Cars that seem very cheap (Lexus GS 3.0 - half a bag)

[funkyrobot]

This is very near to where I live, but it seems (to me) to be too cheap. Or am I wrong?

I'm always on the lookout for a barge and haven't had much luck with finding something local. However, this just popped up on the radar.

The question is though, is it too cheap (£590)? Is it the mileage that makes this cheaper? Thanks.



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[RZ1]

I saw a local one advertised a few weeks ago for £500 but that had done 200k miles. Looked in great condition, black with cream / tan coloured leather, but didn't get any pics of it as was out cycling at the time.
Its gone now so presume its been sold

[aizvara]

It is a pretty old car that has done a large number of miles. I think you could probably get a better one for the money, probably even a second gen.

Not sure why the advert says 2003 (I could believe N reg, though) - it looks like the first gen shape - ended production in 96 I think.

[funkyrobot]

I do wonder if the simple fact that it has high mileage means it has less bork factor. Maybe anything that could have gone wrong with it has happened and been fixed, or it's a good example.

I may be talking out of my bottom though.

[funkyrobot]

aizvara said:

It is a pretty old car that has done a large number of miles. I think you could probably get a better one for the money, probably even a second gen.

Not sure why the advert says 2003 (I could believe N reg, though) - it looks like the first gen shape - ended production in 96 I think.

Thanks. Maybe the person selling it knows nothing about cars. That could be a bit of a worry.

I have spent the odd evening perusing the metal on the forecourt of this dealer (as it is quite local). My friend and I have a little game, spot the car without the dent or bash. The person running it seems to buy things that have had a little smack.

[richardxjr]

funkyrobot said:

I'm always on the lookout for a barge and haven't had much luck with finding something local.

I always buy from miles away. 600-mile round trip tomorrow to pick up my new Lexus

That GS looks alright for so little dosh though

[nagsheadwarrior]

I Suspect these days thats all its worth.

Really,nobody wants big old petrol engined Motors, Id love it myself but big mileages wrongly scare the British as do petrol engines.

My current smoker is a 2001 Honda Legend with that sort of mileage thats fresh as a daisy for £735!

[aizvara]

funkyrobot said:

Thanks. Maybe the person selling it knows nothing about cars. That could be a bit of a worry.

I have spent the odd evening perusing the metal on the forecourt of this dealer (as it is quite local). My friend and I have a little game, spot the car without the dent or bash. The person running it seems to buy things that have had a little smack.

It is probably just a misprint or something!

Those cars will likely keep going for a long long time without major issues (my Dad's 2nd gen one certainly has - though I suspect at the 180K+ miles the advert car has, things will start to cost). Having looked at autotrader, I think I was hasty saying you could get a better GS for that price.

[funkyrobot]

richardxjr said:

I always buy from miles away. 600-mile round trip tomorrow to pick up my new Lexus

That GS looks alright for so little dosh though

It does, doesn't it. Have a good trip

I'm away from the end of next week on holiday, so that may stop me from parting with £500 so quickly. Obviously, I'd do my research first and look at it in the flesh (makes a lot of difference). But for half a bag?

[funkyrobot]

aizvara said:

It is probably just a misprint or something!

Those cars will likely keep going for a long long time without major issues (my Dad's 2nd gen one certainly has - though I suspect at the 180K+ miles the advert car has, things will start to cost). Having looked at autotrader, I think I was hasty saying you could get a better GS for that price.

Yep, it may cost something. However, if everything went wrong I'm guessing it's worth at least half the value as scrap?

I haven't even looked at other examples on Autotrader yet. I simply searched for any car within 10 miles of myself that is priced at less than £2k. This popped up near the top of the list.

[Twincam16]

nagsheadwarrior said:

I Suspect these days thats all its worth.

Really,nobody wants big old petrol engined Motors, Id love it myself but big mileages wrongly scare the British as do petrol engines.

and they'll tell themselves lies to reinforce their own poorly-informed decisions.

[funkyrobot]

It's scary to think that this whole car is nearly the same price as the four new tyres I put on my Mazda the other day!

[0a]

Make an offer, that kind of car has no buyers nowadays so is approaching scrap value.

Ask your friends/mother/sister if they would drive around in it and you'll see why - demand is zero to negative with this kind of car.

[aizvara]

funkyrobot said:

Yep, it may cost something. However, if everything went wrong I'm guessing it's worth at least half the value as scrap?

I haven't even looked at other examples on Autotrader yet. I simply searched for any car within 10 miles of myself that is priced at less than £2k. This popped up near the top of the list.

Yeah, true; proper shed motoring!

That local search is a fun game! Best I see near me is this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

I'm too scared to try my luck with that, though.

[funkyrobot]

0a said:

Make an offer, that kind of car has no buyers nowadays so is approaching scrap value.

Ask your friends/mother/sister if they would drive around in it and you'll see why - demand is zero to negative with this kind of car.

Very, very tempted. However, I probably won't be able to drive it until the 17th September at the earliest (work and holiday commitments). Bloody typical!

Oh well. I may be able to get some time to pop in there tomorrow and have a good look. Insurance quotes, here I come!

[funkyrobot]

aizvara said:

Yeah, true; proper shed motoring!

That local search is a fun game! Best I see near me is this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

I'm too scared to try my luck with that, though.

Wow. Nice.

[funkyrobot]

It has a scrape!

I've had a good look at the pics and the right rear corner seems to have been dragged along something. Game complete.

For this money though, it's not a problem.

[mellowman]

Had a 'P' reg example of of one of these, with 165,000 miles on the clock.

Drove like new, smooth and quiet, with loads of toys - that all worked!

I suspect the 2003 label refers to when it was imported perhaps?

It's cheap for these reasons:

Quite nippy, but very thirsty.
Surprisingly small boot because of shape
Appalling handling in snow and wintry conditions
Nicely styled but very dated now
Have you seen the price of Lexus spares? Best look in the scrappies for spares etc

Having said that, I liked it, and traded it in for an Audi TT Roadster.

[funkyrobot]

It's not there. Bah!