kevin300a

I am new to the lexus world... I have been into cars my whole life and unfortuanately went thru the riceburner stage, now I am selling My scion tc to get the wife an suv because she is pregnant ... but that does mean I need a 4 door... the Is300 struck me as a great car as I want something sporty and 4 door with reliability and I also want to pay cash for it... I stumbled across a 2001 300 with 120k miles on it that was salvaged in 03, the owner has all of the service records and the car has been driven since the damage. I am just looking for something to drive daily and probably mod a lil with some nice wheels and small drop etc... He is asking 5000, is there anything I should look for or just stand clear, I really just need something reliable to drive daily... any advice is appreciated and looking forward to learning more about these vehicles.

kevin300a

oh yea it was salvaged in a front end collision and the airbags didn't deploy.. that is all of the information I was given so far, I am thinking of going to look at the car this weekend

llllllllll

iTrader: (1)

Go look at the car, and take pics.
Post pics here, we'll help.

Oh wait, is the car still damaged or all repairs fixed?

- With front end collision you have to watch out for frame damage.
- Also have to be sure all of the body parts line up correctly (headlights, fenders, hood, grill, front bumper, doors)

I would say beware, and $5000 is a lot for a salvaged IS300.
Even $4000 is pushing it.

Avarec

if fixed properly the car should be fine, ive been driving salvaged cars for long time, never had any problem except when it comes to selling

alot of people get scarred away by it but dont be, salvage car is good way of saving money, most of them get resold because the damage is not bad(fender, hood, rad support, headlights, doors) since labor is so expensive in body and collision, severely wrecked cars go for parts, no one wants to fix them, so no worries here if it was just dented up upfront.

rayy117

iTrader: (1)

yeah i believe 5000 is asking too much. id only pay under 4000 for that.. cus of salvaged title... I believe insurance costs more b/c its salvaged as well

DonCorleone

iTrader: (6)

Depends on when it was crashed, what was damaged and how it was fixed. Salvaged when the car was new and worth 30k is a lot different than salvaged when the car is used and only worth 6k. I haven't looked cus I'm not in the market for another IS but I've seen em for 5-8k nonsalvaged around here before.

ak22801

Dude...dont even think about paying 5 grand for that! I paid 7700 for mine, CLEAN, 103k, mint condition, timing belt and everything changed. Dude that car is worth like 3.5k, thats the most i would ever pay for it.

ak22801

Look...its two years newer than yours, almost half the mileage, and you could prolly knock them down to $5,000, fix it for 500-1000 and you would have yourself a better deal than what you got now. Also this isnt even a good deal...im just showing you that what the guy is offering you is a rip off, it took me like 5 minutes to find this.
http://www.chayabrothers.com/listing...xus_IS300.html

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

5K is what a buddy paid for his 2 mos. ago [in Canada], clean title with 100k miles on it. 2001 as well.

So with that said, i'd offer 3K - ONLY if it was fixed properly.

kevin300a

The car was fixed and it was salvaged back when car was only 2 years old... he is asking 5000 I am going to offer him $3500 if it was fixed and looks straight... I have been looking around my area and they are all in the $7000 range... I am trying to stay under 5000 and get in one.... thanks for the responses

rayy117

iTrader: (1)

i got mine 02 clean title 63k miles for 7800...

kevin300a

Ur in CA unfortunately for me to even find a is300 for sale In the 7000 range I am driving 2-3 hours each way...

llllllllll

iTrader: (1)

To get the car you really want, a 2-3 hour drive is nothing.... I live in philly and took a train up to boston to buy my IS300, the 7 hour drive back home was a pleasure because i was happy to be driving my new car!!

For my next car I want a white IS250 5spd with black interior, or a NSX... I'm ready to take a train or plane to get the one I want (whenever I find the perfect one).

kevin300a

AGREED but I'm on a budget... and don't have any more than $5000 to spend.. maybe I should just stick to the accords, or civics then... just wanted to know if its worth spending $4000 on a salvaged title if its in good shape and well maintained

llllllllll

iTrader: (1)

You can find IS300 for 5000 budget, just gotta keep your eyes open.
Or look for SC300
Or get a 95+ 240sx!