Hello CL, I'm hoping to be an owner soon and live in L.A.. I'm looking into used GS350s at the moment and there are barely any for sale on AT, CL, etc. that are private party. My question is what should I look into prior to purchase? I am well aware of the recalls, and I check the VIN via Lexus for maintenance. The prices seem to vary and I'm curious as to possible price drops since the 4G body is out pretty much. Any way any input for a newbie regarding the car will be appreciated, thanks guys, and great forum!

 

Rattle/squeaks on the dash, sunroof and doors. If you hear any, be ready to make sure you can live with them. Or you may be lucky and find a perfect 3GS. Anyways, good luck

 

Ah, yes I forgot to note those as well, another common problem I know, thanks TC.

 

Good luck finding a decent GS in LA. I had to fly to Arizona to buy my white GS430.

 

Yea, it is a pain :/ If you don't mind me asking, how much did you get your car for? Mileage? Options?

 

Any other input guys?

 

I don't know why, but GS350 used are a little hard to come by right now...I was going to link you to the used car dealership that I used 4 years ago, but even they are out of them right now.

GS350s are good. You can get a low mileage 2007 for under 30k by now I believe. Just wait for it. In getting the used car you want, it'll be a waiting game. Kind of like going fishing

Other than car fax and service records, also have a competent mechanic friend look for signs of collision damage....

One thing I warn of is people who get duped by the Lexus dealership's "Certified" used cars - its marketing hype. All they do is a simple inspection and add a extended warranty. Quite a few stories of people buying "Certified" used cars only to find later that they had hidden collision damage or that their "exhaustive" multi-point inspection wasn't all that thorough....so what I was aiming to say is that you shouldn't trust the Lexus dealership anymore than anyone else...maybe less so.

If you get service done, Westminster Lexus is best, but the area looks slightly run down. Do not trust Newport Beach Lexus or Tustin Lexus any more than you can throw a Lexus. That's been my experience with the dealerships close to LA.

 

Go to Autotrader website.....type in your requested details of the GS you are looking for.....that's how I bought mine 1 yr ago.....a 2008 with 10K miles in mint condition

 

Yea it has been a waiting game, but I know I will find one soon.

I go through the service, and run a car history report, and I intend to pay and have the potential car be inspected by a legitimate mechanic. I have experience around a body shop and know what to look for as far as repainted bumpers and or panels and such.

I don't trust dealers regardless of their claims, I've seen how dealer pre-owned cars can be since I have a buddy who got an car that was "clean" only for me and another friend to see the bad spray job on the door, and it would shut odd.

thank you for your input, I wasn't aware Westminster was preferred, and specific reason you like them?

 

I guess I got lucky!

With a kid on the way, I needed to get rid of my 350Z, and needed something to make up for a small amount of negative equity. If you look hard enough, you can find these beauties at a great deal with gas prices starting to soar again. I did...and couldnt be happier.

 

ehh.. just last month i bought my GS450h from Santa Monica... and i live in Vegas...

for the year of the GS i really cna't say i got a good deal, but as to me i think i got it for a good deal since its a CPO low milages and the color i been hoping for

 

Thats good PJ, and Brabus, as long as you enjoy it and it is what you wanted, that is all that matters.

 

Just my own personal experience.

Service was completely utterly honest with me. If I needed something done that was covered with warranty, they did it. No hassles. No problems. No pressure to do anything extra. I walk out every time feeling good about taking it to them....

This is opposed to Longo Lexus and Newport Beach Lexus -

NBL: snobby a-holes. Tossed a paper with warranty issues in the trash and when I needed to talk to corporate about a warranty issue, they refused to let me use their unused land line phones....for an 800 number. To Corporate. I gave them 3 different chances, and every time walked out wanting to punch those a-holes. Back when I was still searching for a car, salesman there actually flat out lied to me about where the car had been. Simple carfax report informed me of their lies.

Longo Lexus: Made it seem like they were doing ME a favor to service my car. Got minor damage - leather seats were marred up from technicians keys and I have doubts as to whether they even did the proper checks that I was paying them to do. They repaired the damage they caused, but I'm still angry with them to this day.

Other people I've spoken to have had similar experiences as me.

The only problem ALL Lexus Dealership service garages have is their outrageous prices. Close to $200 for a full synthetic oil change, when you can get it done at your local mechanic shop for $50. They want $12 for a Denso oil filter that you can pick up for $3.99 a block away at the Toyota Dealership......

And they convinced the Toyota Dealerships to rig their prices as well so that the Toyota Dealership charges the same price to work on the Lexus as the Lexus Dealership....simply because of the badges. Seriously - I tried it out.

 

That is ****ty service, I don't blame you. At least you found the dealer you like. I plan on doing minor things to the car on my own, I as well as a few friends are capable of doing so on our own cars, for major things, there's a few mechanics I trust. I just can't stand dealerships and the salesmen, they all **** me off honestly. That is why I want to go the private party route.

 

In owning a car, having a knowledgeable and trusted mechanic or knowing enough skills yourself is 1/2 the battle.

My friend Frank took his own Lexus ES to Lexus of Cerritos for a simple job and oil change.

As he was driving home, his oil gauge came on and he pulled over and checked his dip stick: empty. They drained the oil and didn't put in new oil.

Not sure what sorts of damage that caused him, but that level of incompetence is unmatched. The dealership mechanics aren't any better than any other mechanics, but I'll be taking mine to Westerminster Lexus dealership just so it'll be easy to sue them and get paid if they mess up.