gonzlex

Hello everyone, new to here and new to Lexus ownership. Thanks to everyone in advance for your help.

I am getting a killer deal on a 2003 LS430 with NAV, It has 73,000 miles on it and is fully loaded. I am purchasing it for $1000.

On to the issues.

1. there is a dent and scrape on the passengers side from them driving too close to a concrete garage column
2. Loud noise underneath car, sounds like it may need a muffler.
3. Brakes need to be completely redone
4. check engine light on

Other than that the car runs great and drives great except for the brakes. I plan on restoring the car to like new condition and keeping it.
Are there any known issues that I should address or look for before buying it ? . I plan on taking the car straight to a mechanic and have all 4 rotors and pads replaced , oil change and tune up done, and have them investigate the noise underneath.
I am very excited, and will post pics and progress after I get the car.

Johnhav430

For $1,000, it would be hard to pass up unless there were anything crazy going on, like it can't pass a state safety and emissions inspection....it possibly wouldn't be a bad idea to know why the check engine is on. But 73,000 is nothing, if you drove it one year and it then needed too many repairs, you've already come out ahead imho...I would go right to the coolant and see what level it is, oil, and brake fluid color, this car should have a dipstick so tranny fluid too....I would also ask the seller why it's being sold at a very reasonable price and hope they catch the drift...good luck!

Bocatrip

. You can have a nice pay day and flip the car for a 3-5,000 quick profit! Good luck with your new ride.

gonzlex

I forgot to clarify this in my original post. I manage a high rise in south Florida, I've known the owner for 8 years, Unfortunately his mental health has bee deteriorating and he is no longer able to drive. I'm good friends with the family and that is the reason I'm getting it for $1000.
He obviously due to health issues does not remember how or when it was last serviced. I will check with the local Lexus dealer after I purchase it to see if they have any record.

gonzlex

Thanks for the replys, My daughter starts driving next year so the plan is to bring this car back to like new condition and give her my other car. This will become my daily driver.

Johnhav430

The same thing happened to me when I was young, friend's parents sold me their 10 y.o. Volvo for $600 (book was likely 5k). I wrecked it. I then proceeded to replace it, someone asking 3k, got him down to 2200. He ripped me off, blown head gaskets, AAA burnt up the tranny towing it on the rear wheels. Spent $900 more for used motor/tranny, drove it 1990 to 1998. Life's lessons...money isn't everything, there are people who take something just to "make it legal." My friend's parents gave me a LeMans Sport for free, drove that a full year. Good luck with the purchase...

gonzlex

Thanks for the reply. I offered them the $1000. I'm sure they would have taken whatever I offered. Its like a "family" discount.

gonzlex

I really just want to know, at 72000 miles is there any things I should make sure have been taken care of? Like tranny service, water pump or anything like that?

Johnhav430

Based on age, the timing belt/water pump (believe it's 8 yr. or 90k--but people seem to have pushed it to 130k without issue), the lower control arm bushings (nice but not 100% needed), tranny drain/fill if the fluid is not burnt, and it should not be at those miles....coolant drain/fill (part of the timing belt job), it usually has evaporated if never touched, where the reservoir is possibly empty...power steering flush is recommended...brake fluid flush to be safe (if not known it was done < 24 mos. ago)....this is all if you want to keep the car, which it seems you do....

gonzlex

I plan on taking it a mechanic that is local and I've seen recommended on here called Michaels wrench.

As recommended I'll probably have all fluids flushed and filled so I at least know when everything was done and then I can maintain from there.

JffGRY706

do you have check engine light or maintenance required if it is check engine light it probably is because of the exhaust leak. I would suspect that the Y pipe has a hole that is causing the noise and the code. if it is maintenance required then you might just need to reset the oil change monitor.

gonzlex

I'm not sure yet I went through the car quickly. I take possession in a couple of weeks.

My goal is to make sure the car is 100% mechanically perfect before I move on to the body work and paint. I'd rather spend the money and effort now and have years of just regular maintenance down the road