A-jay

I have the opportunity to buy a 1993 Lexus LS400 with 256,000 miles on it. The body is in great shape and ok interior. Asking price is $2,500. Is this worth buying and how long do they usually last?

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

Only way to tell is by you getting teh previous maintance and finding out what it needs right now.

hyperopt

Unless you can work on cars, the repair bills can quickly add up if it hasn't been maintained.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Welcome to CL.

Pass on this one.
Look for one with lower miles and complete service records indicating regular service intervals. Trannies, rear ends, rack-pinion, A/C and just plain engine wear are costly. You'd hate to buy the car to find it is in need of several major services.

ychachad

If you don't know what you're doing, it'll take you at least $4-6k just to do routine maintenance to get her back into shape.

Greatlife

I found a beautiful 1995 pearl white LS400 for $7800, it has 134k mi. very clean, however the owner doesn't have any maintenance records. The last timing-belt change was at 77k mi. Also he doesn't have the Master ignition key. What's the cost of a timing belt change anyway? Key? If I negoiated these cost against the price, am I asking too much, comsidering the risk of purchaisng this vehicle "as-is" with no maintenance records? Better yet, should I just pass on this one altogether?

Greatlife

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

pass on it.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

If the owner is willing to allow you to have the car inspected, then sometimes, you may find a good deal. Keep in mind an inspection may cost you upwards of $150 and it is no guarantee that they will catch all the things that can go wrong. In general, with as many LS400's as there are, it's easier to look for one with service records available and pay a bit more.

LexusLimit

If you go to the dealer and give them the VIN# of the vehicle, they could give you the maintenance record only if its been maintain at the dealer. As for the ls400 w/ 256k miles, I would probably offer less than $1k on the car. The fact is even though its been religiously maintained, you have to do the major service all over again and that could add up.