mikeyLS400

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum and I really appreciate any advise you can give me. I am going to see a 1997 LX450 tomorrow and possibly buying it. It is a 1997 LX450 with 125K miles. My questions are:

1. What should be the fair price? The owner told me it is in excellent condition and he rarely drive it. I check KBB at it says $9000 for Very Good condition. I checked Edmunds and it says $5100 for Outstanding condition.

2. The vehicle has 125K miles so what should I be on the lookout for?

3. Any major routine maintenance at this mileage I should be awared of or ask the owner? Like timming belt change? fuel filter change? etc.

4. Your general impression on the LX450? My research showed it is a good truck to own.

Thanks for all your help.

Michael

tank97

so did u buy it?

Playdrv4me

You can pretty much throw the "book" values out with these trucks. The truth is you could end up on the low end of that spectrum with a private owner who is just looking to move on, or you could end up at the high end of the spectrum with someone (or a dealer) who knows that these trucks run forever and get harder and harder to find in pristine condition. 125k is considered very low mileage on a 1997 LX and I've seen trucks with 200k still sell easily for 5000.00 in good condition.

A few years ago Mercedes Benz of Tampa had a remarkably pristine 1997 LX with something like 60 or 80k miles on it. They were selling it for 13000.00. We can argue all day as to how ludicrous that price is, but the bottom line is they sold it in a matter of days. They also begged me to buy my 1998 LS400 from me at one point. The sales manager there really likes these older cars, or at least he did at the time.

mikeyLS400

Thank you for the advises. I bought the LX450 for $6700. The interior is in excellent shape. The previous owner had both front seat reupholstery with new leather. The other seats are in excellent shape. The tires are Michelin and are almost brand new. The owner also gave me bunch of parts which he had purchased from Lexus dealer but never have them replaced (spark plugs, cap/rotor, wires, air filter, oil filter, etc.). So I think I got a great deal.

Took to my mechanic and had the general tune-up - spark plugs, oil/oil filter, air filter, coolant flushed, steering fluid flushed, cap/rotor/wires, all the drive belts.

My next project is to replace the CD player/CD changer...not worky...hihihihi.

I love my new LX450 and I use it sparingly (Gas$$$). I use my 91 LS400 full time...I love this one too...so reliable.

Playdrv4me

Congratulations! It should provide you with many years of excellent service. I just picked up our 2000 LX today also.

tank97

good deal for $6700! congrats! u have pics?