Is this LS400 worth picking up??
01-26-13, 05:33 PM
#31
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Is this a good deal?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3560078686.html
98 LS asking for 78 but I got it down for 65. But the car is not registered in CA, it is in AZ so how much would it cost to register the car in CA? Also don't think the timing belt has been done either.
Does anyone think this is a good deal?
98 LS asking for 78 but I got it down for 65. But the car is not registered in CA, it is in AZ so how much would it cost to register the car in CA? Also don't think the timing belt has been done either.
Does anyone think this is a good deal?
01-26-13, 06:44 PM
#38
Things to look out for as I just bought a 98 (for $5000 but spent $2800 more in repairs):
Motor Mounts (was already done recently), Transmission Mount (cost me $120 parts & labor), Camshaft Seals (very expensive to replace on the 98-00 models--$1200 on top of the timing belt & water pump replacement), Crankshaft seal, tie rod ends/ball joints (was already done recently), power steering pump seals (was already done recently), thermostat (mine was deteriorating and replaced myself), timing belt, water pump, tension/idler pulleys, drive belt pulley. Also, if it has a Nakamichi sound system check to see if you can hear both the left and right channels (my right channel is out now). Also the hood gas shocks are probably shot (cost me $40 to replace myself). Also check to see if your HID headlights are working properly and that the height sensor bars aren't broken (behind the right side wheels)--my HID aren't working properly.
Before purchasing, I'd suggest taking the car to a Lexus dealership and pay them $100 or so for an pre-purchase inspection. That's what I did and I talked down the owner $500 after the results of the inspection (because of the leaking front seals). (I thought at the time it wouldn't be that expensive to replace those front seals, but I was wrong because the 1998-2000 models have variable valve timing and it takes 5 hours of labor per head to replace those camshaft seals--I heard it takes 5 minutes per camshaft seal on LS400's prior to 1998.)
Overall I got $1000 more in this car than I wanted. I was looking to keep it at $6900 or under because that's what it is worth in excellent condition according to private party price on Kelley Blue Book.
Motor Mounts (was already done recently), Transmission Mount (cost me $120 parts & labor), Camshaft Seals (very expensive to replace on the 98-00 models--$1200 on top of the timing belt & water pump replacement), Crankshaft seal, tie rod ends/ball joints (was already done recently), power steering pump seals (was already done recently), thermostat (mine was deteriorating and replaced myself), timing belt, water pump, tension/idler pulleys, drive belt pulley. Also, if it has a Nakamichi sound system check to see if you can hear both the left and right channels (my right channel is out now). Also the hood gas shocks are probably shot (cost me $40 to replace myself). Also check to see if your HID headlights are working properly and that the height sensor bars aren't broken (behind the right side wheels)--my HID aren't working properly.
Before purchasing, I'd suggest taking the car to a Lexus dealership and pay them $100 or so for an pre-purchase inspection. That's what I did and I talked down the owner $500 after the results of the inspection (because of the leaking front seals). (I thought at the time it wouldn't be that expensive to replace those front seals, but I was wrong because the 1998-2000 models have variable valve timing and it takes 5 hours of labor per head to replace those camshaft seals--I heard it takes 5 minutes per camshaft seal on LS400's prior to 1998.)
Overall I got $1000 more in this car than I wanted. I was looking to keep it at $6900 or under because that's what it is worth in excellent condition according to private party price on Kelley Blue Book.
Last edited by ls400geek; 01-26-13 at 07:07 PM.
01-27-13, 09:19 AM
#43
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Things to look out for as I just bought a 98 (for $5000 but spent $2800 more in repairs):
Motor Mounts (was already done recently), Transmission Mount (cost me $120 parts & labor), Camshaft Seals (very expensive to replace on the 98-00 models--$1200 on top of the timing belt & water pump replacement), Crankshaft seal, tie rod ends/ball joints (was already done recently), power steering pump seals (was already done recently), thermostat (mine was deteriorating and replaced myself), timing belt, water pump, tension/idler pulleys, drive belt pulley. Also, if it has a Nakamichi sound system check to see if you can hear both the left and right channels (my right channel is out now). Also the hood gas shocks are probably shot (cost me $40 to replace myself). Also check to see if your HID headlights are working properly and that the height sensor bars aren't broken (behind the right side wheels)--my HID aren't working properly.
Before purchasing, I'd suggest taking the car to a Lexus dealership and pay them $100 or so for an pre-purchase inspection. That's what I did and I talked down the owner $500 after the results of the inspection (because of the leaking front seals). (I thought at the time it wouldn't be that expensive to replace those front seals, but I was wrong because the 1998-2000 models have variable valve timing and it takes 5 hours of labor per head to replace those camshaft seals--I heard it takes 5 minutes per camshaft seal on LS400's prior to 1998.)
Overall I got $1000 more in this car than I wanted. I was looking to keep it at $6900 or under because that's what it is worth in excellent condition according to private party price on Kelley Blue Book.
Motor Mounts (was already done recently), Transmission Mount (cost me $120 parts & labor), Camshaft Seals (very expensive to replace on the 98-00 models--$1200 on top of the timing belt & water pump replacement), Crankshaft seal, tie rod ends/ball joints (was already done recently), power steering pump seals (was already done recently), thermostat (mine was deteriorating and replaced myself), timing belt, water pump, tension/idler pulleys, drive belt pulley. Also, if it has a Nakamichi sound system check to see if you can hear both the left and right channels (my right channel is out now). Also the hood gas shocks are probably shot (cost me $40 to replace myself). Also check to see if your HID headlights are working properly and that the height sensor bars aren't broken (behind the right side wheels)--my HID aren't working properly.
Before purchasing, I'd suggest taking the car to a Lexus dealership and pay them $100 or so for an pre-purchase inspection. That's what I did and I talked down the owner $500 after the results of the inspection (because of the leaking front seals). (I thought at the time it wouldn't be that expensive to replace those front seals, but I was wrong because the 1998-2000 models have variable valve timing and it takes 5 hours of labor per head to replace those camshaft seals--I heard it takes 5 minutes per camshaft seal on LS400's prior to 1998.)
Overall I got $1000 more in this car than I wanted. I was looking to keep it at $6900 or under because that's what it is worth in excellent condition according to private party price on Kelley Blue Book.
01-27-13, 09:19 AM
#44
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he dropped the price to 5300 OBO on this car btw
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/3570027357.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/3570027357.html
01-27-13, 06:45 PM
#45
My friend was the one who was selling it. My other friend is the one who bought it. I was like the middle man, who introduced them. Both are happy. I just wished that I didnt buy a 2GS last month, or else I woulda been all over the LS430