adi

Hi, I am considering a used sc 430 2002 and wondering what will be a better buy:
first option is a 115k miles for $21k with all maintainance records regulary performed (every 7,500 miles)
second option a 60k miles for $26 k carfax does not show maintainance records
I was wondering whicy is a better buy. Is mileage on the first car going to be a problem or contrary because of so many times beeing serviced is just like brand new?

Also , both cars look and run beautifully. Any thoughts? thank you

Yes

i'd go with the 60k over the 115. that's really high. personally, i'd keep looking for an ever lower mileage car if you can afford it. i'd try to stay under 40k if you plan to keep it a while.

tfischer

I agree.

Pay the extra for the one with the fewer miles.

Miles is always (well, usually) the biggest factor in used car value, and 100,000 is a lot of miles on any car, even a Lexus, although I have friends with various Lexus cars with well over 100,000 and they are in excellent condition. For the value, however, spend the extra cash now because you will get it back when you sell it (if you ever do).

martini3

go low.

I don't think anyone here has over 100K yet unless I'm wrong.
but 60k is good and mine's an '03 w/ 48k miles and still going strong.

so I'm not too far behind you if you get the '02.

good luck.

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

Well, some items to consider. A well maintained car with high miles will last longer vs a low mileage vehicle that was not maintained properly. The key point in your description is that there exist no service records for the low mileage example.
Before continuing I would highly recommend getting the VIN on the low mileage SC and get over to Lexus and have them print out a service history on the car-it is free!

This will give you more of the facts in hand to better determine which SC is for you. Problem arises if the car was not maintained by Lexus but by the owner or an independent shop.

I would have no concerns purchasing a 150k SC430 provided the service records are present and a thorough inspection of the car is clean. Lexus provides this for around $150.00.

When I sold my GS4, the buyer wanted this and it had well over 150k miles but the Lexus service mgr told me that it was the cleanest and most maintained Lexus GS400 he has seen in years as most have tears, leaks, etc....Again, all service by me. You would be amaze the disparity that exist between what buyers consider excellent condition

If in doubt have someone inspect them for you.
Lee

tennistodd

Greetings Adi...I now have a 2003 SC430 with 45,000 miles. I bought it used and it had been Lexus certified. I bought a Brand new IS250 a little over a year ago and traded it for the SC. Now my point... My first Lexus was a fairly maintained 1993 SC400 with 140,000 miles on it when I purchased it. I was leary of buying a car with such HIGH miles. I kept the car for a little over 3 years and put 130,000 miles on it believe it or not. I put an alternator, water pump,and new spark plugs on it and had the timing belt changed during the water pump. NOTHING else other than oil changes every 3,500 miles. The shocking thing is, I never took it to a LEXUS dealer not once the 3+ years I owned it. I traded it for my IS250 and got $4,000 for it and probably could have got more. The car was in excellent condition at 270,000 miles. I would not be affraid of buying a high mileage SC as in 1989 Lexus spent MILLIONS on the technology of the V8 engine used in the SC's. Take care of it and do scheduled oil changes; it is the best insurance you can have on your car. Good luck and check out the low mileage SC before you but it.
Need to update my Sig....sorry

Scoupe Dog

If you're buying one for the long haul, get the higher mileage one and set the money aside for a repair reserve, but I doubt you'll need it.

If you're going to resale in a few years, the higher miles are going to count against you, and as you can see by the responses on this board, most people will steer clear of it in spite of the great service record.

It puzzles me that people think 100K on a Lexus is the same as 100K on a Kia.

tfischer

"It puzzles me that people think 100K on a Lexus is the same as 100K on a Kia."

I don't think anyone is saying that. For one thing, a Kia will die before 100,000 miles and won't get a chance to be sold. (That's easy for us to say.)

What the consensus seems to be is that most buyers will generally prefer to pay a little more for a car with fewer miles than a more expensive model of the same car with more miles. Other factors always come into play, such as a history of incidents, general condition of the interior and of the exterior, etc. If the choice is also between different car models, then the history of reliability and longevity of the cars comes into play as well.

In the question posed here, the choice was between two '04 SC330s, which makes the decision clearer and far less complicated, but no less real.

I'm sure most of us would prefer to have an old Lexus to
a new Saturn, but that question is not before the panel.

To the extent that buying a car is (at least) partly a gamble on what percentage of its value it will retain when sale time rolls around, there are no right answers, only educated guesses.

dseag2

Well said.

tfischer

Thank you. Glad to help.

Of course, that's only my opinion; I could be wrong.

adi

thank you for your opinions .

Scoupe Dog

I meant that in the sense that the general population views any car with 100,000 on it as being used up. Banks don't want a Lexus with over 100K either.

In this case, even the Lexus with 100K plus is being viewed as suspect goods, in spite of its excellent service history.