Hi all !
I'm currently searching for a 2008 or 2009 ISF in the higher mileage range. I came across one reasonably priced with the leather and exterior color options that I'm looking for. The car is a one-owner no accidents and just under 90,000 miles.

the car looks to be well-maintained cosmetically. I search the Lexus database, but was unable to come up with any service at all on the vehicle. I know the rule of thumb is, to buy one that has service records.


pros-
-the color and leather options I have been looking for
-Priced reasonable
-one owner no accidents

cons- no records at all besides what the dealership service prior to putting the car up for sale. That consisted of oil change, front rotors and front brake pads.
-Car is not local to me, about 225 miles away.

I know there are a lot of people that choose to work on the their cars and choose not to take them to the dealership.
what are the forms thoughts with a situation like this?

 

My "F" is in the same boat. No Service Records at all. Why, because I do my own work. Can you get the name of the previous owner from the dealer?

Lou

 

I always do all my own maintenance on my cars. With the Lexus I try to put the service info on the owner site when I remember so if I ever do decide to sell it there's some sort of history. If the car is clean and seems mechanically inclined then I don't think it's worth shying away due to service records. My S2K I'm the second owner and there's zero service history in 11 years since I've owned it because I've done all the maintenance myself but car still runs and looks great.

 

I think like this as well

I also agree with trying to get the original owner's contact info and inquire more that way. If you feel comfortable after that, you've verified there are no accidents, and everything else about the car is appealing to you, it makes sense to go check it out and drive it

I also work on my own cars, so from this point on, there will be very little to no service history on my F

 

Either way, I would buy and extended warranty if you can... These cars are mechanically sound but there are things that will go wrong, and when they do you are usually looking at some substantial cash to fix them in labor or parts.

 

I'm with flowrider. Nothing on my history except recalls and the first 4 oil changes from the first owners. What's the VIN? Can you post a link to the ad?

 

My car has no Lexus service records other than recall work, and not all of that has been done. I do have a complete used oil analysis history of this engine from Blackstone though. But then again, I don't really care, I have no plans to part with this car any time soon.

 

Thanks for all the replays.
this is the add http://www.deluxeautosales.com/inventory?q=Isf+

 

There's a crap ton of service records. I haven't looked through it but here it is. VIN JTHBP262685002115
LEXUS DRIVERS blue.pdf

 

The good news is it has a new water pump and radiator. Don't worry about the burning/rotten egg smell. It's kind of normal. Do a search to find more info. I wouldn't be too worried every time you see "customer declines" this or that. I'd say most owners are shocked when they're quoted $1200 for new brakes or tires so they decline the service and put it off for a while. The car seems to have a lot of speaker issues and body repairs. If the navigation unit touch screen isn't working it's an easy fix that costs a few hundred dollars but you can tell Deluxe Auto Sales that it's a part that retails for $7319 and use that as leverage.

 

Thanks!


That't srange I looked online and came up with nothing. I also called my local lexus service center to have them run the vin. They also said it came up empty .

 

OP if you want it you may want to hurry and check it out and jump on that deal because you more than likely increased the number of people looking at that car by posting the link.

 

Oops.


OP, here's the grey one you were also looking at:
LEXUS DRIVERS.pdf

 

I was gonna say that looks like a car I had looked at in NJ reading your first post and sure enough it is.

I passed on it as its not in the best of condition IMO, previous body work, one of the headlights was cracked, full of water,driver seat bolster collapsed etc. and it seems like cars in Nj/NY area like that live a hard life, roads are rough, lots of fender betters, etc.


Its a good price but its priced well for a reason IMO, IE not a mint car if thats what you are looking for.

Dont mean to be negative, just giving you my honest opinion

 

I recently created a thread asking about this and no one said this. Kuni Lexus of Portland is currently replacing a leaking headlight and Im having them check this issue out also while its there (as of now they claim they dont smell anything, ugh) but do you have any other info on why its considered kinda normal? Id like to solve this issue if at all possible and Im continuing to research...