Hi guys,
I found a Gs 430 that has 122,000 miles on it and it's for sale. It just had it's 120,000 mile service and I wondering if I purchase this car are they any other concerns that I should worry about because of the high mileage, or were they probably taken care with the 120,000 service?
I have decided I am either going to purchase this Gs 430 if everything is up and up, or go and lease an 06 300!
I always appreciate your feedback thanks!

 

don't worry about the high mileage. just make sure it's been taken care of... make sure the water pump and timing belt have been done.

it's probably worth 12-14k.

 

the car can't worth that little can it?

 

What year is it?

It's worth at least $16k if you're in California.

 

01 with navigation, and fully loaded. He is asking 20K what should I offer him?

 

That is wayyyyy to much for a car with 122k on it. 14k is the most I would offer him on that car. For 20k you can get something else with less miles.

 

i bought mine with 140xxx on it and it run and drives like new, yea dont be worried about the high miles unless it was beat on but if it was taken care of it will be fine, and also 20 tho might seem to high to pay but u also half to think of the time of year, graduation and spring-summer time cars always sell for more

 

not knowing the condition of the vehicle, it could very well be down to 14k. about my previous post - 12k would be a steal even if it does need a few things here and there.

if you can get it for 14k, that's fine too. if you are going to pay 16k, i'd definitely make sure the water pump and timing belt have been replaced. i don't believe the water pump is included in the 120k mile service. the timing belt? maybe. keep in mind if you have them done after you buy the car it's going to cost you another $1,600-$1,800.

Whatever the case, as long as it doesn't have any body panel issues or engine issues, i think you'll be fine. The interior stuff can be taken care of no prob since you can always buy replacement covers for the leather seats at leatherseats.com (group buy going on I believe) and the trunk/floor mats are for sale every now and then on here.

good luck and I expect you to post a photo in the next week with your purchase!



(no pressure... )

 

everyone always says "these cars last forever "and "120k miles is nothing", but I would keep looking for something with less miles. personally, I couldn't buy a car with that many miles unless it was real cheap. who knows what any used car has been through in 120k miles, GS or not.

 

I asked a guy at lexus the same question, and he said that you should ask if there were every any problems with the master cylinder taking a crap, seized calipers, HID bulbs going bad, and ball joints might be an issue.

 

I bought an 02 loaded GS430 a couple of Decembers ago with 70K miles. Now after a year and half, it's getting time for the timing belt replacement (~$1K). I'd say a higher mile GS with the timing belt replaced is a better deal. Plenty of people drive these cars over 200K miles, 120K miles with a replaced timing belt is 80K miles of trouble free driving.

As for low balling the guy $8K under his asking price like some suggest, IMHO, is a bad idea. There's no way the seller is going to let it go so low, you'll only insult him, usually they'll send you packing without a counter-offer. If the car's real clean and the timing belt has been replaced I'd say $17K-$18K is more likely.

 

I'm with chuckb on this one. You never know how that thing was driven. You can find one with alot less miles on it for 20k. I bought my 02 GS 300 for $24k (29k miles) last Oct. and it was spotless inside and out. Except for the passenger side headlight condensation which the dealership replaced for free under warranty IMHO I would go with a lower mileage car if you plan on keeping it for a while.

 

Thanks for all the help guys, yeah I am going to pass on this one. It is better for me just to lease an 06 GS 300, the reason being in about 3 years from now I want to move up to the LS 460 and I can write the car off for tax purpuses; and just trade back in. If I purchase an 98-05 Gs , I won't be able to control myself from modding. I was already thinking how I can spend over 8K, on wheels and rims, Tein, TTE Lip, Exhaust, torque converter, and whatever else I might think of!
When I finally get my car I will post pictures!

 

I'm with LJ keep looking. I found a 03 GS3 with 29.5K on it in as close to new condition as you can get. For $25,900 with the preowned certification up to a 100K no extra charge. The dealer wanted $29.990. Just keep looking you will find a good one, there are a bunch in the charlotte NC area.

 

Mods will be available no matter what car you purchase. With the old GS4, you'll have that much less debt and won't take a depreciation hit with the new car.

I don't know what your finances are but I can't think of too many scenarios where buying the new car is smarter than the older one for a quarter of the price.