I'm looking at a 2007 LS 460 at the Boise ID dealership, it has 48K miles however I'm concerned about a few things from the CarFax:

1. The car spent most of its time in Florida, has cracking on the dash above the center of the speedo display. Dealer says there's a local guy who can make an overlay that will look close to OEM and not be noticeable.

2. The car is on its 4th battery, seems odd since most batteries should last around 5'ish years. It had door lock actuator and lock switch replaced in 2010 followed by another battery replacement in 2012.

3. A Colorado Mazda dealership wound up with it in May 2013 via wholesale auction yet held it for almost a year before selling it via auction. This is the most troubling red flag in my opinion.

4. The Boise Lexus dealership has it and is asking $30K for it which is around KBB.

I'm inclined to pass on this one however am interested to hear what current LS 460 owners have to say. We also have a 2002 SC 430 and absolutely love the quality and stying of the Lexus brand.

 

If the carfax looks good and you really like the car, you could put a refundable deposit on it pending a satisfactory repair of the dash. The price is only fair but if the dealer will throw in a 3 year Lexus platinum warranty on it, you should be in like Flint!

 

Based on points 2 and 3, I would pass on this one. I think your gut is right.

 

Thanks Nos.... I guess that I needed to hear that from someone else. I'd love to own one someday but don't want to buy someone else's headahce!

It will be interesting to hear what the salesman has to say when he calls me later to see what I want to do.

 

next one, doubtful enough on this one

 

Get an autocheck.com report which trumps a carfax anyday. Use carfax to compare against, but Autocheck usually lists way more items that carfax misses...and often!!

 

I would say pass. I will never ever buy a car that has been auctioned out, be sure that a Lexus dealer somewhere decided that there is something wrong with the car to auction it. Unless it is more than 6 years old or has more than 70k miles at the time of the auction. I made this mistake once and never again...

 

There's a more ideal one for you out there..