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Lexus ES 300/ES 330 Prices Paid and Buying Experience - READ ONLY

1426 messages,  Last post on Nov 06, 2007 at 9:53 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Lexus ES 330, Sedan

Messages Page 57 of 143

#561 of 1426 Buying Lexus involved in accident by needadvice

Aug 06, 2004 (9:32 pm)

Hi everyone......
 
i very badly need some advice on the following matter. I have no experience in purchasing cars. Is it advisable to buy a car that has been met with an accident. I saw this this lexus car at a dealer.
Details :
Lexus ES 300 1996
mileage = 99000
black color , leather seats
 
This car was involved in an accident and the dealer basically repaired it. Now it looks brand new with no problems at all.
The following things were damaged :
1) Hood
2) Fendor
3) Radiator
4) Condensor
The dealer basically replaced it with new parts and repaired the body damage. I test drove the car and it looks in perfect condition.
He is asking for : $4000.00
 
Is it worth buying a car that was involved in an accident. Any advice would really be appreciated.
 
Thanks
Need Advice

#562 of 1426 Need Advise............................... by georgeb7

Aug 09, 2004 (1:44 pm)

Probably, most important to consider is the frame of the vehicle. If the frame is bent, the car will never be the same. The dealer is not going to tell you if the frame was bent or not. However, I suspect the low price the dealer is willing to take is a good clue. For example, I did an Edmunds Appraisal for that year car. The dealer's price was $11,244 with Chrome Wheels, Leather Seats and AM-FM & CD player. I would think that the vehicle you looked at had those. Even if they didn't, we are looking at a $7,000 price difference. The other factor is the Salvaged title. This title shows "salvaged" which means it has been in an accident. Most people do not want a car that has been in an accident. The last point is the mileage - many people will take a chance on a salvaged vehicle if the mileage is low. Personally, you have two strikes against you going into the deal - high miles and a wrecked history. This will most of the time lead to trouble. Thus, your $4,000 price tag. My opinion is to find another car.

#563 of 1426 Re: Buying Lexus involved in accident [needadvice] by maxhonda99

Aug 09, 2004 (1:59 pm)

Replying to: needadvice (Aug 06, 2004 9:32 pm)
I second that, run from that 96 ES300 as fast as you can!
 
It's a bad idea to buy a used car that has been in a major accident. It will never be like a new car, and it is a expensive car to repair. Therefore, imagine if you start having problems with it due to the accident repair...you'll be shelling out money left & right.
 
I would say it's better to spend a few more grand and buy a higher mileage 95 or 96 that hasn't been in a accident.

#564 of 1426 2005 ES330 - Just picked it up by wjl

Aug 13, 2004 (7:44 am)

Just picked up a 2005 ES330 (MSRP $35,684) for $32,536 plus taxes, tags, etc, etc.... $33,873 out the door. It included the 17" Wheels, heated/ventilated front seats, HID, VSC, wood and leather steering wheel, 6-disk CD, pref package (trunk mat, cargo net, wheel locks), Oasis Green Pearl. I wanted the blue mica, but none of the dealers had it. Basically got it for AAA's 2004 price. Very nice car. Been looking for about 6 months, and found out a couple of months ago that the 2005s were due out early this year.

#565 of 1426 Re: 2005 ES330 - Just picked it up [wjl] by igiban

Aug 13, 2004 (10:58 am)

Replying to: wjl (Aug 13, 2004 7:44 am)
Congrats wjl.
 
Have you ever experienced tranny symptoms on any ES from 02-04, and if so do you feel it on 05?
 
Is the base audio still the 87-watt lexus premium?
 
BTW, what's the invoice price on that? Is 05's msrp and invoice higher than 04?

#566 of 1426 Re: 2005 ES330 - Just picked it up [igiban] by wjl

Aug 13, 2004 (4:29 pm)

Replying to: igiban (Aug 13, 2004 10:58 am)
Hi igiban,
 
Regarding:
 
"Have you ever experienced tranny symptoms on any ES from 02-04, and if so do you feel it on 05?"
That's a tough one. Before I actually test drove a 2004 (but waited for the 2005), I did alot of research. I read many of the complaints on the various forums, spoke with a couple of folks that have the 02 - 04 ES300/330, and spoke with a number of sales reps. By the time I actually drove the car, I was almost paranoid about it.... and to be honest I did find a hesitation, but I couldn't help wondering if it was because I was so worked up by it or what.... Kind of like reading to much about a medical sickness, and all of a sudden thinking you have it... In the end, it didn't bother me. With the 2005, I haven't felt it. Same thing happened for my wife. Again, I described what other people felt to her, and she thought she felt something like that. But again, it didn't feel any different then her 1995 Avalon. The 2005 ES330 is her car.
 
"Is the base audio still the 87-watt lexus premium?"
Yes
 
"BTW, what's the invoice price on that? Is 05's msrp and invoice higher than 04?"
It's higher by about $250 on the base and another $200 on the seats, since they are now ventilated. MSRP and features are now on the Lexus site (www.lexus.com), and invoice prices are now on Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com).
 
All things considered, it is a great car. They changed the wood to a kind of golden bird's-eye maple from the previous darker walnut. I kind of liked the darker wood better. They also added the 17" wheel option for $80. Seems like all the cars had it. It feels good. I can feel a little bit of the difference in the turns.... a little tighter. The ventilated seats is a nice feature. There are other changes, but for me the biggest thing I think is audio controls on the steering wheel. I was always surprised they never had this. Real nice to be able to control most of the settings with your right thumb.
 
Like I said, very nice car.

#567 of 1426 Need Input on Purchase of either 2002 or 2003 ES300 Certified Pre-owned by atwnsw

Aug 16, 2004 (5:24 pm)

I am new to this bulletin board and hope, based on your responses, that I will be a participating member.
 
I am looking to buy my wife a car to replace her totalled 1998 Infiniti I30. While she loved the infiniti, she would like a different car and we were impressed after we test drove an ES300. We are looking to buy a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) ES300 and need your advice. Whatever car we buy will be in our family for 5-6 years so leasing is not a consideration.
 
Based on the 2004 ES330 price at the local dealer at $30.9K + taxes, I am looking to buy a pre-owned car from anywhere between $25K-$30K out the door. Since we keep our cars for a long time, I will likely get the additional 2 year warranty for a total of 5 years. I was quoted $1,450 from the dealer. Does this price sound right?
 
Is there a model difference between the 2002 and 2003? Which do you recommend?
 
What should I expect to pay for a 2003 w/ approx 10K miles or a 2002 w/ approx 20K miles?
 
I was guessing that $23-24K for a 2002 and $26-27K for a 2003? Are these good guesses?
 
How will I be treated if I don't buy it from my local dealer?
 
Is there a downside if I buy it pre-owned?
 
Since I don't want to pay for the first year or two of deprecation hit, I was leaning towards the 2002 but don't know much about the models.
 
Any input would be appreciated.
 
Sincerely,
 
Anthony

#568 of 1426 Re: Need Input on Purchase of either 2002 or 2003 ES300 Certified Pre-owned [atwnsw] by lee_w

Aug 17, 2004 (6:39 am)

Replying to: atwnsw (Aug 16, 2004 5:24 pm)
I am sure some people here will have good advice for you. Also try Smart Shopper board( on left, search by board)and our used car and certified car tabs at top of page. Goodluck!

#569 of 1426 2005 ES330 Price Offer by lexon

Aug 17, 2004 (7:47 am)

I was offered by a couple of dealers in Central Jersey and one in Manhattan.
 
ES330 - 2005 with Navi/Mark Levison - 34,600 + 2,076 tax + 120 Reg. fee + 45 processing fee.
 
Altogether: 36,841.
 
Please let me know whether this is reasonable.

#570 of 1426 Re: 2005 ES330 Price Offer [lexon] by maxhonda99

Aug 17, 2004 (8:43 am)

Replying to: lexon (Aug 17, 2004 7:47 am)
Giving the MSRP and maybe the invoice price would help us in telling you if it is a good deal or not.

Messages Page 57 of 143

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