I am looking to purchase a Lexus LS400 preferably a 98-00 model. I have found two that i am interested and trying to get a feel from the forums here.

Car A is a 2000 Lexus LS400 has maintenance records on Lexus.com almost its whole life. It has 157K miles and looks very well kept. The bad news is that its a 6-7 hour drive away and it might have had the engine replaced. It had a maintenance record about engine concern and when i talked to the dealer they said it had to do with the camshaft and it was towed away and fixed elsewhere. They said it more than likely had to have the engine replaced and that was at 108k miles.

The second car, B, is a 98 with 117K miles and very close, going to take a look at it tomorrow. It hasn't been serviced at a Lexus dealership sense it rolled past 60k miles. Both look like really clean cars but who can really tell without looking at them. But with this one not having any service records online its hard to tell.

So what does CL think?

 

Go look at B. Don't get in a big hurry. These cars are around. So don't feel like you MUST go see car A.

Also, a new engine could mean new mounts, but could mean that a guy with a mullet put it in. W/o knowing I wouldn't feel too good about that.

 

That's exactly how i feel about A. The Lexus dealer it is serviced at and now being sold at wasn't even 100% it was rebuilt. Just said that it needed to have been done.

So on B is that a fair price on mileage, im pretty sure timing belt hasn't been done as no service record exists online and doubt this place would have service records from previous owner. It would probably end up being close to 9k with TT&L.

 

have you asked the owner anything about what you have uncovered at the 108k mark? maybe he has records showing what he did? but like mc said, dont rush. my first ls took me 3 months to find the perfect deal for me. my second i found in a week but was really lucky. find the perfect one for you. If your unsure, you can always have a mechanic to a inspection for you for a minimal cost.

 

shady maint history on both, i'd avoid entirely.

def wouldn't touch A, prime example of why you do your timing belt/wp service on TIME.

IF B has the factory HID (and wood/leather if you want that) AND has service history incl. the timing belt (from an independent mechanic is fine provided he used OEM parts) then it's a good buy depending on price.

 

If car A has been serviced by the dealer since whatever happened at 108k then who cares? If it has been driven trouble free for the past ~50k miles then what's the problem?

I'd completely forget about B if they have no records at all since 60k. If they have records from an independant mechanic then I'd give it a look. I say this because none of my vehicles see the stealership once the warranty runs out.

 

my old pappy taught me "when in doubt, DONT"

and he also said "a hint to the wise should be sufficient"

 

Just because there is no Lexus history, the owner may have a file full of service records from an indy. Mine drops off the radar at about 60K, it has had a few stray repairs at Lexus but beyond that, my local guy covers it. I don't keep receipts for oil, brake, tranny and differential fluids which I do myself.

Call the current owner to verify if they have service records during their ownership.