Decisions with a GS400!
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Georgia
Decisions with a GS400!
Hi guys! I recently got rid of my 1996 LS400 to possibly pick myself up a GS400.
There are few that I've seen but there's a 1999 GS400 with 305,000 miles that has a price that I consider a STEAL! The owner has had the car since 2002 and has done all recommended maintenance in timely intervals and has all the paperwork. He has also said that the car is 90% highway miles. Interior looks flawless for the amount of miles and the exterior is very clean with only two flaws; some paint chips on one corner of the rear bumper and a slight bend in the front driver fender as the owner has said the ball joint broke and bent the fender.
I know that 1UZ's are capable of extremely high miles, however I'm not too certain about the VVT-i models.
Do you guys think this is a pretty solid buy? Thanks for any help!
There are few that I've seen but there's a 1999 GS400 with 305,000 miles that has a price that I consider a STEAL! The owner has had the car since 2002 and has done all recommended maintenance in timely intervals and has all the paperwork. He has also said that the car is 90% highway miles. Interior looks flawless for the amount of miles and the exterior is very clean with only two flaws; some paint chips on one corner of the rear bumper and a slight bend in the front driver fender as the owner has said the ball joint broke and bent the fender.
I know that 1UZ's are capable of extremely high miles, however I'm not too certain about the VVT-i models.
Do you guys think this is a pretty solid buy? Thanks for any help!
I bought a clean title 03gs4 with 203k at the end of September 2014 and it currently have 217k, still haven't gave me any issues besides the navi screen going out. The carfax for my car shows that it got serviced every 3-5k at the Lexus dealer. It was a one owner car and previous owner was a Lexus corporate. So if the car looks and runs solid and a descent price, I'd say go for it.
Last edited by Fish; Jun 24, 2015 at 01:07 PM.
Honestly, it depends entirely on the condition of the car. I'm in the car business and I see all kinds of cars in varying condition/mileage every day, which has made me a believer in maintenance > mileage. I can think of plenty of examples of well-maintained 200,000 mile cars that I would trust as a daily driver more than some 50,000 mile cars that have been abused.
If it's immaculate inside and out and it's obvious that the owner was meticulous about upkeep and maintenance, you're probably okay. Maintenance records would be a huge deciding factor for me. A pre-purchase inspection would also be a good idea.
The GS/1UZ is a very reliable platform and you won't find a nicer daily driver for $2300, but be aware that you're driving around in a 300,000 mile car and you should save money for repairs accordingly.
If it's immaculate inside and out and it's obvious that the owner was meticulous about upkeep and maintenance, you're probably okay. Maintenance records would be a huge deciding factor for me. A pre-purchase inspection would also be a good idea.
The GS/1UZ is a very reliable platform and you won't find a nicer daily driver for $2300, but be aware that you're driving around in a 300,000 mile car and you should save money for repairs accordingly.
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Driver
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 187
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From: ca
My uncle has a 95 LS400 with 300K on it. He does the regular maintaince and it has never let him down. If its in great shape and the guy has all the records, for $2300 I say go for it. If it did give up the ghost on you, you could part it and get your money back.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 188
From: Brooklyn
thats the best part about these cars, you can ALWAYS part the car out for decent money because these cars last forever so people are always buying used parts for it.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,088
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From: Brooklyn
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 188
From: Brooklyn
and like everyone else is saying, condition and maitenance matter more then the miles. I picked up a 99 GS400 with only 140k 2 years ago at the auction here in NY for only 2500, and it drove REALLY nice. BUT the cars paint was in pretty bad shape but I still had no problem selling it for 3k. Condition and maitenance does matter more then miles...
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