Looking at buying a Lexus IS250 SE-L

[Guest rdb85]

What do you reckon based on the feedback he sent?

[KenMavor]

16 minutes ago, KenMavor said:

You have to give the seller reasons for reducing..tyres all in good nick?  Spark plugs done.  Etc. 

You can do a check your self.......Cazana...is one I have used before and I have also used clickmechanic to do an actual physical and mechanical check so if there are any unseen nasty bits that can be used to drive the price down. 

[Guest rdb85]

Some nice cars on Cazana.

[bobmc]

1 hour ago, rdb85 said:

What do you reckon based on the feedback he sent?

Well he's only repeated what is in the advert.

The front discs were replaced due to an MOT fail, they were an advisory on the previous test - as were the rear discs - but there's no mention of the rear discs being replaced.

The service history is a little strange, although the book stamp says 'Lexus Specialist', the Three Tuns Garage website makes no such claim, nor does their Facebook page. Perhaps they have a selection of them - 'Honda Specialist', 'Jaguar Specialist' and so on...As I say just a little 'odd'

Also, it's approaching 60K and the spark plugs haven't been changed. It won't suddenly stop working but if you want to look after the car then will you be able to do it yourself or find a garage who will do it for you. 

Carzana values the car at £5.8k BUT that's the value for sale on a dealer forecourt and not as a private sale. 

 

[is200 Newbie]

The rear discs don't take a hammering as the braking distribution is more on the front car so if the discs were border line when the last MOT was done chances are you will get a bit more out of them - around £60 to replace - the rears have pads and shoes so bear that in mind if replacement is considered - best to do the whole lot together.

The front discs do wear quick as its a heavy car and you will find 3 years or so you will be replacing them again (depends ion your braking really) - front pads definitely 3 years. Both discs and pads around £100 for a good set of brembo or Mintex.

I would not be too concerned with the service history as if you are going to look after it then it and maintain it yourself it makes no difference. If you are going to maintain it yourself then keep all receipts. Resale value with another 10k on it after will be a lot lower than what you paid but at that point I reckon the car is worth more to you than the value of it and if you are maintaining it yourself then you do know its getting the proper oil etc  Some posts on this forum have described having their plugs done between 60 and 100k and they are practically un worn and can probably do more. Service schedule as stated above is to have them done every 60k and the best time to do them is through Lexus during the fuel seal recall as most of the engine components around the plugs need to come off. Its either paying around £200 to have them done then or around £600 in the future.

Get in the car and take it for a test drive - I am saying this as some of the cat back stainless exhausts can be noisy and ruin the driving experience of the car. Get it on the motorway and listen to the exhaust note around 70 as that's really where the "done" from the exhaust is noticed. The exhaust back box looks a bit small (tail pipes) so do check this out by getting it out for a test drive. You usually get a lifetime guarantee with a stainless exhaust not a year - check its stainless (but the guarantee will be from the manufacturer of it)

Take a CD and a DVD with you to check out the function of the radio and the DVD player. (foot brake needs to be on for the DVD to work) (bargaining chip) Check the INNER edges of the tyres for wear (bargaining chip). Check for a white crust around the water pump/coolant reservoir as this could be an indication the water pump is on its way out (bargaining chip)

Lastly, if you have one, take an OBD reader with you to check if theres any stored codes (bargaining chip) and also, basic stuff, check the oil is clear / coolant is pink and the brake fluid is clearish.

It has a space saver tyre - check the security wheel locking key is available and while you are in the boot, check the jack and tool kit is there - if you are lucky there will also be two small screwdriver type spikes in the tool kit - these will enable you to get behind the sat nav panel to change the disc.

It also has HID headlights so lastly check they are both the same colour as these can be expensive and fiddly to replace.

[J Henderson]

Not sure if it was already mentioned, but Lexus Reading have an '09 SE-L. 42K miles and Grey with Ivory interior.

A bit over budget, but you could probably knock them down. Plus, being an approved used car it'll come with a year's tax and warranty.

 

[Guest rdb85]

35 minutes ago, J Henderson said:

Not sure if it was already mentioned, but Lexus Reading have an '09 SE-L. 42K miles and Grey with Ivory interior.

A bit over budget, but you could probably knock them down. Plus, being an approved used car it'll come with a year's tax and warranty.

 

I’ve seen that one. Bit over budget but it’s a nice car.

[Guest rdb85]

I’m going to leave that silver one. It’s a nice car, I reckon there is better out there. 

[Guest rdb85]

Found this: https://cazana.com/uk/car/NU57OWO

[Guest rdb85]

So the one that is in Leicester has given me a great potential offer on my Mini, so I am going to see would the one in Warrington match it. But the Leicester one is £9000. Do you think I should go in with an offer?

[bobmc]

No harm in asking. The two cars are a similar age/mileage/history so directly comparable.

I'd assume that the Leicester one is a 'Lexus Approved Used' (it's not on the national website though??) and will come with a 12 month warranty plus breakdown cover which your local Lexus franchise should honour. This will be the sales argument to justify a higher price.

I suppose it depends on what kind of deal you can strike with the Warrington seller and how they compare in condition (which you can only really judge when you're stood in front of them) and how flexible your budget is. 

Good luck :)

 

 

[Guest rdb85]

35 minutes ago, bobmc said:

No harm in asking. The two cars are a similar age/mileage/history so directly comparable.

I'd assume that the Leicester one is a 'Lexus Approved Used' (it's not on the national website though??) and will come with a 12 month warranty plus breakdown cover which your local Lexus franchise should honour. This will be the sales argument to justify a higher price.

I suppose it depends on what kind of deal you can strike with the Warrington seller and how they compare in condition (which you can only really judge when you're stood in front of them) and how flexible your budget is. 

Good luck :)

The Lexus in Leicester is an Approved Used one, they sold it originally and serviced it 9 times.  I know its a £1000 more than my budget but I may see if I can get a service deal or something. No harm in asking. The Warrington one is within budget. I know originally I wanted a black interior, but the cream does look nice, in both colours. I also think because of the age and mileage they are a good buy. I will try and call down to both on the weekend, depending on the weather. 

 

 

 

 

[Guest rdb85]

3 hours ago, bobmc said:

No harm in asking. The two cars are a similar age/mileage/history so directly comparable.

I'd assume that the Leicester one is a 'Lexus Approved Used' (it's not on the national website though??) and will come with a 12 month warranty plus breakdown cover which your local Lexus franchise should honour. This will be the sales argument to justify a higher price.

I suppose it depends on what kind of deal you can strike with the Warrington seller and how they compare in condition (which you can only really judge when you're stood in front of them) and how flexible your budget is. 

Good luck :)

 

 

The Lexus in Leicester is an Approved Used one, they sold it originally and serviced it 9 times.  I know it is £1000 more than my budget but I may see if I can get a service deal or something. No harm in asking. The Warrington one is within budget. I know originally I wanted a black interior, but the cream does look nice, in both colours. I also think because of the age and mileage they are a good buy. I will try and call down to both on the weekend, depending on the weather. 

[Guest rdb85]

The dealer in Crewe has messaged me to say the Lexus has sold, and the one on Gumtree - Silver one, has also sold.

[bobmc]

3 hours ago, rdb85 said:

The dealer in Crewe has messaged me to say the Lexus has sold, and the one on Gumtree - Silver one, has also sold.

Yeah, the Crewe one went to our very own @is200 Newbie 

[KenMavor]

That's the trouble with an IS250 in good nick, with low miles, with Lexus service history.....they get snapped up pretty quick!!

[Guest rdb85]

38 minutes ago, KenMavor said:

That's the trouble with an IS250 in good nick, with low miles, with Lexus service history.....they get snapped up pretty quick!!

That is true, I am torn between the GREY one in Warrington and the Silver in Leicester. It is a grand difference, but its also 12k miles less, so I am not sure. I think it's going to be hard to find a black one with black interior and low mileage. Those are the two which I like.

 

[is200 Newbie]

2 hours ago, bobmc said:

Yeah, the Crewe one went to our very own @is200 Newbie 

Yup - it was me.  Not ashamed to say that the car is spotless as it should be for the miles it has done  - will put some pics up when the snows gone

+1 to Rob on the above post .... anyone knowing these cars knows what they are like and can appreciate a good one when it comes along. A bit hard for new owners to take the word of previous owners but "once owned - never forgotten"

I had a black leather interior one before and liked it - I never wanted a cream one but could live with it but the one I have bought is a light grey with black carpets and to be honest its quite nice. Coupled with the sunroof its a nice car.

Anyone runs into the back of this one better run the other way !!! 

[is200 Newbie]

1 hour ago, rdb85 said:

That is true, I am torn between the GREY one in Warrington and the Silver in Leicester. It is a grand difference, but its also 12k miles less, so I am not sure. I think it's going to be hard to find a black one with black interior and low mileage. Those are the two which I like.

 

The Warrington one was my next choice, mileage at that level is irrelevant. Lots of ways you can bargain down. I bought my first one at 60k and had it until recently at 107k. Looked after they will last a lot longer if no one decides they want to take it out.

Save the grand and put it towards a service on the car (done yourself) and some improvements.

[bernieeccles]

I take it that this is the light silvery blue with a sunroof ?

I rang about that one early this morning only to be told someone had left a deposit on it. The sales guy told me it was the MDs  car.

Got a good one there !

 

[is200 Newbie]

2 minutes ago, bernieeccles said:

I take it that this is the light silvery blue with a sunroof ?

I rang about that one early this morning only to be told someone had left a deposit on it. The sales guy told me it was the MDs  car.

Got a good one there !

 

That's the one - there was quite a lot of interest on it to be honest and to be fair the dealer did honour his word in keeping the deposit secured on the car. He did say there were two callers interested in it this morning. I put the deposit on it on Monday this week but could not get to it until today due to work and weather.

Don't want to rub it in anymore but the car is as new ...

[is200 Newbie]

Even the auto tilt mirrors work faultlessly after 12 years 

Everything I done on my old car to get it back in shape is working from scratch on this one

[bernieeccles]

Don't tell me, you got a grand knocked off the price as well !

[Guest rdb85]

31 minutes ago, is200 Newbie said:

The Warrington one was my next choice, mileage at that level is irrelevant. Lots of ways you can bargain down. I bought my first one at 60k and had it until recently at 107k. Looked after they will last a lot longer if no one decides they want to take it out.

Save the grand and put it towards a service on the car (done yourself) and some improvements.

That’s a good point. The main dealer one I was going to try and get them to update the satnav and get a service done. The Warrington one looks nice, reckon I could somehow bargain him down on the price.

if anyone has some bargaining tips send them my way lol

[is200 Newbie]

Took it as is

Would have been nice though ... with the amount of interest in it they said they should have considered asking a higher price for it

Theres plenty of others out there, i think its a question of timing.

Theres a nice Cheshire White 2010 F sport coming up as a P.Ex that people looking should watch out for....