Buying a GS300 - General Advice Needed
08-26-04, 12:24 PM
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Buying a GS300 - General Advice Needed
Hi - I'm new here, just joined today.
I'll be buying a USED GS300 for my wife within the next couple weeks. We're looking at 2001s due to the improvements made from 2000-2001.
What things specific to the GS300 should I look at during inspections/test drives/etc?
We've looked at a few gs300s at dealers, and some questions have come up:
How much would a replacement taillight (the red/orange/clear part, not the bulb) cost from a dealer? From eBay?
Should the hood have the VIN number on it? I couldn't find it on both cars I looked at.
Should the metal body section in front of the radiator have the VIN number on it? I couldn't find it on both cars I looked at.
One car I looked at had original "fenders" (not sure if this is the right name for the part above the front wheels) based on the VINs, but the two main bolts visible fron under the hood appear to have been removed (as if it were in an accident). Any legitimate reasons for this (suspension replacement, 19" wheel install, etc)???
Can I get replacement/upgraded Nav DVDs from somewhere other than the dealer? (a friend has a DVD burner)
Thanks for the help!
-Shawn
I'll be buying a USED GS300 for my wife within the next couple weeks. We're looking at 2001s due to the improvements made from 2000-2001.
What things specific to the GS300 should I look at during inspections/test drives/etc?
We've looked at a few gs300s at dealers, and some questions have come up:
How much would a replacement taillight (the red/orange/clear part, not the bulb) cost from a dealer? From eBay?
Should the hood have the VIN number on it? I couldn't find it on both cars I looked at.
Should the metal body section in front of the radiator have the VIN number on it? I couldn't find it on both cars I looked at.
One car I looked at had original "fenders" (not sure if this is the right name for the part above the front wheels) based on the VINs, but the two main bolts visible fron under the hood appear to have been removed (as if it were in an accident). Any legitimate reasons for this (suspension replacement, 19" wheel install, etc)???
Can I get replacement/upgraded Nav DVDs from somewhere other than the dealer? (a friend has a DVD burner)
Thanks for the help!
-Shawn
08-26-04, 01:24 PM
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Re: Buying a GS300 - General Advice Needed
Originally posted by shawnharpe
[BWhat things specific to the GS300 should I look at during inspections/test drives/etc?
We've looked at a few gs300s at dealers, and some questions have come up:
How much would a replacement taillight (the red/orange/clear part, not the bulb) cost from a dealer? From eBay?
Should the hood have the VIN number on it? I couldn't find it on both cars I looked at.
Should the metal body section in front of the radiator have the VIN number on it? I couldn't find it on both cars I looked at.
One car I looked at had original "fenders" (not sure if this is the right name for the part above the front wheels) based on the VINs, but the two main bolts visible fron under the hood appear to have been removed (as if it were in an accident). Any legitimate reasons for this (suspension replacement, 19" wheel install, etc)???
Thanks for the help!
-Shawn [/B]
[BWhat things specific to the GS300 should I look at during inspections/test drives/etc?
We've looked at a few gs300s at dealers, and some questions have come up:
How much would a replacement taillight (the red/orange/clear part, not the bulb) cost from a dealer? From eBay?
Should the hood have the VIN number on it? I couldn't find it on both cars I looked at.
Should the metal body section in front of the radiator have the VIN number on it? I couldn't find it on both cars I looked at.
One car I looked at had original "fenders" (not sure if this is the right name for the part above the front wheels) based on the VINs, but the two main bolts visible fron under the hood appear to have been removed (as if it were in an accident). Any legitimate reasons for this (suspension replacement, 19" wheel install, etc)???
Thanks for the help!
-Shawn [/B]
Moisture in Healights
Low/rough Idle Issue
Door Actuator Problems
Dash Rattle
Sunroof Rattle
Vibration at Highway Speed, especially 60 mph
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...400+Rough+Idle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...=Door+Actuator
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=Dash+Rattle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...Sunroof+Rattle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...GS400+low+idle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...light+Moisture
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...s400+Vibration
Each tail light costs around $160 I think
Originally posted by shawnharpe
Can I get replacement/upgraded Nav DVDs from somewhere other than the dealer? (a friend has a DVD burner)
Can I get replacement/upgraded Nav DVDs from somewhere other than the dealer? (a friend has a DVD burner)
08-26-04, 01:39 PM
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Dave - thanks for the info, and the link to more. As well as the polite slap on the wrist. Won't happen again.
I guess we're torn between buying
a) a non-CPO car under 50k miles (so it still has dealer warranty) - paying middle of the road
b) a non-CPO car over 50k miles - paying the least, but no warranty
c) a CPO car, with 3 yr warranty - paying the most, but with warranty
Based on Lexus reliability/history, are there problems that come up at 50-80k miles that would warrant paying more for the warranty? (I know the powertrain goes to 70k)
Thanks!
-Shawn
I guess we're torn between buying
a) a non-CPO car under 50k miles (so it still has dealer warranty) - paying middle of the road
b) a non-CPO car over 50k miles - paying the least, but no warranty
c) a CPO car, with 3 yr warranty - paying the most, but with warranty
Based on Lexus reliability/history, are there problems that come up at 50-80k miles that would warrant paying more for the warranty? (I know the powertrain goes to 70k)
Thanks!
-Shawn
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