inck243

Hi!

I'm new to this forum, because I decided that my second car will be a Lexus!

I am looking at the IS300, and am in the process of heavily researching this car; I need some advice from all of you.

Both are 2001 IS300s. First has 145,000 miles and is $7,000. The next is $9,000 and has 94,000 miles.

I realize that the other IS300s around the 95,000 mile range cost about $10,000 to $15,000, which raises red flags to me -- Any maintenance problems typical of this mileage interval that I should be aware of? (like Audi's timing belt issues...)

I would assume that the extra 2 thousand would be worth while to get 50,000 less miles, so that is the one that I am leaning towards. However, I am wondering if you can tell me that the private seller marked it down because they have not gotten some kind of maintenance that is suggested when the car gets to this amount of miles.

If you think that there won't be much difference in engine performance/life with the 140,000 miles car (and I know this depends on how it was driven) then I would like to get the car with higher mileage because it has some features that the lower mileage model doesn't have.

So, any problems that you know of that typically begin arising around both 95,000 miles and 150,000 miles would help me a lot.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Faymester

Do a search, we get these questions a lot. There are a good 10 threads out there already with the things to look for.

No offence intended if that sounds blunt, but otherwise this thread may go unanswered.

2002GGPIS3

Ditto on the search, but briefly, main IS300 problem is jammed CD changer, also being in the northeast, look for rust on the brake calipers,( caused by stuff they use on the roads in winter) if it is bad you will need new ones. if the car is well maintained everything should be fine, but run a carfax and get a pre purchase inspection. On which car, it depends, if you do not do alot of driving, get the higher mileage one, and use money saved on mods. If you have a long commute to school or work, get the lower mileage one, so you can rack up more miles and keep the car longer. Good luck.

Indyken

Use this checklist I did when I bought mine earlier this year. CD Changer is not a matter of if it will go bad, it's a matter of "When". I'll also follow this message up with a fair market price analysis for you to use. I built it in February.

Ken

Indyken

Use this excel spreadsheet to determine if somebody is too low or too high on a price. Keep in mind this was designed when I was looking last February so you should update the retail prices accordingly.

Best of luck,
Ken

DINH300

The IS300 with blow the door off a stock SC300 and GS300

but get the 02 and up to avoid most problems try to find one with LSD then it would be much more fun to drive. No matter what your gonna end up getting a new cd player anyways.