believe how dirty and black the filter was. Now, if the docs show a drain/refill ATF every 30K, then, I would be more comfortable not replacing the filter till about 150K.
I wouldn't worry about the water pump. We haven't replaced ours and I'm always looking for leaks, and my wife is good about looking at the gauges to spot any over heating issues.
At 150K the decoupler pulley on the alternator seized which burned the alternator. Replacing it was quite a headache for the DIYer. So was replacing the radiator.
Overall, for a first year model, I am satisfied with the durability and fit/finish of the car. Ours still drives strong and gets decent gas mileage.
So, if you are a DIY'er, go for the 08. If not, go with a newer model with low mileage.
There was also an issue with a leaking timing belt cover. We had some seepage but since the oil level stayed close to full, I never 'corrected' the problem. Out of warranty, it's a 2K+ jobber.
Earlier this year, Toyota offered to replace an oil line that was prone to bursting - ours did. I paid to get it fixed and Toyota has offered to pay the bill. You will want to check that this oil line has been replaced. It was not a recall, but a self-imposed order to replace the oil line at Toyota's expense.
At this mileage, I would expect the AT to have a new ATF filter. I doubt this one has had it changed. Toyota will claim it's a 'lifetime' ATF. Bull! When I changed the paper filter ATF at 130K, I could not believe how dirty and black the filter was. Now, if the docs show a drain/refill ATF every 30K, then, I would be more comfortable not replacing the filter till about 150K.
I wouldn't worry about the water pump. We haven't replaced ours and I'm always looking for leaks, and my wife is good about looking at the gauges to spot any over heating issues.
At 150K the decoupler pulley on the alternator seized which burned the alternator. Replacing it was quite a headache for the DIYer. So was replacing the radiator.
Overall, for a first year model, I am satisfied with the durability and fit/finish of the car. Ours still drives strong and gets decent gas mileage.
So, if you are a DIY'er, go for the 08. If not, go with a newer model with low mileage.
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