Lexus LS 400/LS 430

* Server response code: 500 We've had a minor breakdown.

We've had a minor breakdown.

The page you were looking for didn't load. Try refreshing the page, or check out our Site Map.

You have saved this page | See all saved pages

8462 messages, Last post on Dec 12, 2012 at 10:05 PM

You are in the Lexus LS 400/LS 430 Forum.

Your Hosts are kirstie_h & karens

What is this discussion about? Lexus LS 400, Lexus LS 430, Sedan

#2044 of 8462 CPO vs Private Party Purchase by parnola

Oct 01, 2001 (6:37 pm)

I'm in the market for a 98/99 LS 400. Despite it being one of the most reliable automobiles out there, I'd like to purchase an extended warranty. I'm finding some very attractive deals on private party purchases - does anyone know if Lexus will certify (and thus provide their 100k mile warranty) to a car I purchase from a private party. Even if the cost were over $2000 I think I'd come out ahead on a private party purchase. Thanks for any feedback!

#2045 of 8462 CPO Warranty by jeffmust2

Oct 01, 2001 (7:35 pm)

Lexus dealers can provide CPO bumper-to-bumper warranty only on vehicles of a certain age and mileage range that they resell (or lease) to the public.

I bought a '95 LS400 this way from a Lexus dealer; it had 44k on it when purchased in 1998 and Lexus provided a full warranty until 3 years from the date I bought it or 100k miles on the odometer, whatever came first. So the warranty was actually 36 months or 56k miles, whichever came first. And I used the warranty coverage about 4-5 times in the 30 months I had this vehicle.

I sold it earlier this year; it had a few months and 16k miles left on the CPO warranty - but as soon as I sold it, the CPO warranty went away for the new buyer - poof.

I replaced it with a '98 LS400 from a private party; it had just 23k miles on it. No CPO warranty available, but the remainder of the original bumper-to-bumper 4-yr/50k mile factory warranty still applies. And because the vehicle was a month past it's 36-month age limit, there aren't many factory extended warranty plans available. In fact, I think there's only one and it's for 12 months/12k miles.

My understanding of Lexus' current extended maintenance policies towards used vehicles sold by private parties - if the vehicle is less than 36 months old (from date of original sale or lease) AND has less than 36k miles on it - they will sell you their almost-as-good-as-CPO extended warranty which I believe is called the Gold Plan.

Check it out at:

http://www.lexus.com/showroom/protection/gold.html

There is also Lexus factory list pricing at this site; shop a dozen dealers and you'll get a lot of different prices. And the Lexus dealer selling you the plan can be located anywhere in the country.

Good luck - the 1998-2000 LS shows a big improvement in handling and speed over the earlier generations. Just don't drive the LS430 for comparison sake!

#2046 of 8462 Extended warranty by wwest

Oct 02, 2001 (8:44 am)

Buy your Lexus anywhere you like and then pop over to a Toyota dealer and purchase the Toyota extended warranty from their "deal closer". Part of the warranty markup goes into his/her pocket so they will be glad to "deal".

#2047 of 8462 99 Lexus LS400 or 99 Infiniti Q45 by auser72

Oct 02, 2001 (9:41 am)

I am in the market for a another car and have norrowed my choices to these two vehicles. I currently drive a 96 avalon with 151,000 miles(80% highway) that i am looking to replace as daily driver.Both cars have around 35,000 miles the asking price for the q is $29,500 and $32,000 for the ls ,both private party. As objective as can be in LS400 room which one is better value.

#2048 of 8462 Wwest, Another Great Idea! by jeffmust2

Oct 02, 2001 (10:16 am)

Hey Willard - whatta great idea!

"...pop over to a Toyota dealer and purchase the Toyota extended warranty (for an LS400) from their 'deal closer". Part of the warranty markup goes into his/her pocket so they will be glad to 'deal'."

Just a couple of small points to consider:

1. Unlikely the Toyota finance guy that sells you the extended warranty will be the one paying any attention to you when your LS repair runs into a problem with analysis, a mechanic that's never seen that problem before, components aren't covered, etc.
2. In most cases, unlike a Lexus dealership, they won't have the parts
3. In most cases, unlike a Lexus dealership, they won't have decent no-charge loaners available
4. Even though many components are identical or at least similar between Toyota and Lexus models, the LS in particular has lots of expensive parts that are unique to that model

In fact, what you are proposing is a small step up from worthless 3rd-party maintenance policies, but nowhere near the excellent results that would result from a plan under the Lexus letterhead.

Kinda like your genius idea to buy a Canadian LS430 for the electrically-heated windshield and then have it dealer serviced under warranty in Seattle, eh?

#2049 of 8462 Jump right in here... by wwest

Oct 02, 2001 (10:36 am)

Did I say to have it serviced at the Toyota dealer? NOT!

But Sorry, leaving that point out was a serious oversight on my part.

The Toyota extended warranty you buy from the Toyota dealer allows you to take it, whatever brand, to Ford if that's what's to your liking.

I've only done this twice but as far as I know Lexus never turned away any level of service under a Toyota warranty. I think, not really sure, that if you look at the extended warranty you buy from Lexus it is actually the same Toyota extended warranty.

#2050 of 8462 Service by wwest

Oct 02, 2001 (10:40 am)

Jeffmust2

Sounds like you have had some bad experiences buying a vehicle from one dealer and having it serviced by another. I think you'll find that now wwe are in the age of buying over the internet you'll see more dealers changing that attitude.

Not that I personally have ever encountered this problem. One of the LSes I bought from a third party I went directly to Lexus and bought the extended warranty, no questions, other than mileage verification, asked!

#2051 of 8462 Warranty service by wwest

Oct 02, 2001 (10:45 am)

Next time you buy a new car you might take note that the dealer will have you sign a release disclaiming any responsibility of the dealer to provide ANY warranty, or service under any warranty. The disclaimer typically says warranty service is the sole responsibility of the manufacturers.

Obvious they will provide the warranty service, but only under contract with the factory.

So the dealers don't care where you bought the car, they just want the warranty service revenues.

#2052 of 8462 Even Better by jeffmust2

Oct 02, 2001 (11:04 am)

Sorry for my confusion, Willard.

So your idea is to...

1. Buy an extended warranty from a guy at Toyota
2. He refers you to a guy over at a Lexus dealer who will then take care of your problem
3. Even though Lexus never received any of your money for the extended warranty
4. Which means they would have to get reimbursed from another guy, somehow, through an inter-departmental transfer of funds

Hey, that's a MUCH better plan than just buying a policy from the folks that will do the work!

Incredible that no one else thought of it.

#2053 of 8462 Whoa, jeffmust2! by nealm1

Oct 02, 2001 (11:36 am)

Just chill a bit! wwest's idea may well be a bad one, but we don't need that kind of sarcasm here. Just make your point and move on.

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Forum Tools

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s):

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic

View All Topics

Learn More, Do More

Edmunds Community

Explore Edmunds