Start Of A Journey

[ilv1004s]

25k+ will get your a very clean 2006 model IS250

any below unless its a genuine sale you would expect some dodgyness

[rossv]

Hi ilv1004s,

25k+ will get your a very clean 2006 model IS250

any below unless its a genuine sale you would expect some dodgyness

Thanks for the advice. So I guess it might be possible to find a 2005 model (just a Prestige) in the low 20s if I were lucky, but you reckon generally I should expect something to be dodgy such as for those I have seen?

[Subby]

Rossv,

The 2005 model you've linked to sounded good to me - if you're new to Lexuses, it might be worthwhile taking along a friend who has some knowledge of them when you check out the car - could save you heaps of heartache later on !!!

[ilv1004s]

heres a run down

below 20

very high kms'

usually no EMV pack (sunroof nav etc)

condition *BLEEP* to average

20-25 around 60-70K kms on a non emv 2005-2007

or high kms 100k km+ on EMV equipped cars

25-30 average price for decent kms EMV pack cars or 80-90K+ Sports luxury 250

you really want a sports luxury not a presteige

end of the day an EMV car might be the same as a sports luxury, but when you break them down and have a look at each eqipment of the cars the sports luxury is worth the extra few grand

[quockies]

Agreed with Subby. Do your research on some of the known issues with each particular model so you can keep an eye out for them when you take them for a test drive.

I got ripped off when I was about to purchase a 2008 IS250 Sports Luxury - the car looked too perfect for the price... did my checks and came back it was written off, flood damaged etc (lost $200 deposit) but better than losing $30K

I was lucky to find my IS250X.. while the exterior needed some care (all fixed after a proper 3 stage polish & opticoat paint protection), the car was well looked after by the previous owner (servicing on time - every 12 months not km's, no accidents etc)

Another thing to take into consideration is Lexus servicing (thats if your going to keep on getting it serviced by Lexus). I heard the 90K service is approx $1500K+

[rossv]

Thanks for the advice gents. I guess I'll have a think about whether I can stretch the budget into sports luxury territory, I admit that they're much nicer. In any case it will be 20k minimum, I might miss out on EMV although I realise its a really nice feature (but my budget is tight and I've always wanted an IS250).

I reckon I'll make use of those mobile vehicle inspection services before I buy anything, costs about $240 but probably worth it to uncover any issues that I might miss and save myself a lot of hassle down the track. Let the search continue.. :)

[quockies]

If you can stretch the budget, it will be worth it in the end.

Good Luck!!

[Subby]

For those of you in Sydney, here's a car that may interest you:

http://www.pickles.com.au/general/item/-/details/CP-04-05--Built-04-05--Lexus--GS430--UZS190R-Sports-Luxury--Sedan--5-Seats--4-Doors/103244619

[rossv]

Thanks again for the advice everyone, I stretched my budget a little, found a decent vehicle and now I've joined the "owners club"!

Very excited to own my first ever Lexus (first real car too). Ended up with a Sports model, that had the sat nav/BT/ML/Reverse camera/Moonroof options in it, so can't complain.

[quockies]

Awesome. Congratz!!!

[Subby]

Great news and I hope you get many, many years of enjoyment from it !!