PLease be kind with me:
A couple of days ago i was searching for an used Lexus LS430.
I found this 2001 LS430 ULTRA with almost 25K miles in very good condition for $28990.00.
Car was impecable,manuals, service done on 10K,very good tires.MAtching VIN stikers (except on trunk).
No dings or dents .Only to spots on roof? No chipped paint.
Owned by a lady.
Problems :

1)Car was black with black interior ( perfect redwood trim)

2)Check engine light on.Dealer promise to repair.

3)Noise and vibration from front brakes.Dealer assure me front brakes replaced .Cause could be a new pad on break in period?

We ended up in the desk and a price of $27.9. And no money for my trade in ( lease w/4 months remaining)

I said thank you and left.

What you guys think?

The condition of the car was fantastic,as well as the mileage,but the price did no cut it for me (Check engine light on a 25K car?)



What you guys think?

 

Well, the check engine light is no biggie & same thing as the brakes. Blk on blk is very nice...isn't it?
I think it's a great deal if u're really considering buying.

 

imho, they hav eto fix those problems anyway. i would ask them to fix the problems and let you see the car first, drive it to make sure eveyrhitng is good, then you can negotiate the correct deal

 

I second rominl's comments.

 

I presume its not at a Lexus dealer, right (if it is, why isn't it certified preowned)? The check engine light is really not a big deal as long as its not flashing. Hell, when I purchased mine, I kept getting a light related to the freakin' gas cap. No problemo . . . I replaced it and problem solved. I then found that the interior lighting around the stereo was out (couldn't tell in the daytime) and they replaced a fuse, free of charge of course. Bottom line: there will be minor issues, but as long as it seems to run correctly and appears to operate properly on all electronics, you're golden! The minor details can be addressed relatively inexpensively.

Regardless, you should be able to negotiate at least a 3 month warranty . . . if they're confident in the vehicle, then it should not be a problem. I would also suggest finding a "before you buy" auto inspector and hiring them to do a check up (if you're prepared to make an offer). It may cost sub $300, but you'll be surprised about how thorough they are in regards to checking for wrecks, repairs, and cosmetic condition. Carfax is not totally reliable in identifying wrecked vehicles. (My girlfriend wrecked her Armada over 2 years ago and its not on carfax . . . even with the dealer repair and insurance filed)

 

This car sounds like a peach. You can always take it to a lexus dealer and have them read the error code for less than $100. This would give peace of mind. If the car has not been wrecked an has a clean title, you'd be foolish to pass it up. This was a $70k car!!! Exellent find. Where can I see it?

 

LOL I have a friend here locally who has a Supra that has been wrecked 5 times that he knows of. Once it sat partically stripped in a NJ salvage yard for about 2 years. Yet it has a perfect Carfax report. My verdict on Carfax is that if it shows a problem, then you should steer clear or check it out closely. If it shows no problem, it doesn't necessarily mean anything. Just another example of a company doing a good enough marketing job to cover up for shortcomings in actual product "quality." Now, dealers and everyone selling cars offer up Carfax reports as if it's some sort of document from God that the car they are buying is perfect. Only slightly less worthless than most of the "Certified" used car programs.

 

ZULU:

Thats an exceptuional value extremely hard to find color and mileage. I'd grab it. What did you mean when you said "only to spots on roof?"? Whats wrong with the roof?

 

Only 2 minor dents on the roof .paint not crackedor chipped.
The color is black .Around here (Florida) is always 90 degrees . Today was a "cold"day 87degrees because it was cloudy.
I guess the bad reputation of the Air Suspension as the MOST WORTHLESS option out there,make me pass on the deal.
I rather take a non ULTRA, with less equipment. in a newer year. Considering is a cash purchase i rather save money for future repairs. I self insured my cars for repairs with 1K or 2 K put aside every year for repairs. If i use it ,fine, if not i circle that as a "good Year".
Something better will come along....
Remember:
" Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt" from Sam on Ronin...........

 

I think you had make a right decision. If the problems were the 'easy fix', why wouldn't the dealer fix them already. You might get few grands better on the deal but you never know how much you are going to spend fixing those things.

 

Something else is wrong with that car. No telling what it is but, only $28,000 for a 2001 LS430 with 25,000 miles on it, with the check engine light on. That is my concern, (check engine at low miles) why give up a car for that amount when you can get more. They must have paid very little to get the car and are claiming it was a trade in. They probably got it from Manheim or some other dealer only auction. STAY AWAY FROM THAT CAR. Id rather pay more for the piece of mind of a car with no seen problems!!!!





GOD IS GOOD!

 

....decide to buy. They are supposed to fix the problems before you purchase the car. They might be trying to find a sucker who really wants this car because of the demand for it being so high, and good deals being hard to find. Patience is the key to being wise, walk dont run if its a good deal they will be willing to deal with you honestly and fix the problems. Also one good note on this car is if you buy it (I wouldnt) is that the car is young and the car can still be maintained properly to avoid further problems. Just hope for you if you buy its not a salvaged car fixed up with water damage or some other unknown problem the eyes cant see!!! Good Luck anyway if you buy or not. Also when theres confusion in a situation of any kind, its not good to get involved in it.



GOD IS GOOD!!!

 

Car is gone.
Car was Local, not from the auction.Service of 10K miles done in CountylineLexus, here in Miami.( i checked the books in the glove compartment.)
But i agree with you .Even if it was something simple what cause the Check engine Light, like a fuel cap no tighten enough or a O sensor faulty. Why the dealer ( NOT a Lexus dealer) did not fix it?
The price is right ,last month in the auction the average was around 22K and mileage was around the 70K.
I agree with you,what worries me also was the air suspension, because from postings on the forum, i get the impresion that is expensive to repair,and the failure is mostly because of age(leaking and faulty controllers)than usage. Comments by vicpai.
I have been in most of the local dealers: JMlexus,Countyline,Pembroke Pines,Kendall only missed Lexus of west palm Beach.
I have to tell you:NOT REALLY IMPRESED, with the quality of the dealerships.
Even the Biggest, was a joke quoting prices in cars that i not even saw.("Car is in service and someone have the keyBut is a very nice car,sir.....")LOL
Quoting a price on a car that was not even detailed , with the front covered with bugs from the long trip ...LOL.
I can tell you horror stories,i was very disappointed with the dealerships,considering the treatment my father used to receive from Mercedes Dealerships.
To complicate the situation, the dealers are more concentrated into sell cars with CPO ( 2003or newer), so not too many 01 or 02 with good mileage to deal with.
Only one 01 with 43k miles basic with nav ,no perforated seats no air ,in goood shape,i have to agree.Car bought in Orlando Auction for $27200.00,I offer 30K, no deal....
I guess the business practices of the dealers really affect the perception of the product...
Well the search continue..................

 

The treatment of the customers by Lexus has been something Iv'e commented on time and time again. I have no beef with the whole Lexus company, you cant judge all by one. I on the other hand have never dealt with a classy Lexus dealership (dont get mad for me stating MY experiences please show respect to my views) in my now 5 Lexus' Iv'e owned.

I owned 2 Mercedes and I must say Mercedes is by far better trained at how to treat luxury car buyers, rather they buy used or new. I purchased new Benzes but, have heard no complaints from people who have purchased from Mercedes about bad treatment. I purchased Lexus' in Maryland and Va Beach.

Only to have the Maryland dealer call Va Beach when I was in Maryland buying there, and say to the Va Beach dealer I was there( this made my local Va Beach dealer say he no longer wants my business anymore,just because I looked for a better deal!). No class. I only wanted to be a better car shopper, not to be funny but, there is no loyalty between consumer and business(seller). That is what the company says to get you to think they care about you( I wonder if you go broke will they pay your car payment,this applies to all car dealers not just Lexus).

My problem with Lexus isnt the cars, its the people selling them. I wont purchase another Lexus after I get rid of this one. Id prefer better treatment at this stage of my life and career. The quality of the cars Lexus makes in the luxury car segment is 1# in my opinion but, true luxury is not just the product its service also.

Again dont bite my head of with your experiences of good things happening to you. Your dealer might run his or her dealer much more classy. Also I find dealers treat certain customers better than others. First of, Im not what you would call typical of a Lexus buyer, if theres such a thing at all. Could be the reason for bad treatment but, I wont make that claim because I dont want to play the so called race card(Minorities have it much better than pre-1970 blacks did). I think its more of a perception card, you know looks, dress, social status based on appearance.

Anyway Lexus is tops in my book in quality of car reliability but, treatment of all there customers , the verdict is still out. Oh, its not me by the way who has a problem, I never had this problem anywhere but Lexus. I have purchased from Honda,Acura , Toyota, Mercedes and other mom and pop dealers. Lexus has been my only bad treatment experience.




GOD IS GOOD!!!!

 

LEXUS
Product = Excellent
Delership= Luxurious
Salesmen = Lousy
Customer treatment=Basic to poor.

MERCEDES BENZ
Product = Very Good to Average
Delership= Luxurious
Salesmen = Competent
Customer treatment=Very Good.

Should i start looking to the 3 point Star?