Advice on buying used GS
03-08-13, 09:36 PM
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Advice on buying used GS
Hi, new user here. I apologize if this thread is in the wrong forum.
I was wondering if it's a good idea to buy a '99 GS400 with 160k miles on it for 7k. It appears to be well-maintained but all my friends think it's a bad idea. KBB private party value for the car is 5.5k but I can't find any gs's for anywhere near that price.
I was wondering if it's a good idea to buy a '99 GS400 with 160k miles on it for 7k. It appears to be well-maintained but all my friends think it's a bad idea. KBB private party value for the car is 5.5k but I can't find any gs's for anywhere near that price.
Last edited by CrooperJ; 03-08-13 at 09:44 PM.
03-08-13, 10:08 PM
#2
Washington state or dc?
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...656441749.html
If its this car it's a good price (Seattle)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/3621689988.html
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...656441749.html
If its this car it's a good price (Seattle)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/3621689988.html
Last edited by sam12345; 03-08-13 at 10:13 PM.
03-09-13, 12:09 AM
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I would go with the Washington post its silver which means it has black interior .....trust me you don't want tan it gets dirty fast . Plus why would you ever consider to over pay for a car. Kbb says its worth $5513 you got to remember people up the price so they can be bargained down. I would offer him 5200 and go from there because there's always something you have to repair and on these gs400 i know for a fact they kill tires as far as camber wear goes have it looked at don't be cheated
03-09-13, 05:15 AM
#5
Only thing on the Seattle one is that it does not mention a timing belt change. If it has not been changed offer him 1000 less. If he is not lying all the maintenance would cost you at least 1200 if you buy a cheaper car. I got my 98 for 4800 with about 160k on it but I had to change tires and rims (1500) ECM $(280) get new key($30) several suspension bushing (500) alignment (65) ac compressor($200) new windshield ($160) timing belt water pump (600) all fluids changed (140)
So 4800+1500+280+30+500+65+200+160+140= 7675
Of course this was when they were worth more than they are now.
So good maintenance does matter. By the way, I did all the work except the timing belt
Go to the Lexus owner website and put the vin number to see what maintenance was done at the dealer
So 4800+1500+280+30+500+65+200+160+140= 7675
Of course this was when they were worth more than they are now.
So good maintenance does matter. By the way, I did all the work except the timing belt
Go to the Lexus owner website and put the vin number to see what maintenance was done at the dealer
Last edited by sam12345; 03-09-13 at 05:30 AM.
03-09-13, 09:23 AM
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The service record shows a bunch of warranty service and non-warranty service up to 95000 miiles, but no mention of timing belt. There is also a record when the car is 5 years old that says "Enterprise Car Rental." I wonder what that means.
I'm planning on having my own mechanic look at it before I buy it but I'll ask about the timing belt. For the price, I don't want to be fixing things right after I buy it.
I'm planning on having my own mechanic look at it before I buy it but I'll ask about the timing belt. For the price, I don't want to be fixing things right after I buy it.
03-09-13, 09:49 AM
#7
The service record shows a bunch of warranty service and non-warranty service up to 95000 miiles, but no mention of timing belt. There is also a record when the car is 5 years old that says "Enterprise Car Rental." I wonder what that means.
I'm planning on having my own mechanic look at it before I buy it but I'll ask about the timing belt. For the price, I don't want to be fixing things right after I buy it.
I'm planning on having my own mechanic look at it before I buy it but I'll ask about the timing belt. For the price, I don't want to be fixing things right after I buy it.
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03-10-13, 07:04 PM
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You'll have ball joints as well, these are equally as important as the timing belt, be prepared for some repairs no matter what, I bought my 00 gs4 with 185k on it and put about 3 grand in it to get it right, also, don't worry about tires, that's only if you have something wrong that needs fixing.
03-10-13, 09:53 PM
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You'll have ball joints as well, these are equally as important as the timing belt, be prepared for some repairs no matter what, I bought my 00 gs4 with 185k on it and put about 3 grand in it to get it right, also, don't worry about tires, that's only if you have something wrong that needs fixing.
03-21-13, 11:23 AM
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Hey guys. The seller I was talking to disappeared so I've been looking at this other one..
link to carguru.com
It seems real nice.. low miles and single owner. The lexus driver site said the timing belt and lower ball joints were already done. But I had it inspected and there were a few issues..
Rear differential seal - $210 quoted.. dealer is going to try and do it himself
Windshield crack - dealer says he will replace windshield
Trunk latch assembly missing a part - dealer says he will take care of
Paint chipped on roof, rear bumper - dealer will detail
Rust on muffler, but otherwise no rust problems - mechanic said no need to replace yet
Passenger side mirror damaged - ill have to fix/replace this
Due for 100k miles service - ill have to do this
..and a slight "thumping noise" when driving as if the tires were wearing unevenly. The mechanic said new tires might fix this but recommended doing nothing.
The dealer is offering to sell it for 7684 including doc fee etc and I'd have to pay around 950 to ship to where I live. Kbb dealer price for the car in "excellent" is $10,500.
Does this sound worthwhile?
link to carguru.com
It seems real nice.. low miles and single owner. The lexus driver site said the timing belt and lower ball joints were already done. But I had it inspected and there were a few issues..
Rear differential seal - $210 quoted.. dealer is going to try and do it himself
Windshield crack - dealer says he will replace windshield
Trunk latch assembly missing a part - dealer says he will take care of
Paint chipped on roof, rear bumper - dealer will detail
Rust on muffler, but otherwise no rust problems - mechanic said no need to replace yet
Passenger side mirror damaged - ill have to fix/replace this
Due for 100k miles service - ill have to do this
..and a slight "thumping noise" when driving as if the tires were wearing unevenly. The mechanic said new tires might fix this but recommended doing nothing.
The dealer is offering to sell it for 7684 including doc fee etc and I'd have to pay around 950 to ship to where I live. Kbb dealer price for the car in "excellent" is $10,500.
Does this sound worthwhile?
