intermec

I saw 2 98 and 1 99 for sale and trying to pick one up. Your input will be very helpful.

1) 1999 81K miles, $10,000 by owner (all opition with nav expect chrome wheels)
Pro: Low miles, 2 owners, pretty good condition.
Con: need timing belt + water pump around 90K ($2K job?), Gold color, not really into it. Hood support shock need replacement. Steering wheel (the wood part shows sign of wear)

2) 1998 110K miles, $8800 by owner (all option with nav with chrome wheels)
Pro: Like the color, Lexus owners (he is a lexus guy but kind of lazy on the scheduled work)
Con: fog light doesn't work, chrome wheels all started to peel off. Gold logo all around (not my style but easy fix) Hood support shock need replacement as well. Has some body work on driver side door and front bumper

3) 1998 125K miles, $8900 by dealer (all option with nav, with chrome wheels)
Pro: looks clean, chrome wheels look better than the 2nd one
Con: color is green, not sure it's good or bad. checked with Lexus and no more service records after 2005 with 55K miles.

Autocheck all 3 they all came back ok without accidents, 2-3 owners.

here are the picture.
#1 seems ready to go without any work except the big 90K work
#2 may be cheaper to get but overall condition is not as good as #1
#3 is used car dealer lot. not much to go with.

I wonder 3 years from now, how those 3 cars retain the value.

Li Ls4

iTrader: (12)

if the fog light problem is somethin small id deff go with car #2

Schnitz

iTrader: (5)

Did #2 or #3 have the timing belt+ service done?

Thermactor

iTrader: (1)

Hood lifts are $40 and take 5 minutes to install, so it's a non-factor for you.

ck90211

Great dilemma (3 great cars).

Make sure expensive services are done (or accounted into the price). Things like timing belt, water pump, air suspension, tires. Personally I would stay away from factory NAV because a lot of controls go through it, updates are pricey, but is slow compare to current generation of portable GPS. But it does make the center console more complete looking. Would not surprise me if all 3 have not gotten timing belt done, because it's pricey and does not affect daily driving (until it is too late).

I would go with the lowest price one (assuming all 3 have same options, same conditions, same problems), then spend the savings on getting some good services and detailing done. Once serviced/detailed these cars will look/drive just like new.

intermec

#2 has the timing belt done on 2005 (72K miles due to water pump replacement at the same time)
#3 didn't have any history to go with.

Really I think #2 has better color, just the gold logo and additional whool trim inside (a turn off)

the owner is all lexus, he just got a 05 LS430, 06 LX so don't drive #2 much (he has it since 2001). Seems like a rich but lay back guy so he didn't care much about the foglight, rims... probably need a good detail job to bring the car up to good contidion.

I know it cost $350 to fix the hood shocks at dealer but no idea about the foglight (I am sure it is not just a burn out because it came on and off for a few second)

not sure if it is a good idea to pay more to get #1 or to get #2 at cheaper price point as is

somehow the tire show 215/60 I think the correct size is 225/60 for LS,

farquad

#2 has a better colour and you said the timing belt is done.. i'd deff go with that, the foglight issue doesn't seem like much and the hood shocks as well as the gold emblems are not much of a big deal.. the additional wood trim can be taken off as well.. i personally would go with number 2.. forget about the stock chrome rims get some new aftermarket rims

ck90211

Hood struts are about $25 each on Amazon or Autozone. Replacement is easy if you have some basic tools and a 2x4 (to prop the hood up while replacing). Fog light may be a lose connector somewhere, or a faulty switch, or something lose between the fuse box, switch and the light. But since you mentioned previous accident in front bumper it may have caused a short in the fog light but has not be repaired correctly. Sounds like #2 is the one you like the most and you are just seeking reassurance.

Since all 3 are similar, I would buy the color you like the most. Or if you don't care about colors, then buy the one that give you the best discount ($1K+ off for service)?

denverdog

my '93 had factory chriome wheels which started to peel at the inside edge where the rubber hits the rim. guy at discount tire showed me when i got new tires. eventualy started losing air. got worse and worse as it peeled and chipped more. i called several local shops that could rechrome the rims. lowest price i got was about $275 per rim. i went with aluminum 5-spokes that very nearly match the side cladding. those chrome wheels are expensive if you want to keep it original. and they are dull as dishwater.

fog lights should not be much. the hood struts can be done easily and cheaply. wouldn't think of spending money at dealer for those.

i vote for number 2.

Amskeptic

Personally, I would rather do the timing belt and water pump myself on an untouched engine than have to rely on other's prior surgical skills. Do I know if they used genuine replacement parts? Do I know if they did or did not replace all plastic clips correctly? Did they tear the harness wrap? I prefer an untouched car every time.
Colin

slvrboolet

the first pic u posted it looks silver but if it is gold i hate that color so i would pass. I dont like any of the others either i would look for a black, white or silver. But if u could only pic those 2 #2 is the first is actually gold color.

omarg

i would pass on all of em due to the navi. Old, no updates for a while, and expensive screen if it conks out.

vietunit

iTrader: (5)

Glad to see your getting the 98-00's models

I'd have to say the second one since you seem to prefer that color and the emblems are a easy fix.

Definitely don't want to wake up and go "Man I wish it was black or white" everyday.

Good luck on your purchase, lets see some more pics when you buy it!

hypervish

The tire shown in the picture needs replacement. It has a "bubble" on the outer edge which is not good. So keep the factor of buying new tires in play.

intermec

i noticed the bubble on the tires too.
I called Lexus asked for used car inspection. One dealer said $120 and the other said $220. the different is the 1st one only "look, check..." sound very basic. the other one will do a full run down and road test. I am thinking going with the $220 since both #1 and #2 have been served by that dealer.

I am trying to see if I can talk the guy into selling #2 for $7000 +/- and see how it goes. as for #1, I think it worth $9500 private party?
Checked #3 after work, the guy (used car deal) said no service record. I can tell the front bumper has body work, inside is clean, engine sounds nice. but without any service record to go with, it's just many unknown. The last service from Lexus is at 50K miles, 4 years ago. I think i will pass #3 for sure, unless it is $6500 maybe?