gringocl

Been lurking around the forum a bit and researching the ls400. Started to look a couple of months ago on the local craigslist and what not. Originally was thinking of getting a GS300 but drove one and wasn't too impressed. So the other day, I found a 95 LS400 with 58k on the clock and decided to check it out. Absolutely loved it. Its immaculate, inside and out. How ever my question is how many of the wear parts or consumables are still going to need to be replaced here shortly, seeing that the car is still 15 years old... I know the engine will last for ever, but many items still wear out of pure age and not mileage. Will the extra $3k in price pay for its self in less maintenance these first couple of years. Seeing that its also $3k over our budget, I just want to make sure I can justify it. Thanks

willhickey

iTrader: (1)

YES I THINK SO just check the timing belt for wear and if it isnt buy it !!!!!!!!!! how much is it? and is it mint? good luck

Thermactor

iTrader: (1)

....

No.

Don't go over your budget. At the end of a day, it's a fifteen year old car. There are enough expensive things that go wrong with age to make you go way, way, way over your budget.

nuron

Can you describe the GS300? I assume it was a first gen. The ride wasn't smooth, too much road noise, etc...

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Basically the car is due for its first major service 60K interval but due to age, throw in the timing belt service as well. All fluids, brake check, water pump, pulleys, idlers, fuel filter, TB, and that also includes plug, caps, rotors and wires. There is a whole list which can be found with all the details. If the car is already $3K over your budget and with service, you'll hit an additional $2K+ with a good independent mechanic.

If you plan on holding the car long term, you may work out but otherwise, I'd pass unless they drop the price more. What do they have it at?

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

PLEASE dont buy mileage..... on ANY Lexus. find one with 250K or more that is in your budget..(IF YOU HAVE TO).. it will probably be better cared for than a 15 year old with super low miles.
THAT is ALL they are selling....
STAY
IN
YOUR
BUDGET!!!

gringocl

Thanks for all the replies. We have got them to lower it to $8.5, but add tax, license, and all that happy horse#@$ and its $9.5. I all ready planned on spending a fair amount on parts, I do my own work, if I did buy one, that's the way it goes when you get something of this age. I just was hoping that with such low mileage I could deffer some of the major stuff for a little while and not do it immediately.

It does seem to be cared for, elderly owned and really clean, you can tell by the engine bay it was garaged. I saw and test drove it before the dealer put it through there safety inspection and detail shop, so it wasn't overly clean which throws up red flags for me... and its not a fly by night little dealer. They had just taken it in on trade. Still have to call the local dealer and see if has been serviced there and what has been done.

There is also a '98 coach edition with 187k for $4800 locally. Haven't looked at it but seems nice in the photos. Maybe that would be a better purchase.

Thanks guys for all your quick replies, I am really having a hard time pulling the trigger on this, maybe that's a sign as well.

Nuron: Yes the GS300 was a first edition '93. There was a lot of road noise but didn't really care for the feel sitting in it and also the headroom was really cramped. I'm not tall but my head was too close to the roof....

steve2006

The price seems way OTT for, as others have said, a 15 year old car.
What you need to consider is why the previous owners sold the car, was it perhaps because it now needs $$$$ spending on it as it comes up to 60K miles.
Keep looking there are many good examples out there for a lot less money, a full service history means a lot more than low mileage.
In the UK 1995 LS400's are averaging around the $4000-6000 mark with full service history and this is at dealer prices.
As Billy said keep to your budget, take your time finding the right car with service history, don't worry about high mileage as long as it has the history regarding servicing.
Some LS engines have covered 500,000 miles!

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

AFAIK there's no such thing as a '98 "coach" edition.....

7schulz

My 95 has 10 pages of maintenance work when I sign into Lexus.com 11/94-12/09 1000 miles to 150K miles when I bought it and paid $3300 and this thing hauls a$$ when I hit the kick down point and it down shifts when I go to pass someone.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

$9.5K and with the additional service, you can look at the '98+ years instead.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

There is also a '98 with 187k for $4800 locally.

take a look....

gringocl

going to keep looking.... found some service records and just seems strange. Last time it was in the dealership was '97 for its 30k service, lol. 30k in two years then 28k in 13 years. It is way over priced for what it is. Thanks for your timely advice.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

a simple carfax showing the registration renewals would confirm the mileage if thats what you were worried about...

gringocl

Exactly the on the Carfax there are only three registration renewals. one at 15 miles in '95 and one at unknown mileage in '07 and another in '08 also with no mileage. The local dealer service records that I got showed the last time in '97 doing the 30k service. and then it looks like the car sat for a long time. Unless you only have to register your car in NM every 12 years. It just looks like it sat for a long time.