Did I get a good deal?
08-19-13, 01:49 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Did I get a good deal?
I just bought a 98 LS 400 with 88k miles for 10k out the door with tax and doc fee. This is the cleanest ls400 I have ever seen. It had a PERFECT service history (1 owner and serviced at lexus) and I am getting the 90k service done today with the timing belt and water pump at lexus. for $2,000.
Also how many miles do you think I can get out of this car?
So total price for this car was 12,000. Pictures below!
Also how many miles do you think I can get out of this car?
So total price for this car was 12,000. Pictures below!
Last edited by icypool; 08-19-13 at 02:40 PM.
08-19-13, 02:08 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
price of the car is fine if it truly looks like new
90K - timing belt/water pump job cost is severely overpriced, even for a Lexus dealership!
should be more like $1600 or so at the dealership
90K - timing belt/water pump job cost is severely overpriced, even for a Lexus dealership!
should be more like $1600 or so at the dealership
08-19-13, 02:46 PM
#3
looks like a gem you found. the price is ok for the condition and the car can easily do 300k miles if properly maintained. the water pump and timing belt parts can be had at around $500. dealership will be double that price then tack on more for labor. $2k for the job is definitely on the higher end of the spectrum.
08-19-13, 02:53 PM
#5
Lexus Champion
08-19-13, 03:13 PM
#6
Welcome to Club Lexus and congrats on the LS.
Taking for just $ it was on the higher side but being able to find the one you want has merits to the price. As well, a good service history is
For future, finding a good independent Lexus mechanic will save you over what the dealer charges.
Taking for just $ it was on the higher side but being able to find the one you want has merits to the price. As well, a good service history is
For future, finding a good independent Lexus mechanic will save you over what the dealer charges.
08-19-13, 03:26 PM
#7
Pole Position
Nice and clean. I truly love that color green. It's my favorite Lexus color. Personally I think the price is a tad bit too high. I would have tried to get them to do the 90K service with T-belt/WP for the 10 grand price. Too bad you didin't live near me, I could do the work for ya for a few hundred plus parts. 
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08-19-13, 03:55 PM
#8
Driver School Candidate
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Location: NV
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Great price for a clean LS400. Bit on the high end for W/P & T-Belt. I found a local garage here in town and did both for 750.00. Never had a problem mechanical but felt it was time to replace at 230K. I have 250K and think I can get another 250K on my 90 LS. Planning on rolling it till the wheels fall off.
08-19-13, 04:01 PM
#9
Lexus Champion
you can get 350K+ miles out of this car easy, although there will be a few smaller repairs required along the way, - the great news is, the expensive systems: transmission, A/C, and engine, are just bulletproof!
here are the areas to set aside some funds for, that will eventually need service, all are relatively low cost except for upper control arms
strut bar bushings (high probability)
transmission mount (high probability)
spark plugs
also potentially:
lower EGR pipe
ECU capacitors
upper control arms
rack bushings and ends
motor mounts
lower ball joints
here are the areas to set aside some funds for, that will eventually need service, all are relatively low cost except for upper control arms
strut bar bushings (high probability)
transmission mount (high probability)
spark plugs
also potentially:
lower EGR pipe
ECU capacitors
upper control arms
rack bushings and ends
motor mounts
lower ball joints
it was a guesstimate! i also replaced the fluids, spark plugs, cap/rotors, and thermostat.
08-19-13, 04:36 PM
#11
Lead Lap
$12,000 seems like an incredibly high price for a low optioned 98 LS with that kind of miles - especially in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area where one could I could have a nice choice of lower mileage 01-02 "snowbird" LS430's at around that price in private party sales.
Last edited by Kansas; 08-19-13 at 05:10 PM.
08-20-13, 05:53 AM
#12
Purchase price seems a tad high...even with low miles..
NADA shows clean trade in at $9275
http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/1998/...D-LS400/Values
So around $9k would have been more preferred for me.
The service price is outrageous if it was indeed just the timing belt service... That's way high.
But getting the vehicle of your dreams, in the color and condition you want....and wanting to drive it till the wheels fall off...priceless.
As long as you're happy...that's all that matters really.
Who cares what we think.... oh yeah.... you asked what we think.
NADA shows clean trade in at $9275
http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/1998/...D-LS400/Values
So around $9k would have been more preferred for me.
The service price is outrageous if it was indeed just the timing belt service... That's way high.
But getting the vehicle of your dreams, in the color and condition you want....and wanting to drive it till the wheels fall off...priceless.
As long as you're happy...that's all that matters really.
Who cares what we think.... oh yeah.... you asked what we think.
08-20-13, 07:15 AM
#13
you can get 350K+ miles out of this car easy, although there will be a few smaller repairs required along the way, - the great news is, the expensive systems: transmission, A/C, and engine, are just bulletproof!
here are the areas to set aside some funds for, that will eventually need service, all are relatively low cost except for upper control arms
strut bar bushings (high probability)
transmission mount (high probability)
spark plugs
also potentially:
lower EGR pipe
ECU capacitors
upper control arms
rack bushings and ends
motor mounts
lower ball joints
here are the areas to set aside some funds for, that will eventually need service, all are relatively low cost except for upper control arms
strut bar bushings (high probability)
transmission mount (high probability)
spark plugs
also potentially:
lower EGR pipe
ECU capacitors
upper control arms
rack bushings and ends
motor mounts
lower ball joints
08-21-13, 12:22 PM
#15
I cringed when I saw $12k. For that cash I've seen people drive off in 02-04 UL packages with less than 90k miles. Seriously.
Buuuuuut drive what you want and pay what you will for satisfaction...
Buuuuuut drive what you want and pay what you will for satisfaction...
