Buying a used Lexus ?

[Zorro]

96 Lexus ES300 in great condition with 93k miles for 4k good deal ??

 

[Doodoo]

Haven't checked kbb...but that sounds like a pretty good price. Just make sure the 90k service was done. I believe that includes the timing belt...which can be pretty pricey. I think the dealer quoted me over 1k for my GS.

 

[dud]

Originally posted by: Zorro
96 Lexus ES300 in great condition with 93k miles for 4k good deal ??

Good question.

That car is too sedate for an old man like me.


I'm looking to add some "spark" to my life. I'm looking for an SC300/400.

 

[Skunkwourk]

Check my post in your OT thread. Also register at www.clublexus.com The members there are generally helpful, although you wont get a response as fast as you would here.

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: dud

Originally posted by: Zorro
96 Lexus ES300 in great condition with 93k miles for 4k good deal ??

Good question.

That car is too sedate for an old man like me.


I'm looking to add some "spark" to my life. I'm looking for an SC300/400.

SC400 are bulletproof, check for power steering pump gaskets, as if/when they age and start to leak, the fluid goes into the alternator, requiring replacement of both.

SC300 are pretty good but as with all 2JZGEs, check for valve cover gasket issues. Not a big deal and wont kill your car or anything but a bit annoying.

Otherwise, the issues are minor, trunk gas pressure shocks will wear out and no longer stay up on it's own and thats a $60 fix... Internal climate control or radio lcds could lose the back light and lights in the instrument cluster could burn out on cars with higher age and mileage.

Also age related items are transmission and engine mounts and rubber suspension bushings.

Functionally, theres almost nothing mechanically that will kill a SC, but there are those annoyances. Decently maintained, I'd trust it most examples to at least 300k, probably more like 500kmiles reliably.