nwgs

My first post. I'm in the process of buying a 1999 300GS with 11,000 miles. The car looks almost perfectly new. I had it checked out by a Lexus dealer today and they found nothing wrong. The did indicate I should do the timing belt and a major tune soon. I'm willing to pay a premium for this condition. What do you think it's worth?

I'll probably get it tomorrow. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Deception

iTrader: (1)

timing belt dont need to be changed till 75,000 miles, unless you just want to do a tune up, but sound great and very low mileage

nwgs

They suggested the timing belt because of the total number of months old. The car has hardly been driven, the dealer had it having 5,000 in 2002. My biggest concern now is how much to pay for it. The car has most options including navigation and a cd changer. Any thoughts on market price?

LEXUS_KID

iTrader: (4)

I would pay $16500.00 but hey thats me and what they what are two different things. What do they want for it ?

nwgs

They're pretty firm at 19,500. The mileage and the story check out. Original owners, always parked in underground high-rise parking, elderly couple.

UberNoob

make sure battery is still in good condition
cars like that usually will have a dead battery soon

csq860

19,500 seems a bit high, blue book is about a grand less than that for excellent condition, which this car is not (despite how clean it is) if you're looking at a tune up and timing belt. Throw those in the mix and your 19,500 is more like 20,000+. Super low mileage sounds great but driving a car only 1,500 miles a year isn't necessarily a good thing, most machines work best when used regularly. You might look around and find something with more reasonable (but still low) mileage in just as good, if not better, shape, and save yourself thousands.

nwgs

Good thing to watch. I just put a new red Optima in the car that this one will replace. Maybe I'll switch them.
The extremely low mileage has me thinking of reaching pricewise. Kelley Blue Book puts it at $18,540 with the options, and the 11,000 miles.

nwgs

Thanks for the thoughts on price. You're right about it being high at 19,500, plus needed repairs. There could be some lack of use issues, but I have found anything yet. I drove it quite a bit today and it feels new. I'm also uncertain about how really urgent the timing belt replacement is. Without any repairs needed, what do you think, 18,500?

chuckb

that timing belt is fine. my old 1995 ES (my brother has it now)with over 100k miles still has original timing belt. I'd just change all the fluids.

GWELEX

Rubber on a car does go bad with time, so the dealers suggestion for new timing belt could be a valid one. Low mileage is important, especially at resale time as you're finding out. There are a couple of things I would consider, it's a 1999 and a GS 300. Knowing Lexus, mileage isn't that important if the car has been cared for. A lot of folks here wish they had held out for the V8, though the potential for the 6 is better if you have turbo money. I think you could find something newer, granted with more miles and possibly even the V8 for that kind of money. A year ago I found my '01 430 with 33K for that price. Lastly and most important, if it's the car of your dreams............, go for it.

nwgs

Maybe I can safely get some more miles out of the timing belt. This car was brought in for service periodically at the Lexus dealer, despite having few miles. Because service is expensive and the GS 300 being a reliable vehicle, I thought paying a premium for the best condition makes sense. One significant repair bill on it would make up for my over market price. Am I too starry-eyed on this? Because I might try to pick this up today, any further thoughts on a fair price?

AW99GS400

See if u can find a 99 GS400 with 10k on it ? Did they dig the car up from 6 feet under with so little miles lol I would explain to the couple
that a car with low miles is a plus but also could be a bad thing.
1) stuff can build up inside engine if not driven daily.
2) stuff can build in fuel line and gas tank if not driven daily.
3) belts and hoses can crack due to time

so use those 3 reasons as your avantage to lower the price just my 2 cent
friend

Adrian

nwgs

Your 430 sounds like a good find. This car is kind of hard to figure out because of the freakishly low miles. I agree about rubber parts. I'd likely to quickly do timing belt, water pump, belts, hoses and fluids. In the past, I've had real good luck paying up for a top example and owning it for a long time. My biggest issue now is deciding how much premium to pay.

nwgs

The V8 would be nice. This one has been at least 6feet under for a while. It's been parked under a high rise condo in underground parking since new. It's had no sun and the temp has always been between 50-70 degrees. The guy who's selling it is an alert 85 years old.