Hey everyone, I'm new here. I wanted to get you guys' opinion on this possible purchase that might happen in two days (Monday).

It's a 2007 GX470 with 95,500. 2 Owners. Two accidents, both fixed. Factory installed DVD headrests. Sage Green color. Fair tread life on four tires. No dash lights on. Final negotiated price $11,000.

Carfax: https://www.carfax.com/api/consumers...75ed15fd86cc82

Current owner bought it from a dealer, he only used it 5 months. He stated that he is selling because he's looking to buy a newer Lexus. I took it out for a TD and it drove fine, except that we concluded that it can use new rotors up front due to light thud sounds when braking moderately.

I checked underneath and had minor rust. There are no cracks in the interior dash. The driver's seat has normal wear, but no tears. The timing belt and water pump will need to be changed, as well as the rotors with brake assembly mentioned above. I called a local mechanic, he will do the labor for $600 for TB/WP and rotors. Total price with parts comes $950.

One issue that bothered me during the test drive was that the underpart of the sunroof has rust build up about 4 inches total in length. It's moderate in build up, that it has started to eat away into the sunroof frame. I mentioned this to the owner, but he stated he never noticed it and denied any leaks. Is this something that should turn me away from the purchase? Is it a PITA or something can be fixed?

Two of the four wheels are starting to peel, some flakes noted. All in all, the ride felt good, comfortable, not bouncy unless i switched the air suspension to comfort mode.
Should I make this purchase? I appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

 

Any rust would scare me away, unless you can have it for $8-9000.

 

I can tolerate some surface rust underneath. But not any in the sunroof area. It's sure to spread and you'll get leaks.
Fixing it will be expensive - you have to remove quite a bit of the interior to get the headliner out. And if you crease the headliner during removal or installation - it's no longer available through the Lexus parts system (and was over $1200 when it was..)

I would pass on this vehicle.

Chip H.

 

The rust is on the glass frame only. I was thinking of sanding it down and giving it the POR-15 treatment. Thoughts on that?

 

If you don't use the sunroof this shouldn't become too big a problem

The price seems worth the risk and the shop rates you got look good too.

Do you know how bad the accidents were?

 

From what I can tell, all the lines on the car looked tight. I could not tell there was any accident - bringing me to conclude that it was fixed by a good repair shop. The second accident was actually just a fender bender because it was never fixed and still has a couple of scratches and a cracked rear reflector.

 

needs a timing belt soon?

 

I calculated that into my cost. For a timing belt, water pump, and front two rotors with brake assembly will cost me $950 according to the quote I got. That includes parts and labor, of course.

 

I would be concerned. I would pass because of the 2 accidents. I would pass because of the "rust" even slight, it can cause issues. IF the GX was sold in a "rust area" I would pass as well.
That being said, do what you feel comfortable doing.

I know it is getting more difficult to find clean GX's. We just purchased a second GX for our place in AZ. It was much harder to find what we found a couple years ago. Not nearly as easy and had to pay several thousand more this time.

 

thudding sound while braking? That sounds like worn suspension, not brakes.

 

I live in NJ and rust is common.

 

Thanks for your inputs so far guys.

It appears that I should skip this car. I did schedule a local mechanic to do a pre-purchase inspection on it.

 

Oh, got it. Good luck in finding something.

 

Might be better to pass, prior to a PPI? FYI, My wife and I looked for about 6 months on our first one. 2004, 1 owner, dealer serviced, SO CA only 72,000 miles.
Bought from the Lexus Dealer for 12,3xx.xx out the door.
Second unit was MUCH harder to find. 2005 GX470 78,xxx miles, one owner all dealer serviced, 15,8xx.xx out the door.
To be honest, the second purchase was probably because we purchased a 2020 RX350 for my wife.
They might have brought the 2005 to the dealer for us.

Both purchased from a Lexus Dealer in So CA.

 

Or the driveshaft clunk. There is a TSB for it, and a redesigned part. Cost will be in the $700-800 range.

Chip H.