Advice: 97 ES300 92KM 9K$ Buy / No Buy

[therizinos]

Hi Guys,

Searching the web for advice on whether to buy this guy or not.

Note: This is CDN car so all numbers below are in KM !

Positive:
- Excellent exterior condition
- Excellent interior condition
- Service stamps from Lexus ~8K intervals until 2007, last known at 70K
- Car starts and idles very nicely

Negative:
- Worried about sludge problem
- No service records after 70K mark
- Radiator replaced with 2009 stamp
- Opened oil cap, and hole inside engine looks like crap (ie. hard crusty carbon buildup or is that sludge?)
- dip stick shows dark dirty oil

Note that a few stamps showed service at 10K intervals, so on average serviced (1) / year.

I really want to love this guy, but want to make sure before I commit. What is the best way to get the car inspected for sludge? Compression test? Open up the engine cover?

Any advice or comments is much appreciated !!!

Thanks !
Matt