Velvetbone

Hi Everyone,
I hope you're having a great summer.

I am a current owner of a 2005 ES 330. I've had it for 10 months. It had 58,000 miles. I asked for your opinions about the mileage and was swayed to make the purchase! And, I haven't regretted it at all.

My daughter wants to buy herself a car. We have found a 2001 ES 300 with 153,000 miles on it.

The interior is a 9 out of 10. Pretty close to perfect.

The exterior is 6.5 out of 10, no major dents or creases, some scratches on the bumpers and wheel wells. These issues are being taken care of by the dealer, painted and touched up. It looks as if it was stored outside and not garaged.

Besides the normal stuff like A.C. pwr windows etc.... It has a sunroof, the Bose sound system with a 6 disc CD changer and cassette, 4 new tires.

The dealer wanted $8995 they're now down to $7500. I beleive that is still too high. im thinking it is valued around $6500, which may still be too high even for a dealer.

What is your take on the price? We are in Ca. If that makes any difference.

What about purchasing this car with 153,000 miles on it??

The car report doesn't give a complete repair and maintenance history. So I am a little apprehensive!

The dealer made the statement that the lack of reporting might be due to "Car Fax" charging people, (repair shops?) to input repair and maintenance info......???.

I'm worried about the engine issues that were very common on the '97-01 ES's, sludge probs etc..... Are there any telltale signs I should look for?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Velvetbone

mdbrown

That's a high price. I bought my 2000 ES for 6999 with 125000 on it, interior 9 out of 10. Exterior was 8 out of 10. My concern would be sludge and whether or not the timing belt was changed. I know mine was done as it was done at the dealer. If they won't budge on the price I'd have them do the timing belt. Otherwise, pulling the front valve cover would be the only real way to know if it has a sludge problem as there are no service records.

Did you go to the Lexus website and enter the vin to see what's been done at the dealer?

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

12 years old, 153k miles... this is a 1000$ car at the auctions... they're not that valuable.

Don't look at KBB, that's always way over estimated and not 'real time' [if that makes sense], look at trade in values, to see what the dealer paid for the thing.

hypervish

That's a $5000 car.

Velvetbone

Thanks to everyone for their comments!!
Good food for thought.
I'm probably going to take it to my mechanic and have him take a look. Ill see if he can pull the valve cover. And I'll also ask the dealer to change the timing belt if they won't come down to my offer.

Would expecting a fairly sound and maintained 2001 ES 300 with 153,000 to go another 80,000 miles be over optimistic ?

Thanks for the input!
V
Please keep the replies coming!

rlx101

yes it can do 200-250kmiles and then some with basic maintenance.

the question is .. are you willing to put in 7.5k$ + 2-2.5k$ (for normal maintenance, i see you like going to the dealers) = 10K into it? and if so, why??

as others said 5K is MAX IF it is in perfect condition.

get your daughter a civic or corolla and save much $$$.

She can buy herself a nice car when she makes good $$$ and can afford one.

Velvetbone

Dealers offer financing. I would take the 2001 ES to my local mechanic, who swears by them!

Where does the $7.5k and $2.5k come from?

I think that by her purchasing a quality car she will not be stuck with having to buy another in 4-5 years. Not saying she might not WANT to , but...............

V

msekanha

$8,900!? Geez, that's what I paid for my '05.

Keep shopping around and treat your daughter to a much newer, reliable and lower mile car for $7,500.

Zen470

dont do it.. i paid $3,000 for my 1997 lexus es300 with 160K miles.

hypervish

The ES will easily go 300k miles. That's not a problem.

But, you don't pay $7500 for a $5000 car.

Velvetbone

Thanks

I'm not planning on paying $7500.

That's why I posted here, so I could get some advice.

V

hypervish

Yup, you're welcome!

Let us know how the inspection goes.

I hope you don't plan on financing this car.

imherenow

you had your ES330 10 months and now you are joining in?!?! ( almost). You should have been very active member by now.

Velvetbone

not sure what to make of your post!?!?! Sorry didn't realize there was a requirement......
There are many of us who like to read articles and posts to learn about their vehicle.

V

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

I say go find a cleaner example. Lack of history is a big red flag for these cars, especially if you're gonna be paying top dollar for one. It may also be hard to bring the dealer down to $5000, if they are advertising it for $8995, even if it is the true value of the car. Last resort, get the VIN number and look it up on Lexus.com You may get lucky and find some maintenance records.