Listen to the sub for any buzzing

I wanted to give you all an update:

I checked the car out yesterday and did not purchase yet. The car needs new shock mounts, the exhaust was rotted and needs replacing, minor scrapes and dings were evident, a little rip in the passenger seat and a little rust on the sun roof, the ML sub needs to be replaced, and the screen monitor had two annoying vertical lines in it. The guy wanted 10,100 and wouldn’t go any lower so I walked and am thinking about the purchase a bit more. Other than that the car had no leaks at all and drove strong and looked real clean. What do you all think? Purchase or leave be?

Walk away! I wouldn't purchase that car even if the rust was the only issue.

Most of those issues are just cosmetic and won't affect how the car runs. Since you will definitely need to replace the exhaust and shock mounts then the price seems a little high. Don't expect a perfect condition used car. A 10+ year old car will need a few things. Like Thomas said the rust could be an issue.

The rust looked like it was only in the exhaust system... I had a pair of rhino ramps and took a long look at the undercarriage. The cats looked brown and the exhaust system after that got worst in rust up until the mufflers which appeared stock. Is the exhaust prone to this kinda environmental disease or this a bad sign? I’m kinda disappointed. Been looking for one and this car was 4 hours away but the only one around my town with low mileage.

My '99 has low miles, I don't have any signs of rust. My '99 is in better condition than my '05. So don't make excuses because its a 10+ year old car should be what.. If it was taken cared for, it shouldn't have any of these signs, minor or not.. Walk away, not worth it for that price. Now If car was $7-8K than different story..

I'm going to take everyone's advice and walk away from it. Looks like I'll be buying a beater for 3-4k and then saving up more. One day soon I'll be cruising in a GS430

Honestly get a sc300 or 400 for a couple of grand. You learn a lot about the car,lexus and how to repair it and you have a blast driving it at the same time!

Agreed. Start out with an SC400, then eventually move up to a GS. That's what a few of us have done.

Well the seller contacted me the other day and sent me an invoice from Tire Plus. My last conversation with the seller expressed my concern with the rust on the exhaust. Tire Plus told the seller its surface rust and put it on paper. Should this give me positive assurance on the vehicle? What do you guys think?

Can you ask the guy to send you a few pics and then post them on here and we will take a look?

Tire Plus??? If he wants to be more credible, have him take it to a lexus dealer and have inspected. I've had bad experience with this chain b4. Those idiots tried to sell me tires that were 5 years old! Good thing I knew how to read tires! For the price, I would walk...heck he might know the guy there to put that info on the paper. I mean its a tire place not a body shop lol.

Agreed. I'm still a little skeptical, especially since the guy can't even fork over a few bucks to prove that everything is sound.

I can ask him today and see what happens

I just bought a 2000 and I went to carguru.com and searched and read as well kkb.com (kelly blue book). Car Guru will tell you whats a great deal for what you are looking for from a dealer as well as a owner. I would negotiate the price if I were you! $9500 would be my final offer!