RXGS

iTrader: (2)

The timing belt service is a lot, I remember paying $1500 for my 2001 es300 a few years ago. You may be able to find cheaper, I've seen as low as $600 but make sure they change everything like tensioners and water pump, some places only change the belt. If you plan on keeping the car for a while though, I'd do it as they change all te fluids as well, at least Lexus did when they changed my timing belt. That being said, find out when it was last done. If the last owner waited a bit until let's say 120k miles, you may not have to change it just yet. Go onto "my lexus" and in the owners section, using the VIN #, you can find any previous dealer services work. Or look on the engine for a label saying when the belt was changed. Some people add the label, others don't, I know my dealer didn't. If it was done later, you can probably wait another few thousand miles.

bullrider

Given the choice between two cars, one with good original paint and another that's been repainted, I think I would have to look VERY closely to see if the repaint was apparent or if it was done meticulously. If I could tell the car had been repainted I wouldn't touch it at any price.

My Lexus ES330 is all original, it does have its share of paint touchups on the hood but otherwise the paint is fine and I'd sooner have it original like this than any sort of repaint that I can spot.