In the market for a $15000 Lexus. Can I find a LS worth buying. Or is the es a must in said price range.
Any year is fine

It really depends upon the maintenance, repair history of the car. The powertrains can easily go 300k. How far are you willing to travel? You'll have a larger selection of ES. Also. they are two very different cars. For one, fuel economy is 15 city/25 hwy in the LS.

I would travel 200 miles for a 1 owner. Not so sure gas is a issue. Was more concerned that for $15k. A LS might need a lot of work.

There are LS460's out there in the $15K range. But keep in mind, these cars are going to be at least 13 years old or older. While they're great cars, they're going to need repairs. I took a look around and every one in your price range was either wrecked, or crazy high mileage and 2 or more owners. There may be a unicorn out there if you are in no rush and are willing to have it shipped, but $15K would be the beginning of the costs IMPO. Good luck.

True... i would try to add a few more thousand and get a 13+ model.

I just paid $14,000 for a 2014 LS 460 AWD with 298,000 miles. Facebook marketplace. You can find them.

DANG, that's a lot of miles, which is my subjective opinion. I have a '13 that barely broke 90K miles last week.

OP, if you find one w/in your budget, I would personally look to see when the C arms were replaced. Also if it's air suspension, check to see if there's any records of if/when they were replaced. I recently swapped out both front air struts & paid 20% of your entire car budget, but was well worth the expense, rather than swapping them to coils.

GL!

Are they really going for that much? I have a 2011 with 69,442 miles on it. Depending on how our cashflow is when my daughter heads to college, I may sell it later this year to buy something else I have my eye on.

Gather your maintenance records. that should help get top dollar for your low mileage/desirable car.

A used car dealer friend of mine is currently selling my 2010 LS SWB with 129k miles. He said I should get $15k. California car and here’s what I’ve done to it. Belt Tensioner - Dayco (89380)
Idler pulley - Dayco (89537)
Serpentine Belt - Bando (6PK2100)
Water Pump - Aisin (WPT187)
Thermostat - Aisin (THT005)
Radiator - Denso (2219223)
Gates Lower radiator hose (23477)
Gates Upper Radiator Hose (23478)
Idler pulley upper- Dayco (89537)
Idler pulley lower - Dayco 89580)
Toyota Super Long Life Coolant - 00272SLLC2 x 3
Toyota Valve Cover gaskets - Right - 11213-38030
Toyota Valve Cover gaskets - Left - 11214-38020
Toyota Spark Plug Gasket (11193-38020) x 8
Toyota Throttle Body Gasket (22271-50050)
NGK Plugs DFH6B-11A

Denso coils
K&N Air Filter 33-2381 x 2
Fuel pump spacer gasket (23224-38010 x 2)
Fuel pump insulator (23915-46011 x 2)
O-Ring (90301-A0029 x 4)
Pulsation damper gasket (23279-74010 x 4)

8 Control Arms

2 sway bars

4 KYB Struts and mounts



Vline2 CarPlay

Lexus new warranty door panels and center console



New Alternator

Michelins (4) 20k miles ago



Valley pan re-sealed

Forgot to add:

2 Trans fluid drains and one full drain at the dealer, and a brake fluid replacement out of the reservoir

I keep everything Each car has a folder with title and maintenance records. I downloaded the service history from Lexus when I bought the car in Dec 2017.