I would work for close to $4k if he does not have info on the TB... you say the recordsare there through 2009... what mileage do the records show? If that is up to 100k miles then you can assume there is no TB done and that's an easy $1K cost.
Does he have any records at all for the past 3 years?
Unless you take a bunch of plastic off and half way apart to see the belt, there is no way to tell.
With that many miles on it, it's also due for spark plugs also...and fluid changes... and it sounds like he did very little but drive it. Sounds easily like $1500 or so of maintenance to catch up on...

 

I am also in North Texas. Last week I remember seeing a couple 98's within 200 miles on Autotrader in your price range. Not sure if they are still there but give it a shot.

 

Thanks. I've looked at those, not great condition wise. This is tough!

 

There's a new one posted on CL with 200k and asking $2900.... it's gold, but you might want to look... appears to be very clean... think it's a 96...oops, no, it's a 97... look here...
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4427180857.html

 

I'm with the others, wait for a 98+ car on that budget, a big improvement over the earlier cars and a lot closer to the 430 you had before, patience is key!

 

Hi everyone. I'm still scouring craigslist everyday and this little gem popped up nearby. What do you think? I still feel like it's overpriced. I looked at a 430 that was close to 7k last week. Can't get over these private owner prices.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/4441223861.html

 

That car looks like the identical twin of my own. I paid $5400, but mine needs a timing belt. The car looks like a creampuff. I think I would be happy to pick that up for $6000, but I bet he's looking for $6500.

 

Get the real VIN from him (the one in the ad is gibberish) and check the service history at Lexus Drivers. If he's lying about that who knows if anything else he's saying is true.

 

Yes that is not a real ls400 vin.

 

I got the real VIN. Sewell Service until 2006. Guy has had work done at independent shop with records to prove. Car is very nice. Thoughts on price? KBB puts this at 5500-5750.

 

Wow, that one is the one to buy! I would try to talk down the price by offering him 6000 cash on the spot and see if that works. Seems like a really nice car...

 

Looked at the car. It's a cream puff for sure. Brand new primacy tires, all service done, impeccable shape. Some minor dings and scratches but overall 9/10 for exterior and 10/10 for the interior and 10/10 mechanically. Car is listed at 6950, but could be negotiable. What do you think you would be comfortable paying?

 

$6K seems like a fair price. Something to think about though - someone who waited 15 years to change their timing belt is not exactly obsessive about maintenance.

 

mappo - not necessarily. I was very careful regarding maintenance, but elected to postpone the TB replacement because the car was used only for near-home trips, and it was a non-interference engine. When I changed it at 140K and about 22 years, it looked almost new.
Bottom line - I mad a judgment that fit my usage pattern, and others may feel differently. Both are OK as long as you are aware of the consequences. This is obviously not applicable to '95 and later LSs.

 

I see your point about the earlier non-interference engines, but the one we're talking about is a 2000.