Well, Ive been lurking around the forums the last couple of weeks. In preparation of buying a 2001 es300 today and come to find out after a car fax it was involved in a moderate damage crash and wrote of as a total loss. Now Im not sure if I should just give the seller a low ball offer or move on.

 

If it was a front end collision, take a pass. There are plenty of ES300's out there to choose.

If it was a rear end collision, have it inspected before low-balling the seller. How long ago was the collision?

 

Welcome to Club Lexus!

How much are they asking as it stands? Miles?

Is it worth the risk to you? Would you be able to live with rattles, or mechanical issues due to bad workmanship? If you can, then try and low ball them.

Personally, I'd take it for $2k. Any more than that, I'd run not walk away.

 

Hes asking 5500 it has 110000 accident happened in 2009 in Michigan and somehow it came away without being branded on the title as a salvage or a rebuilt. The only exception is when its owned commercially they do not have to brand them I've read. I'm not even going to bother with it.

 

Yeah, I would run away as well. Ouch.

 

Well, I found another one. An 2001 with 100000 for 5700 one owner needs speed sensor per the seller. He stated the trac light and the check engine light are on because of it. Waiting on the VIN to run a check. I plan on checking it out tonight, Ill bring my scanner.

 

^ Probably the notorious P0440 Evap.

Is that what 3ES go for in Michigan ? Up here in Canada 4ES's start at $5500.

 

That's cheap! The fourth generation ES' are still expensive in my area. It's rare to see them under $8,000. They usually go for $10,000 or higher.

 

Be very cautious of when sellers tell you the solution to the lights on the dash. Most of the time, they're stumped and have no idea what they're talking about. Definitely check it with your scanner and see what comes up.

 

there are so many ES300's on the market, don't settle for one with problems

 

I'd be cautious.

If the seller knows what it's for, he would have fixed it before selling it.

Why would you sell a car with a CEL, if the solution " just a sensor, i promise, it shouldn't cost much really"?

I hate when I see those ads, if the damn problem is so easy to fix why not fix it and then sell it.