Considering to buy an IS300 for DD
04-10-16, 10:49 AM
#2
Personally, I would avoid a 2001 just because it had quirky interior parts (no arm rest for one) and in general you want to avoid the first year of a new series. IMO. But a clean car with a good service history trumps this.
This engine is rock solid and I used my IS300 as a DD, however, do set some money aside for repairs. I think I spent about $1000 a year on maintenance. Probably more some years.
Repair and maintenance history are very key. You dont want an is300 without a good service record. REgular oil changes are very important for this car. You want to make sure the timing belt has been replaced regularly. If its due for one, negotiate on the price some
The IS300 never left me hanging, but I was also able to pay for repairs when they came up. If you can DIY, you can save quite a bit.
This engine is rock solid and I used my IS300 as a DD, however, do set some money aside for repairs. I think I spent about $1000 a year on maintenance. Probably more some years.
Repair and maintenance history are very key. You dont want an is300 without a good service record. REgular oil changes are very important for this car. You want to make sure the timing belt has been replaced regularly. If its due for one, negotiate on the price some
The IS300 never left me hanging, but I was also able to pay for repairs when they came up. If you can DIY, you can save quite a bit.
Last edited by jaredmac11; 04-10-16 at 10:57 AM.
04-11-16, 05:41 AM
#5
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Personally, I would avoid a 2001 just because it had quirky interior parts (no arm rest for one) and in general you want to avoid the first year of a new series. IMO. But a clean car with a good service history trumps this.
This engine is rock solid and I used my IS300 as a DD, however, do set some money aside for repairs. I think I spent about $1000 a year on maintenance. Probably more some years.
Repair and maintenance history are very key. You dont want an is300 without a good service record. REgular oil changes are very important for this car. You want to make sure the timing belt has been replaced regularly. If its due for one, negotiate on the price some
The IS300 never left me hanging, but I was also able to pay for repairs when they came up. If you can DIY, you can save quite a bit.
This engine is rock solid and I used my IS300 as a DD, however, do set some money aside for repairs. I think I spent about $1000 a year on maintenance. Probably more some years.
Repair and maintenance history are very key. You dont want an is300 without a good service record. REgular oil changes are very important for this car. You want to make sure the timing belt has been replaced regularly. If its due for one, negotiate on the price some
The IS300 never left me hanging, but I was also able to pay for repairs when they came up. If you can DIY, you can save quite a bit.
04-12-16, 07:28 PM
#6
Driver School Candidate
Sign up, enter the vin as your car, then you can check the service history and check out how the previous owner treated it. You will only see services from lexus dealerships only.
Good luck with your purchase!
04-14-16, 08:45 AM
#7
I had 2003, 115k miles. I did the timing belt at 105k miles.
At 93k miles, you can almost bet that it does NOT have the timing belt done. Get the laundry list of items that needed to be replaced, and ask for about $500 off for the timing belt service. If you do it at a shop (not the dealer) you can expect about $600-800 on the timing belt kit job.
Also, get it looked at by a mechanic. Every car you are strongly considering buying should be looked at by a professional. It will only be $100 out of pocket and you will almost guaranteed get that money back, if not more, by negotiating the price. Nobody is going to hear you ask for $500 off just because, but if a mechanic is saying you have $1000 of repairs that are needed, they may actually hear you.
At 93k miles, you can almost bet that it does NOT have the timing belt done. Get the laundry list of items that needed to be replaced, and ask for about $500 off for the timing belt service. If you do it at a shop (not the dealer) you can expect about $600-800 on the timing belt kit job.
Also, get it looked at by a mechanic. Every car you are strongly considering buying should be looked at by a professional. It will only be $100 out of pocket and you will almost guaranteed get that money back, if not more, by negotiating the price. Nobody is going to hear you ask for $500 off just because, but if a mechanic is saying you have $1000 of repairs that are needed, they may actually hear you.
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04-27-16, 11:08 AM
#8
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06-03-16, 08:24 AM
#10
Driver School Candidate
-A/c pump is a little noisy, but works great
-Car makes a strange high pitched whine when its cold. Comes from the transmission, but hasn't given me any issues. Likely a seal shrinking in the cold or something. Never does it in warmer weather.
-Rumbling from the drive-train when turning. I've been told this is the differential asking for a fluid change, probably related to the diff clutch gripping a little two much.
-Radiators plastic end caps deteriorate at around 140k and will need to be replaced, I got a cheap "OEM Equivalent" one from Amazon for 100 bucks and it's rock solid 30k miles later.
-Battery Replacement
-FINALLY had an actual engine related issue at 170,011 miles
Multiple misfires on 1, 2, 3, and 5. Ended up being the spark plugs and the cylinder 5 and 2 coil (share the same coil). -Engine/Engine bay harness connectors get REALLY brittle. Like nothing I've ever seen before. Something about Toyota plastic/trapped heat, because my 86 Turbo Regal never had connector brittleness. Be very tender with your connectors, especially your coil connectors.
If the car you're interested in is at a dealership, have them do the t-belt job or reduce the price. It would be pretty obvious if it has been done just by removing the top front cover and looking at the belt. Look for separation from the teeth and the belt itself. Most dealerships would auction a car off before doing a t-belt job, just because it would eat into their profit. Twist their arm a little. Get a quote from Lexus on the t-belt replacement then subtract that from their asking price (even if you plan on doing the job yourself).
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