Looking at an 01 listed on CL....anything wrong with these pix?
07-11-15, 08:49 AM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Looking at an 01 listed on CL....anything wrong with these pix?
Just wanna know if anyone here can spot any issues from these listing photos 
So far, I only see a missing clip on one of the plastic covers in the engine bay and the steering wheel appears to show cracking (maybe from sun damage?)
The plastic on the floors could be covering up stained carpet for all I know
I'll be checking it out next week and just wanna know what I should look out for
So far, I only see a missing clip on one of the plastic covers in the engine bay and the steering wheel appears to show cracking (maybe from sun damage?)
The plastic on the floors could be covering up stained carpet for all I know
I'll be checking it out next week and just wanna know what I should look out for
07-11-15, 09:11 AM
#2
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Check the sunroof, if there's been a major accident it usually shows here. Check the seams and gaps of all body panels, they should be close and uniform. Front and rear end damage can show up as missing fasteners under the bumper areas. Look at painted bolts and nuts for signs/scuffs that they have been removed previously. Lexus paint jobs are superior and repaints often give themselves away with a slight orange peel look. Get the vin # and enter it at Lexus Drivers website for a dealer history of service, it probably won't be up to date on an older car but a solid history of the first part of it's life can set the stage. Speakers can go bad with age, turn it up! Check for outstanding recalls not completed. Look at the symmetry of the wheels in the wheel wells, equal space all around. Get an appointment with a shop familiar with Lexus for a mechanical inspection, a Lexus dealer is a good bet. Take the time to operate ALL the systems, bells and whistles. There are a lot of them. Looks nice from the photos.
07-11-15, 09:26 AM
#3
Driver
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the good info 
CarFax checks out (1 owner, no accidents listed)
Where exactly do I enter the VIN on the Lexus website for the service history?
The site linked me to a Toyota recall page to enter a VIN, but it just says there's no recalls or safety campaigns for this vehicle.
CarFax checks out (1 owner, no accidents listed)
Where exactly do I enter the VIN on the Lexus website for the service history?
The site linked me to a Toyota recall page to enter a VIN, but it just says there's no recalls or safety campaigns for this vehicle.
07-11-15, 11:48 AM
#5
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Autocheck is another site that could reveal accident info that carfax missed. Technically, any accident, even minor lowers the value but I'd only be concerned about big accidents. Good history for the first 50k miles. Hopefully the owner has further records. Is the asking price in line with book value? 
07-11-15, 08:01 PM
#6
Driver
Thread Starter
07-12-15, 04:03 AM
#7
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Interesting that this report shows three owners compared to what you say carfax shows. Certainly not an issue for a car of this age. Wonder why the last owner had it for such a short time? Red flag for me without a good explanation. Dealers don't title cars. This is a private buyer. It would be an easy bluff to say they flip cars as a hobby. Make sure you get a mechanical inspection. These are known as dependable cars, but...
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07-12-15, 07:46 AM
#8
Driver
Thread Starter
CarFax says it was leased until ~49K miles, then sold at auction, but still lists it as a 1 owner car 
CarFax Results
Perhaps CF doesn't consider the initial lease holder to be the first owner if it's financed through the dealer
It was sold at auction, driven ~100k miles, then titled at Deland Toyota earlier this year
CarFax Results
Perhaps CF doesn't consider the initial lease holder to be the first owner if it's financed through the dealer
It was sold at auction, driven ~100k miles, then titled at Deland Toyota earlier this year
07-12-15, 08:02 AM
#9
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
CarFax says it was leased until ~49K miles, then sold at auction, but still lists it as a 1 owner car
CarFax Results
Perhaps CF doesn't consider the initial lease holder to be the first owner if it's financed through the dealer
It was sold at auction, driven ~100k miles, then titled at Deland Toyota earlier this year
CarFax Results
Perhaps CF doesn't consider the initial lease holder to be the first owner if it's financed through the dealer
It was sold at auction, driven ~100k miles, then titled at Deland Toyota earlier this year
As mentioned, they are generally more reliable than most brands, but can be expensive to repair. As a rule of thumb Lexus service is highest price, Toyota service usually has a few Lexus certified techs on staff for a lot less money and the cheapest is buy your own parts at a discount and DIY or go to an independent. Just stop by here to do a search and/or ask for input.
When are you going to check the car out? Keep us posted.
Last edited by swfla; 07-12-15 at 08:11 AM.
07-12-15, 04:14 PM
#11
I believe this car is being sold In Sarasota, Florida. Is that Correct? The pictures look exactly like the pictures that I just referenced from that dealers website.
I was previously looking at this exact vehicle not two weeks ago, as well as a 2002 UL in Maroon on the same lot. (with 73k miles!) I ended up buying the 02 instead. You can't see it in these pictures, but all four tires have dry rot (at least, that's what my father who has lots of car experience tells me), and the rear right corner of the vehicle has been hit. The bumper is cracked, and has been sealed over with what looks like black-ish red epoxy. It looks like the impact damaged two of the parking-assist sensors as well, as they are also sealed with epoxy.
That said, my experience with this dealer with top notch, and I believe the car comes with a 30 day warranty. I did not test drive it, however, so I can't make any comments on the interior.
I was previously looking at this exact vehicle not two weeks ago, as well as a 2002 UL in Maroon on the same lot. (with 73k miles!) I ended up buying the 02 instead. You can't see it in these pictures, but all four tires have dry rot (at least, that's what my father who has lots of car experience tells me), and the rear right corner of the vehicle has been hit. The bumper is cracked, and has been sealed over with what looks like black-ish red epoxy. It looks like the impact damaged two of the parking-assist sensors as well, as they are also sealed with epoxy.
That said, my experience with this dealer with top notch, and I believe the car comes with a 30 day warranty. I did not test drive it, however, so I can't make any comments on the interior.
07-12-15, 05:33 PM
#12
Driver
Thread Starter
I believe this car is being sold In Sarasota, Florida. Is that Correct? The pictures look exactly like the pictures that I just referenced from that dealers website.
I was previously looking at this exact vehicle not two weeks ago, as well as a 2002 UL in Maroon on the same lot. (with 73k miles!) I ended up buying the 02 instead. You can't see it in these pictures, but all four tires have dry rot (at least, that's what my father who has lots of car experience tells me), and the rear right corner of the vehicle has been hit. The bumper is cracked, and has been sealed over with what looks like black-ish red epoxy. It looks like the impact damaged two of the parking-assist sensors as well, as they are also sealed with epoxy.
That said, my experience with this dealer with top notch, and I believe the car comes with a 30 day warranty. I did not test drive it, however, so I can't make any comments on the interior.
I was previously looking at this exact vehicle not two weeks ago, as well as a 2002 UL in Maroon on the same lot. (with 73k miles!) I ended up buying the 02 instead. You can't see it in these pictures, but all four tires have dry rot (at least, that's what my father who has lots of car experience tells me), and the rear right corner of the vehicle has been hit. The bumper is cracked, and has been sealed over with what looks like black-ish red epoxy. It looks like the impact damaged two of the parking-assist sensors as well, as they are also sealed with epoxy.
That said, my experience with this dealer with top notch, and I believe the car comes with a 30 day warranty. I did not test drive it, however, so I can't make any comments on the interior.
Yes, that's the one.
Sucks that it has damage
On the '02 you bought, were you able to haggle with them on the price?
If so, were you still able to keep the warranty?
07-12-15, 05:45 PM
#13
The car I purchased was on consignment, but I was indeed able to haggle with them, they got the owner on the phone right then and they accepted my offer and I bought the car the same day. Overall, they were very nice people, not pushy at all, and they definitely seemed like they would have been willing to negotiate even if the car weren't on consignment.
edit: being on consignment, my car didn't come with a warranty, but a couple weeks in and I have no complaints. I've already fixed the couple small problems that the vehicle had on my own.
edit: being on consignment, my car didn't come with a warranty, but a couple weeks in and I have no complaints. I've already fixed the couple small problems that the vehicle had on my own.
07-13-15, 04:29 AM
#14
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Too bad about the bumper. The tires are easily replaceable, don't forget to check the age/condition of the spare and figure that into the offer. You can always swing by a body shop for a price on the bumper while getting the mechanical check up. If you're still interested. I wouldn't let that put me off if I liked everything else about the car. A corner bumper is minor damage as far as accidents go.
07-17-15, 07:41 PM
#15
Driver
Thread Starter
Blake, thanks again for sending the photos.
I actually flew into Orlando early this morning and then drove down to Sarasota to have a look.
When I got there, it was raining, so the salesman threw me the key and said to let him know if I had any questions
As I was heading out to it, he said it was a one owner car, super clean with clean carfax and title.
You were spot on with the exterior details and I was quick to point them out hoping that it would give me some wiggle room on the price
One of the tires had bad curb rash and was completely flat
She started right up multiple times without issue, engine sounded quiet and felt smooth as glass
Interior looked very clean and everything seemed to work as they should except for the passenger side door lock actuator, rear sun screen (needed help or it would bind) and the radio controls didn't work from the dash, but worked fine from the rear seat console
Absolutely love the massaging seats btw
(especially after a miserable flight)
So I'm sitting in the driver's seat, just getting a feel for things and waiting for the salesman to come out from the office and start talking cash when I noticed sumthin odd about the instrument cluster....
On the face of the tach just below the numbers 4 and 5, there was a slight discoloration
Thought it was just a glare from the sun at first, but the closer I looked, the more it became clear that the face had been painted
You had to really look at it at just the right angle to see it, but sure as $h!t, it was touched up to cover the trac light and check engine light
Confirmed it by just turning the key to the run position and didn't see said lights
Talk about sneaky
When I pointed it out to he salesman, he immediately distanced himself from the car stating that he was just selling it for another dealer as a favor
Needless to say, no deal was made
On my way back to Orlando, I checked out another Ultra in Tampa, but it was buried in the back of what looked a chop shop with plenty of missing parts under the hood and carpet that had mushrooms growing out of it
Oh well, just wasn't meant to be
Unfortunately, I need to take a car (any car) back home to NYC as I'm on a super tight schedule, so I'll be looking into a cheap beater
I actually flew into Orlando early this morning and then drove down to Sarasota to have a look.
When I got there, it was raining, so the salesman threw me the key and said to let him know if I had any questions
As I was heading out to it, he said it was a one owner car, super clean with clean carfax and title.
You were spot on with the exterior details and I was quick to point them out hoping that it would give me some wiggle room on the price
One of the tires had bad curb rash and was completely flat
She started right up multiple times without issue, engine sounded quiet and felt smooth as glass
Interior looked very clean and everything seemed to work as they should except for the passenger side door lock actuator, rear sun screen (needed help or it would bind) and the radio controls didn't work from the dash, but worked fine from the rear seat console
Absolutely love the massaging seats btw
(especially after a miserable flight)So I'm sitting in the driver's seat, just getting a feel for things and waiting for the salesman to come out from the office and start talking cash when I noticed sumthin odd about the instrument cluster....
On the face of the tach just below the numbers 4 and 5, there was a slight discoloration
Thought it was just a glare from the sun at first, but the closer I looked, the more it became clear that the face had been painted
You had to really look at it at just the right angle to see it, but sure as $h!t, it was touched up to cover the trac light and check engine light
Confirmed it by just turning the key to the run position and didn't see said lights
Talk about sneaky
When I pointed it out to he salesman, he immediately distanced himself from the car stating that he was just selling it for another dealer as a favor
Needless to say, no deal was made
On my way back to Orlando, I checked out another Ultra in Tampa, but it was buried in the back of what looked a chop shop with plenty of missing parts under the hood and carpet that had mushrooms growing out of it
Oh well, just wasn't meant to be
Unfortunately, I need to take a car (any car) back home to NYC as I'm on a super tight schedule, so I'll be looking into a cheap beater