I have been looking to buy a used Lexus for last couple months. I came across a 2000 LS400 with about 95,500 miles on it at a local Lexus dealer. I will be test driving it tonight but it was reported as in really good condition (and why would a dealer say it is not). It is missing heated seats and CD player. The price at this time is $13,998 which I think is too high. Edmunds appraisal said $10,400 for outstanding condition and about $9,700 for clean.
If the car does turn out to be in perfect condition would $10,000 be the appropriate cost for the car or should I go lower? I was going to start negotiations at $9,000 giving myself some room.
Feedback would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

what make syou think it's missing a CD changer? you do realize that it's not in dash but rather the changer is above the glove box...


never seen a 98-00 w/o cd changer.

 

I know it is generally in the top glove box, but it is not mentioned anywhere on the list of standard or optional equipment. It is not a deal breaker for me since I listen to NPR on the radio while I drive or use my iPod. I will know for sure when I test drive it this evening.

 

hahah its probably there and the dealer just forgot to mention it.

 

I'm kinda surprised the dealer would have a 10 YO car on the lot. From my wanderings, our local lot is 6 years and vehicles with less than 65K typically.That aside...

If you like the car...it is a bit high at that price.

 

If the car doesn't have heated seats then it is more likely a low specification example that is worth far less than $13,998. I've seen nice 02-03 LS430's with fewer miles and heated seats go for less than that price in a private sale and even on eBay.

It is possible that the car doesn't have a CD changer since they were optional - read the specs at http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/2000/2000LSspecs.pdf and tell us what options this car has after you drive it.

Extremely low spec 98-00 LS400's are not unheard of -- I remember a photo of one without a sunroof being posted on this forum a while back and I'm betting that there are at least a few 2000 LS400's out there without the optional but usually present self leveling HID headlights.

 

The car did have a CD Changer but no heated seats. The original owner was in CA. The car was in good condition for that mileage. The service person said the timing belt might need to be changed, but could not confirm if it was required. So all said and done, in the end the price was just too high and the dealer came down another 1K on the car but no more.

 

Oh well...there will be others. Keep us posted on what you find.

 

You would have had to drop 1k for the timing belt anyways

 

Yeah, that price if way out of line, especially if the timing belt hasn't been changed. I paid not much more than that for a one owner '02 with 60,000 miles. And that was from a Lexus dealer (Sewell).

 

At $13K, the 430's come into consideration.

 

Even 9k might be a bit too high. Look at the Edmund's trade values to get a better idea what the dealer paid for it. Add reconditioning costs and a few hundred for profit, and you'll have a better idea what the dealer's bottom line is.

Edit: found the car I think you're looking at. After running it through Edmunds I would be surprised if they paid much more than 7k for the car. If there isn't much reconditioning into the car, getting it for 8k probably isn't out of the question, assuming you don't mind grinding it out.