ala1413

Im thinking about buying a 98 ls400 platinum series from a local small dealer, it has 141k. And there only asking $6500.It looks fairly clean from the pictures and the carfax says its clean except for i do see a maaco "Supreme paint service performed ".

1. Is this a fair or too much or under-priced and should be wary?
2. Is 141k going to give me any problems, I need a solid car that's not going to kill me in maintenance costs.
3. What should I check for before buying? Checklist?

any other advice would help.. Thanks!

jughead

I have a 97 LS 400 with 260,000. I have had very little problems with the car. I change the oil every 5000 miles and I had to change the a belt that cost me about 2700. That is all I have put into the vehicle for the last 125000 miles. They are great cars and should last a while. Good luck.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

You need to be able to determine if the regular maintenance has been done on schedule. Then the usual to determine if there is any crash damage by looking at the panel serial numbers and signs of body work.

Jasbmo

If this small dealer is pushing a 1998 LS400 Platinum Series, I'd be circumspect about other gimmicks. The Platinum Series was only for the 2000 MY.

0x21

iTrader: (17)

my daily driver 98 has 260k + and runs flawlessly. so i dont think the reliability should be a big concern as long as it was well maintained

winner155

You do want to check if the timing belt and water pump have been done. I think, not sure, this is an interference engine and if it is, the belt needs to be changed every 90-100k miles. If it is not interference, you can drive the car until the timing belt goes-only thing bad that will happen is the car will stop. I had an 89 LS 400 that was non interference and I put over 250m miles on it without changing the timing belt. A paint job usually means damage. I have owned two LS 400 and they have been very reliable but when parts go, they are expensive to replace. My current ride has 267m miles on it and I have only had to replace the starter-expensive-which requires pulling the left side of the motor off to get at it. I will always own one of these cars as I commute 160 miles per day and the comfort. reliability and quietness is worth it. I have only bought used ones. Check KBB for fair pricing.

randal

I would find out what the Maaco paint service entailed but from the sounds of it, I would walk away. If it had a complete Maaco repaint, it is worth 1/2 of what they are asking. Maaco is about the worst paint job you can find...even with the "supreme" job.

UR2slow88

iTrader: (1)

i seen that car on autotrader and looked at the vin on lexus.com the car had right rear door damage so that's what maaco probably fixed, but it also showed all the maintenance records on it too including the timing belt package.

JohnyUtah

Hey here's a 2000 LS. 94K Timing Belt has been done.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

ala1413

Thanks guys! I Swung by to take a look major damage to the pass. fender horrible job on the body and paint work. The search continues, trying to just find something local in ca that i can finance I have about 2k to put down and unfortunate bad credit do due some bad real estate deals

sethjon

Try to find out precisely when the timing belt was replaced. If you can't find out you have the worry of was it done at 90K or if you are lucky maybe it was done aT about 120K. Thats the MOST important thing about buying a car with that mileage. Otherwise you should plenty of good use from it.

sethjon

Earl Scheib is the worst.

randal

Ok. I will give you that one. However, they (Earl) went out of business in July 2010.