Highly considering purchasing a 2016 model with about 50k miles. Dealer is looking for $41k. White on Red interior. Visually the car is in near perfect condition, other than a few rock chips here and there. The car is stock other than 20inch after market rims on michelin pilot sport 4s which I quite like. The car is well specked . The only option I wish it had was the Mark Levinson audio system, kinda disappointed on it not. It doesn’t have the TVD which I am okay with. This would be my first time owning a Lexus, I come from Audis. What are some general things to be aware of or look at before purchasing this car? As of now I think the price is pretty fair based on the market but would love some feedback on that as well.

 

Did you check the maintenance history? Tires? Brakes? Also, CarFax for any accidents? Usually when you are looking at an RCF with this much mileage, it has been through 2 or 3 owners since a lot of times people buy an RCF not knowing what to expect so you have to really look into the details of how the car has been treated in the past. You can post pictures and the link to any documentation like history etc. Also, history will tell you if the recall work for the high pressure fuel pump was done or not etc.

Since you want to purchase it once and purchase the best one you can for the specific budget you have set aside, you want to really compare 2 or 3 to see the trade offs for exampke, there will be some that are lower mileage and mildly driven that are priced higher vs some that are higher mileage, but cheaper etc. So, do you have some other ones you are considering or this is the only one you have on your radar?

 

If listening to music in the car is important to you and you don't want to invest in a custom car audio setup hold out and find a RCF with the ML. The system is quite impressive and sounds really good. The RCF is a great GT car. It's comfortable and roomy for long trips and cruising and the ML audio package really makes it all round a better option than other cars.

 

Carfax looks solid, 3 previous owners and has the
maintenance history up to the 40k mile service. As for recalls, there are none reported on Carfax or Lexus’s website when I search the vin so I assume it has all been taken care of. Tires are new and breaks don’t look bad. I’m planning on test driving it in the next couple days to get a feel. I’ve been looking for a few weeks now and I am comfortable with this price range, really wouldn’t want to go much higher.

 

Have you tried both the regular sound system and the ML? I’m wondering if there is a huge difference. My current A4 has the upgraded B&O system and while it’s good it doesn’t blow me away. I feel like in the Audi I could’ve lived without it, but if it’s that much of a difference I might have to reconsider. I also plan on listening to the sweet music of the NA V8 most of the time

 

Yeah, put it in sport+ mode and throw it in manual mode to get the most aggressive settings in the car (if you look for one with TVD then go with SLALOM mode for maximum tossability at city speeds). How big are the wheels? Are they 20 inches? Bigger wheels also have some adverse effect on how the car feels as it raises the roll center of the car unless it is lowered (in this case you said it is stock) so it might sit much taller than stock and feel that way, but anyway try it out and see how it feels.

 

Have to agree with @05RollaXRS , unless you go on a road trip, you will be listening to the V8 in Sport+ mode (manual only) than music for regular commutes.
As an amateur audiophile, the most important factor in any audio system is the quality of the source, hence CD or HiRes audio >= 24bit/48khz. I believe the base audio system is a Pioneer setup and will sound fine with high quality recording and correct equalizer setting. Hence ML should be non factor in buying an F.

 

Thanks. I have ML stereo on my RCF and I have only heard it once or twice in 7+ years and only when the car was parked in the garage. I NEVER turn it on while driving since that is not the point of this car to me. It is all about the experience. My IS350 F-Sport and RCF both have the ML Stereo and my RX450h has the standard audio that was available at the time. I have used the RX450h audio many times and it is plenty good. I don't see the ML stereo adding a whole lot unless you are a very keen audiophile.