andlours

Hey everyone,

This is my first post here, so please excuse me if I say anything dumb. I've been in the market for an LS400 for a few months now. I have a Tacoma I've built and love the Toyota reliability, but I need something a bit more comfortable than my Taco for commuting. I checked out a 2000 black platinum edition LS400 with 155k miles today that the seller wants $3500 for. The Carfax is clean, but it definitely wasn't a meticulously maintained vehicle. I'd say it's 'good condition' to a "T" on KBB. The one thing that has me really hesitant is I can't find any record of the timing belt/water pump being replaced. Other issues include peeling window tint, a slight shudder when accelerating (maybe motor mounts?), cracked steering wheel wood and other interior wood, a slight chirping from the engine (sounds like a belt or tensioner pulley issue) , peeling clear on the wheels, the telescoping function of the steering wheel doesn't work, and other exterior paint chips and the like. All that to say, what do you guys think would be a fair price for this car? $3500 falls square in the middle of the KBB good range. I'm pretty handy and could do some of the work myself, but I really want this to be just a good DD that I can rack up the miles with.

Thanks!

Andy

spuds

If no record of timing belt have to assume it isnt done.Keep looking,nicer ones for sure for that price IMO.Full service record cars can be found,and I would accept nothing less at that price.Well maintained cars are very reliable,non maintained cars arent.

bradland

A laundry list of issues that long prob knocks a grand off the asking price right away. Half the issues are minor but the other half are fairly serious and expensive. Keep looking...

andlours

Thanks for the advice guys. I was planning on most likely passing but just wanted to get a second opinion first.

Fit1too

I agree, keep looking. You can go to: https://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/ and find out everything that has been done to any Lexus you are eyeballing. Create a free account, enter the vin#, choose service history from the drop down menu, and everything that has been done (at a Lexus dealer) will be at you fingertips.

andlours

Thanks for the tip. I appreciate it. It looks like the belt was changed at 90k miles, but that was also in 2007 so I'm sure it's overdue for another change. Hopefully I can find a nice, clean one here sooner or later.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

Yes, you dont need to buy something to just work on... keep looking, try to find one that had a garage to live in.. peeling paint is trouble.

mikaelse

It all depends on what one is after.
I bought a 90000 miles 1995 cheap.
Had not had timingbelt done (ca 20 years on it ) and needed all fluids exchanged and some bushings fixed, new rear springs, new brake rotors, etc.
I was fine with that . I DIY that stuff and it was a job I liked to do.
Gave me a good feeling for the LEXUS quality when I worked on it.
If I needed to pay for the work or did not like doing it I would have been smarter to buy a better cared for more expensive car.