2004 possible purchase
#16
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
I'd pass. Too many problems. Not registering the car in his name may mean he got a good deal and wants to make some money. If you can afford to spend a little more, you may be able to get a much nicer car. Also you described the ride as "floaty". That's how the standard suspension feels. That's why I suggested driving the Sport for comparison. Still luxury firm but feels "tighter." The car has more road feedback and handles better. Still quiet and comfortable on the highway.
#17
Lexus Fanatic
Yeah I started adding up stuff that I would "need" to do and the list starting getting long. I'm going to try out the sport suspension car Monday. It has more miles but nothing strange on the service history from Lexus, has a pretty extensive history. Clean carfax and I pulled it up on research.com too with nothing to see there either. Looks pretty clean in photos, I'll have to see in person. There are a couple of other cars locally that are a bit more. Place in Pasadena, TX has a 2005 in white. 88k on it and they are asking $11.997. Seems a bit overpriced but again looks very clean in pictures. its on cars.com https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...9718/overview/ Its been for sale for a while, price was originally 12,997. I just think its overpriced.
#19
Yeah I started adding up stuff that I would "need" to do and the list starting getting long. I'm going to try out the sport suspension car Monday. It has more miles but nothing strange on the service history from Lexus, has a pretty extensive history. Clean carfax and I pulled it up on research.com too with nothing to see there either. Looks pretty clean in photos, I'll have to see in person. There are a couple of other cars locally that are a bit more. Place in Pasadena, TX has a 2005 in white. 88k on it and they are asking $11.997. Seems a bit overpriced but again looks very clean in pictures. its on cars.com https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...9718/overview/ Its been for sale for a while, price was originally 12,997. I just think its overpriced.
#20
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
He also is required to do tag work before he can legally drive the car.
If he lies about this, no telling what else?
#21
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Look forward to your feedback on the Sport. If the car's been well maintained, the 139 isn't that big a deal for the drivetrain. However, it really is a good idea to look very carefully at small (but expensive) stuff like mirrors, door locks (every door), moonroof, etc. Bring some CD's. Load all 6 and change to make sure it works correctly. Especially if it's a ML audio, adjust the balance and listen to each speaker. LOL make a check list and use it Also suggest a pre purchase inspection. I wouldn't buy any car without doing this. A mechanic can check for leaks or problems that aren't obvious. Good luck! They really are incredibly nice cars.
Michael
#23
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
So I drove the 2004 Silver on black sport suspension car today. Drove nice. I could definitely feel the difference in road feel with the sport suspension. It felt tighter but still a bit more roll and bounce than I like. Car had 93k on it. Ran really good. But I don't like the black interior I've decided. This one smelled a bit like smoke. Steering wheel tilted but didn't move in and out, mirrors work and folded. The oscillating vents kinda worked, they would stick and then move then stick again. Half of the speakers sounded blown. Woofer appeared to be working but both front door speakers sounded shot. rear shade worked. etc etc etc. Pretty sure the PO traded it as all these little things started adding up. It had good tires and the body was pretty nice except for a scrape by the back drivers side door close to the wheelwell. Didn't look dented but a few scrapes. Funny the car was being "detailed" and the scapes looked like they were touched up. Might look ok if they went back and wet sanded it a bit, as it looked like they just blobbed paint everywhere there was a nick or scrape. Anyway hard pass on this car too. Maybe if they wanted like 7k for it instead of 10,995. at this point I think I would rather buy a car thats older for like 5k knowing it needed work and go from there. Looking at a couple more tomorrow I think.
#24
Not worth 11k. The oscillating fans are cute but expensive to replace (like 900 per Lexus dealer). Tx feedback on Sport. It's what I'd call "luxury firm". If you want less roll, could replace struts w/ something stiffer. Brand of tire does make a big difference. I've got Michelin Premier A/S which are soft. Plan to replace. I've driven a Sport w/ Michelin Super Sports. Ride was harsh but steering very quick.
#25
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
Not worth 11k. The oscillating fans are cute but expensive to replace (like 900 per Lexus dealer). Tx feedback on Sport. It's what I'd call "luxury firm". If you want less roll, could replace struts w/ something stiffer. Brand of tire does make a big difference. I've got Michelin Premier A/S which are soft. Plan to replace. I've driven a Sport w/ Michelin Super Sports. Ride was harsh but steering very quick.
#26
I run them only to entertain people that have never been in a 430. Seems to entertain. Test drove another 430. Turned the fans on and there was suddenly this terrible grinding noise while one blade moved very slowly. One owner, perfect dealer service but owner wouldn't discount 900 for the fans. No deal.
#27
Lexus Champion
I have never turned my swinging vanes off. They have a rather sophisticated control system depending on the internal temperature and whether there is a front passenger or not. When extremely hot and no passenger, the ftobrt vanes will not swing full width, but instead narrow the swing and focus more air towards the driver. Also the passenger vane may be stationary and also pointed towards the driver. I think they're great, couldn't live without them. They go back to normal after the car is cooled down.
#28
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
I have never turned my swinging vanes off. They have a rather sophisticated control system depending on the internal temperature and whether there is a front passenger or not. When extremely hot and no passenger, the ftobrt vanes will not swing full width, but instead narrow the swing and focus more air towards the driver. Also the passenger vane may be stationary and also pointed towards the driver. I think they're great, couldn't live without them. They go back to normal after the car is cooled down.
#29
when I am alone the vanes swing to the middle and back to me, but if I use the dual temp and alter the temps then they swing opposite and back to the middle. this is the way I like for them to operate. and they do not swing at all when the car is very hot until it cools down some.
#30
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Drove this car today: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...9718/overview/
Cleanest one I've seen so far. Its as clean as the pictures look. Body looks all original, only a mild scratch in the clear here and there, all vin tags appear to be there. No wrecks on carfax ro research.com or mentioned in Lexus service records. Few things here and there that need attention (rear shade frame is there and works but the shade part is missing, mild pulsation in brakes when stopping slowly, trunk pop switch on the lid on the outside doesn't work but it does from the dash switch, no records of timing belt being done yet) Everything else works great, car is super clean, looks two or three years old maybe. Definitely not 12 years old. Oh yeah, low pressure light was on, all tires looked fine so maybe it was a sensor. I'll have them check if I decide to buy. They have no haggle pricing so they won't come off the price at all. They are pretty easy to deal with, I've bought a car from them before but basically the price is the price. So it's either worth it as is or not. I'm not sure. Its nice but...I couldn't quite pull the trigger.
Cleanest one I've seen so far. Its as clean as the pictures look. Body looks all original, only a mild scratch in the clear here and there, all vin tags appear to be there. No wrecks on carfax ro research.com or mentioned in Lexus service records. Few things here and there that need attention (rear shade frame is there and works but the shade part is missing, mild pulsation in brakes when stopping slowly, trunk pop switch on the lid on the outside doesn't work but it does from the dash switch, no records of timing belt being done yet) Everything else works great, car is super clean, looks two or three years old maybe. Definitely not 12 years old. Oh yeah, low pressure light was on, all tires looked fine so maybe it was a sensor. I'll have them check if I decide to buy. They have no haggle pricing so they won't come off the price at all. They are pretty easy to deal with, I've bought a car from them before but basically the price is the price. So it's either worth it as is or not. I'm not sure. Its nice but...I couldn't quite pull the trigger.