Pre-owned Certification And Lemon

[micnn]

I test drove a pre-owned certified 2002 GS430 two days ago. I took a early leave from work, broght the check book with me and was ready for a very long term and meaningful commitment.

The drive experience was as expected but still crack the pants off me. Powerful and smooth! All the legends that I have heard about his car were all true! It was eerie quiet inside the car, even more so than my current GS300! Felt like sitting inside a coffin, strangely I loved it. However, I also experienced the lag that some have mentioned. At one time I floor the gas padel and in return, absolutely nothing from the car. It happened about half of the time. I am sure my GS300 would have been 100 feet away by then. Overall, this is truely a legendary car that I would like to hump in and drive everyday.

Well, the happy hour ended later. I was driving on a highway section where the surface was gravel like. I heard static sound coming from both side of the front windshield. I can't really tell where those noises were coming from. It sounded like statics from the speakers, but the audio was off all the while when I was driving. Another noise source was near the sunroof. But I know for sure those were not wind noise or something caused by wind. Now the scarest part is the clicking noise from behind the dash board. It sounded like a loosen screw somewhere that clicks as the road condition changes. I am all too familiar with those noises and I know it could be somewhere from a minor adjustment to a major repair.

The car's condition was pathetic. Several scratches on the door entrance area and body, even the wooden cup holder area. I wonder, why can't the dealership do some fix up as I am sure the paint job is doable and the wood can be replace. Trunk was dirty. Spare tire holder was covered with oil spots and dirts. I would have no complaint if this car was at a used car sale. But this was a pre-owned certified, and I value that certification very much as my gs300 is certified and it came in absolutely emaculate condition.

Later on I had the chance to see the list of certification inspection. I have to say, if I were still in college and these were my grades, I'd be working at the top floor of the corporate office now base on that grade... it was shining ALL PASS's. The sales guy said, "ya know, the car is under pre-owned warranty if there's anything wrong with the car". Needless to say, I walk out the door pretty fast. The search for the legend goes on of course.

[dcfish]

I test drove a pre-owned certified 2002 GS430 two days ago. I took a early leave from work, broght the check book with me and was ready for a very long term and meaningful commitment.

The drive experience was as expected but still crack the pants off me. Powerful and smooth! All the legends that I have heard about his car were all true! It was eerie quiet inside the car, even more so than my current GS300! Felt like sitting inside a coffin, strangely I loved it. However, I also experienced the lag that some have mentioned. At one time I floor the gas padel and in return, absolutely nothing from the car. It happened about half of the time. I am sure my GS300 would have been 100 feet away by then. Overall, this is truely a legendary car that I would like to hump in and drive everyday.

Well, the happy hour ended later. I was driving on a highway section where the surface was gravel like. I heard static sound coming from both side of the front windshield. I can't really tell where those noises were coming from. It sounded like statics from the speakers, but the audio was off all the while when I was driving. Another noise source was near the sunroof. But I know for sure those were not wind noise or something caused by wind. Now the scarest part is the clicking noise from behind the dash board. It sounded like a loosen screw somewhere that clicks as the road condition changes. I am all too familiar with those noises and I know it could be somewhere from a minor adjustment to a major repair.

The car's condition was pathetic. Several scratches on the door entrance area and body, even the wooden cup holder area. I wonder, why can't the dealership do some fix up as I am sure the paint job is doable and the wood can be replace. Trunk was dirty. Spare tire holder was covered with oil spots and dirts. I would have no complaint if this car was at a used car sale. But this was a pre-owned certified, and I value that certification very much as my gs300 is certified and it came in absolutely emaculate condition.

Later on I had the chance to see the list of certification inspection. I have to say, if I were still in college and these were my grades, I'd be working at the top floor of the corporate office now base on that grade... it was shining ALL PASS's. The sales guy said, "ya know, the car is under pre-owned warranty if there's anything wrong with the car". Needless to say, I walk out the door pretty fast. The search for the legend goes on of course.

←

You did the right thing, Search until you find the right car that fits you just the way you imagined. You'll know when you can't wipe the smile off your face. Good luck in your search. B)

[micnn]

Thanks for that cool encouragement, fish. To me the thing I like about CPO is I won't have to spent time on the guessing games, so it really comes down to how responsible the dealerships are managing their inventories.

I had a visit to another lot yesterday and the advertised CPO gs430 was nowhere to be found. Turns out the dealership found problems with that car and decided to send it back. This is the approach that I like. A good gs430 (2003 preferably) is alot harder to find than gs300. I live in bay area so anyone got info, please drop me a note.

[Lexusfreak]

You did the right thing, Search until you find the right car that fits you just the way you imagined. You'll know when you can't wipe the smile off your face. Good luck in your search. B)

←

Couldn't agree more dc! B)

[LexKid630]

you just have to keep looking. Your perfect GS430 is out there somewhere, you just have to be patient. Some 03 GS430's are coming off lease now so it's a prime time to look ;)

My wife had an 03 GS430. We traded it in earlier this year for many reasons. My wife hit a deer with it (MAJOR body work), she's a bad driver so the tranny was prob on its way out, and she had 80,000 miles on it. Overall it was a great car.

I just bought an 05 GS430 and i love it.