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I have a 1998 GS300 that is about the rarest color you will find. It is mica blue with tan interior and is perfect. All records, original sticker, etc. No scratches, door dings, paintwork etc. As you have found out, people don't give these things away. Wholesale on a clean 300 is 24,000. I am asking 24,500. I am in Texas. The car already has a JVC headunit in it which has all the multimedia capacities etc...I would suggest you spend a little more money and buy a car with lower mileage that still has warranty with it. Call me if you would like to. You won't find one cleaner and more perfect than if you would spend 29,000. Let me know if you are interested (210)492-6440

 

99 GS 300s are going at the auctions for $22K to $23K. That is before reconditioning and service. 98 GS3's are going for $18.5 to $20K. Be careful what you buy. Please get it checked out first. I am seeling a very nice, newly serviced GS3 in the classified section and on Autotrader. kmbrock@bellsouth.net

 

I just bougt my 2000 GS 300 Black/Tan for 25,500 with 42,000 miles a month ago in GA. I see that the 99gs300 going at dealer auctions for 21,000-23,000 with the same milage. The 99's are going for so much less because the warranty is about to run out! I paid the primium for my 2000 for the waranty the VSC and it came with the spoiler and was clean as a whistle! If you need a vehicle and you live near GA or CT I may be able to hook you up with a dealer that will get you the car for a fee above the Dealer price! Just PM me if you are interested.

 

Just a thought. Can you spend a few k more and get a GS4? Probably closer to 30k?

 

remember guys that buying a car from an auction normally means no records or books or anything. These cars go to the auction after they have either sat on the lot for too long because of some inperfection, have had paint work of some kind, motor work of some kind, have absolutely no warranty etc....My point is going to an auction to find the perfect car is like going downtown to Hooker street to find the perfect wife. In either case, you can be sure both have been ridden hard. To those that wish to risk buying through auctions to save a thousand bucks maybe two, I wish them all the luck in the world. If you are financing the car, that extra thousand that you would spend to find a perfect car would actually only cost you 18-20 dollars a month extra. I would be willing to pay that for a warranty and full records.

 

tanner,

If you go to a dealer auction I am buying the car from the same place that your dealer is buying it from. I do not care to deal with a middle man! They are trying to make money which is not bad but I care that they do not make money off of me. If you go to one they give full description in the lane and what light it is sold at! My car came off of a lease and I had records with mine! It was also so new It still had a little of the new car smell to it! I recommend buying from an auction becuse in Richmond a 99GS300 at the lexus dealership is 33,995 with 48,000 miles. I got my 2000 gs300 with 42000 miles for 25,500. I still paid a little more that I should but I needed a car because I sold my old one! I see them going for a little less sometimes!

 

vi rep

If you see that you are getting a quality car and can save some money in your area, I would do it as well. I normally go to the dealer auction here and see all of the local dealerships selling their junk. I worked for Sewell Lexus for a while and saw them doing the same as well. Most of these cars were loaner cars or trades that they bought cheaply do to flaws on the car. If you know what to look for, you can do fine at the auction, but for most people thinking they can get a quality car like a GS300 in the 18-20 price range are mistaken, especially if the car is at a dealer who is still making money selling it at that price.

 

TANNER,

That is so true! The 18-20 range for a QUALITY GS even at the Dealer auction is a little far fetched. The cars that go for those kind of prices are in the 70,000 mile range and not considered the quality that you should expect out of a lexus! I would figure spending at least 23,000 for a quality 98-99 GS with about 40,000 miles! That is the range that I see on a constant basis for a GS300. You are so right! I also see a lot of junk and loaner cars that seemed to be driven really hard and being resold at a very high primium because of the chrome L on the back.

 

The cars at the dealer auction are the same ones your lexus dealer sells. There are several Lexus buyers at the auction I attend in Atlanta. The cares are generally off lease. Mine came with all books and keys. You can get the Lexus dealer to run the service history on your car and get the records. I do a lot of research before buying at the auction because there are some bad cars there. However, paint work and mechanical problems MUST be disclosed or I can return the car. I generally run the VIN and get a history before buying. The car i am selling in the classifieds was off lease from a lawyer i know in Atlanta. One owner, good history! Bottom line, your Lexus dealer is only charging a premium for your piece of mind. As with any car, GET IT INSPECTED before buying it. By the way, I get mine inspected and serviced before marketing them.

 

Macondawg,

It sounds like I bought the car from the same auction that you go to in GA! I went down there for the first time becuase your auction has newer cars than the one in I go to in CT. The prices were a little higher but I was satisfied with what I got! I wanted a 2000 GS and got it. The one in CT did not have one for the past 6 months! I also ran the vin and did a post sale inspection just to make sure! It also came with all the keys! I think that if you have the connection and the money this should be the only way to go!

 

Macondawg,
You make a great point "The cars at the dealer auction are the same ones your lexus dealer sells. "

Remember folks, a used car is a used car - no matter if you get it from the Lexus dealer or the auction.
I got my 2000 GS3 Plat. from an auction; perfect condition, no scratches, dings, etc, all books, keys. Did a carfax - car was a lease return (one owner). Checked with Lexus and found out about service history (after I got car). Moral of story, buying from auction depends on your ability to find a good car, and we all know that Lexus are good cars. Shoot, if you can save serveral thousand dollars like I did, why not?