chinspot

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at getting 2002 Sc430, it had 42,000 miles on it... I just called the lexus dealer for diagnostic and they say it will cost $100 which I don't mind. But, they only going to plug it in to a machine and tell me if something wrong with the car.

Is the diagnostic machine reliable without going thru the car manually ?

THANKS

lexusk8

IMO $100 just for the dealership to electronically scan and check for error codes is not enough. I would push for them to include checking ALL mechanical and electrical components under the hood such as drive shaft bolts, brake lines and gaskets, make sure the maintenance history has been kept up to date, check all fluids (coolant, brake fluid, PS fluid, transmission oil, etc.), and have a service advisor do a test drive to confirm everything is in good shape.

tfischer

The dealership may not want to get into the business of doing an evaluation for a private sale. For one thing, they are in the business of selling used cars themselves and for another, it has "lawsuit" written all over it.

However, since only the dealer has the computer hookup thing, and since those readings are fairly objective, I suspect that is where they determined they could draw the line (and still make a little cash).

For a used car of this value, and with all those miles (my 2002 model just turned 16,000) I would spend the extra and have an independant mechanic give it the once-over. If you are lucky, maybe you can find one of the guys from the dealer's shop who would do this on his own time. If not, find a good shop that services high end foreign cars and pay for an hour's time from one of the staff. I have done this several times and find it money well spent.

It's good insurance.

chinspot

Thanks for the input ...