gilwood

Hi All,

I'm far from being an experienced and lucky buyer of used cars. I want to buy a 2006 IS250 with 80k mi. The dealer has it listed for $15,800. I figure there's some negotiating room built into that price. I probably will start around 14 and hope to get it for the high 14's. It has a clean carfax, but I heard that autocheck is better. Any other suggestions? It's from a lexus dealership, so should I still get it inspected by a mechanic?

... I'm really bad at this...

maniacbob

iTrader: (1)

Ask the dealer for an autocheck too. As long as maintenence history is good, recalls are taken care of, no known issues while driving, then it's a good deal if you can get $14.5k to $15k for it. It wouldn't hurt I get it check by a mechanic also for common problems with the IS250's.

JasonChang

iTrader: (7)

Buy a 350, same price with 100+HP (;

str8hust1a

iTrader: (2)

Get a 350. i dont think this is a good deal.. I got a 06 is350 with 30k miles for $19000. You can do better.

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

Carfax and Autocheck are both almost useless if you ask me. They only show things that are actually reported to them. My brothers Civic has been in accident with repairs that cost more than 1/2 the value of the car, yet Autocheck and Carfax are clean 2 years later still. Definitely get the car checked out by a mechanic and/or body shop to make sure the car is running good and no major body work may have been done.

As far as the price, I think you can get a better deal on another car. I've seen people buying 350's for around that price or a little higher nowadays.

maniacbob

iTrader: (1)

You can find 350's with a little higher mileage around that price, but that will ultimately come down to which car you prefer. But trust me, if you can get it between $14-$15k, you'll have a good deal. You won't find any IS250 at 80k for lower than $14k. BUT If you do, please let me know also. Haha.

vicsis250

The main thing to look for will be service records to make sure most of the expensive service bulletins have been taken care of like the air bag wiring harness that a killer that will cost you well over 3k. Good luck

laobo979

iTrader: (5)

Thing like that won't show up if there was never a issue. Plus service record don't mean anything. How many if any take there car to the dealership for everything? Not me I don't get oil change or routine maintenance there either. I do everything myself. Doesn't mean it's a lemon? No

Gr33nHrn3t

iTrader: (2)

I wouldn't. For that price you can get a IS350 and plus dealer fees aren't included probably. Your best bet is to look for "CLEAN" title cars that have been in minor accidents at auctions(iaai.com or copart.com). Good luck.

shadowman

iTrader: (2)

You also need to do your homework. Dealers will miss certain things and you end up getting shafted in the end.

Bring a mechanic or someone who has some knowledge about cars. Dealers are only interested in the green paper in your wallet... they live to make the sale. Some dealers will withhold information, other dealers are nicer, will stand your side and cut you a deal with the disclosed flaws.

Carfax and other vehicle history sites are not 100% as KillerIS250 stated. But it is a good starting point... Just don't rely completely on it.

T4Fun

saw a is250 with around 20K miles, 2008, going for just over $20. so to me, thats not a good deal

Noeh

iTrader: (3)

$14k would be a good deal:

Phresh2010

iTrader: (3)

id pay no more than 14k otd this

kingz415

is it just me or our cars are depreciating like crazy....

gilwood

I did spreadsheet on this and it seems that its a continuous depreciation of $2k / year.