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Buyer's Guide to Used Lexus 2nd Gen IS Models (merged buying advise threads)
01-10-11, 05:34 PM
#169
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as I was leaning towards this one
01-10-11, 05:36 PM
#171
The prices are very similar, even the mileage isn't that far off, so I'd be looking specifically at their options packages (if you care) and (more importantly) the condition of the car. Dents, scratches, leather condition, steering wheels, curb rash, these sorts of things.
Jeff
Jeff
01-10-11, 05:37 PM
#172
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01-10-11, 06:17 PM
#175
Right now I have two cars: the most recent addition, the CPO '08 IS350, and a '03 G35 that is "CarFax Certified" I purchased from CarMax.
Back then I was a dumb child who wanted a fast car (G35), saw the clean record on the CarFax report, and pulled the trigger on the purchase. About two months later I was hanging out with a friend who's in the auto collision repair business, and kindly informed me that my car has been repaired- in THREE different areas. He pointed out hazy paint, mismatching colors, and chipping flakes on the rear bumper, driver's side rear quarter, and passenger side front quarter.
Maintenance wise, the G35 was havoc: broken passenger window rail, broken driver's door lock actuator, cracked rear rotors (ended up with new brakes all around), dislodged e-brake clip ($1,400 fix), a radio that works when it wants to, and now, leaking valve covers, all within a year. This lead me to purchasing another car altogether, so I got the IS350.
Yes, the G35 is five years older, but the label "CarFax certified" doesn't prove anything and won't warranty anything either. Like I said, the IS350 is a CPO vehicle, and the sales associate ensured me that repaired vehicles are automatically denied the CPO title, showing me the clean CarFax report. I told him to eat it and closely inspected each body panel by myself for signs of repair.
Now I'm not saying that you should NEVER buy a non-CPO used car- a perfectly healthy used car could be sold anywhere for various reasons (auction, private seller, etc.). Just be aware that just because something is labeled, don't let your guard down- don't make the same mistake I did. Furthermore, everyone and their mothers drive 2IS's, so make sure the sample you're looking at is not beaten-up or neglected. Here in San Francisco, almost half of all discerning Chinese women carrying their Gucci or Louis Vuitton purses drive Lexuses (I have two aunts who fall into this category
), and god knows how many more miles they put on their car when they maintenance reminder comes on until they go to the dealership (...and again I have two aunts also in this category).
Last edited by felixsc300; 01-10-11 at 06:24 PM. Reason: Grammar errors
01-10-11, 07:12 PM
#176
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I don't mean to sound like a douche, but there is something I'd like the OP, as a consumer, to be aware of.
Right now I have two cars: the most recent addition, the CPO '08 IS350, and a '03 G35 that is "CarFax Certified" I purchased from CarMax.
Back then I was a dumb child who wanted a fast car (G35), saw the clean record on the CarFax report, and pulled the trigger on the purchase. About two months later I was hanging out with a friend who's in the auto collision repair business, and kindly informed me that my car has been repaired- in THREE different areas. He pointed out hazy paint, mismatching colors, and chipping flakes on the rear bumper, driver's side rear quarter, and passenger side front quarter.
Maintenance wise, the G35 was havoc: broken passenger window rail, broken driver's door lock actuator, cracked rear rotors (ended up with new brakes all around), dislodged e-brake clip ($1,400 fix), a radio that works when it wants to, and now, leaking valve covers, all within a year. This lead me to purchasing another car altogether, so I got the IS350.
Yes, the G35 is five years older, but the label "CarFax certified" doesn't prove anything and won't warranty anything either. Like I said, the IS350 is a CPO vehicle, and the sales associate ensured me that repaired vehicles are automatically denied the CPO title, showing me the clean CarFax report. I told him to eat it and closely inspected each body panel by myself for signs of repair.
Now I'm not saying that you should NEVER buy a non-CPO used car- a perfectly healthy used car could be sold anywhere for various reasons (auction, private seller, etc.). Just be aware that just because something is labeled, don't let your guard down- don't make the same mistake I did. Furthermore, everyone and their mothers drive 2IS's, so make sure the sample you're looking at is not beaten-up or neglected. Here in San Francisco, almost half of all discerning Chinese women carrying their Gucci or Louis Vuitton purses drive Lexuses (I have two aunts who fall into this category ), and god knows how many more miles they put on their car when they maintenance reminder comes on until they go to the dealership (...and again I have two aunts also in this category).
Right now I have two cars: the most recent addition, the CPO '08 IS350, and a '03 G35 that is "CarFax Certified" I purchased from CarMax.
Back then I was a dumb child who wanted a fast car (G35), saw the clean record on the CarFax report, and pulled the trigger on the purchase. About two months later I was hanging out with a friend who's in the auto collision repair business, and kindly informed me that my car has been repaired- in THREE different areas. He pointed out hazy paint, mismatching colors, and chipping flakes on the rear bumper, driver's side rear quarter, and passenger side front quarter.
Maintenance wise, the G35 was havoc: broken passenger window rail, broken driver's door lock actuator, cracked rear rotors (ended up with new brakes all around), dislodged e-brake clip ($1,400 fix), a radio that works when it wants to, and now, leaking valve covers, all within a year. This lead me to purchasing another car altogether, so I got the IS350.
Yes, the G35 is five years older, but the label "CarFax certified" doesn't prove anything and won't warranty anything either. Like I said, the IS350 is a CPO vehicle, and the sales associate ensured me that repaired vehicles are automatically denied the CPO title, showing me the clean CarFax report. I told him to eat it and closely inspected each body panel by myself for signs of repair.
Now I'm not saying that you should NEVER buy a non-CPO used car- a perfectly healthy used car could be sold anywhere for various reasons (auction, private seller, etc.). Just be aware that just because something is labeled, don't let your guard down- don't make the same mistake I did. Furthermore, everyone and their mothers drive 2IS's, so make sure the sample you're looking at is not beaten-up or neglected. Here in San Francisco, almost half of all discerning Chinese women carrying their Gucci or Louis Vuitton purses drive Lexuses (I have two aunts who fall into this category
), and god knows how many more miles they put on their car when they maintenance reminder comes on until they go to the dealership (...and again I have two aunts also in this category).
01-10-11, 08:35 PM
#178
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01-10-11, 08:58 PM
#179
01-10-11, 09:01 PM
#180
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OP even if you get the IS350 it'll be a pile of dung (in terms of speed and exhilaration of course) in comparison to your Kawasaki lol. Since you have an extra ride (I only went with the IS350 because it'll be my only ride) I'd say the 2.5L will be sufficient...the Lexus will be the nice, cuddly car to get groceries and whisk your lady friends out to dinner, while the Kawasaki will be a nuclear bomb.