Hi Guys,

I'm a new member with no Lexus...YET! This is the reason of my post.

Here is my situation. I currently have a 2000 Silver Civic SiR (Si in the US) with 50,000km (31,250 miles) very good condition and a 2001 Yamaha R1-Champions Editions 150th/1000 with 3,000km (1,875 miles).

Two months ago almost purchased 2002 White BMW 330Ci Convertible with Sport and M Package but then I looked at the $$$(70k+) is a bit too much money. I could afford it but @ 24 years old, I don't want to live just for my car.

I looked around for used convertible bimmer but no luck. Then I went by a Lexus dealership and saw this MINT condition 1998 White GS400 just struck me like you wouldn't believe. I then called the dealership and they are asking 41000$ with 73000km (45625 miles) and for 1500$ they will extend the warranty to 180,000km (112500 miles) bumper-to-bumper. I always liked GS400's but never thought of getting one because of their size which usually equal to a slow car. So I went in the dealership and test drove it....HOLY S$#@ that's a fast car and it's stock. After trying it, I'm in love, it's like having american power with Japanese technology all in one! I love the interior because it's big, I'm 6'1"/275 pounds and my Civic is getting smaller by the day

I'm planning to sell the bike because I don't use it enough, I worked way too much and next year looks like write off so far.
The dealership is willing to give me 9,000$ for the bike and 17,000$ for my car.
If I sell it private, I should be able to get 13,000$ for the bike and around 22,000$ for the car. Should I trade it in of sell it private? (tax saving versus making more money privately)

This is where I'm stuck, one of the reason for selling the bike is to save money to buy a house in a few years. So by selling the bike I save 33% of the car and bike spending but if I also sell the Civic and get the GS400 my monthly payments comes to a 100$ less than before, a month. The GS400's lower gas mileage will probably eat that also, so back to square one...

So my questions is that, is it worth it to sell a 2000 good car and a 2001 awesome bike to get a ONE NICE car that in a week will already be 4 years old. I know they are not in the same class of cars but still is it worth it? Or 1998 is getting old and a newer model would be a better purchase? I really want one but I want to make the right choice I won't regret in a year.

Should I save my money for a year and get a 2000 or 2001 GS400 instead or a 1998 is a good model still in a 2002? I also want white soooo bad and I'm scared that if I way too long I won't be able to find any white GS400? Is there a better year for the GS400's or a 98 is just as good as a 2001?

I know some of these choices you can't make for me but advice would be greatly appreciated?

Please email me, ICQ me or Messenger me, please reply.

FutureLex?

 

FutureLex,

I sent you an email then I saw your post here.. Anyways $41,000 for a 98 is WAY too much you should be able to get that car even thou it has only 73,000 kms for around $36,000 - $37,000.. What dealership has the car since I might be able to help you get a better price from everyone but Scarborough Lexus or Don Valley Lexus..

As for your question on trading in your car and your bike for the GS.. I'm biased since I love both my Lexus vehicles and the service I get from Ken Shaw Lexus is the reason why I think I will always own a Lexus car/truck.. Personally if I couldn't get that WHITE GS for $37G's with the extended warranty included then I would pass on the 98 model and save for a year and get a '00 or '01 model.. If you want to sell the Bike I would suggest Privately since $9G's just isn't enough for your Bike..

Anyways hope that helps!

Ken

 

That is a lot for a 98 GS4 with that many miles. I purchased my 1998 GS400 with 30,000 for $30,500. I did not purchase it from the dealership. Since the car was under 45,000 miles, I purchased the extended warranty from the dealership for $1,600. It has a $50 deductible, but it covers everything a Lexus Certified Warranty would cover. Look around and also see if you can get some connections with some auctions. That is where I got mine---I had a guy with an auction license purchase it for me from the Lexus Auctions. Just an idea---hope that helps!!!!

 

Wholesale on that car is about 26k.

I would sell your Honda outright but I don't think you can get 17k for a Civic. Car dealers can play games with the numbers so 17k is not a realistic trade figure for a Honda Civic. Sell your bike outright you should get close to that amount on your own. Then go back and offer them somewhere around 27to30k for the 98 Gs and see if they bite. I think they will with the warranty too. Now this based on the Florida car market things could be a little different in Toronto. Buying a car should be business decision so take your emotions out of it and make a logical decision based on facts and math (1+1 is always 2 no matter how you look at it). Unless you have a woman involved then your screwed.

 

then STOP car shopping.

 

FutureLex,

If you are planning to buy a house, I would suggest you sell your bike and maybe sell your Honda (since you are having a hard time fit in it), and buy something a little less expensive than that GS400 for now. When you become a home owner, an utility vehicle will always come in handy.

A house will appreciate in price (most of the time), a car will depreciate in price (almost all the time). Save your money for your house. You can always get a nicer car later on when you starting to build equity in your house.

 

i would try to sell both cars and the bike privately, get the best $$$ out of them, and negotiate the best deal on the GS(or any other GS4), nad have just one car.

too bad you are in canada, i would like to have a good bike...

 

No William, you don't need a bike!
It will just get you in trouble. Hey bro, we need you to stay alive a little longer so that you can continue provide us with good info and good deal on parts.

Oh yeah, good food too. hahahaaa

 

kaju,

funny hehe....hey a guy can dream, right btw, i tried and found a new dish at garden restaurant in alhambra that you should def try next time when you are in LA, it is the hot and sweet thai bbq chicken with fried rice.....yummmm, couple that with red bean and shaved ice mixed with sweet condensed milk for desert, life is good.

 

Thanks Guys, except for wwest, I expected a dumb *** answer from someone and you're the winner!

Just kidding, You guys are great!

Please remember that 41000$ is canadian prices and it looks expensive but it's 25,666$US which I think is ok?

Lexus is willing to give me 17000$CA (10,642US) for my car which is ok for a dealership but I know I can get 22000$CA (13,772$US) for it privately. (After doing all that conversion, I want to move to the states, anyone has a job for me? )

The house is not a issue, I'm getting bonuses and raises next year which I will save money then.

My questions are, How good of a car is the GS400? Any issues, complaints, which year is better, do you regret and if so what car would you get instead. etc....

I will contact 2SAVVY via for more local info but please reply since you guys are amazing on the suject of lexus...thanks!!


FutureLex?

 

that is a good deal on the gs400...even if the new model comes out in early 04, you would still be driving one of the best rwd sedans on the planet...

 

I bought one of the first GS400's to come off lease in my area around 16 months ago. To this day I am still amazed at the car. I have had a few problems, all minor (sunroof rattle, shaking while braking) but nothing that the dealer couldn't/didn't take care of. From my understanding, the sunroof on the 98s are a problem. With a warranty though, it is a non issue.

Best of luck, You'll LOVE it.

 

welcome man! im also in toronto! good luck in getting a GS im sure u'd love it! if you get a GS maybe we could set up a big meet in the spring i belive we have about 5 or so toronto guys now!

 

hi guys,
hey futurelex,i bought a 98 gs 400 fully loaded 1.5 years for 36000. i already got that back and more, in the pleasure derived from just owning and driving the car, the looks"priceless".go get the car be prepared to be grinning for many years. in the end you only live once, therefore try to live it without regrets. If you really want it ,GO GET IT. BTW i have not seen where any particular model year gave any different issuses over another. the issuse with the 98's YAW rate sensor, if not yet replaced will be replaced by the dealer.the softer sterring is an easy fix "if you dont like the softer feel"most guys here have done it themselves,10 mins and your done(cheap too).However BEWARE of the MOD bug.
clive.
PS. wait untill you try E-SHIFT