I'm considering purchasing a SC430. I'd prefer a 2006+ model with higher miles to keep the cost down. I don't mind high miles as long as the car has been well maintained and verifiable.

I found this car at a dealer in Houston:

http://www.champsautosales.com/vehic...6-lexus-sc-430

One owner with full service history at a Lexus dealer. I'm in Minnesota so I can't easily look at it but it appears in very good condition. Thoughts on this car from other forum members?

Thanks.

 

I am also an owner of a high mileage SC430 (but a 2002), the 2006 you are looking at looks great but the price seems high. Look up the "trade in value" for the car and offer $500-$1,000 over that... if they took this car as a trade and want to get rid of it then you will save them the wholesale auction fees.

WIth that mileage, that car would only be of interest to a very small subset of "enthusiasts" (like folks on this forum) and not "mainstream buyers". This makes me think they'd consider a low-ball offer.

Notice you don't have a spare tire, which was optional but you'd want if you have non runflat tires. When you go to test drive bring a ODBII reader (you can buy one at Pep Boys for under $50) and connect it to the car to make sure the check engine light wasn't recently turned off (common practice at used car dealers... it then comes on within 50 miles if there's something wrong, long after you've finished your test drive).

I think buying a high mileage newer used car in good share is like an art form. Definately read through all the stickies on the forum on issues with the SC430. Good luck!

 

VERY IMPORTANT! I just Googled this car's VIN, and it's listed on several SALVAGE car websites. Make sure the title is CLEAR and NOT a SALVAGE title. if it is a salvage title, offer them around 11K if you still are considering it.

http://www.salvage-cars-for-sale.inf...06-ODA2OTU2MTg

 

if it is a salvage car just my 02 cents. i would stay away from it, means was totaled and repaired. even if you got it cheaper, could cost lots of money in the long run and you still have a salvage car.

 

Well after looking at photos, it really looks good. Is it really a salvage car?

 

How can one truly find out if a car has been in a salvage condition. I have seen that there are "ways" to get clean reports. It is all about money. Everyone has a price tag. Everyone.

 

You cant per say because you can crash a car and bend the frame and as long as insurance and the cops were not involved you can fix the car and keep a clean title, heck the accident wouldnt even show. Also another reason a car can have a salvage title is if it is stolen and maybe stripped. So there are different situations. I would never buy a salvage title in some states you cant even insure a car with such a title.

 

if it is a salvage car just my 02 cents. i would stay away from it, means was totaled and repaired. even if you got it cheaper, could cost lots of money in the long run and you still have a salvage car.

 

I found one with Carfax showing regular care at Toyota Dealers. I think I'll keep it that way except for SC430 specific issues.

 

Thanks for all the information. The dealer claims it's a one owner car with a clear title. On Dec. 15, 2011 it was reported as 'done' by a Lexus dealer and according to cargurus.com, it hasbeen on the market since Dec. 28, 2011. How reliable is the Salvage.com site? Jasone36 - what other salvage sites did you see this car listed? I only found it on salvage.com.





Dealer Reported

12/15/2011

Sterling McCall Lexus

139666

0506547

DONE

 

Carcrazy, it appears to be on http://www.salvage-cars-for-sale.info

Have you pulled a CarFax on this VIN? That would be the best way to go. Let us know.

The CarFax "bait" site says:

VIN:
JTHFN48Y269008651
Vehicle:
2006 LEXUS SC 430
Records:
40 records found in our database

These could be 40 good records or 39 good records and one salvage record....

Let us know what you discover, this is interesting.

 

How did this work out, I'm curious.

 

If you click on the link in the first post, you'll see that the car has been sold. Don't know if the OP bought it.

 

I think this should be added to the Sticky on shopping for a used sc430.....this is a great idea that I didn't even consider when I bought mine, private party.

ds