17k miles, base, mint condition, red w beige int, CERTIFIED
$26,850 + tax + tag =$29k otd
is this good price? ... please comment


update: I purchased vehicle!... and no buyers remorse yet

 

What you paid means nothing once you sign the papers. That's the best looking color combo in my book......... Enjoy!

 

I know!!!!
but after several (10+) test drives (different dealers/cities) & several months of research,
we went in and purchased... in less then 1 hour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
still can't believe I did not test drive (wife did, I was sitting in the back)... I developed this (no bs) scanning for details skill, after one quick look I know this is the one... seriously..
all is good now.. and this deal strangely feel good to!!!! ... I guess need someone to slap me in the face to stop glowing !!!

 

It was meant to be......... Don't mess with fate!
I'm the same way. I can eye-ball a car from across the parking lot and know walking up to it if it's a keeper. (most are not). Mine passed the eye-ball test, test ride and like you, in one hour it was a done-deal waiting to be transported back home to my wife for her birthday. I rarely find a car locally that fits the bill. I know the color & option group ahead of time with no exceptions. I found her ES Ultra 4 hours away and it happened that the General Manager is someone I've purchased two cars from 20 years earlier. I travel a 7 state area for work so I can look for the needle in the haystack.

 

This is what I've learned (YMMV, IMHO ETC)
-TIRES,
low mileage cars <25K must have original tires. This is the best way IMHO to verify if mileage is tampered with and if car has been "loved". I have seen many, and trust me... certified and sold by L-dealer alone is not guarantee.
Now, most dealers wont go through expense of replacing spare full size tire... so if the spare do not match (brand, tread depth) other 4 tires...... run.

 

-CENTER ARM REST & DRIVER DOOR ARM REST CHROME OUTLINE,
I'm not sure why, but if not in perfect condition... run

(edit: actually I know why.. previous owner was driving with 10-2 o'clock hand position, get it?)

 

-COMBINE+COMPARE+RESERCH CARFAX & L-SERVICE HISTORY,
-look at maintenance & timing, much you can learn about previous owners "pampering" of yur car... And look into gradual mileage increases... I saw one with 5k in few days

 

-LISTEN TO Bluetooth PHONE BOOK BEFORE ERASING,
I prefer for Lexus if previous owner is a lady... I was soo pleased to hear her pleasant soft voice trying to record her sons phone number lol lol
Edit, if the first entry in phone book is Shanqia.. run

 

DRIVER SEATS MUST HAVE SLIGHT WRINKLES
now days dealers paint badly used seats... it's hard to detect.. but does not lasts and YOU WILL be unpleasantly surprised later

 

LOOK CLOSELY AT WINDSHIELD & HOOD
they are "soft" easily chipped and expensive to replace

EDIT:
I was not so good at checking this... I found several micro sized chips on the hood & Windshield :_(

 

Mine has chrome rubbed off on the lower edge. The original lady owner must have been dragging her wrist bracelets/jewelry on it when lowering the windows. That was the only issue on it with 9,000 miles. Replacement cost is obscene but I don't drive it except out of the garage to wash/wax it so I'm fine living with it.

 

Ditto the red / beige interior. That's what sold us the leftover 2011 back in October of last year. Very sharp color combination. At that time, the dealer also had a LS460L AWD in same color.

 

Ditto the ditto. That would have been my first choice too, but I try console myself in the fact that coming over the hill it would have been the first in line for laser/radaring.

I try to think of my car as a stealthmobile to justify the color.

 

Excellent Thread. i'll be getting a ES350 in about exactly 4.5 months. been to newport lexus, mission viejo lexus and crown lexus (ontario, california) in the past week. As the time gets closer i'm gonna reference this thread again. thanxs Leksi

 

I have a gray Impala, blends nice with pavement.