Zelfiris

Hey guys,

I'm looking into the possibility of owning to an used 2008 ISF and I would like some feedback what to check for. I have had the chance to look through the car and it was really clean (engine bay, trunk, interior, under body). I did not get to test drive it however, but I was in the ISF when the owner did some pulls and sounded fine. The ISF is garage kept and never winter driven. It currently has 65,000KM (40300 miles) and it was previously a demo car before the current owner. The owner is also a Toyota technician so he did all the service on the ISF (meaning no maintenance history).

This is what he said was replaced/serviced:
- Water pump
- Tires (changed to new ones three years ago)
- CD Player (under warranty)

So, while I bring the car to mechanic for a safety test, what else should be inspected?
- Steering possibly pulling to the right (while test drive)?
- Check all windows and electronics to be working
- Check leaking or blown shocks
- Check battery life/ voltage (since it is 6 years old)
- I think fuel injectors needs to be change?
- Measure brake pads and rotors
- Check all fluids (coolant, steering, brake, AC)?
- Check for head lights/ tail lights for burn out LEDs/ bulbs
- What to check for navigation to be in good health?
- Any ways to check if the car was driven hard?
- What major recalls did Lexus Canada give out?
- Anything else I need to look for?

I was not able to google search the Canadian version of the maintenance log for the ISF, does anyone have a soft copy they can please provide me? I'm hoping it is the same intervals as the US but I would like to compare.

Thanks

dannyk8232

The owner wouldn't let you test drive it?

Besides checking the doors/hood/trunk for VIN stickers, could the owner (being a tech) not let you know the details?

Zelfiris

The owner didn't have insurance on it. It was kept in the garage all year. Before arriving to his place, the car in front of me got pulled over for speeding. He does however have access to dealer plate, I'm thinking about paying him another visit when I have enough money for it and ask for test drive. Thanks for the response

Mrd916

We all know that these cars are extremely reliable and they are usually no major things that go wrong like transmission going out or major electrical issues. However I would never buy a car of this price that wasn't fully documented as far as servicing goes. Maybe there are not a lot of them for sale in Canada but I would at least look around for another F to compare it to.

Zelfiris

Thanks for your feedback Mrd916!

786

At 40k miles you likely have nothing to worry about, just get a PPI from a dealer near you and enjoy

scamsel

i would pass on this one if i were you. no documented history is a huge turn off to me, and he won't let you drive it? pretty douchy to me, i'd pass just on those facts alone.. and also it being a demo car, no thanks.

take your time mate, i'd try to be patient and find one with a better documented history, but thats just me.

US are same intervals think....

Zelfiris

Thanks for the advice. I'll be patient and keep looking.

hgill02

iTrader: (1)

I would pass on it as others have stated. Usually a lack of service history is a big red flag. To be honest, I have done work on cars somewhat before, but I always maintain paperwork on all parts purchased (from the smallest things, oil filters, tire changes, any small item purchased for the car goes in the car folder). So the lack of history for me is a big no no.

Secondly I would always want to test drive the car. Yes these cars are very reliable (thats the reason I bought it over the M3), BUT given to the right idiot, these cars can sustain plenty of damage in 40k miles.

I just bought my 09 about a month ago. Ran the carfax report (not sure what report you run out there to verify clear title) and then had the owner take it to a Lexus dealership for a PPI. The dealership checks about 122 different items on it for the Detailed PPI (paid $258.00 for the PPI).

The owner had it serviced at Lexus dealership which showed in their records when i had them run the Vin to check for service history.

Keep looking. I much rather pay a few more bucks for something I completely trust as you are investing a large chunk of change into it.

BEST OF LUCK FRIEND

Zelfiris

A small detail I left out and that was his license plate for ISF is expired (he has another car). He said he did all the work on the ISF and has paperwork for the water pump. I will ask if he has receipts for other maintenance. Currently he's employed at a private shop rather than Toyota so I believe he services the car there. He purchased it at 6200 miles when it was a demo.

We run CarProof report in Canada but I typically run both CarProof and CarFax if I find the car to be registered in the US.

Thank you for your feedback

MisterSkiz

iTrader: (2)

As long as its clean and has no accidents...i would low ball him and buy it.

Lucas14

Let me know if you're still looking.