Best way to Buy a Lexus GS F
11-12-20, 11:46 AM
#62
Driver School Candidate
I think it's cool (but also, you know, bad) that there are so few GS F's, that we on these forums trip over each other trying to line a good one up!
I was looking at this exact example on Carvana, but passed for a few reasons, namely because I already had a hold on a great condition, although high mileage, USB 2.0, Canadian spec GS F that was owned and traded locally in South Florida (see my post in the "2018 GS F Prices" there) -- the devil you know, right? I'm 100% positive now it was you who put it on hold. :-) So you did me a favor somewhat, as it forced me to stop hesitating.
My only real concern with that car was the interior -- the center console looked beat up -- but Alcantara is a very durable and easily cleanable material. Honestly, Carvana is easy to work with. I would recommend you purchase the vehicle, take it immediately to a trusted Lexus dealership, and spend the money on a full inspection (Fidelity inspection, not visual inspection). It will run you about $120. Some mechanics at these Lexus dealers are trained on F vehicles (may be they all are). Ask for that guy. Do a test drive with him. Ask for a walkaround of the vehicle on while it's on the lift once he's completed his report. It's worth every penny; I learned EVERYTHING about my car with the Service Advisor and F mechanic at JM Lexus. Outstanding service. Based on the report, it's your decision whether to return it or keep it; hopefully your mechanic and SA are honest with you.
Otherwise, you don't have anything to lose other than a few hundred bucks (inspection, and if you have to pay shipping to Carvana). Also, depending on your dealer, you may qualify for the Lexus Extended Warranty even though your basic warranty may have already expired due to age. I've learned that a Lexus Dealer can still work with you provided you odometer reading is under 50K, but YMMV, as again, depends on the dealer (what dealer doesn't want to make money?). I was out of luck due to my mileage, but I knew this going in. My Service Advisor tried anyway on my behalf.
I was looking at this exact example on Carvana, but passed for a few reasons, namely because I already had a hold on a great condition, although high mileage, USB 2.0, Canadian spec GS F that was owned and traded locally in South Florida (see my post in the "2018 GS F Prices" there) -- the devil you know, right? I'm 100% positive now it was you who put it on hold. :-) So you did me a favor somewhat, as it forced me to stop hesitating.
My only real concern with that car was the interior -- the center console looked beat up -- but Alcantara is a very durable and easily cleanable material. Honestly, Carvana is easy to work with. I would recommend you purchase the vehicle, take it immediately to a trusted Lexus dealership, and spend the money on a full inspection (Fidelity inspection, not visual inspection). It will run you about $120. Some mechanics at these Lexus dealers are trained on F vehicles (may be they all are). Ask for that guy. Do a test drive with him. Ask for a walkaround of the vehicle on while it's on the lift once he's completed his report. It's worth every penny; I learned EVERYTHING about my car with the Service Advisor and F mechanic at JM Lexus. Outstanding service. Based on the report, it's your decision whether to return it or keep it; hopefully your mechanic and SA are honest with you.
Otherwise, you don't have anything to lose other than a few hundred bucks (inspection, and if you have to pay shipping to Carvana). Also, depending on your dealer, you may qualify for the Lexus Extended Warranty even though your basic warranty may have already expired due to age. I've learned that a Lexus Dealer can still work with you provided you odometer reading is under 50K, but YMMV, as again, depends on the dealer (what dealer doesn't want to make money?). I was out of luck due to my mileage, but I knew this going in. My Service Advisor tried anyway on my behalf.
Last edited by bonaf1de; 11-12-20 at 11:52 AM.
11-12-20, 01:09 PM
#63
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I think it's cool (but also, you know, bad) that there are so few GS F's, that we on these forums trip over each other trying to line a good one up!
I was looking at this exact example on Carvana, but passed for a few reasons, namely because I already had a hold on a great condition, although high mileage, USB 2.0, Canadian spec GS F that was owned and traded locally in South Florida (see my post in the "2018 GS F Prices" there) -- the devil you know, right? I'm 100% positive now it was you who put it on hold. :-) So you did me a favor somewhat, as it forced me to stop hesitating.
My only real concern with that car was the interior -- the center console looked beat up -- but Alcantara is a very durable and easily cleanable material. Honestly, Carvana is easy to work with. I would recommend you purchase the vehicle, take it immediately to a trusted Lexus dealership, and spend the money on a full inspection (Fidelity inspection, not visual inspection). It will run you about $120. Some mechanics at these Lexus dealers are trained on F vehicles (may be they all are). Ask for that guy. Do a test drive with him. Ask for a walkaround of the vehicle on while it's on the lift once he's completed his report. It's worth every penny; I learned EVERYTHING about my car with the Service Advisor and F mechanic at JM Lexus. Outstanding service. Based on the report, it's your decision whether to return it or keep it; hopefully your mechanic and SA are honest with you.
Otherwise, you don't have anything to lose other than a few hundred bucks (inspection, and if you have to pay shipping to Carvana). Also, depending on your dealer, you may qualify for the Lexus Extended Warranty even though your basic warranty may have already expired due to age. I've learned that a Lexus Dealer can still work with you provided you odometer reading is under 50K, but YMMV, as again, depends on the dealer (what dealer doesn't want to make money?). I was out of luck due to my mileage, but I knew this going in. My Service Advisor tried anyway on my behalf.
I was looking at this exact example on Carvana, but passed for a few reasons, namely because I already had a hold on a great condition, although high mileage, USB 2.0, Canadian spec GS F that was owned and traded locally in South Florida (see my post in the "2018 GS F Prices" there) -- the devil you know, right? I'm 100% positive now it was you who put it on hold. :-) So you did me a favor somewhat, as it forced me to stop hesitating.
My only real concern with that car was the interior -- the center console looked beat up -- but Alcantara is a very durable and easily cleanable material. Honestly, Carvana is easy to work with. I would recommend you purchase the vehicle, take it immediately to a trusted Lexus dealership, and spend the money on a full inspection (Fidelity inspection, not visual inspection). It will run you about $120. Some mechanics at these Lexus dealers are trained on F vehicles (may be they all are). Ask for that guy. Do a test drive with him. Ask for a walkaround of the vehicle on while it's on the lift once he's completed his report. It's worth every penny; I learned EVERYTHING about my car with the Service Advisor and F mechanic at JM Lexus. Outstanding service. Based on the report, it's your decision whether to return it or keep it; hopefully your mechanic and SA are honest with you.
Otherwise, you don't have anything to lose other than a few hundred bucks (inspection, and if you have to pay shipping to Carvana). Also, depending on your dealer, you may qualify for the Lexus Extended Warranty even though your basic warranty may have already expired due to age. I've learned that a Lexus Dealer can still work with you provided you odometer reading is under 50K, but YMMV, as again, depends on the dealer (what dealer doesn't want to make money?). I was out of luck due to my mileage, but I knew this going in. My Service Advisor tried anyway on my behalf.
Thanks for the note and glad I could help. Yes, I am still torn myself, I just wanted to get a hold on it. Not my first choice of colors, but the price is solid and I cannot complain about the mileage. I will take a closer look at the center console. Thanks for telling me about that. I also will get in touch with my local Lexus dealer too. I will keep you posted. Was your on Cars.com or auto trader by chance?
11-12-20, 01:16 PM
#64
Driver School Candidate
Thanks for the note and glad I could help. Yes, I am still torn myself, I just wanted to get a hold on it. Not my first choice of colors, but the price is solid and I cannot complain about the mileage. I will take a closer look at the center console. Thanks for telling me about that. I also will get in touch with my local Lexus dealer too. I will keep you posted. Was your on Cars.com or auto trader by chance?
It was posted twice on these forums, actually. First was when it was imported by HGreg Lux from Canada (see "The rarest GS F in the US, 2017; second URL) and recently in the 2018 GS F Prices thread (see #33) exactly a day after I found it on AutoTrader myself. It helped me piece the puzzle together that was the wonky history of the vehicle. That alone nearly made me pass and I hemmed and hawed for a while, but the dealer's 3-day return policy plus the local dealers not caring it was a Canadian vehicles gave me the stomach to put the down payment. I immediately went to JM Lexus after taking the vehicle, and went back the same day with the inspection report to haggle on some very minor repairs. Otherwise, the car was evidently taken care of by the previous owner -- everything was mint.
Had I not purchased the vehicle, I would have happily shared all the reports with a member who was interested.
11-12-20, 01:30 PM
#66
Driver School Candidate
I appreciate it, and I hope you find my advice helpful. I don’t know if you’ve driven one yet, but I test drove the GS F I bought four times before I purchased it. Really because it’s quite a sum of money to spend, but this car was absolutely intoxicating. The first test drive was during rush hour, so I couldn’t get a good feel of the car, the second and third times were in the city and on the highway, respectfully. Fourth, we’ll I was waiting on the salesman. :-) I was considering this or a M5. The M5 is lightning quick, but behaved, and I didn’t really care one way or another for it. However with the GS F... I had an immediate connection to the car — the sound (intoxicating), the communicative pedal, etc. The reliability was the icing on the cake.
Give it a go! Otherwise, look for a good Carmax example. I say that, because Carmax will handle a lot of issues with little hassle if any issues are found. Their extended warranty (through CNA) is excellent as well.
Give it a go! Otherwise, look for a good Carmax example. I say that, because Carmax will handle a lot of issues with little hassle if any issues are found. Their extended warranty (through CNA) is excellent as well.
Last edited by bonaf1de; 11-12-20 at 01:33 PM.
11-12-20, 01:55 PM
#67
Here's my old 2017 USB that I traded in 2 weeks ago. About to be certified I believe, someone get it!! Would love to see it go to a clublexus member.
https://www.lexusoftowson.com/auto/p...n-md/50611853/
https://www.lexusoftowson.com/auto/p...n-md/50611853/
11-12-20, 03:50 PM
#68
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I appreciate it, and I hope you find my advice helpful. I don’t know if you’ve driven one yet, but I test drove the GS F I bought four times before I purchased it. Really because it’s quite a sum of money to spend, but this car was absolutely intoxicating. The first test drive was during rush hour, so I couldn’t get a good feel of the car, the second and third times were in the city and on the highway, respectfully. Fourth, we’ll I was waiting on the salesman. :-) I was considering this or a M5. The M5 is lightning quick, but behaved, and I didn’t really care one way or another for it. However with the GS F... I had an immediate connection to the car — the sound (intoxicating), the communicative pedal, etc. The reliability was the icing on the cake.
Give it a go! Otherwise, look for a good Carmax example. I say that, because Carmax will handle a lot of issues with little hassle if any issues are found. Their extended warranty (through CNA) is excellent as well.
Give it a go! Otherwise, look for a good Carmax example. I say that, because Carmax will handle a lot of issues with little hassle if any issues are found. Their extended warranty (through CNA) is excellent as well.
well I’ve heard back from the manager at Lexus. Very accommodating. However they have advised against it being my year round car because of snow. I was hoping throwing snow tires on it would be enough. He has told me that I’ll slide badly. I may need re-evaluate which crushes me. I’m not buying an Audi or BMW given their track records. My back up is a Kia Stinger. Since that has AWD. Anyone have thoughts?
11-12-20, 04:09 PM
#69
Driver School Candidate
well I’ve heard back from the manager at Lexus. Very accommodating. However they have advised against it being my year round car because of snow. I was hoping throwing snow tires on it would be enough. He has told me that I’ll slide badly. I may need re-evaluate which crushes me. I’m not buying an Audi or BMW given their track records. My back up is a Kia Stinger. Since that has AWD. Anyone have thoughts?
If you look up on YouTube Chris Harris’ M5 v GS F review done in Wales during the winter, he had no complaints regarding the handling of the GS F in snow/icy conditions (not the case for the M5). That’s a journalism review though, not representative of normal, daily driving.
Maybe worth starting a new thread before dashing all hope? I’m sure there are other members here who drive the car in some variation of winter conditions. They do sell the car in Canada, so it must work to some degree?
11-12-20, 06:24 PM
#70
Here's my old 2017 USB that I traded in 2 weeks ago. About to be certified I believe, someone get it!! Would love to see it go to a clublexus member.
https://www.lexusoftowson.com/auto/p...n-md/50611853/
https://www.lexusoftowson.com/auto/p...n-md/50611853/
11-12-20, 09:33 PM
#71
well I’ve heard back from the manager at Lexus. Very accommodating. However they have advised against it being my year round car because of snow. I was hoping throwing snow tires on it would be enough. He has told me that I’ll slide badly. I may need re-evaluate which crushes me. I’m not buying an Audi or BMW given their track records. My back up is a Kia Stinger. Since that has AWD. Anyone have thoughts?
Lou
11-12-20, 09:47 PM
#72
well I’ve heard back from the manager at Lexus. Very accommodating. However they have advised against it being my year round car because of snow. I was hoping throwing snow tires on it would be enough. He has told me that I’ll slide badly. I may need re-evaluate which crushes me. I’m not buying an Audi or BMW given their track records. My back up is a Kia Stinger. Since that has AWD. Anyone have thoughts?
11-13-20, 05:35 AM
#73
Pit Crew
well I’ve heard back from the manager at Lexus. Very accommodating. However they have advised against it being my year round car because of snow. I was hoping throwing snow tires on it would be enough. He has told me that I’ll slide badly. I may need re-evaluate which crushes me. I’m not buying an Audi or BMW given their track records. My back up is a Kia Stinger. Since that has AWD. Anyone have thoughts?
11-13-20, 07:40 AM
#74
