99 GS 300, 82K - What is a good offer?
10-23-08, 03:34 AM
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99 GS 300, 82K - What is a good offer?
This a car for sale locally and I am considering making an offer. The seller is the second owner and has owned the car for about 5 years and been responsible for putting close to 55K miles on the car. He claims to have done all the oil changes with synthetic oil at 5k intervals and had the Lexus dealer flush the tranny at 50K. Overall the car is in good shape and drives nice. Cinnabar Red. The owner is asking $13,500...He seems proud of his car and this price seems kind of high. Any recommendations? Thanks.
10-24-08, 06:35 PM
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WHAT? No one has any ideas or opinions? I was considering offering him $12k. Any pros or cons on this amount? I took another spin in the car and it seems to drive just fine. No obvious issues. The engine appears in good shape and the tranny shift smooth. All in all, I figured this is a good car, but I need to make sure I get a better deal.
10-24-08, 07:03 PM
#3
guys asking 13,500. thats retail price.
clean trade in im showing 11,200.
right in the middle is your private party price, 12,350.
don't pay more than 11,500 or 12,000 for it. If he gives you **** after that offer, just invite him politely to look for a dealership that will give him that much on trade in
(i guarantee a dealership wouldn't give him more than 8 or 9k for it)
clean trade in im showing 11,200.
right in the middle is your private party price, 12,350.
don't pay more than 11,500 or 12,000 for it. If he gives you **** after that offer, just invite him politely to look for a dealership that will give him that much on trade in
(i guarantee a dealership wouldn't give him more than 8 or 9k for it)
10-24-08, 07:29 PM
#4
offer 11k and see if he counters. he'll prob laugh at you, but, its not really your loss. his smart move would be to counter.
check carfax + the usual, even take it to a mechanic to check everything
GL!
iirc, at 90k, the car needs a major. also, the suspension MUST be checked thoroughly!
check carfax + the usual, even take it to a mechanic to check everything
GL!
iirc, at 90k, the car needs a major. also, the suspension MUST be checked thoroughly!
10-24-08, 07:43 PM
#5
offer 11k and see if he counters. he'll prob laugh at you, but, its not really your loss. his smart move would be to counter.
check carfax + the usual, even take it to a mechanic to check everything
GL!
iirc, at 90k, the car needs a major. also, the suspension MUST be checked thoroughly!
check carfax + the usual, even take it to a mechanic to check everything
GL!
iirc, at 90k, the car needs a major. also, the suspension MUST be checked thoroughly!
carfax won't hurt, but i would make HIM pay for it, i wouldn't waste my own money. If anything has happened that wasn't reported through insurance it won't show up on carfax.
as 4ntvings said, start at 11 and stroke it back to maybe 11,500 or 12k to make him feel like he's won.
10-24-08, 07:57 PM
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Besides what is recommended at the 90k service, what is really needed, in your honest opinion? What is the cost at a local mechanic vs the all too expensive dealer? What if any can easily be done myself? Thanks.
10-24-08, 08:40 PM
#7
-90k service
-check balljoints
-check tie rod ends
-check control arms
-check bushings (control arm bushings, steering rack bushings, sway bushings)
-clean the MAF
-clean the Throttle Body
-Check plugs
-replace fuel filter
-oil change
-check exhaust for leaks/rust
-check/replace/balance tires
-alignment
-air filter
-check light bulbs
-check all fluids
-check/replace brake pads/rotors
and i'm probably forgetting a host of other things other members will chime in on
but i'm reeeeeally particular when it comes to my cars.
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10-25-08, 09:26 AM
#11
if you search craigslist and autotrader
this is the first car i looked up just now to make my point the first one that popped up
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/892318161.html
its an 2001 with 80 for 13k...
yah 82k for a 99 is low miles but you also gotta look at the year you will find more 01 02 03 in 80k milege range than 99 or98 or 2000
this car is worth less than 10k or plain 10k
this is the first car i looked up just now to make my point the first one that popped up
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/892318161.html
its an 2001 with 80 for 13k...
yah 82k for a 99 is low miles but you also gotta look at the year you will find more 01 02 03 in 80k milege range than 99 or98 or 2000
this car is worth less than 10k or plain 10k
11-07-08, 08:55 PM
#14
impossible to tell what else is needed besides the 90k service without seeing the car. if it were me buying it:
-90k service
-check balljoints EASY
-check tie rod endsEASY
-check control armsEASY
-check bushings (control arm bushings, steering rack bushings, sway bushings)EASY
-clean the MAFEASY
-clean the Throttle BodyEASY
-Check plugsEASY
-replace fuel filter not sure on these cars
-oil changeEASY
-check exhaust for leaks/rustEASY
-check/replace/balance tiresEASY
-alignment depends on if it needs it
-air filterEASY
-check light bulbsEASY
-check all fluidsEASY
-check/replace brake pads/rotorsEASY
and i'm probably forgetting a host of other things other members will chime in on
but i'm reeeeeally particular when it comes to my cars.
-90k service
-check balljoints EASY
-check tie rod endsEASY
-check control armsEASY
-check bushings (control arm bushings, steering rack bushings, sway bushings)EASY
-clean the MAFEASY
-clean the Throttle BodyEASY
-Check plugsEASY
-replace fuel filter not sure on these cars
-oil changeEASY
-check exhaust for leaks/rustEASY
-check/replace/balance tiresEASY
-alignment depends on if it needs it
-air filterEASY
-check light bulbsEASY
-check all fluidsEASY
-check/replace brake pads/rotorsEASY
and i'm probably forgetting a host of other things other members will chime in on
but i'm reeeeeally particular when it comes to my cars.
Also, doesn't the timing belt need to be replaced at 90k?
11-07-08, 10:43 PM
#15
those are all of the main items you should look for when buying a car.
obviously if the F^(&^ng thing is leaking oil or blowing smoke or misfiring then dont buy the damn thing.
we are all envious of your apparent mechanical confidence with these vehicles, really, but the OP asked what to check for when buying the car.