KingNasGS4

iTrader: (22)

here's the deal. my homeboy was looking to get an LS because he loved mine so much...

so he found a 98 LS silver with black interior (much like mine)
for 5200 but with 188K miles!!!

i told him I dont think he should do it... he told me the car was owned in Connecticut according to the dealer so Im assuming the mileage is highway... no accidents and it was very clean on the outside.

I still didnt think he should do it. what about the mechanical problems that he may have to do?

how long do you think an LS is good for? especially the ones with the VVt-i engines

and do you all think he should do it?

Och

iTrader: (3)

Check it throughout. If the body, interior and suspension are good, and all the electronics work, and the mileage is indeed highway, then the engine and transmission should still be tip top.

Of course it will have little things that will need fixing, but that might still be worth it, especially if he can haggle the price down a bit.

KingNasGS4

iTrader: (22)

i think thats the most haggling he could have done....
the car originally was 5500....

i think that car was a trade in.... it also needs the plastic for the intake... all it has is the part from the airfilter and on to the engine. anything before that is missing.

I wish the mechanic I use would go with him. tommorow is sunday.

TexFinn

The 94 I bought a couple of weeks ago had 223K miles and even though it had a few things to work on, the mileage in itself wasn't a scary factor for me. One good thing is that it has Dealer service records until 187K miles, of course.

5200 for a 98 doesn't sound bad. As long as it checks out okay, of course.

KingNasGS4

iTrader: (22)

hmm but what about things that could possibly be on their way to going bad?
i mean you wouldn't be able to know with ANY car, but with a higher mileage, that means its definitely closer to going bad.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

if i wasnt busy tomorrow i woulda def went up there with you.

TexFinn

Just like with any used car: Use all you senses and see if you can see, smell, hear, feel etc. anything that is out of the ordinary.

If a LS400 has been well serviced, 190K is nothing. But, just like you said, anything can happen.

Just read here and you'll be able to figure out what to check more specifically: power steering leaks (pump and rack; if the pump leaks, it will eventually kill the alternator), air suspension (if equipped), timing belt change (every 90-100K miles) etc.

Good luck!

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

if the timing belt was done for the 2nd time at 180k miles or close to it, its worth it, if not, that car needs ~$900-1100 worth of timing belt/water pump first.

KingNasGS4

iTrader: (22)

wait, how often is a timing belt supposed to be done?

only at 90k and 180k and 260k... etc? i thought the intervals were closer than that.like maybe 60k miles....

and hmm i dont know i need to look back on the lexus website at the VIN number to see if it was maintained at a dealer.... smh I have to do all the leg work for this dude.


http://www.morethantrucks.com/
is the website, but you may have to look for it, jus go to lexus and it should be the only one there.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

i wouldnt touch that car.

-front and rear bumpers needs repaint.
-front seats are WELL worn
-center console wood is cracked/worn, as is shifter console
-wheels are scratched/oxidized
-engine bay is FULL of rust/oxidation, including some components that SHOULD have been opened up <10k miles ago for the timing belt.

and no, the 1uz/2uz/3uz are all on a 90k mi timing belt schedule. the VVTi 1uz, and all 2uz/3uz should be changed ON schedule as they are interference engines.

python

iTrader: (4)

looks like the trunk lid is off a little, maybe its been hit?

TexFinn

I, personally, think that those would just be good barganing points. It's a 98 with almost 190K miles. Some things will need a bit of clean-up and some things will be worn.

Yeah, that's a bit odd it sticking out like that.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

bargaining points perhaps except that the timing belt will be ~$1000, interior pieces (cracked and broken) a couple hundred, and the wear is given.
plus most likely you'll be replacing those OEM (look at the rust on the top mounts) struts, various dead bushings, and the associated, it just doesnt make financial sense considering you can get half decent 98's for ~$8800-9000 with the TB and WP done and no well jacked up interior.

avalon42

iTrader: (1)

I agree with Pure. Rust is the deal breaker for me on this one. I can see the whole bottom of the undercarriage is rusted. Plus also, on the side shot the front half of the car doesn't look like it matches the rear half. So possibly it had a side impact that was repaired and they didn't blend it right (may account for the sticking trunk).

The guys selling this didn't even ante up for a decent interior detail.

Offer them anything under $3500. They got this car for about $2800-3000.

seanl

There's enough cars for sale out there to pass on this one....