Advice Please... I May Have Scared Myself Away...
#1
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Advice Please... I May Have Scared Myself Away...
Hi everyone.
I found on '07 250 with Nav and backup camera with 55,000 miles at a dealership. It has had 3 owners. I may be able to get it for $17,000, which is more than I was looking to spend, but I would, as the car is in pristine shape. One tiny dent/depression on the roof.
I've been reading the reviews of the model, the FAQ and TSB's on the forum, Consumers Reports, Edmond's etc. I'm heading to information overload. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif
My concerns:
1) Consumer Reports has the Engine reliability rated as much worse than average and the Cooling, Power Equipment and Audio reliability worse than average for the 2007 model year.
2) If it needs the TSB's I'd have to pay for them...
3) I ran the VIN thru the Lexus website, as the car was received by the dealer the Check Engine light was on. Repair: 6035599
4) I read on the forums about the LED gauges dying, rattles, carbon buildup and nav screen freezing. Each one seems to be $1000+ to repair.
Am I scaring myself out of a great car, or is my reluctance to pull the trigger justified?
Here is the car: http://www.findlayhyundaistgeorge.co...-UT/2138226663
Thanks for your advice!
Trvlngnrs
I found on '07 250 with Nav and backup camera with 55,000 miles at a dealership. It has had 3 owners. I may be able to get it for $17,000, which is more than I was looking to spend, but I would, as the car is in pristine shape. One tiny dent/depression on the roof.
I've been reading the reviews of the model, the FAQ and TSB's on the forum, Consumers Reports, Edmond's etc. I'm heading to information overload. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif
My concerns:
1) Consumer Reports has the Engine reliability rated as much worse than average and the Cooling, Power Equipment and Audio reliability worse than average for the 2007 model year.
2) If it needs the TSB's I'd have to pay for them...
3) I ran the VIN thru the Lexus website, as the car was received by the dealer the Check Engine light was on. Repair: 6035599
4) I read on the forums about the LED gauges dying, rattles, carbon buildup and nav screen freezing. Each one seems to be $1000+ to repair.
Am I scaring myself out of a great car, or is my reluctance to pull the trigger justified?
Here is the car: http://www.findlayhyundaistgeorge.co...-UT/2138226663
Thanks for your advice!
Trvlngnrs
#2
Driver School Candidate
Good to know that you've done thorough research, and welcome to CL! I also have a '07 250
Minus the nav and all that jazz.
1. Mine is daily driven and just rolled 208k (km) and the engine doesn't feel tired at all.
2. I believe there are many volunteer and involuntary tsbs and honestly my car hasn't seen a lexus dealer since I purchased it, drives like new.
3. Hopefully someone else will chime in on that.
4. Yes it's known for these cars to develop small rattles that usually can't be fixed easily - what radios are for
- my nav has never frozen because I don't have it, and I'm not sure if lexus charges for a fix like that?:s
- finally with the carbon build up, that's a product of the direct injection system on these cars. Honestly I keep up with my servicing if not go over board, I change plugs every season. Not sure how others on the forum feel about the use of sea foam; but I do that every spring and fall, and I believe it really helps with the engine life.
I live in Canada, daily drive mine almost 50k/yr, snow, dirt, whatever not a spec of rust on the body and the underside is quite clean. Engine has made some quirky noises in the past that seem to be intermittent and go away. Mind you I do have a CEL due to exhaust work.
Honestly it's a great car! Great on fuel when driven sensibly, even bone stock you'll get looks, and it will run forever like any Toyota will when serviced regularly. My moms '04 sienna is rolling over 600k and drives like new. Can't go wrong with a lexus - glorified Toyota to some haha. I never regret buying mine, sure it could use more power but Its probably a good thing
Minus the nav and all that jazz.
1. Mine is daily driven and just rolled 208k (km) and the engine doesn't feel tired at all.
2. I believe there are many volunteer and involuntary tsbs and honestly my car hasn't seen a lexus dealer since I purchased it, drives like new.
3. Hopefully someone else will chime in on that.
4. Yes it's known for these cars to develop small rattles that usually can't be fixed easily - what radios are for
- my nav has never frozen because I don't have it, and I'm not sure if lexus charges for a fix like that?:s
- finally with the carbon build up, that's a product of the direct injection system on these cars. Honestly I keep up with my servicing if not go over board, I change plugs every season. Not sure how others on the forum feel about the use of sea foam; but I do that every spring and fall, and I believe it really helps with the engine life.
I live in Canada, daily drive mine almost 50k/yr, snow, dirt, whatever not a spec of rust on the body and the underside is quite clean. Engine has made some quirky noises in the past that seem to be intermittent and go away. Mind you I do have a CEL due to exhaust work.
Honestly it's a great car! Great on fuel when driven sensibly, even bone stock you'll get looks, and it will run forever like any Toyota will when serviced regularly. My moms '04 sienna is rolling over 600k and drives like new. Can't go wrong with a lexus - glorified Toyota to some haha. I never regret buying mine, sure it could use more power but Its probably a good thing
Last edited by medic250; 12-16-13 at 08:12 AM. Reason: Edit
#3
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Thanks for your input! I'm the kind of guy that keeps cars. I've has 2 cars in the last 23 years, a Toyota Celica I put 250,000 miles on and sold for a V6 2000 Accord coupe which now has 210,000. I'd like to do the same with this Lexus...
Probably 90% of the time I have the stereo on.
Trvlngnrs
Probably 90% of the time I have the stereo on.
Trvlngnrs
#4
Racer
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If you like to keep cars, you probably don't want the IS 250 because the carbon build up issue on the engine (the check engine light is probably that) -- Lexus covers it for 9 years and unlimited miles if you're not going to keep the car longer than 9 years, it's ok. You may want to consider the IS350, but that will add a couple thousand on the price.
The whole LED gauges doesn't really die, but the LED needles sometimes goes dim/partially dim. Nav screen I see as a bigger issue though there is a DIY to fix when that happens ...
The whole LED gauges doesn't really die, but the LED needles sometimes goes dim/partially dim. Nav screen I see as a bigger issue though there is a DIY to fix when that happens ...
#5
Hmmm, what's wrong with the cooling system? Which cooling system are they talking about? I've had a 2007 IS250 AWD for 6 years. I put on 55k miles on it. Not a single hitch. Besides the squeaks in the dash and sunroof. I didn't need the carbon buildup fix or anything serious. I used Royal Purple 0W-20 every 5k and Royal Purple diff fluid every 15k. Car was so much fun.
#6
Moderator
iTrader: (10)
^They're probably talking about the water pumps that are prone to fail on the 2IS model.
BTW, the dent on the roof is kinda normal : https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...of-thread.html
BTW, the dent on the roof is kinda normal : https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...of-thread.html
#7
Lexus Test Driver
I wouldn;t get a IS250 either again as it's the most unreliable Lexus you can get. This car had so many issues hence why Consumer Report rate it as such.
2007 means that you in 3 years you'll be out of warranty to get the carbon build up fixed for free. I read that is a more than a $5k service at the dealer. So think twice if you plan to keep it for more than 3 years.
Also the Nav is prone to fail and cost t lot at the dealer..thousands.
You can find better cars out there with that kind of money you're willing to spend.
2007 means that you in 3 years you'll be out of warranty to get the carbon build up fixed for free. I read that is a more than a $5k service at the dealer. So think twice if you plan to keep it for more than 3 years.
Also the Nav is prone to fail and cost t lot at the dealer..thousands.
You can find better cars out there with that kind of money you're willing to spend.
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#10
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Between the 250's history, the three owners, the low mileage, the engine light on and the cost of the repairs if needed........
Should the 250's be eliminated altogether, or just the 07's?
Trvlngnrs
Should the 250's be eliminated altogether, or just the 07's?
Trvlngnrs
#12
If you like to keep cars, you probably don't want the IS 250 because the carbon build up issue on the engine (the check engine light is probably that) -- Lexus covers it for 9 years and unlimited miles if you're not going to keep the car longer than 9 years, it's ok. You may want to consider the IS350, but that will add a couple thousand on the price.
The whole LED gauges doesn't really die, but the LED needles sometimes goes dim/partially dim. Nav screen I see as a bigger issue though there is a DIY to fix when that happens ...
The whole LED gauges doesn't really die, but the LED needles sometimes goes dim/partially dim. Nav screen I see as a bigger issue though there is a DIY to fix when that happens ...
I have an 07 IS250 AWD that I bought used in 09. I have 88K miles on it and my plan is to sell it before the Lexus extended warranty expires in 6 months.
I like to keep cars forever, this is not a car that I can keep for a long time.
Way too many expensive issues with this car.
#13
Lexus Test Driver
Hi everyone.
I found on '07 250 with Nav and backup camera with 55,000 miles at a dealership. It has had 3 owners. I may be able to get it for $17,000, which is more than I was looking to spend, but I would, as the car is in pristine shape. One tiny dent/depression on the roof.
I've been reading the reviews of the model, the FAQ and TSB's on the forum, Consumers Reports, Edmond's etc. I'm heading to information overload. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif
My concerns:
1) Consumer Reports has the Engine reliability rated as much worse than average and the Cooling, Power Equipment and Audio reliability worse than average for the 2007 model year.
2) If it needs the TSB's I'd have to pay for them...
3) I ran the VIN thru the Lexus website, as the car was received by the dealer the Check Engine light was on. Repair: 6035599
4) I read on the forums about the LED gauges dying, rattles, carbon buildup and nav screen freezing. Each one seems to be $1000+ to repair.
Am I scaring myself out of a great car, or is my reluctance to pull the trigger justified?
Here is the car: http://www.findlayhyundaistgeorge.co...-UT/2138226663
Thanks for your advice!
Trvlngnrs
I found on '07 250 with Nav and backup camera with 55,000 miles at a dealership. It has had 3 owners. I may be able to get it for $17,000, which is more than I was looking to spend, but I would, as the car is in pristine shape. One tiny dent/depression on the roof.
I've been reading the reviews of the model, the FAQ and TSB's on the forum, Consumers Reports, Edmond's etc. I'm heading to information overload. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif
My concerns:
1) Consumer Reports has the Engine reliability rated as much worse than average and the Cooling, Power Equipment and Audio reliability worse than average for the 2007 model year.
2) If it needs the TSB's I'd have to pay for them...
3) I ran the VIN thru the Lexus website, as the car was received by the dealer the Check Engine light was on. Repair: 6035599
4) I read on the forums about the LED gauges dying, rattles, carbon buildup and nav screen freezing. Each one seems to be $1000+ to repair.
Am I scaring myself out of a great car, or is my reluctance to pull the trigger justified?
Here is the car: http://www.findlayhyundaistgeorge.co...-UT/2138226663
Thanks for your advice!
Trvlngnrs
#14
Lexus Test Driver
I wouldn;t get a IS250 either again as it's the most unreliable Lexus you can get. This car had so many issues hence why Consumer Report rate it as such.
2007 means that you in 3 years you'll be out of warranty to get the carbon build up fixed for free. I read that is a more than a $5k service at the dealer. So think twice if you plan to keep it for more than 3 years.
Also the Nav is prone to fail and cost t lot at the dealer..thousands.
You can find better cars out there with that kind of money you're willing to spend.
2007 means that you in 3 years you'll be out of warranty to get the carbon build up fixed for free. I read that is a more than a $5k service at the dealer. So think twice if you plan to keep it for more than 3 years.
Also the Nav is prone to fail and cost t lot at the dealer..thousands.
You can find better cars out there with that kind of money you're willing to spend.
As to the IS250 being the most unreliable Lexus per Consumer Reports--this is just not true. Every year, CR lists the IS250 on its recommended list for compact luxury sedans. In the April '13 car issue, it has has an 84 rating (out of 100), and is 5th on the list behind the G37, 328i, C250 and TSX. I'm looking at the year-to-year chart now for '07, and the Audio System is listed as much below avg, Engine Minor and Engine Major are listed as avg (I might assume because of the carbon build up issues), and brakes and trim are also listed as avg. Everything else is listed as above avg, and overall, the car is rated as above avg for that year.
The new 14 IS took a huge hit in CR's ratings, though.
#15
Lexus Test Driver
Engine light could have been the gas cap--can't you get the dealer to give you info on what the actual problem was?