Just an Observation
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 95
Likes: 7
From: Florida
Just an Observation
Purchased my second LS, a 2012, in April 2018. Found it on Autotrader after diligently looking for well over a year.
I always focused on low mileage and good condition. Did not want AWD or air suspension. After April I started using the Forum regularly. On the Forum I was surprised I found almost no reference or discussion about searching for low mileage cars. I was flexible on some things, but low mileage and condition were paramount. As an aside my 2012 had 5580 miles on it and was a CPO from the Lexus dealer. It just happened to be a good color with the right options.
Anyone care to comment.
I always focused on low mileage and good condition. Did not want AWD or air suspension. After April I started using the Forum regularly. On the Forum I was surprised I found almost no reference or discussion about searching for low mileage cars. I was flexible on some things, but low mileage and condition were paramount. As an aside my 2012 had 5580 miles on it and was a CPO from the Lexus dealer. It just happened to be a good color with the right options.
Anyone care to comment.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 220
From: Ontario
Purchased my second LS, a 2012, in April 2018. Found it on Autotrader after diligently looking for well over a year.
I always focused on low mileage and good condition. Did not want AWD or air suspension. After April I started using the Forum regularly. On the Forum I was surprised I found almost no reference or discussion about searching for low mileage cars. I was flexible on some things, but low mileage and condition were paramount. As an aside my 2012 had 5580 miles on it and was a CPO from the Lexus dealer. It just happened to be a good color with the right options.
Anyone care to comment.
I always focused on low mileage and good condition. Did not want AWD or air suspension. After April I started using the Forum regularly. On the Forum I was surprised I found almost no reference or discussion about searching for low mileage cars. I was flexible on some things, but low mileage and condition were paramount. As an aside my 2012 had 5580 miles on it and was a CPO from the Lexus dealer. It just happened to be a good color with the right options.
Anyone care to comment.
Depending on what the premium might be... first you pay more for low mileage, then you pay the dealer premium and CPO etc....but I do not trust dealers. So... you it really depends how much more are they asking. And what the extended warranty covers...
I prefer to focus on the overall deal. A well used car... for example mine... 2007 imported new from the US into Ukraine in 2007.. never used in the winter... till it reached my hands will be its first winter. No metal parts been painted.. bumpers were repainted but not a great job need to be redone..underbody was pristine. 80+,000 miles when I got it 6 months ago. Which is pretty low mileage for that car. I've done about 3000 miles in 4 months. And Ive only taken one super long trip so far. I paid 16,500 USD.. which is pretty low for this fully loaded car here in Ukraine. I am pretty much paying close to US prices. So for me it was the overall condition of the car. key is one owner for me.. a guy that spent close or over 90,000 USD to bring this car here is going to treat it like it is worth 90,000. It is not going to be the same if it went through a few owners.
**I had some issues, probably of my own making with the steering rack, but other than that everything has been working fine... Lexus is going to fix the 3 safety recall issues for me, which apparently have not been done. No complaints so far.
I do suggest that you stay away from the dealer save for warranty issues. If you have anything to do that you have to pay out of pocket get it done at a proper indy shop you can trust that issues detailed receipts and documents.
Something I had done recently was another inspection of my suspension components. I need new bushings for the front lower control arms. Everything else seems fine. I had the guy silicone lube all the rubber components. And tightened all the chassis bolts and suspension components. Rides sooo much quieter after that...
CL Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,264
Likes: 481
From: MA
It's just speculation on my part, but I think why you may not see a focus on low mileage is these cars are so much more reliable than most other cars that mileage is not an overriding factor. I think condition is a prime factor though. I can remember reading posts where a potential buyer was looking at a significant discount for a car in less than ideal condition.
And my other comment is, congrats on finding the perfect car. I wish you good luck with it!
And my other comment is, congrats on finding the perfect car. I wish you good luck with it!
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 95
Likes: 7
From: Florida
Thanks for your reply. What I didn't mention was I always looked for a garage kept car. This was. I think I get some benefit from the low mileage thing, at least to me it was worth it. Never thought I would purchase a CPO car, but I did. I wanted it and if I did I had to go CPO. I arrived one half hour before the dealership opened and I got in early. Bought it right away. Within an hour, before I finished the paperwork, four others showed up to buy the car.
Got a bumper to bumper warranty, two years no mileage limit from the dealer.
Now have 14,200 miles and not one problem or deficiency. So far I am happy.
Got a bumper to bumper warranty, two years no mileage limit from the dealer.
Now have 14,200 miles and not one problem or deficiency. So far I am happy.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 220
From: Ontario
Thanks for your reply. What I didn't mention was I always looked for a garage kept car. This was. I think I get some benefit from the low mileage thing, at least to me it was worth it. Never thought I would purchase a CPO car, but I did. I wanted it and if I did I had to go CPO. I arrived one half hour before the dealership opened and I got in early. Bought it right away. Within an hour, before I finished the paperwork, four others showed up to buy the car.
Got a bumper to bumper warranty, two years no mileage limit from the dealer.
Now have 14,200 miles and not one problem or deficiency. So far I am happy.
Got a bumper to bumper warranty, two years no mileage limit from the dealer.
Now have 14,200 miles and not one problem or deficiency. So far I am happy.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 785
Likes: 225
From: NJ
Thanks for your reply. What I didn't mention was I always looked for a garage kept car. This was. I think I get some benefit from the low mileage thing, at least to me it was worth it. Never thought I would purchase a CPO car, but I did. I wanted it and if I did I had to go CPO. I arrived one half hour before the dealership opened and I got in early. Bought it right away. Within an hour, before I finished the paperwork, four others showed up to buy the car.
Got a bumper to bumper warranty, two years no mileage limit from the dealer.
Now have 14,200 miles and not one problem or deficiency. So far I am happy.
Got a bumper to bumper warranty, two years no mileage limit from the dealer.
Now have 14,200 miles and not one problem or deficiency. So far I am happy.
Trending Topics
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 365
From: New Hampshire
I think mileage (low mileage) is relevant when factoring cost. For instance if I'm looking at 2012's and I find two...one has 60,000 miles and the other has 10,000 miles, but the price difference is $10,000?? I think you have to give it some serious thought as to what that extra $10,000 is getting you. And if it doesn't equate to something worthwhile? Then go with the higher mileage car. There are so many other factors as well...condition, service history, accidents, etc. They all add up to a worthwhile purchase or one to avoid, but mileage...higher mileage, isn't necessarily a bad thing on these particular cars (if you get it at a good price).
When I was getting out of my LS, people I talked with told me...it's a nice car but it's old. People can't get loans for a used luxury car that's ten years old. They can't afford it, and that's the market that is looking for an older luxury vehicle. And they can't get the financing of say $14,000-$16,000 on a ten year old car. The rates and term limits will make the payments too high for them. So you either have to price the car low - and bring in people - or hope someone's can pony up $15,000 grand cash. And people who have $15,000 cash laying around aren't buying ten year old luxury cars, they're buying new luxury cars.
So keep in mind vehicle age, is maybe just as important - maybe more so - then vehicle mileage.
When I was getting out of my LS, people I talked with told me...it's a nice car but it's old. People can't get loans for a used luxury car that's ten years old. They can't afford it, and that's the market that is looking for an older luxury vehicle. And they can't get the financing of say $14,000-$16,000 on a ten year old car. The rates and term limits will make the payments too high for them. So you either have to price the car low - and bring in people - or hope someone's can pony up $15,000 grand cash. And people who have $15,000 cash laying around aren't buying ten year old luxury cars, they're buying new luxury cars.
So keep in mind vehicle age, is maybe just as important - maybe more so - then vehicle mileage.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 220
From: Ontario
I think mileage (low mileage) is relevant when factoring cost. For instance if I'm looking at 2012's and I find two...one has 60,000 miles and the other has 10,000 miles, but the price difference is $10,000?? I think you have to give it some serious thought as to what that extra $10,000 is getting you. And if it doesn't equate to something worthwhile? Then go with the higher mileage car. There are so many other factors as well...condition, service history, accidents, etc. They all add up to a worthwhile purchase or one to avoid, but mileage...higher mileage, isn't necessarily a bad thing on these particular cars (if you get it at a good price).
When I was getting out of my LS, people I talked with told me...it's a nice car but it's old. People can't get loans for a used luxury car that's ten years old. They can't afford it, and that's the market that is looking for an older luxury vehicle. And they can't get the financing of say $14,000-$16,000 on a ten year old car. The rates and term limits will make the payments too high for them. So you either have to price the car low - and bring in people - or hope someone's can pony up $15,000 grand cash. And people who have $15,000 cash laying around aren't buying ten year old luxury cars, they're buying new luxury cars.
So keep in mind vehicle age, is maybe just as important - maybe more so - then vehicle mileage.
When I was getting out of my LS, people I talked with told me...it's a nice car but it's old. People can't get loans for a used luxury car that's ten years old. They can't afford it, and that's the market that is looking for an older luxury vehicle. And they can't get the financing of say $14,000-$16,000 on a ten year old car. The rates and term limits will make the payments too high for them. So you either have to price the car low - and bring in people - or hope someone's can pony up $15,000 grand cash. And people who have $15,000 cash laying around aren't buying ten year old luxury cars, they're buying new luxury cars.
So keep in mind vehicle age, is maybe just as important - maybe more so - then vehicle mileage.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 198
From: Ca
I think mileage (low mileage) is relevant when factoring cost. For instance if I'm looking at 2012's and I find two...one has 60,000 miles and the other has 10,000 miles, but the price difference is $10,000?? I think you have to give it some serious thought as to what that extra $10,000 is getting you. And if it doesn't equate to something worthwhile? Then go with the higher mileage car. There are so many other factors as well...condition, service history, accidents, etc. They all add up to a worthwhile purchase or one to avoid, but mileage...higher mileage, isn't necessarily a bad thing on these particular cars (if you get it at a good price).
When I was getting out of my LS, people I talked with told me...it's a nice car but it's old. People can't get loans for a used luxury car that's ten years old. They can't afford it, and that's the market that is looking for an older luxury vehicle. And they can't get the financing of say $14,000-$16,000 on a ten year old car. The rates and term limits will make the payments too high for them. So you either have to price the car low - and bring in people - or hope someone's can pony up $15,000 grand cash. And people who have $15,000 cash laying around aren't buying ten year old luxury cars, they're buying new luxury cars.
So keep in mind vehicle age, is maybe just as important - maybe more so - then vehicle mileage.
When I was getting out of my LS, people I talked with told me...it's a nice car but it's old. People can't get loans for a used luxury car that's ten years old. They can't afford it, and that's the market that is looking for an older luxury vehicle. And they can't get the financing of say $14,000-$16,000 on a ten year old car. The rates and term limits will make the payments too high for them. So you either have to price the car low - and bring in people - or hope someone's can pony up $15,000 grand cash. And people who have $15,000 cash laying around aren't buying ten year old luxury cars, they're buying new luxury cars.
So keep in mind vehicle age, is maybe just as important - maybe more so - then vehicle mileage.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 365
From: New Hampshire
What part is not true, you paying $18,000 cash for a ten year old luxury car, or most others not doing that? What I was told, from someone that owned a very successful used car facility (with a repair facility), is the financing on a used car (ten plus years old) is a higher rate, therefore the people in that market/price range aren't able/willing/not a large enough market, to get said loans/purchase the ten year old luxury car in that price range. I'd say that is true - if you look at the prices of ten year old luxury cars they are on the lower end of the spectrum (price wise). No?
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 220
From: Ontario
What part is not true, you paying $18,000 cash for a ten year old luxury car, or most others not doing that? What I was told, from someone that owned a very successful used car facility (with a repair facility), is the financing on a used car (ten plus years old) is a higher rate, therefore the people in that market/price range aren't able/willing/not a large enough market, to get said loans/purchase the ten year old luxury car in that price range. I'd say that is true - if you look at the prices of ten year old luxury cars they are on the lower end of the spectrum (price wise). No?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,631
Likes: 4,045
From: Maryland
Most people don't buy cars with cash. Most people finance cars. What Doublebase said is 100% accurate, thats why values take a big hit after 10 years.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 220
From: Ontario