thejoker1

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of buying a used 2008 450h. It has 46k miles with ML and Nav. It is being offered at $28k. What do you guys think of this price?

It seems ok to me, not really great and not really bad, but considering that the new GS's are out there, I was hoping to find this car for less. But when I look online it seems that all the cars listed on cars.com are being listed above this price. Has the price of used cars increased this year, it seems like last year people got better deals on 07's?

Also this car is being sold by one of the dealers, but not as part of the dealer inventory. They are selling it private party. Their explanation was that they are selling it for one of their vip customers who wanted to see if they can get more than trade in value for it. Have any of you heard of this before? Supposedly if they can't sell it for more the pre-owned manager would take it in for $27,500 and slap a CPO on it and sell it for higher.... Is there anything that sounds weird about this?

Thanks guys!

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

Why do you want a hybrid for? From what I read the difference in gas saving isn't much and they are dropping in price more then the non-hybrid GS's. My 350 gets very good gas mileage

As far as the dealer, it sounds like they are selling the car as a consignment. Many people do this, and the dealer usually gets a percentage of the sale.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Yes grab it the price is good. The gas mileage is better than a regular GS I can vouch I have gotten 32 MPG on highway and around city I get 24 MPG. Right now I'm getting terrible gas mileage in my new GS. That price sounds good grab it, If its not a Lexus dealer they can not CPO it.

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

not thats not abnormal for a dealer to sell a car on consignment. I doub't the person trading the car in is holding up a deal over $500. But who knows...car is worth 26k and this is what I would offer. (assuming they are NOT certifying the car)

There are a few GSh for sale if you look in the Lexus Classified section you maybe can get a better deal and possibly save on taxes buying private party VS. retail. Even though it's not part of the actual dealer inventory, they technically do not own the car, they are who is selling you the car so you pay all retail taxes, fees, ect. I know in Chicago we pay much less if its private party.

Another thing is low mileage on a Hybrid is not a good thing. Your better to buy one with miles on it.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Also agree with what he said ^

Luke27617

iTrader: (2)

Personally I wouldn't go for it. It is hybrid which has more weight so handling is always worse. Hybrid means more things to go wrong with it and more expensice to repair.

Also the price is just ok. Two weeks ago bought an 08 with 36k fully loaded (minus radar) for $24.3k.

Just my two cents.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

This is the main mistake as to why people get the perception that hybrids are bad. I have had zero problems with my hybrid and some other owners would state the same thing. As once told by my service rep its very rare a hybrid comes in with a battery issue or any problem to do with the hybrid components.

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

have anything to back this up

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

Actually he is correct

gs350 curb weight 3795
gs450H curb weight 4134

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Ok since I have owned this GS the handling has never been poor due to the active suspension (not sway bar) I can say in the snow it holds its ground because of the weight in the trunk. Yes she was a heavy girl but she def. picks up quickly and she handles excellent with the VDIM. I need proven facts that say the GS 450h has poor handling.

Sorry OP for diverting your original post!

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

I wasn't asking if it weighed more...

some need to go drive this car not only have I been in a few I was at the Lexus Ride & Drive event and saw what this car was capable of.

thejoker1

Hey guys, thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments. Everything made sense except for the one comment about "Another thing is low mileage on a Hybrid is not a good thing. Your better to buy one with miles on it." I assume the thought is around perhaps the battery not being charged often or something like that.. What did this mean?

Thanks

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Yes that's exactly what he was saying, basically you can't just let it sit for a couple months, the hybrid battery needs to be driven, that's the only way it will charge its almost like a regular battery if you let it sit overtime the battery will lose its energy. Constant motion is good for he hybrid GS. Congrats and enjoy, I know you will.

yrush

The price for the GS450 is fair depending on what part of the county you live it. I love my GS450H and chose that over getting a GS350. I have no regrets yet. Plus the hybrid system has a 7 year / 100K warranty.