Hello there. First off, I hope I have this in the right area, my apologies if not. I just don't know which generation area I should be posting this in, so I jumped in the middle! Please let me know if I should move this elsewhere.

I am looking at purchasing a 2007 Lexus IS250 AWD from a local dealer. It has just about 48,000 miles and is fully loaded with all the factory options. Dealer is asking $21,795 for it. Here is a link to the advert:

http://www.uptownmotorcars.com/vehic...-wi-id-5027226

I took it for a test drive the other day but am likely going back soon for another one. I am curious if anyone can tell me what sort of things I should really look for on the drive. The only thing that has let me down so far is the brakes, but I reckon they just need some new pads. Aside from that, just about everything about the car seems like it is in really good shape. The interior is flawless, and the body paint is clean as a whistle. One thing I worry about is that there appears to be some paint starting to bubble up on the rims...is this common? Will it get worse if unattended?

Another issue, and maybe it's not really an issue, is that the seat cooler, at least on the driver's side, didn't seem to be working. I had it on full blast but didn't really notice any sort of cooling sensation. Are these coolers just powerful enough for preventing SWASS, or should it be more noticeable? I wonder how much something like that might be to fix if it is indeed a problem.

Last but not least, when I opened the hood with the engine running, it seemed to make a slight ticking noise. I took a (very) brief video of it with my cell phone. Is this how these normally sound, or is this some point of concern? Here is a link to the video on youtube:


I really appreciate any input/advice anyone can give me. I am very close to pulling the trigger on this thing, but I am still a little reserved about buying another used car without getting some more details about it. Thanks!!

 

Ticking is normal on all the ISx50 it's cause of the direct injection. You can ask them for the service record to make sure all recall are done on it. As for the cooling seat it just a small fan bowling. It's not going to be ice cold. But you can compare it to the driver side to see if it working rite. As for the rims common problem since there poorly coated from factory so the winter takes a beating on them. Have them respray it if you buy it. But do go lower on that price. It look like just a premium package not fully loaded at that. I don't see memory seat so knock that price down.

 

Thanks for the info laobo. Good to know that the ticking is normal. I tried to get them to come down on the price the first time I looked at it but they weren't willing to budge. I am planning to take it for another drive on Monday and will fire back with some of the discrepancies to see if they will make a deal with me. Problem is I need a new car like stat...the engine in my infiniti is about to fall out due to a dangerously rusted out radiator support that also serves as an engine cross-member mount. I may just have to bite the bullet but hopefully they can haggle with me a bit. Fingers crossed!!

 

for a 2007, $21.7k seems a bit steep. Does have kid of low mileage so I can see why but your buying it from a dealer. I just got my 06 with 70k for just upwards of $14k. Bought it private party tho. It seems to just be just base with Nav. I know dealers need their profit. I would offer them 21 OTD (out the door) or maybe even 22 OTD which brings it down to like 18-19 for car with tax and all that service charge bs

 

The price is steep, you should offer like 17-18 as the person above stated.
I bought my fully loaded 06 with 43k miles for 20, this was 8 months ago

 

I had an 06iS250 AWD with 110K miles and my engine didn't tick that loud...i took a vid let me see if i can find it, i mean it was ticking, but the one posted above sounds like a diesel engine or tractor trailer...

Price seem a bit high for a 250...try to find private party, it's much cheaper...dealer gotta tack on that processing fee too, i looked at the books, likely they traded that car in for 16-17k.

 

I got my 08 IS250 AWD with 56000 kms (34800 mi) for about 21k before taxes. It has the Luxury package, but no Nav and no ML. They threw in two free oil changes and I had them detail the car and throw in a set of winter mats as well.

Luxury package adds things like the automated rear sunshade, driver and passenger memory seats, heated and ventilated seats, and I think HID lights and headlight washers.

 

well...point = moot. Appears they sold it over the weekend. So the hunt continues!

I appreciate all the helpful advice everyone posted. I am still going to be looking for another IS, but my door is now back open to other vehicles as well. Thanks.