I've been looking for a used GS for a few weeks now, and I've come across a couple '07 GS350's with 140k-150k miles asking $14k-$15k. There's also one with 95k miles asking for just under $16k. I was willing to pay cash on the spot, so I think the price could be bumped down a little. What do you guys think? I have yet to go check them out in person, as they are spread out pretty far from where I live. Also, I don't have any experience purchasing cars, so any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

Edit: The high miles don't really bother me much, but I am assuming these are just as reliable as the old 1998 ES300, which was my previous car. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

Well you have to make sure that all maintenance is up to date. Check the car fax for any wrecks but even then sometimes they don't show on the report. Check all panels for vin plates, check for leaks. Drive the car and see how the transmission shifts. If you have a friend that has knowledge on cars then take him to look at the cars. Good luck on your purchase.

 

Once you have done your own inspection and what jdmek says take it to a mechanic, preferably a lexus specialist who can do a full inspection, including a scan of all the body computers and of course a scan of the main computers. The body computer scan requires a special scanner from snap on or from lexus. It will see if there are any error codes, there are something like 19 computers in the car. For your own inspection to weed out the bad ones make a checklist so you don't miss anything, push every single button, look underneath for oil leaks, drive over bumps for rattles, take it in highway for wind noise, aligment. Check for free play in steering, look at coolant is it red?, look at air filter is it clean?, pull oil dip stick, is it clean?, is brake fluid clean? This will give indication of how it was maintained. Check Vin on my lexus. Also assume you will need 2k after you get car to get everything kosher. Look at tires and keep in mind that if tires are allmost new vs worn that will save you 900 dollars, if worn use that to lower price. Use anything mechanic finds to lower price . Be ready to walk away if anything major is wt
wrong, use your head not your heart. When you are going to buy it make sure title has no problems, if possible go to title office and do the title there and pay him there to insure everything is ok for title.

 

Drive over bumps for rattles. You can just look at the dash cross-eyed for rattles. Since nearly every GS owner has had the rattliest experience in a Lexus since, well, the dawn of Lexus, I wouldn't let that necessarily deter you from purchase. When you are checking history, you could try to find out if the car(s) have ever been in for the dash retrofit. Some people here swear it cured the problem. I had mine in twice, and it did absolutely nothing to stop the constant ticking/creaking. Temperature did not matter in my case, but if you can drive the car in cold weather, that may reveal more rattles than if it's hot.

 

If they didnt take care of the recalls, you probably have some room for negotiation

 

I mean suspension noises.