96 ls Purchase - advice needed
#1
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96 ls Purchase - advice needed
Hi guys,
I posted a while back about a purchase. Now I am close to making one. I offered $3000 for a 96 ls with 195K on it. Right now it's $3000 but I told the guy I would do $3250 as he was looking to trade it on a newer ls430 at a dealer.
He came back and said if I do $3500 he will throw it four winter tires.
I ran the maintenance at the lexus driver site and it is really good and up to date, however I don't think the timing belt has been done a second time. It shows the 90K service way back when and then shows recently that the serpentine belt was changed (which is not the same thing correct?).
So in light of that, I guess I will have to do that maintanance soon and have those costs to worry about.
My additional costs will be about $500 to go and get it and another $650 in taxes to import it (I'm in Canada).
Is this still a good deal (keep in mind that they're expensive up in Canada)? I think it's a good deal still but am worried about that belt. Where is a good place to order the parts I will need? Perhaps I will try myself. I could buy them and ship them to his house so I can bring them back with me.
Last thing, how do you know if a lexus ls has air shocks? I know those are expensive to replace. Do they all come with them or just some? Can I tell by the VIN?
Thanks for the advice guys, really want to get that first lexus!!
I posted a while back about a purchase. Now I am close to making one. I offered $3000 for a 96 ls with 195K on it. Right now it's $3000 but I told the guy I would do $3250 as he was looking to trade it on a newer ls430 at a dealer.
He came back and said if I do $3500 he will throw it four winter tires.
I ran the maintenance at the lexus driver site and it is really good and up to date, however I don't think the timing belt has been done a second time. It shows the 90K service way back when and then shows recently that the serpentine belt was changed (which is not the same thing correct?).
So in light of that, I guess I will have to do that maintanance soon and have those costs to worry about.
My additional costs will be about $500 to go and get it and another $650 in taxes to import it (I'm in Canada).
Is this still a good deal (keep in mind that they're expensive up in Canada)? I think it's a good deal still but am worried about that belt. Where is a good place to order the parts I will need? Perhaps I will try myself. I could buy them and ship them to his house so I can bring them back with me.
Last thing, how do you know if a lexus ls has air shocks? I know those are expensive to replace. Do they all come with them or just some? Can I tell by the VIN?
Thanks for the advice guys, really want to get that first lexus!!
#2
Hi guys,
I posted a while back about a purchase. Now I am close to making one. I offered $3000 for a 96 ls with 195K on it. Right now it's $3000 but I told the guy I would do $3250 as he was looking to trade it on a newer ls430 at a dealer.
He came back and said if I do $3500 he will throw it four winter tires.
I posted a while back about a purchase. Now I am close to making one. I offered $3000 for a 96 ls with 195K on it. Right now it's $3000 but I told the guy I would do $3250 as he was looking to trade it on a newer ls430 at a dealer.
He came back and said if I do $3500 he will throw it four winter tires.
I ran the maintenance at the lexus driver site and it is really good and up to date, however I don't think the timing belt has been done a second time. It shows the 90K service way back when and then shows recently that the serpentine belt was changed (which is not the same thing correct?).
So in light of that, I guess I will have to do that maintanance soon and have those costs to worry about.
My additional costs will be about $500 to go and get it and another $650 in taxes to import it (I'm in Canada).
My additional costs will be about $500 to go and get it and another $650 in taxes to import it (I'm in Canada).
Is this still a good deal (keep in mind that they're expensive up in Canada)? I think it's a good deal still but am worried about that belt. Where is a good place to order the parts I will need? Perhaps I will try myself. I could buy them and ship them to his house so I can bring them back with me.
Why would you ship the timing belt to his house? In case the belt breaks on your way back up to Canada? It's hard enough changing the belt in a garage, let alone on the side of a highway.
Last thing, how do you know if a lexus ls has air shocks? I know those are expensive to replace. Do they all come with them or just some? Can I tell by the VIN?
#3
Lead Lap
It seems like I've said it 100 times on these forums -- timing belts on Lexus LS cars almost never break from wear or fatigue. They fail when another part in the timing system fails -- an idler or tensioner for example or a water pump which is what "took out" the timing belt on the 90 LS I had at around 75,000 miles. The timing belt itself is the least of your worries.
I assume you will have to add DRL and do a couple of other minor modifications. Do you have a complete list of the required modifications?
This seems like an awfully low value car to import into Canada but maybe people do it. My Ontario relatives sometimes import U.S. cars but the cars they have imported have been nearly new which means that the total import costs, including modifications, are a relatively small percentage of the total car cost.
I assume you will have to add DRL and do a couple of other minor modifications. Do you have a complete list of the required modifications?
This seems like an awfully low value car to import into Canada but maybe people do it. My Ontario relatives sometimes import U.S. cars but the cars they have imported have been nearly new which means that the total import costs, including modifications, are a relatively small percentage of the total car cost.
#4
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I think there are vehicle emissions standards in Ontario, Canada. You may need to factor in the costs of getting the car compliant. Where are you buying the car from? Maybe the seller can provide the car's last emissions inspection report, if it had one.
Be alert when you test drive it. Listen for everything and only turn on the radio to see that it works. Inspect it well and then you can make a better decision on whether or not it is a good deal. And remember that you can walk away at any time.
Just so you know, I am taking the risk because a similar used car here would be between $6000 to $8000 depending on condition and miles.
Why would you ship the timing belt to his house? In case the belt breaks on your way back up to Canada? It's hard enough changing the belt in a garage, let alone on the side of a highway.
One other thing that is a factor is finding a willing seller. I would love to buy an LS from one of the members on this forum. However, I have found in the last month that there aren't many for sale. Those that are can be far away (California for example). The few I have found that looked good, the sellers are reluctant to sell to a Canadian. I think they're worried there is too much extra work with the export (not true by the way, most of it can be taken care of by me ahead of time.)
I think it has air shocks if the center console area near the shifter has adjustable suspension options (like "High" or "sport").
I still need a good place to order the parts? Is there a list on the forums of what I will need. Please mention any special tools I may require as well to get to the belt.
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Well guys, I bit the bullet, I bought the car for $3250. Believe me I scoured craigslist, autotrader, car guru and others and this was a good deal. On cars that were close, I could not find any history so I am happy.
I do want to take care of the timing belt issue though, either by having it done before I pick up the car or by doing it when I get back.
Can anyone point me to a thread that discusses what parts I need and where to get them affordably?
Also, the car is in Conneticut, about 30 minutes from Hartford. Anyone know of a good independent mechanic near that area that can do the job right that you recommend?
I do want to take care of the timing belt issue though, either by having it done before I pick up the car or by doing it when I get back.
Can anyone point me to a thread that discusses what parts I need and where to get them affordably?
Also, the car is in Conneticut, about 30 minutes from Hartford. Anyone know of a good independent mechanic near that area that can do the job right that you recommend?
#6
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Well guys, I bit the bullet, I bought the car for $3250. Believe me I scoured craigslist, autotrader, car guru and others and this was a good deal. On cars that were close, I could not find any history so I am happy.
I do want to take care of the timing belt issue though, either by having it done before I pick up the car or by doing it when I get back.
Can anyone point me to a thread that discusses what parts I need and where to get them affordably?
Also, the car is in Conneticut, about 30 minutes from Hartford. Anyone know of a good independent mechanic near that area that can do the job right that you recommend?
I do want to take care of the timing belt issue though, either by having it done before I pick up the car or by doing it when I get back.
Can anyone point me to a thread that discusses what parts I need and where to get them affordably?
Also, the car is in Conneticut, about 30 minutes from Hartford. Anyone know of a good independent mechanic near that area that can do the job right that you recommend?
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#8
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If there are no immediately necessary repairs to be done, wait til you get home. Last thing you want is to buy a perfectly driveable car get it repaired prematurely and have it break down on the drive home.
I know 2 good mechanics. 1 in Mississauga and 1 in Burlington.
PM me if you want their contact info.
Good luck!
I know 2 good mechanics. 1 in Mississauga and 1 in Burlington.
PM me if you want their contact info.
Good luck!
#9
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Thanks guys, I will post pics when I get the car! I'm likely going to get it sometime next week or the week after, I need to line up all my ducks in a row first.
I am pricing the parts first, then will decide what to do with the belt issue once I have more info.
Shnitz, I will definately be emailing you on the mechanics in Mississauga.
Once I get my first lexus, it will be time to sell my current ride, the Hyundai Azera. I must say I am going to miss her! She has been good to me and rides almost as good as a lexus (her biggest fault is an engineering design flaw with the shocks which was so bad they couldn't fix it and won't admit to making the mistake!) Otherwise, beautiful ride. Then with the proceeds I will pay off this lexus and get a minivan for the wife and my son. Can't wait to get my new ride and join all you guys as a proud owner of one of the finest cars ever made, period.
I am pricing the parts first, then will decide what to do with the belt issue once I have more info.
Shnitz, I will definately be emailing you on the mechanics in Mississauga.
Once I get my first lexus, it will be time to sell my current ride, the Hyundai Azera. I must say I am going to miss her! She has been good to me and rides almost as good as a lexus (her biggest fault is an engineering design flaw with the shocks which was so bad they couldn't fix it and won't admit to making the mistake!) Otherwise, beautiful ride. Then with the proceeds I will pay off this lexus and get a minivan for the wife and my son. Can't wait to get my new ride and join all you guys as a proud owner of one of the finest cars ever made, period.
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