thefed

Im looking hard @ a 97 es300, negotiated down to $9.5k.

Its at a place that only has 30 cars, all exotics/classics...and he said he took it in on a trade. He's working on getting maintainence records from the guy who traded it for a VIPER. This place has 2 vipers, 2 lambo's, 1 ferrari, 2 lotus's, a few 1st gen camaro's, a few vettes, some 24" rimmed suv's, a few porsches, etc....and a 97 lex....lol.

he CLAIMS the owner was uber-rich and maitained with an open pocketbook...and it LOOKS clean, but im always leary

Seems to be a fair price to me...whaddaya think?

Also wonderign what inherent problems to look for in a 97? Valve cover gaskets I hear leak a lot.

What else?

thanks

thefed

anyone?


......

sub786sub

That does not make any sense, "owner traded it for VIPER" . price is 80+K for dodge viper and below 9K for es 1997 . Unless proven otherwise the es must have some defect, I will not buy it . The Owner must have taste for driving sporty fast cars , and might have treated 1997 roughly . I bought mine 1997 from an old lady ( 144 K miles now ) , still no leakage nothing with trany and engine . I will never buy a car from that owner
Just my Opinion.

boxlvo

97 ES for 9.5k is a little too much imo. I got a 00 ES platinum for 9.3k with 87K miles on it, just to give you an idea. If you buy a used car, don't buy it from the dealer, buy it from an individual and have a mechanic inspect it. Individuals are more willing to lower their price and you can tell what kind of person drive that car.

adorjr

Got a black 97 ES 300 for $7K from a private seller with 98K miles. Had to do the timing belt and water pump maintenance though. Great driving car for the family.

sub786sub

I agree . Buy directly from Owner . Not through dealer . I will go for one owner car first .

Rollin'ES3

i got my 00 es300 for 9.5k as well with 54k on it, just to give u another idea of what they shud sell for..it doesnt sound too bad, but i wouldnt buy a car from a dealer like ppl prevously said...goodluck

thefed

wow! where do you all live? whether from people or dealers, a lexus cant be had for anywhere near that price around me (within 1oo miles of Cleveland OH).
Cheapest 99 or 2000 with less than 75k is a 99 with 73k for 12,900 (person) or a 2000 with 60k for 14.5k (dealer)


hmmm

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

Wow, that seems very pricey. I saw a 01 GS430 for 13 around here....

LCB@TDF

we got our 97 es300 for $7900; all the pumps, valves, hoses, radiator flush, new tires, etc etc etc done within 2 months before we bought it.


104k on the odo, owned by an older man (guestimate that he was in his 60's).

LC1338

I agree with you. I live in Atlanta Georgia and the prices you're talking about is what I see around here. The prices listed by others seem like outstanding deals to me.

However, I must agree with others that it is best to buy from an individual. Keep in mind that the person you buy the car from is almost as important as the car you're buying and should tell you a lot about the car. Lastly, don't fool yourself and be prepared to do some work on any used car you buy. Hopefully it just won't be anything major. Not very many people decide it's time to sell a perfect running vehicle with now flaws or issues what so ever.

Remember you're buying a Lexus and most likely you'll be happy with it.

Good luck!

bobber216

I was offered $6000 in trade for my 1999 ES300 in trade of a certified 2006 ES330. I held out for another $1000 and got it. I thought $7000 was a good deal. Maybe not.

—Bobber

spiike

I would buy it from a dealer and make sure I get a warranty. Then have the water pump replace, ac belt and timing belt replaced, shocks replace, brakes replaced, freon flush, and fuel pump replaced. But that's just me.

calichris

iTrader: (2)

i got a 2000 es from the lexus dealership with 84k on it for 10,500 but im good friends with the guy, sticker on the car was 14,900

LXMN

Good deal or not, the hardest part about buying a used car other than making sure the motor is in good shape, is getting the right color combo/options package that you want unless you are not picky. I had a heck of a time finding my car. It took me 2 months of internet shopping to get exactly the car I was looking for with the lowest miles/decent price/color combination/good vehicle condition.
Good luck with your vehicle purchase.