jslionheart1

The platinum warranty is very close to a certified car, as I understand it. However, you won't get the financing special unless the car is certified. Certified cars usually are $3000-4000 higher retail because of the money (avg. $2400) spend to certify the cars. I was told the $2400 figure when I was buying my car and asked why mine was not certified.

SW03ES

Not sure if I buy that, others on here have gotten their certified LS's at around the same price. I've never seen one on a Lexus lot that wasn't certified. $2400 for the certification sounds steep too. Think about it, where does that $2400 go?

If you don't mind, what dealership did you get the car from (I welcome a PM if you'd prefer it)

oac3

Lexus CPO LS's can be $4K higher than non-certified ones. Most Lexus dealerships won't certify used cars at or above 50K miles, prefering to leave it under factory warranty (50K miles bumper-to-bumper, 70K miles powertrain). CPO's, in my understanding, are 3 years 100K including the current mileage, which oftentimes are below 40K miles in general... although there are mid-40K mile LS's that are certified.

The prices I quoted for '99 and '00 LS at $30-32K are for high mileage non-CPO's. For CPO's you should expect at least a $3K higher, starting ca. $35K retail. Of course, these will have low miles. If you ever find a CPO, low mileage '99 or '00 with Nav under $35K grab it quick....

Looks like you are tilting towards the ES. It is a fine vehicle also. Whatever you decide, remember you will have to live with the vehicle for sometime before getting rid of it. It is always always better to buy what you like, not what others think is best for you. Car purchase can be subjective, just try to take the emotion out f it and get the very best you can for yourself.

Good luck

SW03ES

I've actually found a dealer that will go to $33k on a 99, CPO, no nav 35k miles. From what I've seen, dealers are CPOing cars with 60kish mileage around here too. From what others are saying, I'm hopeful that I can get into a certified car with good low miles with or without nav for around $31500. I still have to hear back from the guy in NJ that had the $299 lease with 3k down on a certified (not Lexus, but they certify their vehicles through an outside source, and the warranty looks very similar, plus its 5 years or 100,000 miles included in the price. He has a bronze 99 with nav and 47,000 miles wholesaling out at $27,000. Excellent excellent deal, and the car looks in great shape from the pictures, clean VIN he has all the maintenance records. He thinks he could get me an LS with the same or lower mileage in black like I want for around the same price. His lease is $299 for 27 months with $3k down, 12k per year. He's computing me a 27 or 39 month lease with $0 down and 15k per year, have yet to hear back from him.

Its not that I'm leaning towards the ES at all as a vehicle, its just a lot easier LOL. I know what the lease payment is, I can just give the car back anytime after 6 months and they'll transfer the lease (you know, in a year or so when business is better and I can get into that new LS ultra luxury, which he can lease me for less than $900 BTW ) I definately like the LS better as a car, its just making the deal work out thats all.

I found another place in NY that specializes in leasing pre-owned luxury cars that will lease the car for similar prices, but they dont offer certification or warranties. They do have 4 LS's to choose from though, black, silver, white and blue.

Japanimal

n/t

SW03ES

Sorry I havent updated, we're travelling in NJ. I heard back from a BMW dealership that has a 99 silver with black, Nak audio 43k miles for $30,500, I think he'll come down at least a K or two. He can also warranty it 5 years 100k for about 900, so thats a good deal. I'm gonna swing by when I get home Monday to see his car. I can lease the car out for about $500, same as the finance payment, but I'd prefer to lease it for the tax writeoff, and because I won't be keeping the car forever. I'ma keep my fingers crossed.

I'm also going to try and stop by the place here in NJ that has the $299 lease and see whats up there.

I'll keep yall posted

SW03ES

UPDATE-

Okay, I heard back from the lease guy, the 2003 ES is going to run me about $500 flat a month, he has to buy the car in CA and have it shipped to me, should take 7-10 business days for it to be at my door, more if the car has to be looked for from the time I give him the go. I have yet to hear back from the pre owned lease guy in NJ.

Now, I found a promising 99 LS400, 34,900 miles $29900 (I think he'll deal somewhat) non-certified (Warranty will cost me $1600). Its the burgundy exterior color with the ivory interior, I'd prefer black but the ivory works well with the LS. Bonus is, he thinks it has Nakamichi, but he has to check (he hasn't written me back, but I did contact him late).

I'm gonna ride out there tomorrow and have a look at it, I'll report back.