Buying a 2000 Lexus GS with 139,000 miles? Your Opinion?
We are looking for a car and have found a 2000 Lexus GS for ,000. It has all kinds of features including a sunroof, leather interior, cassette player, cd player, radio, seat heaters, etc. It is in excellent condition and the owner gets it detailed annually as well as regular oil changes.
The only thing that bothers me is the high mileage and that it gets about 15-16 mpg city. I will only be driving it in town so I have no idea. Is this a good idea to buy this vehicle? How long do you think it will last? How much do you think it will cost me in the long run?
Your answers and advice are greatly appreciated, thankyou.
11 Responses
Elle
21 Aug 2010
Alan
21 Aug 2010
bad bad BADBAD
why because I’ve had a toyota and it sucked, don’t ever buy toyota, get a lincoln instead, ride luxury in style not death
The Raven, Boyco
21 Aug 2010
139,000 miles is way to high for a Toyota, it will start having far too many problems soon and Toyota Lexus is plagued with sun roof leaks as you will soon learn if you buy it.
.
Toyota Obsession
21 Aug 2010
BUY it woman and come sleep with me
David Culberson
21 Aug 2010
I have two Lexus LS400′s, one is mine with 185,000 miles on it, the other is my wife’s with 239,000 miles on it. They have both been amazing cars. The city mileage is terrible, yes, but the comfort can not be matched. Reliability is beyond excellent.
The repairs that do need to be performed are more expensive than a cheaper car, but on par with similarly priced cars. They do not need to be repaired very often, though, and with 139,000 miles on it your example is a baby just getting warmed up. The only concern I would have is the price; locally I found several for sale that had significantly lower mileage for the same price or similar mileage for $1,000 to $2,000 less. I would say that if you could get the car for $6,000 and it checks out okay at a mechanic then you are getting a great deal. A little more money wouldn’t be wasted, though, if the seller won’t come down that far in price.
The electrical and luxury features on these cars are more reliable than most. You won’t spend time trying to track down gremlins keeping your power seat from working like in many others. That’s nice.
Keep on top of any repairs that need done. Ignore one, and when the next one comes up you will start to feel dissatisfied with the car. If you keep on top of them you’ll stay happy with it.
I’ve been really pleased with my car, for the price it can’t be beat. I’ve owned it for years when I usually trade cars every year or two.
Be sure you can put up with the 16mpg though. That is a realistic figure and you will regret it if you drive a ton and can’t afford gas!
The Raven, Boyco
21 Aug 2010
139,000 miles is way to high for a Toyota, it will start having far too many problems soon and Toyota Lexus is plagued with sun roof leaks as you will soon learn if you buy it.
.
Fair tax means j
21 Aug 2010
The Raven is correct as usual, that is too many miles.
balcyo
21 Aug 2010
The Lexus GS 300 is a fine sedan. The quality build is evident in everything from panel gaps to the fine interior materials. Everything is solid and has an "expensive" feel and look. It is certainly a great car.My impressions follow:
Exterior: I like the look of the car. The aerodynamic shape is distinctive and will age well. It also helps this car stay very quiet at speed. I would like to see wider tires on this car, since the relatively skinny 215mm tires throw off the proportions on this wide, large car. Big tires also look sportier, which, after all, is what the GS is marketed as being. The paint quality is second-to-none. (I see older Lexus vehicles on the road and they often look new) The paint is deep and durable. The lighter metallic colors are especially good at hiding the various scratches it will aquire over the years, but the Black is hard to beat for depth and the wow-factor after it’s freshly washed.
Interior: The interior is striking, with it’s light colored guages and smoothly integrated controls and radio/climate pod. Leather is top quality, if a bit hard for my tastes. The interior trim items(headliner, dash panels, buttons, etc) are the finest I’ve seen. The console is useful. The auto shifter is a bit odd, but works fine. Legroom and hiproom are fine. Rear seat room is adequate, though not cavernous. I am 6’0, 210 lbs, and can ride comfortably in back. This car has a touch of German sporting influence in the interior, unlike the LS 400 or ES 300. It isn’t as "soft" as the other models, which some older drivers may not like. (my mom preferred her ’94 Acura Legend’s interior, even though it’s obviously not Lexus quality)
My favorite feature on this car is the memory seats and telescoping wheel. It moves out of your way when you remove your key, and it slides into place perfectly when you enter. A great and fun feature. The Stereo is good, though not great. It is a notch above my ’97 BMW 540i’s unit, however. The in-dash CD changer is great, and a big improvement on trunk-mounted units.
Seats are comfortable and adjustable enough for me to get comfortable.
Reliability/maintenance: Simply the best. These cars almost never break, and when they do, you are treated to great service at most Lexus dealers. They go above and beyond to keep your business (you would too if you were making $6000 plus per unit sold) They hold up well, cosmetically as well as mechanically. These aren’t do-it-yourself cars, but getting the service done professionally is a big part of retaining the great resale value, anyway.
Handling/ride/performance: Though it has more horsepower than the BMW 528i which is seems to be targeted at, it actually posts slower 0-60 numbers due to it’s higher weight, and perhaps the transmission design. I’ve seen numbers of 8.0 seconds to 60, which is fine for daily use, but leaves you wanting a little more for "fun". Power comes on smooth and fairly quiet, though you do have to rev it a little more than you would with a bigger (and costlier) V-8. Shifts are sure and smooth, like all Lexus. Ride is smooth and quiet, but it’s not a vault like the LS 400. You do feel a little more of the road, but it’s not harsh. This is what a sports sedan is supposed to feel like, but many drivers may be expecting a cushier ride. Handling is where the GS 300 falls off a bit, in my opinion. It is competent, but body roll is excessive for this type of car. You feel a lot more "out of control" at high speeds and in tight turns than with my 540i. Wider tires would also help with "grip" on the road. It’s no pig, but if you’ve driven a sports car (or any BMW) you will notice a difference. Braking is fine, with no adverse characteristics. This car would be a great trip car, and a decent canyon carver, but you’d find it wanting if you wanted to really push it on the turns. There are some other much less expensive cars that outperform it (Nissan Maxima, Volkswagen Passat, Audi A4, among others)
If you’re buying this car for quality, comfort, image, and refinement rather than performance, you will be happier than if you’re expecting a four door sports car.
Cost of ownership: Resale value on this model is phenomenal.
HOPE THIS ALL HELP TO MAKE YOUR DECISION.
Benjamin Pulowsk
21 Aug 2010
This wouldn’t by any chance happen to be on craigslist would it?
pickmefirstplz
21 Aug 2010
have it checked out by a mechanic before you buy
Toyota Obsession
21 Aug 2010
You kidding me? Lexus can go 500,000+ easily.
It sounds like a steal to me.
But like you said the Gas Mileage. It is a Luxury Car so often MPG took a backseat to comfort and style. But you won’t find a more comfortable and easy to drive Car for that price.
Its an ok price for the miles that its done but I think you should try and find a car with a lot less miles.