Hi guys,

Need your help. My dad is looking at buying a 1998 Lexus LS400 (that does not have navigation).

It has around 135,000 or so. Apparently it is immaculate condition, but it does need a new timing, water pump, and seals. It does have a 'minor' leak but he's not sure what it is yet...

What would be a good/fair price for soemthing like this (if all checks out with codes/pending codes,etc)?

Thanks so much!

 

what are they trying to get for it? i paid 4200 for my 2000 with 159k on it in absolutley pristine condition, which was probably way too much but nice examples are getting really hard to find in my area..

 

2k, especially if it needs the work you mentioned, id pay3k if it had it all done and everything was 100%

 

I think he was asked to make an offer after he checked the car out..

My concern is the timimg belt, water pump, seals replacement. Is that a $1800 job? I just want him to factor that in too.

And thank you so much for the information you provided already.

 

@Sin1UZFE Thank you so much!

 

It can be an 1800 job. Depending.

GOt pics?

Im in California if anyone is looking get rid of their LS400 or is250/300

 

thanks. I cannot find any pictures. Really appreciate the guidance! I have seen it before and its in really nice shape just looking at it.

 

I'd offer 2k see how it lands....remind how much work it needs.

 

I paid 5500, with for a 98' 120k and no maintenance issues, the right color (silver on black), in like-new condition. Timing belt has a few more years on it. Had brand new tires, starter and the clear coat was still intact (garage kept). I slightly overpaid, but I had been searching for the perfect example for a year and just finally said "**** it". I was finding so many rough examples. Plus, it was local and I didn't need to travel to get it.

I'd say if it's in perfect condition, 5000. -2k for the work that needs to be done. If it needs timing belt, it probably needs other stuff. Find out what that is and you might be able to haggle lower.

 

yup. way i see it as rare as perfect ones are these days, the premium is kinda worth it. i overpaid on my 95 (after searching almost a year for a clean one and not finding) but it was pristine. its clapped now but not when i got it years ago. same as the 00 i got not long ago, however, i plan on taking perfect care of this one as i dont think ill find one this nice again.

 

Thank you so much guys. My sincere apologies. My dad just called and said it is a GS400 (gold trim package/paddle shifter) NOT an LS400 that he originally thought.

Not sure what that does to the price...and should I repost this in the GS subforum? Thank you again for everything.

 

The LS400 I just bought, an Alpine Silver on Grey w/ Navi package ($5406 option) 99' with 147k had the TB done back in 2005 at a dealer. They paid 1650 for the job at a Lexus dealer but it didn't include the water pump. But if you go to an independent mechanic and buy a RockAuto AISIN kit, you can have both TB and WP done for about 650 on the low end.

I paid 3500 for the car, but it was the nicest 99' I've seen in this part of the country, (midwest) it has no rust aside some some surface rust on the knuckles and rear diff, body has none, paint is perfect and interior is immaculate. But mine has had the starter done at Lexus ($998), strut rods at Lexus ($980) and brand new Bridgestone Ecopias, so those are some big ticket items out of the way. My timing belt is now 13 yrs old though, so that'll have to be addressed.

 

Losiracer2. Good deal all around.

 

I would suggest that a pristine LS400, the second gens are a hard nut. You can't pay 5k and get an highway car for all that money. I had a hard time in finding mine and I need to fly in business to pick my car next day as there were lot more takers when I was in the lookout for the same car. So if everything sounds perfect and you know how much its going to fix them it would be a good point to start at $4k-$5k (minus cost of the job). Make sure the interiors are mine because its not easy to replace a cracked leather.