What is more important when buying a preowned Lexus, Miles or Year? I'm looking at SC430s right now and I struggle with whether to go older like 02-04 with low mileage or 06-08 with higher mileage. I currently have an '01LS with 186,000 and it's still running strong and looks great so I know that longevity is in the DNA of these great cars, however I'm also looking at resale in a couple of years for the SC I'm considering. Regarding age vs mileage, I also have a '91 LS400 which looks beautiful, an 82000 mile Georgia car with no rust anywhere... HOWEVER, anything rubber or plastic is dried up, cracked, hardened, and the wiring harness clips explode in tiny pieces when pulled from engine sensors...22 years old, and add leather that looks ok but it's dry as a bone even with leather care. My friend in the car business says mileage is king, I say that an '08 SC430 with 105,000 is a better specimen for a car you are going to drive than an '02 with 40,000 miles. All cars also need exercise, and low mileage older cars have little. Also, an '08 with 100K+ was usually racked up with highway driving not city. City must be significantly harder on a car. My friend is right when it comes to what $ cars demand with low mileage, however, I say they are over priced compared to what you get in a newer model, especially with Lexus quality and longevity. What say you out there?

 

mileage is king. high mileage is still wear and tear, use and abuse, and you cant guarantee a previous owner's maintenance history.

 

That's true, very good points. What about abuse through time exposure to the elements, paint, interior? Sun, acid rain, snow, bird droppings, fat asses getting in and out of the car (check some of those drivers seats with the bolsters sagging, torn, scratched and the die worn completely off), and worse yet, salt. Notice that many sellers don't photo the drivers seat along the left upper and lower sides. In addition to miles the exposure in years may be a factor.

Regarding maintenance, Lexus can provide you with complete records. If the car wasn't serviced at Lexus and the current owner has no paper records, pass on the car.

 

exterior / interior wear and tear is easy to spot. it will show if a car was garage kept. my 15 year old supra is in better condition than my 3 year old mercedes because it is garage kept.

 

I'd rather go high mileage than low mileage. Low mileage usually means the car was driven in the city, and if so, that's the toughest on a car. I'd much rather have higher miles on a car.

 

It's preference, would you rather be with an older lady that has has 1bf or a young girl that has had 25bf?

 

haha......but that's not a good comparison for car.

The condition depend on its history. My 2004 was a garage kept and rust less. Low mile does not mean its a city car especially the SC430 is a weekend car. Check the Lexus service records, it gives you an idea of where & what the car was up to. For ex, my 04 PB has been service only in Maryland / DC area. It means to me the car rarely see snow & not in a moisture environment.

In term of resale value, I believe low mileage have the advantage in the long run. Although the newer model is at a higher price now, they depreciate faster then its older model. Price of $30k 2008 vs $15k 2002. In two year, the ratio will be $25k 2008 vs. $13k 2002, two more year will be $20k 2008 vs 12k 2002 & another two year will be$16k 2008 vs 10k 2002. For most old car, the price different of old car are $800~$1000 between each model year. Most buyer also prefer low miles.

I bought my 04 in 2010 for 20K and it worth $17K now. An 08 in 2010 cost $36k and now worth 27k..

 

That's only partially true. If you know that most of the miles on the car are (or were) Interstate/Highway miles with little or no stop-and-go traffic, then many of the car's components may be in better condition, with less wear, than a car with one-half (or one-third) that mileage that did little else but constantly warm-up/cool down and accelerate/stop in dense traffic.