GS - 4th Gen (2013-2020) Discussion about the 2013 and up GS models

Is this CarFax good? There don't seem to be many oil changes done, why is that?

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Old 06-12-23, 01:14 PM
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Amisdia
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Default Is this CarFax good? There don't seem to be many oil changes done, why is that?

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...66L-nHCbaZKz7w
Old 06-12-23, 01:35 PM
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LeX2K
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Not all service appointments are reported. Too many owners for my liking, could be nothing but people tend to take better care of their cars when they own long term.
Old 06-12-23, 03:00 PM
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909
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Change my own oil crew ( unless its too cold outside.)

No druggie, or high school drop out is allowed to touch my car and mess it up.
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Old 06-12-23, 03:22 PM
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oldguy77
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Carfax is not always right. GIGO. GARBAGE IN. GARBAGE OUT.
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Old 06-12-23, 05:48 PM
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Too many owners. Was likely a Lease at 1st so owner did not care. After that seems many other owners that did not care also. I doubt any of them changed the oil themselves. Bet you can see some sludge on the oil filler hole and cap. It would be a pass for me.
Old 06-12-23, 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by jgscott
Too many owners. Was likely a Lease at 1st so owner did not care. After that seems many other owners that did not care also. I doubt any of them changed the oil themselves. Bet you can see some sludge on the oil filler hole and cap. It would be a pass for me.
Yeah, 4 owners is putting me off. But compared to other cars I was looking at with less owners, this one seemed to be in better condition than those, with no noticeable creaks or alignment issues.
Old 06-12-23, 06:14 PM
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Carfax can be clean, but car can be an insurance write-off
Old 06-12-23, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by jgscott
Too many owners. Was likely a Lease at 1st so owner did not care. After that seems many other owners that did not care also. I doubt any of them changed the oil themselves. Bet you can see some sludge on the oil filler hole and cap. It would be a pass for me.
Originally Posted by Amisdia
Yeah, 4 owners is putting me off. But compared to other cars I was looking at with less owners, this one seemed to be in better condition than those, with no noticeable creaks or alignment issues.
I'd wager the four previous owners of that GS 350 got the engine oil and filter changed right on schedule by a nearby oil change service station for which there are literally tens of thousands located all around the U.S. Most everyone has half a dozen or more of these oil change stations within five miles of where they live or work which makes it easy and convenient for them to get an oil change when it's needed instead of going to a Lexus dealer's service center. To think otherwise - simply because oil changes are not listed for the VIN by a Lexus dealer is unreasonable and ludicrous - about as outlandish as suggesting someone probably doesn't flush their toilet but only once a month. Why guess negatively? Those four previous owners likely took better care of that GS 350 than the average owner does...
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Old 06-12-23, 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by bclexus
I'd wager the four previous owners of that GS 350 got the engine oil and filter changed right on schedule by a nearby oil change service station for which there are literally tens of thousands located all around the U.S. Most everyone has half a dozen or more of these oil change stations within five miles of where they live or work which makes it easy and convenient for them to get an oil change when it's needed instead of going to a Lexus dealer's service center. To think otherwise - simply because oil changes are not listed for the VIN by a Lexus dealer is unreasonable and ludicrous - about as outlandish as suggesting someone probably doesn't flush their toilet but only once a month. Why guess negatively? Those four previous owners likely took better care of that GS 350 than the average owner does...
Yes this may or may not be true.

Personally I don't want to risk a wager on a choice when buying a used car myself. The local oil changes station do show on the Carfax's most times also. Notice they liked Pep Boy's but, 14k no verification? So they did a change between 28k and 42k? Then at 54k back to Pep Boys again? Again I'll pass on wagering for one that has for sure better documented changes personally.

Pep Boys
05/24/2017 28,000

Pep Boys
04/18/2018 42,516






Old 06-12-23, 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by jgscott
Yes this may or may not be true.

Personally I don't want to risk a wager on a choice when buying a used car myself. The local oil changes station do show on the Carfax's most times also. Notice they liked Pep Boy's but, 14k no verification? So they did a change between 28k and 42k? Then at 54k back to Pep Boys again? Again I'll pass on wagering for one that has for sure better documented changes personally.

Pep Boys
05/24/2017 28,000

Pep Boys
04/18/2018 42,516
Yeah I see what you mean. The report makes it seem like oil changes every 14k miles instead of around every 10k. If I were to get it checked by a mechanic and there isn't oil sludging or carbon buildup in the engine, should I still go for it?
Old 06-12-23, 09:21 PM
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This the car?
https://www.luxautocentre.com/invent...xus/gs/028875/

Assuming you want to keep to around the Dallas area or you willing to travel? I'll take a peek tomorrow on car gurus to see if anything sticks out.

This one is similar price and at least an F Sport, one owner (but didn't check maintenance history).
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used...ATURED/DEFAULT
Old 06-12-23, 09:22 PM
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Originally Posted by EAST
This the car?
https://www.luxautocentre.com/invent...xus/gs/028875/

Assuming you want to keep to around the Dallas area or you willing to travel? I'll take a peek tomorrow on car gurus to see if anything sticks out.

This one is similar price and at least an F Sport, one owner (but didn't check maintenance history).
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used...ATURED/DEFAULT
Yes, that's the one. But I'm not sure if I wanna buy anything over 100k miles though, just the psychological feeling of it lol. And I wanna keep it around DFW
Old 06-12-23, 09:25 PM
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Originally Posted by EAST
This the car?
https://www.luxautocentre.com/invent...xus/gs/028875/

Assuming you want to keep to around the Dallas area or you willing to travel? I'll take a peek tomorrow on car gurus to see if anything sticks out.

This one is similar price and at least an F Sport, one owner (but didn't check maintenance history).
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used...ATURED/DEFAULT
Just checked that one. Lots of regular oil changes (has the carfax regular oil change gold badge)... BUT it's been in 3 accidents... 2 minor and 1 moderate (which 3 of the 4 sides of the car were damaged)
Old 06-12-23, 09:35 PM
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Ah my bad, I suppose the Experian auto check didn't flag those accidents (I had the Hide accidents option enabled).

The only other two that pop up now are:

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...0/NONE/DEFAULT


​​​​​​This one has Sport + but doesn't seem to be FSport. Some of the more knowledgeable guys might be able to say if it's some other package. It does have that headlight leveling error which you might be able to get a discount on

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...0/NONE/DEFAULT
Old 06-12-23, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by EAST
Ah my bad, I suppose the Experian auto check didn't flag those accidents (I had the Hide accidents option enabled).

The only other two that pop up now are:

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...0/NONE/DEFAULT


​​​​​​This one has Sport + but doesn't seem to be FSport. Some of the more knowledgeable guys might be able to say if it's some other package. It does have that headlight leveling error which you might be able to get a discount on

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...0/NONE/DEFAULT
Checked the first one, it had creaking coming from the right bottom of the car (I assume frame or suspension). It was also impossible to keep straight on the highway. What do you mean by headlight leveling error?


Quick Reply: Is this CarFax good? There don't seem to be many oil changes done, why is that?



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