dublflush

HI, I'm a newbie on the forum and thought I would ask you guys what I should pay for a 99LS with 89k and navigation. I'm pretty poor at present and going to have to finance the car. I hate to buy from a dealer, but seams to be easier to finance that way.
The car I'm looking at is very clean in and out, and has lots of service records. The dealer says timing belt and water pump changed by them but this info is not in the service records.
I had a lovely SC with low miles that I really liked and wish I hadn't sold. Thinking the LS could be a tad more practical.
What would be a fair retail price for a car like this?????
Thanks in advance!

rick1987

iTrader: (1)

I would say the going rate would be $8-10K .

Is it a lexus dealership? Not sure why they wouldn't have a record of the belt being changed. Any proof at all?
If they cannot provide anything saying it was changed check for yourself. consider changing it again.
If its a small used car dealer they probably got in the zone and got the cheapest timing belt kit they could buy. no tensioner, no water pump.

also, I tried buying a 2000 ls400 from a used car dealer and wanted to finance it. I had a hard time because of the year. Even after throwing $5000 cash on the desk they still dicked me around.

I ended up buying cash private party.

Legender

They really should have a record of the service work they did.
If all the maintenance is up to date and getting it close to $8k would be a deal, from a dealer. $10k not so good, but the price you pay from a dealer. He's in it to make money. Private party would always be a better deal, but then they don't finance. Good Luck..

400ls

link us to the dealer so we can see what the condition is.. run a carfax, or autocheck first. It could have a questionable history.
Not everything will show up, but im sure there will be something worth questioning on a car of that age.

a visual inspection of the belt wont tell you much. unless it is cracked, teeth missing or the tension is not correct. You could very easily be misled by a visual inspection. Plus you would have to get the shop to allow you to go ahead and check it, which is not so simple. I would have a problem if someone asked me to show them the condition of the belt. Basically, It may look new, but i If you have to question it, you should probably go ahead and change it.

Check the water pump bolts, and general cleanliness around it to see if it has been removed, or cleaned up.