wiredog89

Excellent! I appreciate everyones input. Based on y'alls comments and my mechanic's report I think we'll go ahead and buy the vehicle. I'll probably ask for additional concession from the $6k price since I need new tires and will replace valve cover gasket.

I enjoy good used cars that have a group following. I like having someone eat the depreciation for me then I can come in and clean up I'm not one that has the burning desire to have a new car with (payments). Been there done that from a '86 Dodge Conquest TSI, 97 Jetta GLX VR6, 2001 F150 Super Crew, 2004 Honda Odyssey (I think you see the progression):roll eyes:
Today, besides the minivan my other car is a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo AWD with the 4.7 V8 that eats gas and oil now since she's at 210,000 miles (this Lexus will be what will pick-up where the Jeep is leaving off for my commute from the home to the office). It sounds like the car has a lot of life left in her if she is maintained well, usually I do the upkeep and repairs myself since unless there is some machining involved. How long do I plan to keep it; as long as she runs on gas--actually I will probably give it to my son when he turns 16 about 2 years--if he passes drivers test.

My pre-purchase car inspection reports--

• Need two new front tires but recommends getting all 4 new since rear tires show dry rot on sidewalls.
• Underhood Inspection
• Change Fluids
• Saw some cracks on Serpentine belt so recommends changing that and timing belt a the same time to save labor at about (~90k)
• Hoses still OE
• Ignition System
• Change plugs
• Under Car Inspection
• Slight leak from valve cover gasket
• Charging System
• AC tests good
• Electrical tests good
• No Trouble codes
• Cooling System
• Block Test passes
• Pressure Test Passes
• Protection temp -30
• Brakes
• appear to be new

The paint job will probably have to wait since the paint doesn't effect performance or safety. A good one is about $3k with the base coat, pearl and clear coat, but who knows.
It does sound like I need to take care of the tires and the valve-cover gasket and fluids, ASAP. I'll check out the sticky post here that has the most common repairs.

BTW when I was shopping I ran across a 2001 GS300 with only 34k miles one owner. I test drove it. . . impeccable! (http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...939/overview/#). The dealer was asking for $11,600 out the door so if anyones interested. I was not interested in financing. $6k was more my price.

Thanks for everyone's comments and opinions!

RNM GS3

Car def needs some love but that color combo is very RARE bec it has the black interior.

SaiyanGS3

iTrader: (8)

Guess I'm the minority here. No way I would spend that money for that car...especially when YOU hold all the cards here. Listen man, the MAX they gave for that car in a trade-in was $2500! Now they are about to make over 200% profit off you?? Come on. The car is over 18 years old and cosmetically looks horrible. WHO and I do mean WHO was going to by that car off their lot any time soon looking like that? No one. I would've played wolf with them and told them that. I guarantee they would've call you back accepting whatever off you proposed to them. I wouldve offered 4500-5k max out the door. We all know these motors are strong so you shouldnt let the miles pry you in for a selling point. Once you start to rehab the car you easily be 8-10k for a 18 year old car. The 98-00 are notorious for all the servos going bad, lbj's and I can keep going. Good luck but i would've paid much lower.

Ultramiler

I would for sure try to get them to come down on price, not because I don't think its worth it, but you can usually get anyone to knock about $500 off asking price, especially a dealer, they are making money either way.

I would take it in a heartbeat, just make sure it doesn't have any rust, check underneath, wheel wells ect.

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

Cinnabar/Black is a pretty rare combo; only available in 1998.

Either way, congrats! Be sure to post pictures of that interior!

JLAWS

Question, have you actually priced out everthing you will need to get this car in respectable/functional condition? Are you mechanically inclined to do some of the work yourself? Post on the forum a list of all the thing you will do and the estimated cost. We will tell you what you are missing It may not be such a good deal when you see things added up. The timing belt service should be done immediately since it hasn't been done in 17 years!!. I had my hood and roof repainted for about $800. I couldn't stand driving around with such bad paint!! Looks like that is all you need as far as cosmetics.

I spend $6500 and another $3000 restore my 1999 GS400 over 2 years. About $1200 was for refurbished sport wheels and new tires I did a bulk of the maintenace myself. Luckily the timing belt was already done. I still needed to replace 3 door locks. . She looked and drove almost like a brand new car even with 135K miles on her. After 2 years of enjoyment I sold her for $7500.

wiredog89

The final negotiation is never done till the paper is signed. I ended up getting the vehicle for $4900. Not too worried about the maintenance. I do most of the servicing myself except for the things like I said that need grinding or machining.

Right now I'm not looking to do a full on restoral to like new. Its a 17 year old used car with 75k miles. I opted for it because my other used car the 2004 Jeep has 210,000 miles on it--got that one with 175k miles for $4k of insurance money. At $4.9k and only 75k miles a Lexus is tough to beat and now I know If I wanted to spend a few hundred each month I can get her looking pretty good! AS I do it though I'll post images.

Bhubb18

Can't complain at 4.9k for it!

MikeFoxx

iTrader: (8)

You did good... just needs a lil love on the outside but nothing crazy. If it truly is just a commuter don't even trip off the paint just buff those headlights and go.

Rock-a-Lex

iTrader: (4)

Hello. I think this is a good deal! If you are planning to keep it for a bunch of years and like a modded look then read on...

As others have mentioned it looks like the paint is only poor on hood, roof, trunk and rear bumper. If this is the case and you plan to eventually mod (wheels, lower etc etc) then I would get a new CF hood (oem style) for $675, wrap the roof with CF wrap for $100, get a CF trunk (oem style) $450 and only have the rear bumper re-sprayed $300. Approx $1600 AND you didn't have to use a lot of aftermarket paint. Believe it or not the OEM paint from Lexus IS awesome. I would NOT spray a good portion of the car for $1500 or so; matching will be a ***** if it's not black which this car isn't. The above will give you a new custom look and will address the exterior, then just get a nice reconditioning detail on the rest of the car for $200...you're done.

That's my take. Only if modding is/will be your thing and you'll keep the car for at least 3 or 4yrs. Good luck

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

where can you get a CF trunk for 450? just curious

Rock-a-Lex

iTrader: (4)

I thought I once saw one for this price. Maybe it was used or for an IS.

After quick a quick search I did find one for anoint $580 though; unfortunately then there's shipping.

http://www.bodykitsdepot.com/Lexus/Gs-Series/1998-2005-Gs-Series/Trunk-1824/Vis-Racing-1998-2002-Lexus-Gs300400-4Dr-Oe-Style-Carbon-Fiber-Trunk.html

Ultramiler

Congrats on the purchase! Great car for a great price. You will be really happy you went Lexus over German luxury.... Unless you don't like money. These cars really do just go and go. They require little stuff here and there, but mostly maintenance. Older high mileage German luxury cars can become money puts real quick. I am 100% with you on buying the same car someone else bought for $40,000 for $5,000. Yeah it has a few quirks and it isn't the current style, but it is still the same highly engineered machine that it was when it rolled of the production line.

wiredog89

I liked that idea myself but believe it or not my wife said, "Well that's all cool for a young racer guy and his girlfriend but not so much for a 45 Year old guy coming out of a board room meeting or going out to dinner with his wife. Go think about getting the car painted.

WOW!!!! Don't know if I should be disappointed that I'm not a cool 45 old guy
or if I should be be ecstatic that she is cool if I go spend to get the car painted!

marshun

that low on miles and 6k? worth it IMO. generally solid cars with little things to fix here and there. but all easily fixable. first things first, lower ball joints. do it

edit: i read only the op's post and went. saw the replies after i posted. congrats. good buy