Advice Needed: Purchasing an IS250
 

Hi all,

I am looking to purchase a 2006 Lexus IS250 (silver) with 140,000 miles, and I was wondering if you all can give me some advice or suggestion before making the decision.

This was a single owner car and the person had the Lexus serviced at the Lexus dealership in Texas every single time since 2006 according to Lexus recommendation. There was an accident back in 2011 where it was involved right rear impact with another car (minor cosmetic damage was reported) according to carfax. Other than normal wear and tear, everything seems to be good.

Looking at the service history (from secure.drivers.lexus.com), the major things I saw are these:

121203 MILES DATE: 07/17/2015
SERVICE: ELF-REPL FUEL PRESSURE GASKE T-IS250,IS350,GS300,350,450H
DESCRIPTION: ELF-REPL FUEL PRESSURE GASKE T-IS250,IS350,GS300,350,450H ~ ~SAFETY RECALL ELF - REMEDY NOTICE - VARIOUS MODELS - POTENTIAL FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR LEAK. ~ ~ELF ~ ~121201 PERFORMED ELF RECALL.

103268 MILES DATE: 09/06/2013
SERVICE: SEE DEALER LETTER FOR DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION: SEE DEALER LETTER FOR DESCRIPTION ~ ~C/S: VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY RUNS ROUGH/SHAKES AT A STOP CSP/ZLA ~ ~P0300,P0301,P0305 POOR RING TENSION ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK PAST CAUSING XS CARBON ON VALVES AND VALVES NOT TO SEAT PROPERLY PER CSP/ZLA REVISE ~ ~103255 TAS CASE#132240503 R&R PISTON AND RING SET WITH UPDATED PARTS,REPLACED VALVE STEM SEALS,VALVE SPRINGS AND VALVE LASH ADJUSTERS, DECARBONIZE CYLINDER HEADS, VALVES, AND CYLINDER BORES PER CSP/ZLA

I saw from the history that tires and brake pads were not replaced as often as suggested in the Lexus notes. I would assume they took it to the tire stores or other places to get them???

Anyway, the dealer is willing to sell the car to me for $5300.

What do you guys think? My main concerns are the carbon build up. The problem will come back even they replaced some components. I hope to drive the car till 200k++.

Thanks,

Forgot to add: The rpm speedometer needle went out (won't be replaced), the instrument panel was bad (no A/C) but will be replaced by the dealer, and the battery was low (will be replaced by the dealer)

I'd say learn about walnut blasting, and see if anyone offers it

waterpump been changed? Drive belt? tensioner pulley etc? Tranny drained?

To ask if it'll get you to 200k is a toss up question. I know people who treat their cars like crap and they wont die and I know garage queens that break like no other

Dude!

sounds like a steal IMO. Did you check to make sure there isn't any flood damage or anything like that?(should show up in the car fax report). When i got my 250 AWDit had 143K miles on it. I've kept up with the maintenance and replaced a handful of things, but nothing super major? It's currently about to break 182K and I have faith that i'll make it to 250K and maybe(hopefully) beyond that.

With the price point it's sitting at, you could most likely fix any minor issues it appears to have and still come out with a pretty good deal.

Look into the carbon build up and maybe after purchasing it, get it walnut blasted to clean things up before you really make it your own. -and fix the other problems you saw in the lexus report :-)

Just my .02¢

Id say No to the purchase. Too many issues and more to come as it has years of wear n tear. Save an xtra grand and put 5 g total down on down payment. making monthly payments 286.00 for a 2010 Lexus IS250. Trust me. Older cars have more repair cost. Think that out. ^^

So you suggestion is to have a car payment now? as well as being out of warranty for repairs?

Pretty good deal for 5 grand, I'd say

Hi all,
Thanks for the responses.
@MikeyK02 I saw spark plugs were done on 2013 at 103255 MILES on DATE: 09/07/2013.
I saw this

116468 MILES DATE: 02/02/2015
SERVICE: PERFORM FUEL INJECTION SERVICE AND CLEAN THROTTLE BODY
DESCRIPTION: PERFORM FUEL INJECTION SERVICE AND CLEAN THROTTLE BODY ~ ~PERFORM FUEL INJECTION SERVICE AND CLEAN THROTTLE BODY ~ ~ ~ ~116467 COMPLETE

Other than that, I don't think anything else you asked has been done.

@kmills250, I saw the carfax and there weren't anything like that. It was in Texas (a particular state) during all of its lifetime (single dealership). I am not really a car person, and I will more than likely take it to a dealership or local shop for services.

I can send you guys the carfax and service records if you pm me or interested in seeing them.

Lets be real its on 06'. atleast up it year or 2 good lord. for 5k get something reliable. cause ur money defiantly not going to Mods. if ur only spending 5k in this market

I bought an 06 for 4.5k w/160k. She's been a great daily. The thing I'd recommend is have the money aside to do your work. I had walnut blast, sparks, belts, pulleys, waterpump changed for about 1200 bucks. The benefit of that is knowing it's been done, and that's all I've had to spend on a great DD with no worried of her.

Just DONT take it to the dealer for that work unless you ABSOLUTELY have to. Find a good local shop and tell them what you want done and ask for a quote. If it sounds reasonable and in your price range, get the car and get it fixed up and on the road. And also~ in regards to someone else suggesting something 2 years newer, an 08 isn't really "better" in my mind if you end up dropping 3-4K over what you would now.

Looks like they put new pistons in and basically refreshed the engine. If you run premium fuel and change the oil every 5k with synthetic, you probably won't have another carbon issue going forward.

Advice on buying an is250? Don't.