Celsior Master

i just picked up a cpo gs430. runs fine so far. only thing is the front passenger door appears to have been replaced or worked on since it has no vin sticker. when looking at the right side of the car when standing behind the car the corners of both doors above the door handles (basically where the metal and glass meet) do not line up perfectly with the lines of the car. The carfax is clean and i was told the right side of the car was hit by a garage door. Let me know what you think. I have until Monday...

flossn

Sorry to say it, but no vin sticker is a big sign that the door has been replaced. Run your finger on the edges around the door, they should feel smooth. If it's rough and bumpy it's a sign of paintwork. Hope that helps.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

While you're at it, check the WHOLE RIGHT SIDE also to see the other body parts have the VIN #. I guess if they do, then you might be safe with just only the doors being replaced. Since it's from the dealer, have you asked them to see what happened to the door?

Celsior Master

they said it was hit by a garage door. but im thinking otherwise. had my body shop check it out. thanks for your comments. i've made my decision on the car

rheiy

What did your body shop say? Did you get the car or pass on it?

Celsior Master

they said.

front passenger side door replaced
rear passenger side door repaired
passenger side center pillar repaired
passenger side front fender is original but something has been done but they don't know what
front bumper something happened but they are not sure
front driverside door has had something done but they aren't sure what

and thats after looking at it for only like 10mins. who knows what else happened

EXE.UCF10

iTrader: (3)

Sounds more like the car hit the garage door and not vice versa.

rheiy

I'm shocked that the dealer is trying to sell as cpo. Garage door or not, that car incurred some pretty good damage and belongs on some no name used car lot.

Celsior Master

I am surprised too. On the Lexus Certified Inspection checklist it says under Vehicle ID number Tags-In place and matching... and it is checked off as meeting "Lexus Standard". BUT there is NO vin sticker on the the door!

It's killing me to think about it but i am going to go return it within a couple hours.

chuckb

find another one

rheiy

Your better off in the long run to stay away. In fact I'd stay away from that dealer too. Think about it - If your body shop noticed all this damage, you can be assured the dealer knew about it as well. I think their trying to pull a fast one. There will always be more GS's available. Now that the new ones are going to be out shortly, I'm sure you'll find a few more to pick from.

Celsior Master

well guys... i just returned the GS

Probably look into getting a new car. either gs3 or is3. i don't know right now. this is upsetting.

The guy, i think the used car sales manager, pissed me off sooooooooo much. basically didn't even want to hear about the problems the car has. kept saying that it passed lexus tests and crap. told him there were rattles and he said it was normal. i said there are 3 lexus in my family and i can assure u that is not the case. and he says he works for lexus and he knows what he is talking about. i tell him about the work that has been done on the side and he says lexus allows 2 vins to be missing as long as the part is replaced with lexus parts. (well wtf else are u going to replace a lexus door with... a door off a ford?)

rominl

iTrader: (4)

glad that you returned the gs. imho, if you have any doubts, never get it. you wil never feel 100% comfortable about it anyway right? keep on looking for the right one

alexulan

I just love car salesmen!

chuckb

dude, don't give up that easy. I almost did the same thing. I test drove a brand new GS3 and almost bought it. The NEXT DAY I found my GS430 with 21000 miles(and that was after looking for over a month).you can find a low mile GS4xx for close to half the price of a new GS3. Stock GS3 is pretty slow, you'd be sorry once the newness wears off.
Just find one still under bumper to bumper and you're good. As long as you have enough warranty time left to find any bugs.