I test drove a used 2008 GS AWD yesterday. On other boards I've heard concerns about squeaky brakes and malfunctioning air conditioning. I did not notice this issue on my test drive, but wanted other's thoughts.. In general, is this car reliable enough to be purchased pre-owned? On cars.com one of the reviews said that RWD was more reliable than AWD.. any truth to this?

 

Oh jeez the "consumers reports" plague is still kicking around...

 

The GS AWD is very reliable. So long as you make sure the car wasn't abused in some careless way by the previous owner or in some damage causing accident you should be fine. My 2006 is still problem free.

 

Do most dealers let you take it for a few hours to get checked out by a mechanic? Or is that usually too long to take a car for a test drive?

 

I have had my 08 awd since new and its problem free with 33K miles on her. Its a great car.

 

If you check a VIN on lexus.com, do you have to be the owner? Or can you check up on a car for sale?

 

you may be able to look up pretty much any lexus with the vin.

 

Ok, the website asks you if you own the car in question when you enter the VIN... is it ok to say yes?

 

Are you okay with lying to a web site? Then yes.

 

Just buy it!. On June 25th I became the proud owner of an '07 GS AWD and have not regretted a second of it, its a great car. You're going to have to pay for normal maintenance (like changing break pads when they get low and start to squeak) but Lexus has a 70,000 mile power train warranty to correct any major surprises that may pop up and spoil your experience.

Based on this thread I'm willing to bet your a perfectionist when it comes to your automobile. Just do your research on CL and learn how to fix any minor annoyances if you get them.

 

Certainly not a perfectionist. However, it makes me nervous buying a used car (38k miles) without a warranty. It also isn't from a lexus dealer so its not CPO. The price seems good, but it makes me nervous something is wrong with it hence the lower price.

 

Has it been sitting on the lot for a while? Do a Google search with the VIN and see how many times the price has been reduced. Google will usually have a different result each time the dealer changes the price listed on their website (if its from a used car lot with a website).
I agree that deals to good to be true usually are but this could be the opportunity you're looking for. A lot of people in Lexus' target market have the money to pay a premium for the "CPO" title, which for a Lexus with 38k miles means less than you think, and means you car has been passed by because people had the same concerns you do right not. Run a Carfax and see what service records you can find. The price could simply be a result of the dealer needing to move it since it's probably sitting on a floor plan right now and incurring interest.

 

You may want to consider running an Autocheck, wholesalers I know perfer this service as it is more reliable than Carfax.

I have a 2008 GS, bought in April. I am very happy with the car, no reliability issues so far.

 

I looked up the service history. The only things that stood out were four wheel alignment last winter, "ale repl comp springs & lash adjusters last winter," and then made a loaner car at some point in early spring. Does not look like 10k-35k maintenance was done, just said that customer requested it. I guess that means either no service was done for 2 years between 5k and 35k, or they just did it at a non lexus dealer.