Losiracer2

I get really weary when they put those stupid stance stickers on. Tells me what type of owner they are and how they treat vehicles.

Double check the suspension and all supporting control arms and bushings. You never know with those types of guys, they could've lowered it and changed a whole bunch of parts put some super low profile heavy 22" wheels and then slapped on some pick n pull shocks/suspension to bring the vehicle back to stock when they wanted to flip the car to move on to their next "project".

When I hear the words project, I think this guy drove the car for a couple months lowered and "stanced" and decided he wanted something else, so he threw the stock wheels/suspension back on to make it look factory.

But I could be wrong, but that's typically what younger guys do nowadays with these LS400s. I'm only 29 but just by being apart of a local AZ Lexus forum on Facebook, I see this all the time.

I would do a really good test drive on it and pay attention to the suspension in particular and maybe take it to a Lexus specialist to pick apart the car.

I bought my 97 LS400 with 253k miles and 2k miles later it needed a timing belt after the crank seal failed. The guy didn't have any records but told me the belt was done at 200k. Don't believe anything unless they have records and paperwork to back it up. Luckily it only cost me about 600 in parts and labor to replace with a high quality Aisin kit and new Cam/Crank seals from Lexus so it wasn't the end of the world, but I had to call about 15 shops before I found one that did it for a reasonable price. Dealer wanted an outrageous 1200 for labor with me supplying the Aisin TB/WP kit.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

I think it's over priced as well. How could it not have seen winters if it came from Connecticut?

wnyjazz

Carfax shows had been serviced in Florida at a Toyota dealer during the winter.

Lexus Driver site shows they had it serviced a lot at the CT Lexus dealer.

But, it was never serviced there from mid November to mid April...like clockwork.

Now the 2nd owner was in Brooklyn NY.

So, it appears it did see 2 winters on the road there.

I will point that carfax info out to the seller.

dicer

Take some ramps when you look at that one. And look for a scraped bottom end, and fresh wrench marks on bolts and stuff.

wnyjazz

It's located over 1 hr away from us.

But, if it is still available and we get serious about it, yes, I will inspect it up in the air with a mechanic buddy of mine.

sayow

IMO I would pass. 8k for an LS400 is a near pristine price. That is a 6k car all day if it has the color combo you are looking for and good rubber.

wnyjazz

Before I make about a 3 hr round trip to see sellers '99, I advised him that LS400 guys (ya'll-) value the car at $6K, and my take on things that he is bumping up against 2001-2003 LS430's prices.

Seller said he was aware of that and he was willing to come down to $6500, and would that work for me(?).

I just need to get back to him and let him know that $6K is the number.

dicer

Wait till ya see it then get it down. You really need to check it out good, under side, and for signs of repaint fixing things.

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

You may even ask for a fax or email scan of the title before you even take the trip. Make sure the fax or email scan includes the guy's driver's license.

dicer

I would never send a copy of the title, that's asking for trouble. I'd just say if you want me to send that before you drive down, just stay home. You do all that at the transaction. Almost as bad as advertising a VIN, that can lead right to your door step too. And sorry this is such a different world, not like the good old days when you had your social security number on your company badge, those days are long gone.

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

All one has to do is mark out the address and all but the last six of the VIN.

With the availability of information on the Interwebs now, all you really need is a name and city and you can locate almost anyone, anyway.

My point was that people are illegally acting as "dealers" by buying and selling cars on CL. If someone is going to be untruthful from the start, you have to wonder about everything else.

I have bought and sold cars over eBay and forums such as this one and had no problems asking for or receiving the info I needed - and I checked out everything the seller said through independent means.

BTW, do your transaction at a local bank or police station.

KJG92

Don't do this. Go look it over and if you like it and can deal with the imperfections then negotiate. Never talk price before you go out. I always ask are they flexible.

hotdawwg

Below are the historical events for this vehicle listed in chronological order. Any discrepancies will be in bold text.
Report Run Date July 11, 2016 12:32:35 AM EDT

Vehicle: 1999 Lexus LS400 (JT8BH28F3X0155091)

Event date Location Odometer reading Data Source Details
03/26/1999 CT
Independent Source VEHICLE MANUFACTURED AND SHIPPED TO DEALER
04/16/1999 GREENWICH, CT
10
Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:024771718)
04/16/1999 GREENWICH, CT
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
04/18/2000 CT
58,000
Independent Emission Source PASSED EMISSION INSPECTION
03/13/2001 GREENWICH, CT
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
04/10/2002 CT
32,000
Independent Emission Source PASSED EMISSION INSPECTION
03/21/2003 GREENWICH, CT
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
03/14/2005 GREENWICH, CT
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
04/11/2005 GREENWICH, CT
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
03/22/2007 GREENWICH, CT
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
03/19/2009 GREENWICH, CT
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
03/09/2011 GREENWICH, CT
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
07/27/2012 BROOKLYN, NY
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
10/05/2012 BROOKLYN, NY
Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE
07/16/2014 BROOKLYN, NY
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
09/19/2015 DEPEW, NY
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
12/10/2015 DEPEW, NY
Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE

hotdawwg

I ran an Autocheck on that... not sure about the price. Especially that the second Emissions test was recorded at 32k when the car had 58k recorded in 2000

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

That's an odometer switch or rollback, for sure.

If the odometer was replaced, there should be a sticker in the driver's side door jamb.