Hey everyone, my name if Frank and this is my first post. I am looking to get some advice from experienced GS owners who can steer me in the right direction on a purchase. I’ve been researching these cars and it seems like a good car to own.

A 2001 Lexus GS430 with 103,000 miles. Has all the goodies ML sound system, Navi, Spoiler, Chrome wheels, seems to be pampered and maintained really well. The owner says he had the 90K service done which includes the timing belt (doesn’t mention the water pump). Anyhow the price is $10,500 cash!!!

I was wondering what you guys think about the price? What I should be aware of when I check the car out and while I take a test drive?

I’m a first year grad student and have another 3.5 years to go before I graduate and wanted something luxurious and reliable. Any advice will be appreciated!

 

That is really good price. First of all check the title. Second bring someone know about car to check for you. Third purchases it if everything go fine and congraduation

 

Welcome to CL first off. IMO, $10,500 is a bit steep so I'd try to talk em down. Just see if the owners have all of the maintenance records and see if they did the 90k service. But other than that just listen for any abnormal noises, check for any leaks and visually inspect the car and check the how the car's aligned while driving.

 

$10.5 is a fair price. Maybe you could talk them down a little but that is low miles for a 01 and it has nav and ML. If the timing belt was changed then I would pick it up.

 

Wicked steep....I paid 5k for my 99...I would trying for 8-8.5

If you have the vin go to this website, Register and you can pull all the services records from the dealer

https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home

 

Although I'm unsure how much they go for in your area, $9.5-10k is right on the money.

 

Im in the South Florida area and the BB price is around 10,900 to 12,000 with my area code. I checked out the Vin number on that site and it showed somethings of interest i think. The 90K service doesn’t show up but the seller did mention he had it done at Toyota. The report did say “electric misc” “steering misc” and “misc drivability”... i don’t know how to interpret these.

Being a student and living off loan for the next 3.5 years (i get about 4K in transportation) and it Its tough to tell what a car will do but as far as reliability and maintenance cost is it a wise move? I live like 2 miles from school and will bicycle when possible so driving will be minimum.

 

Well Florida is basically on the EC, and majority of things go for a bit more on the EC overall, so seems like a decent price, but yes check everything visually. Leaks, control arms and their bushings, sway bushings, and make sure the 90k service was done like someone said in a previous post about the VIN # and pulling the records yourself on the website.

GL.

 

I replied the same time you did, but in that case i'd take someone with you that really knows about the car. Honestly the timing belt is easy to check, you just remove a few bolts and you can take off the lid and visually see it. Check the underside of the belt also on the teeth marks really good. If they're showing cracks of any sort, the service was not done. If it looks brand new then you're a-ok, and ask them about the water pump, because most people do it with the timing belt since everything is already off.

 

Thanks LuxuryGS3. I’ll give it a visual inspection. I don’t have anyone that I can take with me. Are there any common problems that I should be aware of?

 

Be sure to test drive the car at highway speeds. These cars are notorious for having a vibration in the steering wheel.

 

Good looking out ThomasGS4. What causes the vibration in the steering wheel?

 

Depends.. Majority of the time it's due to bad balancing though. I'm kind of pulling blanks on the other reasons at the moment.

Thomas should chime in.

 

Depends on the condition. Look for cracks in the leather, how well it was maintained, regular service maintenance, rattles, vibrations on the highway. Toss it around a corner and listen for squeaks or clicking sounds (lower ball joints).

If everything checks in buy it for $9000.

 

i bought my 99gs400 in 05 for 14k man i am getting old take 9500 cash and he will give you the keys....but if no go....and if you love it walk to your car then go back with have 300 more in your back pocket and say 9800 last offer.