Hi everyone,
GREAT site! This is my first time posting.
Tomorrow I am going to look at a 97 LS 400 Coach w/85,000 miles. Suppose to be in great shape inside and out. They are asking 8500. I'm certain they will take in the high 7's or 8,000 for it. Is that a reasonable price for it? It has NOT had the water pump, timing belt done yet.
Thanks everyone!!

 

I forgot to mention that I did use KBB and Edmunds to price it out....but I wanted your opinion on this.
TKs

 

Try to get it down as much as you can, ket them know that the timing belt and etc is real costly. Sounds like a great deal if you can get it down to $7 - $7.5k. Good Luck!

 

So ... the timing belt is six years past its scheduled replacement (90,000 miles or 6 years) -- that's a $1,000+ operations. 85,000 miles is about the mileage the front strut bar bushings fail -- that's when the ones on my 00 LS were replaced.

$8,500 is well into 98-00 LS territory. Think about it. Wouldn't you like factory HID headlights, Vehicle Stability Control, a 5-speed transmission, side air bags, a butt-load more power and lots of other stuff? Take a look: http://www.lexls.com/info/lsgenerations.html

 

That car's probably worth about $6k and will need a lot of maintenance to bring it up do date, as Kansas pointed out.

 

5500-6k tops.

 

I looked for a long time to get an LS in the color combo that I wanted that was in great shape. I just bought my 96 which had 95K and needed a timing belt service and the strut bars. I paid $6300 and was more than satisfied with that deal. I had the timing belt done and did the strut bars myself. The car is fantastic, and even if you get yours at 8K, that is below blue book. In the end, it is what you are satisfied with. I look at it this way, even for 7K-8K you are 2000-2002 civic/camry territory and there is NO comparison.

 

the maintenance will mostdef set you back $2,000

You have to consider all of the little things that will drastically add up fast.

If you got it for 7 then yea sure

 

Thanks EVERYONE!
I'm going to take a look at it. No harm in that, unless I fall in love with it. No, I know better than that. It was garage kept, all services except the timing belt and water pump (why not the big one?). I know it's not due for 5 k but that will fly by fast.
Really, after reading the posts, it makes you feel good you belong to a site with this type of talent!
I have one big thing going for me, I live not too far away from Manheim Auto Auction here in PA.....I'm certain I could pay someone a few hundred to pick me one up.
Your thoughts on that idea?
Thanks again!!!

 

It appears that you didn't understand. The timing belt should have been replaced almost six years ago and it should be due for a second replacement this year. The car is nearly 12 years old and the timing belt is supposed to be replaced at least every six years.

Oh, I agree with PD ... "5500-6k tops". These days, the figures from KBB and Edmunds are fantasy.

 

While I do agree that 8500 is optimistic for a '97 and that you could get a nice UCF21 for that amount, I think that's a bit of a harsh assessment of the timing belt situation.

When I bought my '98 (82k miles, was 81k at the time) I knew it was due for a tbelt. Apparently at least some Lexus dealers aren't recommending replacement until 90k and don't really seem to be worrying about the time period - this from two different Lexus dealers, not the seller.

I'm planning to change mine this summer (not nearly so expensive if you can DIY - and I've done a timing belt before) but not stressing about it in the meantime.

BTW check the Carfax - I'm not affiliated with them but I can tell you that my $35 subscription saved me from looking at some real losers. Salvage titles, wrong mileage readings... even an ex-rental (who rents out LS400s?).

 

Well, I didn't go look at it after seeing what 8500 will buy. My next stop is the auction block. Wish me luck.
Tks guys.

 

Good thing you didn't cause you would have fell in love