Quick Vin question
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 10
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From: PA
Quick Vin question
i just bought a 2002 LS430 and was just wondering if the vin plate behind the windshield is right. Mine says Toyota and the vin is very hard to make out like it kinda blends in with the background. I can make out the vin but seems weird to me. Can anyone confirm that is it hard to read as I'm worried it's not stock.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: PA
I will, thanks. This car is a gem. All major services were done at Lexus dealer where it was bought and only has 57K miles on it and they did the timing belt already at 55k miles. They sold the car back to the Lexus dealer as they weren't able to drive anymore so I was able to get a 5 year 60K mile bumper to bumper warranty to be used at any Lexus dealer. Traveled 18 hours round trip to get it but well worth it.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: PA
Car was 11K and warranty was $2,500 as it's the same warranty as if you bought the car new. Car was a one owner car and was sold back to the dealership it was bought from because owner was unable
to drive anymore. Car is in mint condition for 15 years old. One problem is that the cabin is so quiet I'm noticing two noises that are very minor but are noticeable because of how quiet it is. One is the left vent has a slight hiss to it. Guessing that's a fan or something. The other sounds like where the drivers window goes into the door at the top. Wondering if the gasket or something on there isn't as tight as it should be. To be honest they are really faint and I'd almost be embarrassed to bring them up to a dealership but with the cabin so quiet just makes you want to eliminate them if possible.
to drive anymore. Car is in mint condition for 15 years old. One problem is that the cabin is so quiet I'm noticing two noises that are very minor but are noticeable because of how quiet it is. One is the left vent has a slight hiss to it. Guessing that's a fan or something. The other sounds like where the drivers window goes into the door at the top. Wondering if the gasket or something on there isn't as tight as it should be. To be honest they are really faint and I'd almost be embarrassed to bring them up to a dealership but with the cabin so quiet just makes you want to eliminate them if possible.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: SC
Sounds like a good deal to me, especially for a low mileage car with complete documentation, a warranty, and the financing.
Is the noise around the windows a wind noise issue or a creaking sound? If it is a creaking sound, you can fix that by treating the seals with Shin-Estu grease.
Is the noise around the windows a wind noise issue or a creaking sound? If it is a creaking sound, you can fix that by treating the seals with Shin-Estu grease.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 107
From: AZ
If I were you, with the warranty you have, I'd take the car back to a Lexus dealer for every single thing you think is wrong. No sense in trying to do anything yourself and the dealer will make it right.
Lead Lap
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From: SC
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: PA
yeah most definitely. I have an appointment next week as the steering wheel will go up and down but not in and out. And the mirrors don't respond to the control all the time. Also the trunk doesn't seem to go up without you making it go up. I'm sure it's just stuff from not driving it much. They did the timing belt in 2015 and only drove a 1,000 miles roughly since. I must say this is the perfect car for me. It's like my Camry with superior build quality and just the right amount of technology but no tech that you don't need. Plus I wanted one without nav screen as I feel it's much more classy as the nav makes it show it's age more. Only thing really I wish it had or should I say didn't have was the front bumper drilled for a front plate as in PA we don't need one and maybe HID headlights but I do feel these are bright enough. Other then that I don't think I miss the retractable rear sunshade or the cooling seats.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: AZ
The trunk lid takes a little effort as the struts are located that they don't offer much lifting until the trunk lid is up 18 inches or so. The way to test the struts is to open the lid fully and then carefully pull it down. It should not fall on it's now until the bottem of the lid is about 12-14 inches from closure position. They will gradually fail of course, but it is gradual and you can tell by watching where it starts to fall. You certainly don't want it to fall and hit you on the top of your head!
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Driver School Candidate
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From: PA
It doesn't fall at all no matter what level it is. the trunk struts just don't help the trunk go up at all. I can leave it in any position and it stays put but I have to push it all the way up to get it wide open. Not sure if that's nor,al as I've never owned one of these cars before.
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