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I live in Seattle where Lexus is rare, expensive and barely found. After a month of searching for a Lexus, I found a 2004 ES 330 Base 4dr Sedan V6 3.3L with 171K for $7200 out the door.
Is this price high for this specific type of model with this mileage?
I'm a student and I'll be living in the States for a year and a half and then I'll sell the car before leaving. Is this a good deal ???! I really need your advice...!
All depends on the condition of the vehicle. If it was well maintained and careful then yes, $7200 is a reasonable price. I paid more than that for my 2005 with 180k but unless you looked at the odometer you would never guess it had that many miles on it. It was perfect in every way and runs flawlessly.
Be sure to have it checked out and that everything is running properly with no leaks. Oh and be sure the timing belt has been done, it would be due at 180k and that's a costly $500 repair. Like he said above me, if it was well maintained, you should be just fine.
You must live in a different Seattle than I do; I can't get to the corner store without seeing four or five. When we were looking for an ES in the area we had a large number to choose from
I look and see that is about the book "private party" value for that car, so it's not an unreasonable price. I would recommend a few things:
1) Verify oil change history, timing belt change history (as mentioned - pricey maintenance).
2) At that mileage, the suspension will have needed at least one change or will now - another pricey maintenance.
3) look at ATF fluid and see that it looks fresh at least, same with ps fluid.
4) You are paying a premium for the 2004 model year as it still falls in the 10-year loan window for used cars. Car prices drop dramatically once over 10 model years/calendar years old. We bought a 2002 (same car from 2002 to 2006 basically) with similar mileage for quite a LOT less than that.
But I was able to do the repairs myself and negotiate. If it has had new shocks, 2nd timing belt change done, etc., you can be confident you are not over-paying and will have a quality car.
All depends on the condition of the vehicle. If it was well maintained and careful then yes, $7200 is a reasonable price. I paid more than that for my 2005 with 180k but unless you looked at the odometer you would never guess it had that many miles on it. It was perfect in every way and runs flawlessly.
Fritz330...The car condition is just PERFECT! inside and out..it's a like-new car and this is what attracted me.a..all I was concerned about is the mileage. This is exactly what I felt when I looked at the car that it's impossible to have this high mileage!
Be sure to have it checked out and that everything is running properly with no leaks. Oh and be sure the timing belt has been done, it would be due at 180k and that's a costly $500 repair. Like he said above me, if it was well maintained, you should be just fine.
You must live in a different Seattle than I do; I can't get to the corner store without seeing four or five. When we were looking for an ES in the area we had a large number to choose from
I look and see that is about the book "private party" value for that car, so it's not an unreasonable price. I would recommend a few things:
1) Verify oil change history, timing belt change history (as mentioned - pricey maintenance).
2) At that mileage, the suspension will have needed at least one change or will now - another pricey maintenance.
3) look at ATF fluid and see that it looks fresh at least, same with ps fluid.
4) You are paying a premium for the 2004 model year as it still falls in the 10-year loan window for used cars. Car prices drop dramatically once over 10 model years/calendar years old. We bought a 2002 (same car from 2002 to 2006 basically) with similar mileage for quite a LOT less than that.
But I was able to do the repairs myself and negotiate. If it has had new shocks, 2nd timing belt change done, etc., you can be confident you are not over-paying and will have a quality car.
Oro...There might be 2 different reasons for that: either the market was fine at the time you got the car..cuz the market now is horrible!!!, or maybe you were flexible with your budget, thus you had a lot of choices..my budget is limited to 7000 or close!
I've put about 3.5k of totally trouble free miles on mine since I bought it and even with 190k miles, she still runs perfect and uses no oil at all. I'm really amazed that a car can go this far and still retain better than 99% it's original condition.
I agree that these cars are some of the best you can buy, but at least to me, $7200 is a lot of money for a 10 year old car with 180k miles. You'll want to also think about how you will sell it before you leave without losing too much money on the deal. If you just trade it in to a dealer then it might end up costing you a bit more than if you take the time and sell it privately.
If I had a budget of $7200 for a car, I'd be looking at an LS, there are some very very nice ones for that price. But that's just me, if you do end up getting the car I'm sure you'll love it!
10-30-14, 11:06 PM
I need your ADVICE!!
inside and out..it's a like-new car and this is what attracted me.a..all I was concerned about is the mileage. This is exactly what I felt when I looked at the car that it's impossible to have this high mileage!
