Vh_Supra26

iTrader: (1)

Hi guys, so I think the SO E39 needs to go to car heaven. We found three cars, one at a Lexus dealer and two at a private owner dealer. Which one do y'all think is a better buy? Thanks

The one from Lexus is a 2002 with 77k on it. It has chrome wheels and some kind of radio touch screen. They are asking $10,900.00.

The second one is a 2003 with 62k. Its seems to be just the base model but is in great condition with low miles. Seller is asking $7,900.00

The third one is a 2004 ES330 with 66k on it. Also appears to be a base model. Seller is asking $11,900.00

rlx101

this is a no brainer - 2003 for 7900. Save some cash for future repairs.

2002 for 38% more money you get 24% more miles and the car is 10% older than 2003;

2004 for 51% more money you get 7% more miles but you get 10% newer car;

2003 best deal.


Navi - for 300-500$ you can get a great double din navigation unit installed in there, feebay is flooded with them. DIY is here on the forum.

the cheaper you can get in your car (assuming great condition) the better. You dont want to have too much money tied up into luxury toys these days. You never know whats waiting all of us around the corner.

Good luck!

hypervish

I agree, go with the 2003. Which by the way, is an amazing price for only having 62k miles. I'd jump on it before someone else does.

imherenow

yup that low of a mile and price..sure. do post pics

MrShim78

assuming all cars have full service history (never buy a car without one! ) the 2003 makes sense. is the timing belt done though on all cars? if not, thats 10 years on the original belt, you will need to replace soon, that itself is 600-800 bucks, regardless of the car. so i'd say even though the 2003 looks good to me, i'd pick the one with the timing belt and water pump done most recently.

Vh_Supra26

iTrader: (1)

RIght now there are two that I am looking at. Both are from the Lexus dealer.

2002 with 77k for 11k. (Think I can get it down to 9k)
2005 with 54k for 13k. (Think I can get it down to 11-11.5k)

I got out bidder on the 04 ES330.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WE-FI...orcev4exp=true

The 2003 ES300 has a salvage title

http://houston.craigslist.org/ctd/3508822199.html

andybisnut

I think everyone has their own opinion about buying salvage title vehicles. Sometimes you can get a really good vehicle for cheap, and sometimes you are buying someone else's problems and it can turn into a money pit. I suppose it would depend why it has a salvage title. Is it possible to find out what happened to it? For salvage, I actually think it's priced kind of high. If you're willing to take a gamble on a salvage, you could make a lowball offer, like $5,000 - $6,000. They might take it just to get rid of the car.

Also -- salvage cars are really hard to sell (in my experience anyway), and there's no guide for figuring out what they're worth. I had an '03 Acura TL with a salvage title, and I had to sell it for practically nothing to get rid of it.

It's a gamble, and some people don't mind the risk. If the thought scares you, I'd shy away from the '03.

Vh_Supra26

iTrader: (1)

^
i think we are going to stay away from the salvage title ES. i think its a good deal but the SO wants to play it safe. plus we cant do a loan with the salvage one.

i think we are really interested in the 2005 ES330 with 54k. what do you guys think is a fair price for it? the lexus dealer had it listed for $15,900. but we done business with them before so the salesman said he could do $12,900. i than went home and looked up the value on both NADA and Edmund and they priced it at $13,100 for good condition and $13,500 for clean condition. so compared to the dealers bottom line special price it doesnt really seem that low. im thinking $11k is fair, no?

rlx101

just my opinion, but if i cant pay cash then i cant afford it. i never had a loan in my life and no, im not rich by any means.

hypervish

IMHO, but I have to agree, if you can't afford it, don't buy it. Especially when buying used, that's not a good idea at all. A car isn't an investment, you are constantly losing money do not take a loan. If you can't afford a Lexus, buy a toyota but don't live outside of your means.

Vh_Supra26

iTrader: (1)

We can afford it, our house is paid off for and everything. I'm not poor or anything but Its the SO choice, beside Its only a loan for $8k, we're just trying to built and repair her credit so she can become a cop.

Vh_Supra26

iTrader: (1)

I actually agreed with you. I also paid my Supra, RX7, and daily beater SC300 in cash.

But like I said before, its the SO's choice and car, so I don't have much say in it. lol