Questionable CPO Lexus ES Purchase?
Some minor bumper damage made forum member’s COP Lexus ES look like a bargain. But is it too good to be true?
Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles are often a smart purchase for savvy used car shoppers. Typically, these dealer inspected, low mile rides are the next best thing to new. You get a car that comes gently used, typically a lease turn-in. With a solid warranty to boot. But when Club Lexus member DanBryant spotted a nice CPO Lexus ES recently, it came with a few questions. Namely, some slight damage. So before he pulled the trigger, the OP headed to the forums for advice.
“I was planning on purchasing a CPO 2016 Lexus ES 350 with 30K miles. Originally the dealer wanted $37K for the vehicle. But after a few months of negotiating, I was able to knock the price down to $31.5K.
There’s just one problem with the vehicle. It sustained some minor bumper damage about a week before it was returned to the dealer (previously a personal lease). The CarFax doesn’t show an accident, but does show that the vehicle sustained minor damage. According to the dealer, there was no frame damage, and the bumper was simply replaced. Because of that, I asked to have the vehicle inspected by a Toyota/Lexus mechanic in the area, and they agreed.”
Sounds reasonable, no? But even minor issues like these can be potential pitfalls for buyers. So the OP wonders aloud if they should look into matters further.
“Should I also have the vehicle checked by an auto body shop? If so, should I have the auto body check the vehicle first, or the mechanic? The reason I ask is in case the body shop sees that there was more damage than the dealer stated. Or even worse, if the vehicle sustained frame damage, then I wouldn’t be interested in the car (and it wouldn’t make sense to take the vehicle to a mechanic afterwards).”
Further complicating matters was the low sale price. Is the dealer just trying to cut a deal, or is it a sign that things are worse than they appear? Thankfully, it didn’t take long for others to chime in with some advice.
“If you are really concerned about it, take it to a body shop that has a frame alignment machine and have them look at it,” suggests Ratchey.“If the car is a Lexus CPO, then I would skip the mechanic unless it will put your mind at rest. Are they dropping the CPO on the car and that is why you are considering the extended warranty from a different dealer? Price seems a bit high on the warranty but I can’t say for sure. I don’t think I would pay that much for only 125K miles. They are pretty reliable cars.”
Turns out, the dealer is selling the Lexus ES with the Lexus Certified Warranty intact. But the OP is concerned with things like electrical issues, not powertrain-related ones. All of these factors make the purchase sound reasonable to lesz.
“First, the $31,500 price for a 2016 CPO UL package ES with 30,000 miles seems to be a good price. The new tires and brake pads are certainly a plus. I’m assuming, from what you have listed as optional equipment, that the car does not have the Safety Package. It includes the auto braking, radar cruise control, and lane departure warning. The Safety Package was not yet standard for the 2016 model year. If the car does have the Safety Package, the $31,500 price would be excellent.
I would not have much concern about a bumper that has been replaced. If it gives you peace of mind, have it checked out by a reputable body shop. But otherwise, a replaced or repaired bumper should be insignificant. And the fact that the car is black is good because non-metallic black is by far the easiest color for which to match the paint on the new bumper with the color of the rest of the car.”
“As far as the two extended warranty options that you have mentioned, I would take a pass on both of them. The likelihood that between the time the CPO warranty (or the remainder of the factory powertrain warranty) ends and the time when coverage would end on either of those extended warranty options, the chance you are going to have to spend $2,000 or $3,000 in repairs that would have been covered by the extended warranties is slim. Instead of buying the extended warranty, put $2,000 or $3,000 in an emergency repair savings account. The odds are strongly in your favor that you will end up significantly better off by the time you no longer own the car.”
All-in-all, the feedback provided gave the OP confidence to go through with the purchase. But if you’re on the fence about buying a car with similar questions as this Lexus ES, this thread is well worth a read. It’s packed full of great information sure to save you some money (and headaches) in the future!
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