FreenieBe

I found a 2002 GS430 with 182,000 miles for $3,000. I'm really excited about this car especially at this price. However, I do not have a lot of extra $ for repairs. The timing belt was last serviced around 90,000 miles and it will need new tires soon. What expenses should I expect and what advice do you have about this car? Is $3,000 a good deal?

Maserati

iTrader: (1)

Oh man, that thing could blow up any minute, If you do buy do Timing belt asap! other than that, Tuneup. check your suspension, all that stuff.

raytseng

the suspension is the main thing you need to check out. See if the steering feels loose or unresponsive, or you get a boat feeling.

If things are not acceptable to you, this is going to be a difficult expensive fix.
There are also going to be other costs associated with an older car such as things starting to leak, or things that will fail on you.


If you don't have a lot of extra $ for repairs, buying any old car is not the right way to go.

You can't get around this, you need to set aside money for repairs, either before or after.

The before way is if you buy a comprehensive warranty program such as if you buy from carmax, then you are effectively pre-paying a set amount that gives you a firm number you can budget for without any unknowns.

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

You'd be better off spending more on a finer example, honestly. Spend more today and spend less tomorrow.

gsean400

Ohh gosh sounds like when I got my first lexus at 16 I got mine for 5k, around 5 years ago. and the repairs added so quick I almost had to sell it.

FrankT

If your so inclined, learn to do the maintaince and repairs yourself. You'll save thousands of dollars over the years.

repugnante

At that mileage? Expect repairs. Plenty of them. Especially to the suspension which will get expensive real quick....

vipmikey

Exactly what repairs needs to be done?

DriftOner

I got my 98 GS300 with 245k miles for $3000 a year and a half ago and it has been the greatest car I've ever had. Mine had been recently serviced though. Honestly, I would jump on that deal. The only things I've been forced to replace were the starter and tension rod bushings. Everything else has been because I wanted to make it look cooler haha.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

It's hard to say without seeing the car, I've seen cars with 180k in perfect shape, I've seen cars with 180k that shouldn't be road worthy. That being said, any car of that mileage will need a more care than a new car, often nothing major and trough the forums easily fixed, but it depends. It also depends on your standard. Some people drive around in these old lexus and as long as they get from point a to b, they are happy. They deal will the ugly exterior, worn interior, and other issues that don't really effect the drivability of the car. Myself personally, I am not one of those people. I try to keep everything in perfect shape and on the same condition as it was new despite the car being 12 years old and just hitting 100k. For example I paid $600 just to respray a bumper, but most other people would let it be. So it could be a great deal, and if you can do your own work, it would be an even better one, but it only takes one thing to make it a money pit, but at 180k, I'd assume that some of my all of the suspension issues people mention have already been addressed. As for the timing belt, it's due but on my last car I put 120k on the second timing belt and the person I sold it to put another 20k and I know for a fact the car is still running great. Is 140k ideal for a timing belt? No but it's possible. You should change it, but if you need a few months to save up to get it done, you should be ok as I rarely see anything about toyotas/lexus breakin g belts, but if t does break, it'll kill the engine and you'll need a new one.

mveale

iTrader: (5)

The only time I would suggest spending your entire budget on a vehicle purchase is if you're buying a car with a ton of maintenance records, from an upstanding individual who is also a car enthusiast.

Without that, you're taking a huge gamble. Remember, most people don't sell their car because they are absolutely in love with it. It may simply be that they have their eye on something new, or they may know that a maintenance nightmare is about to happen and they want to get out while they can.

An '02 GS430 with 180k in good condition should have no trouble fetching $6,000, which begs the question: "Why does the owner want half that much?"

Sure, it's possible that they have no idea what their vehicle is worth, or maybe they need $3,000 cash by the weekend to save their family from kidnappers, but I think it's far more likely that they're trying to unload the car quickly because it's falling apart.

iamkhanz

U gota show us some details of car to say man and even if suspension is bad it might be noisy nothing u cant budget for in the next ur or so to fix good car good miles just do the more important things timing belt is good idea honestly if you have receipts or know for certain it was done at 90k u shd be fine till about 210 .. I did mu first timing belt change at 120k dont be scared just know what your getting into... These cars r tanks 180k is low miles man lol but maybe if you have a member in your area they can test drive n give u some details bout car.. Also if u use rock auto buy some good rebestos professional grade parts for suspension stuff, if you do a search on jere youll see lots if info ive done a diy parts list on front suspension for our cars was about $1000 bux for all parts i believe.. Another 500 to put it in.. Again i did it all as i dont like dealing w it many of my parts were fine.. Also i cd have just kept driving w some noise wouldnt have killed the deal.. Also ld look at engine mounting around that mileage if it vibrates w ac off means it needs it... Check out the dealer service history thru its vin see if carvwas cared for early on these things help longevity of the car imo. Good luck w purchase