Guys, I am looking to jump from 07 SWB with 40k miles to this http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...ink=true&Log=0

Scared because it is out of CPO. Car is in perfect condition with the exception of vibration when I make U turns.

Few quick questions:

1. Is this a fare price?
2. What do I need to pay attention to? Shall I take it to the dealer for pre-purchase evaluation?
3. Can this u-turn vibration be the drive train shuddering L-SB-0023-11 tsb?

I appreciate opinions/ideas!!!

Nice car; only two issues apparently:

1. Kerbed wheels - $75 each to fix (on the car), $125 each (off the car and with tires removed) - no big deal, really.

2. Vibration when turning - this would worry me. Could be bad CV joints, bad strut bearings, bad struts, bad control arm bushings, transfer case (the TSB you mentioned), ECU needing reprogramming, plus a whole host of other things. Take it to a Lexus dealer for a pre-purchase inspection. Ask them to check this specifically and then to do the 161 point check they would do for a CPO certification. Will cost between $100 and $200 but will be money well spent.

If you can get the vibration issue sorted out, that's a very nice car with low miles at a good price.

Good luck!

EDIT: Talk to the Finance manager at the Lexus dealership you use for the inspection and ask him/her "I understand it might be possible to purchase a used car Lexus Platinum warranty for this car"? If he says yes, GET IT!

That's a really nice looking car. Nice price for the mileage.

How does the Platinum warranty compare against the CPO warranty?

-cerbm

They appear to be the same, just different options for the miles/years.

????????

Folks, I appreciate the feedback!! Wondering if any of the 600 owners can tell me if you experience this light vibration in U-turns, mainly coming from the back? I just called the servicing dealer and the SA told me that he felt the same thing when he moved a 600 for a customer making sharp turns, explaining that this is normal from the electric motors. I am trying to take it for pre-purchase inspection too.

I don't think shuddering from the rear end is normal. Looks like the car has air suspension but I can't see the pumps causing that issue and I'm sure thousands of 600 owners would not tolerate it if they did! I'm not aware there's any undue stress on the rear CV joints like there would be on the front. The TSB you referred to is for a shuddering coming from the AWD transfer case, which is at the front of the car.
Let's see what you other post brings, but I wouldn't be in any rush to buy this car.

Here is an update: took it for CPO certification inspection ($230) shop foreman said he does not need to drive it, he knows this is the AWD tsb. Owner of the car approved the repair. Will wait and see...

No vibrations like that on my 600 during u turns..tsb addressed the issue before I bought it CPO

Let's hope this is the problem and you're all sorted out!

(Don't forget to ask about that Lexus Platinum warranty!)

Thank you all for the help! I did not forget about the warranty. This car is out of the 4/50 and I can't obtain Lexus warranty on it, except CPO. To get CPO, dealer has to own the car

So, i am exploring an option where the dealer will buy the car and turn around and sell it to me certified. Right now they are trying to get $2,500 for this... I am trying to get a better deal, especially with trading in my beloved 07 SWB with 40K miles in prestine condition at $27K

I will post an update before end of the day.

If you are financing through your credit union, I'd look into purchasing their Platinum warranty. From my understanding it covers everything and maybe a little cheaper than the warranty Lexus is offering.

Here are the warranty options after reaching end-of-the-road into the negotiations:

1. 5 years/100K miles from Route 66 from CU at $2,600. I have tried them in the past and they are great company!
2. 3 years/100K miles Lexus CPO for $3,100
3. 6 years/100K miles Lexus CPO for $4,600

The years are starting the date of purchase, miles is from the in-service date.

Views?

That's about what I paid for my 3/100 Lexus Platinum warranty ($2800). I'd probably go the extra $500 and get the Lexus warranty - it's an exclusionary warranty that doesn't exclude much!

So they were able to do the CPO despite not buying it from them?

Everything is negotiable..If the Lexus dealer can do CPO for about $1800 or less..do it. CPO is a feel good thing for owners which sometimes comes in handy and usually added profit for dealers. Being an educated owner will help you to ensure you get your ROI and then some. I paid additional to give me a 5yr/125k CPO Warranty and in one year alone, I had $3k in repairs..nearly doublw what I paid for the extended cpo wrap with 3 years still to go!

Instead of buying this car from a private owner, dealer will buy it from the seller, certify it and sell it back to me for $3100 more if I get 3/100 CPO or $4600 more for 6/100 CPO. This the only way to get it certified, for dealer to own it.

Right now I am leaning toward standard 3/100, not sure I will keep it longer than 3 years and it is already 6 years old car.

No premium warranty option on this car because it has been out of the factory warranty for 2 years