MDames2

iTrader: (1)

I owned a 2007 for 6 years. Purchased it new in 11/06. In 2008 I got into a front end collision. There was $13,000 in damage, including a small part of the frame. I had a very reputable body shop do the work. The car looked and drove perfectly after the repair. I had it for another 4+ years with no problems at all. I traded it in a year ago for a RX350. I got full value for it, no questions asked. So if the vehicle checks out I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. It sounds like you really want it.

HiVltgBlnd

Battery went dead yesterday, I didn't do anything because it was so late in the afternoon and they're so far away. Then this morning I couldn't jump it, so the guy brought me my car and we waited for the tow truck driver, who was able to jump it. ? He said my jumper cables could be bad. I don't know about that.

They also both tried to tell me - at different times - that maybe I'd left a light on. That doesn't fly and I told them so. I'm sure Lexus won't let you leave any lights on. Right?

When I raised the hood I noticed the cover was not bolted on. Also, the red battery cap was off. Sooo... but they'd only had it a couple of days when I went to get it... why don't any of the Lexus dealerships have the car I want??

I know one thing for sure. That Acura gets uglier every time I look at it.

ETA: I also had a fender bender and was hit fairly hard, but no frame damage. Some people are telling me to take it to a body shop while others are saying a mechanic would know what to look for just as well. I'm thinking it needs to go both places, now.

Thoughts are welcomed -

SW17LS

The battery may just need to be replaced, or you might have left something on. A Lexus will allow you to leave lights on. At 5 years old its very possible it may need a new battery.

A mechanic may know what to look for, why not be safe and take it to both? Get a full look over mechanically and for the body issue.

John U

Here's 254 ES350's 2007-2009 in a 250 mile loop around Atlanta
http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...=50&slrTypeId=

HiVltgBlnd

Looks great and sounds great, but I am hooked on a dark interior. So feel free to keep looking. ;-)

HiVltgBlnd

Looks like some guy had nav installed on his '07. I just found an old thread on this forum. Everybody was PM'ing him for more info.

Even if I could get a back-up camera.. wouldn't that do away w/the green lights?

John U

Scrowl down the page of that link. There are 250, Es350's listed for sale in your area.

LexBob2

I was thinking the same thing. There are A LOT of these cars out there and one should be able to find one that meets all or at least most of their needs.

SW17LS

It would not get rid of the green backlighting, but it would get rid of the LCD panel displays for the climate and radio.

HiVltgBlnd

Yeah I haven't told the whole story - it's a long one - because I don't want to look like a fool. But I overpaid more than just a couple of thousand on the Acura. I wish I'd looked at Lexus first but that's part of the reason I'm having trouble finding one - although - I looked again last night and did not find one dark interior w/nav. Not one '07 or '08. And I can't go any newer w/out losing more money.

I always check cargurus, auto-trader, cars.com, auto.com, then I'll check dealer inventories just to make sure. But I hardly saw any w/dark interiors and I fell in love with the black - think the wood grain looks so much better against it. Plus it's easier to keep clean -- I've always had dark interiors, just don't care for the light - not to drive, anyway. The first one I brought home was light gray and it was pretty but I really didn't care for it.

ETA: I did start thinking last night that if I have to spend another thousand or two I will -- but I really kind of got taken w/the Acura - but not because I'm not smart! :-) It was just a very unusual set of circumstances. I know I'm sounding cryptic and maybe at some point I'll tell the whole story - but it started in mid August, so ..

SW17LS

How far from your home are you searching? You might want to look in some other markets...

These cars are everywhere, Lexus sold like 80,000 of them a year so there should be cars out there...

HiVltgBlnd

What if I got navigation?

I just went back and got the car and I have to say it is flawless, inside and out. Not even scuffed up from getting in and out. No scratches on the interior or exterior anywhere. This is only the third Lexus I've driven - brought the last one home - and the one I have now is prettier - to me - and drives better than the other two. One was an '08 and one was a 2007. The first one I just saw on a lot at an Acura dealer, when I was still convinced I had to have another TL or a TSX. The one I brought home was the silver '07.

My mechanic was able to see me so I'm about to go let him look at it. I'll look at those links while I wait.

For some reason this feels like the car. I know that's not rational but it's almost like I'm rescuing it. It's been wrecked and it's got some miles on it but it's the first car out of many that I've been in that feels like home. If that makes sense.

I'll be checking back in later. I really appreciate all the feedback.

ThumperPup

having a mechanic look at it is a good idea
did you already buy it ?
or are you having someone look at it now before buying ?

if it had been wrecked i think id prefer having a Collisions specialist look at it not just a Mechanic but someone who knows what tey are talking about when it comes to body and structure work

SW17LS

[QUOTE=HiVltgBlnd;8224124]What if I got navigation?/QUOTE]

If you got the navigation is what I mean...

HiVltgBlnd

So there's no getting rid of the green, then - or it's really tricky and expensive.

I took it to the mechanic first, and it's leaking steering fluid, but they don't know if it's the pump or the line because it's such a small leak - no fluid on the ground, yet. He said it could cost between $200 and $400 to repair.

Just a few minutes after I'd been back in the car I noticed the check engine light was on, so I called them and they said to bring it back in the morning. My body shop guy is right around the corner. He knows me because he was going to put the after market grille on the Acura. He couldn't see me today but said he can look at it tomorrow.

I found a white one last night - private seller - loaded, for @19k, about 50,000 miles, Mark Levinson audio, navigation.. think it had a tan or light gray interior but I remember he had black floor mats, which I liked. I'm going to try and find it again.

I'm still absolutely in love w/the car, but am beginning to feel like it's not meant to be ..