Hi guys, looking into buying a SC430 tomorrow. I found one, what do you guys think of the price?
It's a 2002 SC430, Nav, Cd Changer, 46K Miles On It, Great Condition, 19" Aftermarket Wheels for 32.5K. What do you guys think? Any Feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

If I were in the market for a used SC, I would go for it!

 

The price sounds real good but of course u need to see condition. You definitely should get car checked out by Lexus or good mechanic. See if 1 or 2nd owner. Be careful if more than 1 owner. Carfax is good. I have never had a good experience buying a used car. Why sella car with no problems. Little old ladies selling cars are rare. 32k or even 30 is still alot of $ to lose. Some dealers sell certified with 3 yr bumber to bumber warranty. You will need to find clean one though. All ones I have seen used really looked used! After looking at many I decided to get new one.

 

I'm too **** to buy used, but all I can say is I wouldn't buy such a car used if it wasn't from the ORIGINAL owner, period. If you can't afford a new one, then a certified one, as stated. If you can't afford one either, I'd look for something you can really afford, and buy new. You'd be taking a big risk buying a car that has changed hands more than once, and with that kind of mileage, but that's your choice. Just do your homework thoroughly. Remember even a fender-bender can throw the complex roof's alignment out of whack, and no warranty would cover that. I'd be much less pessimistic with a 'normal' car. Good luck.

 

granted the car is in good condition (both internally and externally)? it's a good deal

 

Sounds like a great price...but be catious of several things. Sounds a little too low. My 02 red/ecru with 23k miles on it was $34,995. It had the 15k service at local Lexus dealer and it was a one owner (older lady that lived at the dealership!) with all the records pulled. All service had been completed and the same exact car but with saddle interior was $5k more at the dealer. The CPO program is outstanding, but you CAN buy a used car for the great price that is still under factory 4yr/50k miles and purchase the platinum 3yr/70k mile program like I did for $2100. To answer your question in short: YES, it's a good deal if and only if you can pull the records and verify the 15k, 30k, 45k and all other service has been done. If not, start subtracting the price. How do the tires look? They are expensive!!! If they are low, start subtracting. I looked for an SC this year for about six months from Jan-June and did not see any "great conditioned" low mileage cars for under $35k in a great color. What's funny is: You can have two pearl white SC430's, same mileage, same service history, same price, but one has ecru and the other has saddle leather and they could be $1-$2k difference in price because the market for ecru is much better. There was a red 2003 sitting at a local dealer with saddle interior with more miles than mine, NON-CPO and was in rougher condition for $38,995. The same car in ecru or a black or silver or white in ecru with similar mileage at other dealers was well over $40k. So, again to summarize, the service, tires, color combination and condition all need to be factored in very carefully. Don't settle...there are hundreds of these great cars to choose from all over the country. Be mindful of cars that may have been victims of natural disasters but not claimed on insurance, been neglected maintenance-wise, been in an accident (check for tape marks, overspray, etc) and/or been subject to harsh driving conditions; i.e. salt roads, etc. I would definitely invest in a carfax subscription. I ran one on a car I was going to buy and the dealer said it was a one owner with no accidents, and I found out it was a three owner with two accidents!!!! Good luck...If you would like any help, let me know what you are looking for and where you are at and I can help you locate one since I just was in the market for six months not too long ago.

 

Obviously it does pay to do your homework, and I want to say that I purchased a lease-return from a dealership (not Lexus), without the CPO, got a good price on an immaculate car. Only had 15K miles on it (2003 silver/black), and honestly looks showroom-new. The dealer provided the CarFax (which matched the one I had already run). Original owner, obviously not primary car. I could not be happier with mine. There are gems out there on the used market, but be patient if the current one you are looking at has any red flags. Good luck!

 

I've had a couple of friends tell me that Carfax doesn't catch everything and that they also used Autocheck and found a more detailed report, like a bent frame, etc.

Best of luck to you!

 

I just bought a 2003 black on black with 10,800 miles, one owner and it is a certified (CPO) vehicle so it comes with an additional 3 years and 100K mile bumper to bumper warranty. I paid $45K but it looks brand new and also has chrome wheels and spoiler and also has new PZero Nero tires. I'm happy