Cruss127

Hey everyone, looking to buy into the lexus lifestyle. I saw this post on Craigslist: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5894631041.html
would like to know what you all think of this add. Thanks all!

dicer

If they didn't use Toyota transmission fluid don't put a lot of faith in the transmission. If they used the wrong fluid there where else did they use the wrong fluids?
Too much hype in that ad, if you do go for it check it out real good, it could have had some body damage too, you just never know with "THOSE" type of owners.

mappo

Rear differential has Blue Royal oil.
WTF is Blue Royal? I'm guessing he means Royal Purple. So what?

Timing belt with all rollers and water pump was done about 80k miles ago.
Interval is 90K, so what he doesn't realize he's saying is that it's about due for another replacement. Knock $1500 off the price for that.

All four wheels are really, really corroded looking. Junkyard scrappers have better wheels than those things. I'd wonder if this is a flood victim. My advice is to run, don't walk, away.

Cruss127

Yeah now that you mention it, i shouldve realized this is one of those "hype" ads. I found another LS here which looks to be more sound. http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/5899233802.html
Not my interior color choice but if it checks out ok I think this is the one.

dicer

Its a nice color, I don't like the cream color or black. Those floor mats are sure stained though.

Stereorob

looks fine to me. nice shape and well maintained. miles are right. interior looks nice, bonus with the nak upgrade stereo. the wheels I agree look terrible but it is a rust belt car. maybe that's why they are so pitted.. its worth a look at. if its a flood car youll be able to tell right off the bat, if it has a musty odor instead of the "old Lexus" smell they normally have. if it feels damp or humid at all, and if you can look at any of the wire under the carpet and check for corrosion. if there is water damage youll see it if you know what to look for. also, all lexus vehicles have a public database of all work that has ever been done to them as long as it was at the dealership.

Losiracer2

I wouldn't get the first car, it needs a T-belt right off the bat (1000 right there) and probably needs cam/crank seals at that mileage since no one replaces them, like my car needed when I bought it.

Wheels are ****ty looking (200-300 for a good clean set), I would also be worried about heavy rust and corrosion underneath if the wheels are in that bad of shape, could be a nightmare waiting to happen, Run away from that one!

Second one looks to be in much better shape. Guy listed what he replaced, didn't brag about using synthetic this, Royal Purple that...just the major repairs, so it shows that it came from a classier person, probably garage kept. You can kind of tell if someone is trying to pull something when they try to oversell the car and hide the flaws by bringing up simple maintenance as a selling point (oil change, filter change).

Also, I would use Carfax to lookup as much info as you can using the VIN before driving out there to weed out the bad ones and as someone said before Lexus Drivers website is also great since it shows all the dealer maint and most major repairs the cars have had. My 97 was a CPO and had a 100k warranty, showing repairs and records. all the way through 120k miles, nothing from 120-253k unfortunately, but at least I know the first 10-11 years it was regularly detailed every 6 months and always dealer maintained at the same Bell Lexus dealer it was purchased at in AZ, probably why the paint is in such great shape for being an AZ car.

Cruss127

Hey everyone sorry I've been busy with finals this week but I found another Craigslist ad that has 96500 miles and isn't the color I want and it had everything replaced in terms of timing belt water pump. I'll post it on here soon I'm just in the middle of studying for another final I appreciate all the help!!
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/5921882627.html
thats the link for the other one

lextout

steer clear from buying a northeast car

Cruss127

If I didn't live here I wouldon't lol

Losiracer2

Too bad you can't fly one way to purchase a car here in AZ and drive it back, they're rust free and usually garage kept since these were so expensive new. You're almost done with finals right? a solid 2 weeks to make a nice roadtrip before christmas. If you're willing to go 95-97 there are a few under 2k that are decent as well. Here's a couple options for you:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/5875409524.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/5879837666.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/5923417580.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/5915700129.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/ctd/5915797823.html

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/5923497295.html

http://flagstaff.craigslist.org/cto/5895140206.html

dicer

Looks over priced compared to those just posted above from arizona