Pharaohe

Whats up guys. Toronto Canada here. New to the club! Thought id get some advice from knowledgable Lexus owners.

Im about to purchase a 2013 GS350 RWD Fsport in white and I had a couple questions. It has one owner, clean carfax, 110,000kms. Price is negotiated to $18,500.

I recognize the rear wheels are tilted in. No extra weight in the car, no one sitting in the car. When looking from the outside, the front wheels are perfectly vertical, but the rear wheels are tilted in at the top towards the wheel wells. Is this normal for the RWD? Or is this a suspension problem?

My second question...the white paint has tiny little surface rust spots along the sides. The seller says its because of the break dust thats causing those rust specks, which could very well be true. Im assuming that it shows up on the white more when the specks of metal dust hits the body Does anyone else have this problem and what was the best fix? Or could it be something else?

Any other tips or things I should look out for please advise.
Thanks in advance for all the help guys. Planning on pulling the trigger on it tomorrow.

marjenmill

What is the VIN?
Rust spots come bad paint jobs after an accident, not brake dust. Sounds suspicious.
I have a RWD, and my wheels do not tilit in at all. Why would you want a RWD in the snow belt?

Pharaohe

JTHBE1BL8D5011164
Interesting. Someone else was just saying that the rwd gs350 has a slight camber and that its normal.
I know awd is obviously better in the know but I was reading some forums and some were saying if you have good winter tires you can get away. Of course youd have to drive a bit more calm and careful though

marjenmill

Driving in the snow with RWD is up to you, but I don't have any tilt in my rear wheels at all, so that is odd. I don't have rear wheel steering, so if that vehicle does it could be the reason, but not sure.

Canada's privacy laws prevents a clear history report, so I'd get the vehicle inspected. I can tell you it has spent it's life in Canada, never been to the US.

Pharaohe

Seems your suspicion may be right. We were getting to the point of sale but the seller just advised he now doesnt really want to take the trip to the dealer for a preinspection due to covid. Just wanted to sell as-is for $18500 and would even knock it down to $18000 if I just closed the deal. Going to have to walk on this one, but it sucks because Im not seeing another 2013 GS350 Fsport for $18000 with a clean carfax and one owner in that condition. Drove very very well also.

marjenmill

Good call. Someone not wanting to allow a pre-inspection should be a big red flag.

UDel

Don't buy a car if a seller won't let you have it inspected. There is normally a reason. Did you ever talk to the owner or meet him, maybe you could have convinced you were a legitimate buyer and just want to make sure everything is okay. As for wheels being tilted that is normally done for drifting or a look, the rust spots could be from brakes, could mean the owner was going through a lot of brake pads drifting the car. Was the owner younger?

Kingmatt24

definitely seems suspicious. Also, why not just opt for the AWD if you live in Toronto? I’m sure there’s probably more of those where you live

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

How low will they go?

When you know about or get told about problems from the start. Get ready to find out more after you own it.