Would you buy it?
03-30-12, 10:09 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Would you buy it?
A beautiful 99 ls400 just came up for sale in my area. 105,000 miles, straight, everything works, EXCEPT- the trac/abs light is on, needs a lifter adjustment, and timing belt has not been done. Car was purchased at an auction. Asking price is 4950. Blue book is 9-11,000. Worth it or not?
03-30-12, 01:00 PM
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
03-30-12, 01:03 PM
#6
Lifter adjustment? Sounds like problems to me. Don't these use shims? Not a lot of fun and really they shouldn't wear out.
A good deal though as long as you can get it all sorted out. Remember that you'll be needing new rubber mounts (engine, trans, strut rod, etc). See if you can get some of that all done at the same time.
A good deal though as long as you can get it all sorted out. Remember that you'll be needing new rubber mounts (engine, trans, strut rod, etc). See if you can get some of that all done at the same time.
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03-30-12, 04:46 PM
#9
Lexus Champion
Auction cars this old are not so scary, if they have a clean Carfax, because no Lexus dealer keeps cars this old on their lot, so even the most well-maintained, garage kept, creampuff 13 year old Lexus that is traded in to the dealership by the original owner, will wind up at an auction.
03-30-12, 04:53 PM
#10
Auction cars this old are not so scary, if they have a clean Carfax, because no Lexus dealer keeps cars this old on their lot, so even the most well-maintained, garage kept, creampuff 13 year old Lexus that is traded in to the dealership by the original owner, will wind up at an auction.
03-30-12, 06:48 PM
#11
Instructor
Thread Starter
Well I ended up forgetting the whole thing. When I called to verify the address before heading over, the guy suddenly told me that he wouldn't be around and that I'd have to deal with his wife. Could basically answer no real questions about the car. Plus he told me that one guy had already been to look at it, and was lo-balling him, so he wasn't gonna sell it to him. Seems like if it was in good shape, the guy wouldn't be lo-balling on a car thats already at 1/2 kbb. shady shady shady. Went with my gut on this one, and of course the comments from you guys helped reinforce it... I'll just stick with my 95 for now, its solid, and at least I KNOW what issues it has. Thanks again all!
03-30-12, 10:59 PM
#12
Eh, it would have been worth a look in my opinion. I picked up my 99 LS for just over $5k 6 months ago. The seller lived in Iowa and his step-daughter had driven it out to Cali cause her car died just as she was getting ready to come out here for school. She knew nothing about the car. I lucked out as it was in great shape. Needed timing belt done and starter but the car is cleaned and was well cared for.
All I'm saying is it may be worth a look. If it's junk, walk away.
All I'm saying is it may be worth a look. If it's junk, walk away.
03-31-12, 04:10 AM
#15
Auction cars this old are not so scary, if they have a clean Carfax, because no Lexus dealer keeps cars this old on their lot, so even the most well-maintained, garage kept, creampuff 13 year old Lexus that is traded in to the dealership by the original owner, will wind up at an auction.
Best bet is to buy PP where it is a 1-2 owner with some maintenance history. Carfax doesn't give a full maintenance schedule for many of these older cars. These drop off the radar since people are going to independents. A '99 at that price is IMO suspicious when any person these days has access to current values. Unless they are in dire need of $, selling at half of what is listed is 
Many here recently need TB and if the the prior owners can't pay for that, I suspect it hasn't had fluid changes along the way too. Not always but given the posts here for what needs fixing from recent LS buyers, odds are the owner will pay about $2.5K additional in service work. TB, strut bars, tranny, engine mounts, fluid drains, etc.