One way to find an LS is to get them on returns from Lexus Financial at the auction through a broker you can find on the net once you start calling on cars. The 3 largest auctions for Lex Fin are in PA, WI and FLA. Lex Fin rates cars when returned on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being best. They list small scratches, odor, repaint... often bumpers are repainted (subpar or acceptable), tires, body panel serial #'s, interior and exterior in detail. Get the auction report.

The broker will ship it for 500 to 1000 bucks or so, but insist on a Lexus dealer inspection for 125 bucks or so. You can refuse the car and pay to have it sent back I believe when you get it, or fly and drive it back. One way plane tickets are not as bad as they used to be. Get the Vin # and I found dealers are happy to tell you about service and such from their large database.

Broker or private get a one month carfax account for 40 bucks to help you and look for dealer service on the carfax or move on. Look for one owner cars. It may take a bit to get a sytem developed but the deals are out their from hundreds of listed cars and it goes pretty smooth once you get the hang of it. Usually 7-8 new cars a day or so. Economy is slow and it is a buyers market sellers need to sell and will do what you ask, pictures, inspections etc.

Check autotrader and cars.com and set your price/year and check new lisitng for your criteria daily. Brokers or private sellers are what i focused on.

Get cars from private mature adults with reciepts for service and or call their garage. People are downsizing due to age,leaving the country or do not like to take the huge hit at the dealer on trades. Insist on pictures and a thorough lexus or toyota inspection. Often Lexus owners are pretty well off and these are not kid driven cars. Be careful with small car dealers and look for cars with at least part of the 70 k transferable drivetrain warrantee left.

Look for cars from other than Chicago, New York larger cites where in general the bodies can, I say can, be in rougher shape.

Mine 04 LS was from grand rapids Michigan, near perfect paint, tires, interior with all scheduld all service work done by Lexus. Smart key, Performance package but not Modern Luxury PKG, 2 months ago for 17,500 with 55 k on it from a broker in Chicago. Owner I called said the dealer he bought it from wanted 26k or he would have bought it off lease. Wow that was long Sorry hope it was helpful