White02civicsi

I found a 2003 GS 430 with about 97k miles for about $15,500 with Mark Levinson sound system and navigation at a non Lexus dealership. The sound system and navi isnt that important to me but its a bonus. I have a couple of concerns and I hope you guys can help me out.

The carfax looks clean. There are no service records and none of the replacement/maintenance items has been done for 100k service like the timing belt and water pump. I guess you shouldnt expect any service records when you buy a used vehicle 90% of the time from a dealership especially when they obtained the vehicle from an auction or trade in.

The interior and exterior is in very good shape but Im concern about the mileage. I know these cars can probably go to 200k miles easily and I know there are a lot of GS430's that has 100k + miles. I know that we would most likely have to do a timing belt, water pump replacement around 100k miles. Are there any other items I need to replace at or around 100k miles like the radiator, etc? Im trying to calculate the out of pocket cost involved for the work that needs to be done after I buy the vehicle. I was hoping that I wouldnt have to spend any money right away after spending any where from $13-15k to buy this vehicle.

I have some tools and I am a little handy. Off the top of the my head I know I can change the oil, brake pads, rotor, bleed the brakes, sparks plugs and drain/fill the tranny fluid. I dont think I can replace the timing belt, water pump or radiator by myself because I dont have the tools and I have never done it by myself.

I also feel the price is a little high for a vehicle with 99k miles. How low can you possibly talk the price down to with the dealership? I know there is a markup but I not sure of the %. I spoke to a sales person there briefly over the phone and they said there is no negotiation on the price because their vehicles are price to sell and the prices are comparable to kbb, etc. The vehicle has been sitting in the lot for at least 90 days and I feel it hasnt sold because the vehicle is 7-8 years old now, maintenance needs to be done and parts needs to be replace at that amount of miles and also the price they are asking.

I really like the 2nd gen GS430 and Im in no rush to buy asap but I would be interested in buying the vehicle if I can get them to drop the price down to like $12,500. I dont know if that is a realistic price or not. I am new to buying vehicles especially at a dealership.

Sorry about the long post. I just wanted to make sure I covered everything. Any info/input is greatly appreciated. Pls help me out! Thanks in advance for your time and help.

speedemon90

I'm sure there won't be much maintenance involved other than the 100k and the usual oil change and what not. I would research this car and see if you can find common problems on this car. Even though its a lexus, I'm sure it has its fair share of problems on some vehicles.

I think the price is pretty high also. See if you can negotiate.

Spike TL

just like what was said just above, it should only need it's normal 100K service. But you should take it to your mechanic and have them look over the car.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

Hell no I wouldn't buy it. I'm always leary of a car that has no service records.
See if you can call Lexus with the VIN# to see what records they have.
Did you price out the TB service?

phee

iTrader: (5)

I would look for another one. the fact that they are unwilling to negotiate is scary to me.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

100% agree.

4cruizn

In May we bought the exact same car for my mother, but in Millennium Silver Metallic with the tan interior. Mark Levinson, Nav, wheel locks, spoiler, etc. It had 59k and we paid $15k. Amazing ride - absolutely love the car. They stickered in the mid-high $50's new. Only issue we've had so far is intermittent door lock actuators on one side of the car. The nav system is not as intuitive or user-friendly as Honda/Acura's. PLENTY of power on tap with the V8. Highly recommend the car if you think you can negotiate on the price a little.

Here's the one we picked up.

prime81

Read the reliability section. If you can, search for private deals where the vehicle comes with service records. Dealers always rip you off by $2G to $3G. If you decide to go with them, make sure you negotiate with the "On the Road" price. Tell them to add in all their taxes and admin fee whatsoever. Otherwise, they'll discount on the car but will jackup everything else.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...-400-430-6.htm

onebadna1nsx

I'm pretty sure a Lexus dealer would be able to give you the service record history if you go to a dealership and give them the VIN. I think it was a free service offered, but don't quote me on that...

If the car has been sitting for quite some time, you can definitely get them to lower the price. I think this is quite expensive for a 430 with this kind of milage though..

Acuraluvr

iTrader: (2)

that price seems RIDICULOUS for a 97k car. whats the kbb value?

Uncle still has his gs300 from 2001 with 180k miles. the door acuator problem is a common one, we have 2 messed up ones on our lx470. what sucks is that going to lexus for it would cost over 300 per door or so?

if you can negotiate like 3-4k off the price, it might be doable.

vas25tl

Are they reliable cars? Yes. Would I be worried about buying one with 100K miles? No.

Do I think the price is too much? Definitely. I was just looking for a car and GS430's were on my list. I found them for $14500 with miles in the 70's with the same options. I would wait for a better deal.

dallison

The price is pretty high.

TheMirror

Timing belt replacement interval is 9 or 10 years (can't remember which) or 120K miles...at least it is on my GS400. Front lower ball joints will need replacement at some point (not very expensive), and at 97K the shocks are shot if they are originals. Other than that, pretty much bulletproof.

Price is high.

-Mirror

SRK85

Hmm that deal is similar to what my dad did 5 years ago. We picked up a 2002 GS 350 with like 92,xxx miles for about 15,000$. It runs great, it has about 200,000 miles on it now. So it has some minor problems. Its a sharp car and very reliable. Its just a pain in the ass for me to drive because its RWD, and the steering wheel tends to shake a lot once if goes above 60 MPH. The steering wheel also shakes when braking. But I am sure thats because it has over 200k miles. But the price seems right considering it has nav and mark lenivson sound system.

White02civicsi

I spoke sales person and the price has been dropped to $13,000.

The facts are: 7-8yr old vehicle, 99k miles and no 90k or 100k services done for $13k is a little too much in this bad economy or even in a good economy. I feel it is still high and the 90k-100k service still needs to be done. The also found out the vehicle has been sitting on the lot for about 60 days and this is a BMW dealership. so im still not sure if i should stay away.

Im going to call them and offer $10.5k and see what they counter offer.

I currently have a 2002 honda civic si that is paid off and only has 39k miles and im not in a rush to sell it or trade it in.

prime81

he's trying to get rid of it and pretend to be nice to you by saying that we've dropped the price for you. Go on the net and print out a few of these cars with lower prices and tell him that he's over priced. let him know that you want to buy from him since he's the closest. you can rip me off by a few hundreds but not thousands. if that's the case, i'd prefer to drive a bit further to get cheaper prices. just my

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

[QUOTE=4cruizn;12289336]Only issue we've had so far is intermittent door lock actuators on one side of the car.

the door actuator issue is common on alot of Lexus models... but don't be deterred... the guys on CL has figured out a workaround... yes if you buy a full replacement actuator, it will cost you $200 for a used one from a junkyard, 300 brand new from Lexus... but if you take apart the casing of the actuator, it is a small little RC mini motor... they run <10$ on ebay... i had to fix the DS front door a few weeks ago.. very easy...

lower ball joints were corrected after 2001... so no real issues there...

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Do this... and if they come down a few thousand dollars and all checks out with Lexus... go for it. Otherwise,

White02civicsi

i called my nearest lexus dealership and they looked up the vin# but it didnt show any work being done with them or any lexus dealerships. So i assume timing belt and water pump has not been done. Lexus charges $1,450 for 90k service and water pump.

Acuraluvr

iTrader: (2)

[QUOTE=KaMLuNg;12292353]Is it that easy? i found DIY guides and replacement motors for cheap, but the labor seemed... not so straightforward.

and 1,450 for 90k service? ouch.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

not at all difficult...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VqGy7_X9MM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZV4xB0806M

vas25tl

I got my GS400 water pump/timing belt done for $450 by a friend of mine - with parts.

Try to look around, I'd even check Toyota dealers....if you do end up buying a GS. The quote you got is pretty ridiculous..but as I recall, everything at the Lexus dealer was very overpriced.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Meh

mrmako

I say do more research and find prices that are lower in the area. Then have that in hand, along with the service price from the dealership. If he went from $15K to $13K, then it may not be a stretch for him to go down to $12K or lower.

Go look at edmunds.com and price out the car nationally. If it is much lower, tell them you'll go anywhere to save a thousand bucks (flights one way are $200 or less) or more. No issue.

JnC

iTrader: (12)

I have an 00 GS300 and I can attest that the car is definatly reliable way past 100k miles. Mine was bought with 65k miles on the odo and now it reads 130k, there hasnt been any real issue. Following are the few things that I have done.

- Both front door actuators fixed using ebay motor DIY.
-Almost all oxygen went bad, one at a time, over my time of ownership and had to be replaced.
- Y-pipe was replaced due to a leak, being that it has a built in secondary catalytic converter the dealer quoted me 2200 or so to replace it . I had the TRD one put in from Carson Toyota.
- Ball joints were replaced.

and thats about it along with the timing belt service.

I have driven the GS430 and love the ample power the silky smooth V8 produces, I would suggest searching a bit more as there are way better deals available.