HELP! Leaving tomorrow to buy DWP GS400
02-15-13, 09:02 AM
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HELP! Leaving tomorrow to buy DWP GS400
So I'm driving out of state in the morning to buy a high mileage (200k) 
2000 GS400. It is loaded, navi, hid's, htd seats, wing, etc etc. I've had a 98 GS400 and remember some of the problems it had, but I sold it shortly after it rolled over 100k and this type of mileage on a GS is new to me. What are things I should look for? I quizzed him on things like the door locks (passenger side is bad), and timing belt (unknown last changed - so that will be first on my 2 do list). Any advice would be great! It looks super clean inside and out, the guy seems real honest. The car is 5900.00 so is the a good price for what it is?
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! 
2000 GS400. It is loaded, navi, hid's, htd seats, wing, etc etc. I've had a 98 GS400 and remember some of the problems it had, but I sold it shortly after it rolled over 100k and this type of mileage on a GS is new to me. What are things I should look for? I quizzed him on things like the door locks (passenger side is bad), and timing belt (unknown last changed - so that will be first on my 2 do list). Any advice would be great! It looks super clean inside and out, the guy seems real honest. The car is 5900.00 so is the a good price for what it is? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
02-15-13, 09:23 AM
#2
1998 GS400 with 200K with no timing belt records for $5900 doesn't seem like an incredible enough deal to travel for but I don't know what the market looks like there in Indiana either.
I guess if the body/interior is exceptionally clean, it might be worth taking a chance. However, buying a car with 200K means you should be ready to some unexpected surprises. Hell, I had plenty of those at 95K even, lol.
I guess if the body/interior is exceptionally clean, it might be worth taking a chance. However, buying a car with 200K means you should be ready to some unexpected surprises. Hell, I had plenty of those at 95K even, lol.
02-15-13, 11:02 AM
#3
check castor arms/tires/suspension etc etc but if he doesnt know when the timing belt was changed last, he probably hasnt been taking care of this vehicle or its maintenance. (trust me....if you do it yourself you know when it was done and if you had to foot the bill for it you know also)
$3k or pass on it......
also OP your a ancient member, this type of thread pops up alot. please search for them for future
$3k or pass on it......
also OP your a ancient member, this type of thread pops up alot. please search for them for future
02-15-13, 01:43 PM
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$3000.00? Maybe for a first gen GS with a salvage title or a rusted out/faded painted/base model 2nd gen gs300... I've been looking now for over 4 months and even the GS's with over 300k on them are still well over 5000.00. Show me a loaded/clean pearl white 2000 gs400 with every option available for that year for 3k.. I guarantee it wont happen.
One GS on www.carsforsale.com for 3k with 300,000 miles and it has no options and looks ruff.. then the next GS is 5400.00 (look at the distance too)
http://www.carsforsale.com/find_a_ve...rice&curpage=1
How about www.cars.com right?
http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...rce=QUICK_FORM
NOTHING at 3k.
www,Autotrader.com usually has a wide variety of GS's as well....
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...rch=true&Log=0
hmm.. nothing for 3k.
So I guess maybe I didnt make it clear that I dont want to spend $8,000.00 - $12,000.00 on a low mileage GS, I dont mind working on it and I think offering 3k for a car listed for 6k would be an insult to the seller as well as a waist of gas and time. I think for 5000.00-6500.00 I can get a decent GS400.
One GS on www.carsforsale.com for 3k with 300,000 miles and it has no options and looks ruff.. then the next GS is 5400.00 (look at the distance too)
http://www.carsforsale.com/find_a_ve...rice&curpage=1
How about www.cars.com right?
http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...rce=QUICK_FORM
NOTHING at 3k.
www,Autotrader.com usually has a wide variety of GS's as well....
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...rch=true&Log=0
hmm.. nothing for 3k.
So I guess maybe I didnt make it clear that I dont want to spend $8,000.00 - $12,000.00 on a low mileage GS, I dont mind working on it and I think offering 3k for a car listed for 6k would be an insult to the seller as well as a waist of gas and time. I think for 5000.00-6500.00 I can get a decent GS400.
02-15-13, 01:53 PM
#5
I would at least go there and try to nock off $500. Tell him all that's going to need to be done to the car to give you peice of mind. Tell him you will be paying cash. (if that's your method)
In parts alone your looking at at least $1200 to get it roadworthy. And this is if you do all the labor yourself.
Shock (ft/rr)
Ball joints/LCA #2/ Tie rods
All fluids changed
Timing kit
cabin filter
Rotors/pads
It's a laundry list. At that many miles i'd replace everything.
In parts alone your looking at at least $1200 to get it roadworthy. And this is if you do all the labor yourself.
Shock (ft/rr)
Ball joints/LCA #2/ Tie rods
All fluids changed
Timing kit
cabin filter
Rotors/pads
It's a laundry list. At that many miles i'd replace everything.
02-15-13, 02:53 PM
#6
im not sure wats going on in indiana but i think tats to much for tat mileage a buddy of mine just picked one up here in cali 03 gs300 with all the stuff u mentioned for i belive he said 4700 102xxx miles
02-15-13, 02:59 PM
#7
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02-15-13, 03:26 PM
#9
So I guess maybe I didnt make it clear that I dont want to spend $8,000.00 - $12,000.00 on a low mileage GS, I dont mind working on it and I think offering 3k for a car listed for 6k would be an insult to the seller as well as a waist of gas and time. I think for 5000.00-6500.00 I can get a decent GS400.
17" rims (odd size tire prices are high so stick with the 16's)
HIDS (ok good one)
nav (JUNK, outdated.....they havent made a update for the 1998-2000 models since 2004 and its like $300 bucks to have a 8 year old outdated nav system)
GS400 (much better than the 300)
what other options are we talking about that you think you MUST buy this one? i agree for 5000-6500 you can get a decent gs400 i just dont think its this one and i havent even seen it yet
I would at least go there and try to nock off $500. Tell him all that's going to need to be done to the car to give you peice of mind. Tell him you will be paying cash. (if that's your method)
In parts alone your looking at at least $1200 to get it roadworthy. And this is if you do all the labor yourself.
Shock (ft/rr)
Ball joints/LCA #2/ Tie rods
All fluids changed
Timing kit
cabin filter
Rotors/pads
It's a laundry list. At that many miles i'd replace everything.
In parts alone your looking at at least $1200 to get it roadworthy. And this is if you do all the labor yourself.
Shock (ft/rr)
Ball joints/LCA #2/ Tie rods
All fluids changed
Timing kit
cabin filter
Rotors/pads
It's a laundry list. At that many miles i'd replace everything.
but its gonna be closer to $1500-$2000 plus its at 200k where even more things are gonna need replacing (suspension components/bushings/motor mounts etc etc etc) IF your doing the labor yourself you might get away with $2k in parts and ....if not even more
02-15-13, 03:54 PM
#10
suspension is likely worn and very loose. Be sure to go for a drive, and wiggle the steering wheel to check for play in the steering wheel, as well as any floaty disconnected feeling. Try some swerve/slalom maneuvers
Refer to the occasional massive threads, that it can be cost prohibitive to get the suspension to something resembling new despite changing balljoints or some parts of the suspension.
Refer to the occasional massive threads, that it can be cost prohibitive to get the suspension to something resembling new despite changing balljoints or some parts of the suspension.
Last edited by raytseng; 02-15-13 at 04:20 PM.
02-15-13, 07:55 PM
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Thanks for the advice, just got off the phone with the seller again. He said he had to replace the front ball joints recently and due to the fact he doesn't know how long its been since the timing belt was replaced he'd work that out in the deal. Its a little over 2 hours to drive there, so worst case I don't like it then I'll just leave. Thanks for the tips, I will use all of them tomorrow!
02-17-13, 10:53 AM
#14
I paid 4800 for a 1998 Gs400 with 145K on it. But it needed a new computer (got it for 280 here on club lexus) and it needed timing belt done. It also had hideous 20 inch rims so putting 17 inch rims and tires cost me another 1500. Otherwise it is a very good condition inside and out. This was one year ago. Of course since then I have changed a few bushings and put some Belstein HD's . It had every option you could get in 98
02-17-13, 11:20 AM
#15
If you were willing to drive 2hrs, why not make it more worthwhile and get [as above] and 01+ for the same money further down for less miles...
I just can't fathom some of you US buyers... willing to go a little distance, but nothing more than a couple of hours. lol
I have buddies from CANADA [i'm one hr from Upstate NY border] that have flown down to FLORIDA to buy a car and drive it back... and that's a 23hr one way trip [by car], to save a few grand after all that hassle.
Louisville KY; <7k for an 01 GS430, 185k http://louisville.craigslist.org/ctd/3609770734.html
I just can't fathom some of you US buyers... willing to go a little distance, but nothing more than a couple of hours. lol
I have buddies from CANADA [i'm one hr from Upstate NY border] that have flown down to FLORIDA to buy a car and drive it back... and that's a 23hr one way trip [by car], to save a few grand after all that hassle.
Louisville KY; <7k for an 01 GS430, 185k http://louisville.craigslist.org/ctd/3609770734.html