TheVille

iTrader: (7)

Hello everyone! I currently drive a 07 IS 250 AWD, and I am looking to upgrade to a 11-12 IS 350 AWD.
I have a few options but i would like to get some opinions on what to do here.

I have found 2 cars that i like alot, one is a 2012 IS 350 Obsidian, from a lexus dealer with a certified pre owned warranty. It has 37k miles and they are asking $24k for it.

Also looking at a 2012 IS 350 Starfire pearl from a dealership. No warranty, has 99k miles and they are asking $19k for it.

I know that the certified car from lexus will have absolutely have no wiggle room opposed to the other one may have a little wiggle room.

My main question is, is it worth the extra $5-6 grand for the lower miles? Should i be skeptical of the IS 350 with 99k miles? It is a 1 -Owner carfax with no accidents or anything?

Any help, comments or concerns would be much appreciated!
Thanks everyone!

Zmon

iTrader: (2)

It wouldn't hurt to try to negotiate the lower mileage one down. I'm sure the higher mileage one can be negotiated down at least 500-1000.

TBH, if you can swing it, I'd go for the lower mileage one. You still got some warranty on it just in case, and you'll probably end up keeping it longer because of the low miles. Higher mileage one will probably need some work done to it eventually (spark plugs, fluid changes, etc). Though, considering the 2gr-fse is nearly bulletproof, I really wouldn't worry about the mileage on the engine as much as the rest of the stuff on the car. Also, need to consider service history. If that 99k one is thoroughly documented, I wouldn't worry about it too much. If that 2012 had one documented oil change, and was driven like it was stolen, I'd be a bit wary. But, you can't entirely rely on what's in the service records and what's not there anyways since some people like to DIY.

kolyan

I would buy 1st one for 24k. Less miles and certified. But better of with less miles, no warranty, but perhaps cheaper.

istarzan

iTrader: (8)

That's a huge mileage difference, not just a couple of thousand miles. Also, there are many known things that fails with the IS350, which would be covered with the certified car. Things like NAV screen unresponsive, water pump, alternator failing. All those things happened to me, fortunately when I still had warranty coverage.

I'd go for the CPO car.

Zmon

iTrader: (2)

IIRC, most of those things had been addressed by the time the late gen 2IS's rolled around (10-13?). I can't recall many, if any, navigation screen problems with the late 2IS's.

Again, OP, I would def go for the lower mileage car and the remaining warranty. 5k for nearly 60k less miles is a better deal. Shouldn't be hard to get them to budge down to 23k at least. As for the 99k one... if you really want to spend less, and a thoroughly documented service history, along with an independent check-up from someone else, I wouldn't pay more than 17.5 depending on options.

lex831

don't always trust car fax check lexus records too
https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lex...cle-summary.do

TheVille

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for all the help guys!!! I really want a starfire pearl with black interior! Those seem to be very very difficult to find in my research! Only reason i am considering the high mileage one! if the low mileage was starfire pearl i would be all over it!

I love black cars, but they are just so hard to maintain!

Eduskator

You are comparing apples with oranges... a 24k miles car VS a 99k miles car?

Go for the CPO, you have a warranty, you buy certified, etc. No hard decision here. You will be able to lower the price a bit. When I bought my CPO, I negotiated aggressively (started at 2000$ off the asking price, they laughed. I waited, they made a counter offer (500$ off) and we ended up at 1000$ + a rebate on the extended warranty).

Yes, you'll pay a little more, but the resale value will also be more and you'll have a piece of mind you wouldn't with the other one.

Keep in mind, you hold the big end of the stick! Stay firm while negociating.

TheVille

iTrader: (7)

Alright! Thanks eduskator!

Also whats your opinions on 2011 vs 2012 years? I think i heard the 2012 headlights are better?

kolyan

2011 and 2012 are the same. Some dealers don't negotiate either....at all. All depends how dealer works, some make money on volume while others by selling for higher prices

TheVille

iTrader: (7)

Yeah thats why i said i doubt they would move on it, when i bought my 07 250 CPO, they wouldnt budge anything, they were going to let me walk over $500.

Eduskator

+1, that's what the used-car director said when I was negotiating at Lexus ''We price our cars really low right from the beginning to sale high volumes so we don't have a big margin of profit'' then I said ''So you wouldn't mind selling it 1000$ lower to add 1 more sale on your billboard this month, even if you guys are only making a few hundreds out of it''.

She refused and I left, then she ran outside and said that she was accepting my offer lol.

powermoose

No question: I'd pay up go low mileage w/ the warranty.

kolyan

Thats because she lied to you, some don't. One of the biggest dealer chains here has no negotiation policy (its called Smart Pricing now days lol, its all BS, but hey try negotiating with them and you will be out of luck). I personally walked out on 3 cars from 3 different dealers and no one called me back.....my 335i I purchased for full asking price, it was low and dealer didn't drop 1 cent. 2012 ISF I walked out with 33k offer, only several month later dealer sold it at local auction for $33,7 minus auction fee.

Dealership is a dirty business I prefer to by PP. I am talking to one Canadian dealership now, idiots been lying to me for 2 weeks now over email. Not even sure what the reason was since I only asked for high resolution pictures of the car.....they probably don't even have that car on the lot.