A Good Buy?

[Brian Butters]

I found a 1998 Lexus ES300 for 6600. It has 140k miles.

Interios is clean. Black on Black - feel like a mafia member in it, but its a beaut cosmetically.

Drove it around, tranny is great, suspension is smooth. Braking is smooth, even and the pads look good. Tires are in good shape as well.

I have not checked for the sludging issues yet and im not sure exactly where im to look if i go back to the lot to check this car out.

Im just trying to get some perspective on the car before diving in.

Where do i check for sludging..and what am i looking for...whats a good sign/bad one. Some brief detail please.

Say the ES is in good shape and is there is no sludging...should i worry about 140k on a 98'? Does it deserve its price? Should it be lower. Again...just need some perspective..

Thanks again. This board has been helpful and really turned me onto the lexus brand as well.

[Tousij2]

I found a 1998 Lexus ES300 for 6600. It has 140k miles.

Interios is clean. Black on Black - feel like a mafia member in it, but its a beaut cosmetically.

Drove it around, tranny is great, suspension is smooth. Braking is smooth, even and the pads look good. Tires are in good shape as well.

I have not checked for the sludging issues yet and im not sure exactly where im to look if i go back to the lot to check this car out.

Im just trying to get some perspective on the car before diving in.

Where do i check for sludging..and what am i looking for...whats a good sign/bad one. Some brief detail please.

Say the ES is in good shape and is there is no sludging...should i worry about 140k on a 98'? Does it deserve its price? Should it be lower. Again...just need some perspective..

Thanks again. This board has been helpful and really turned me onto the lexus brand as well.

If I were you I would ask for service receipt s and see if the TB/Water pump has been changed along with various gaskets. Look for oil around the valve cover.

[abrarcool]

Get the VIN# got to a Lexus Dealer,Have him print you all the service records on the car if done at a lexus dealer.If all the records are there with the 90K miles service its not a bad deal

[Brian Butters]

I haggled the Price down to 6100. I imagine, at 140,000K the car would not be running as smooth as it is had it not had its 90k done.

Whats TB?

And i checked for oil and all that and it looked clean.

I need to double check, but i think its pretty clean. Will open it up a little more tomorrow and give it a more thorough inspection.

at 6100 what do you think...think its worth it?

Should i be worried about the miles..or is it more about getting the bang for the buck?

[lexusk8]

TB = timing belt. This part has to be replaced every 90K miles on the ES.