ProEng

I'll work on getting some pictures posted soon.

About 9 months ago I started searching for a car. I do a lot of driving, and my current vehicle (3/4 ton Silverado HD) doesn't get very good gas mileage. I love my truck, and I'm NOT getting rid of it, but I need a daily driver. My search criteria was as follows: -Had to be reliable. Lots of research through Consumer Reports, and also through Edmunds.com and any other place that gave owner reviews. -Had to be comfortable. I have a bad back, and when I drive 2+ hours it starts to hurt. -Had to be safe. -Had to have 3 shoulder belts in the rear seat. (I have three sons). -Gas mileage had to be at least in the mid-twenties. Even though this isn't great, it would still be twice as good as my truck. After much research, I narrowed it down to an Acura RL, Lexus LS400, Toyota Avalon, and Volvo S60. I finally found and bought a 97 LS400 at Superior Lexus in Kansas City (north location). It has 88,000 Miles on it, and is the Coach Edition. It was driven previously by a retired doctor who traded in on a new Lexus. I ended up paying $11,450, and had them do the timing belt/water pump maintenance. It really looks and drives like a new car. Seats are perfect, no scratches or dings, everything works. I have never owned a Lexus before, and all I can say is "WOW!" If it ran any better the day it was built, I would be surprised. No one can believe that this car is 11 years old. Furthermore, I would like to give a collective thanks to this board. I read MANY threads here, and one of the reasons that I felt confident purchasing an older Lexus was from the comments that the members here have made about consistent reliability in the cars, no matter how many miles are on them. I realize that $11K sounds high for a decade-plus old car, but I am confident that I will easily get my money's worth out of it. My back sure thinks so after driving 5 hours yesterday. I went to my in-laws, and my father in law was very impressed with it. He said that he wouldn't have thought twice about it if I said that it was a 2007 instead of a 97 (he's not up on the body styles of the Lexus line). Again, thanks to this board for helping me make my decision.

To be honest, they were a pain to bargain with. After driving it on Thursday of last week(it drove smooooooth, it has been well taken care of) I liked it. I really liked it. However, I'm not one prone to rash decisions (hey, I've been looking for about 8 months now). I had almost decided to skip it, because I really wanted a 98. Anyway, they claimed that they really wanted to deal. They asked what it would take for me to buy it. I said $11,000. They said that was too low. They offered 11,450 (which by the time you add on the dealer fees, it was 11,800 out the door). I said no thanks, and told the dealer that I was sure that it would sell soon, as it is a nice car. She said that it would probably be gone the next morning (Friday) as she had an appointment to show it to another couple. OK, fine. I left, but gave her my cell number. She calls back Friday afternoon, wanting to know if I was still interested, as it didn't sell. I told her that I would do the 11,800 out the door if they did the 90k maintenance. More haggling. She called and said that it would probably be gone soon, as another dealer was in the process of filling out paperwork. I said fine, as I was on my way out of town anyway. An hour later, she calls me AGAIN. That buyer fell through (bad credit). She asks what will it take to sell. I said timing belt, water pump, coolant replacement. We haggle on the phone some MORE. They finally agree to timing belt, water pump, coolant replacement. I'm happy with the deal. I really wanted to get the rest of the 90k maintenance done, but the car seems to be in great shape, so I'll get the rest done locally. I think you have to call the deal off at least once or twice before a dealer takes you seriously. Let me know how that private sale Lexus looks. I didn't get any info past what I saw on AutoTrader, but if the title is clean it looks like it could be a good deal. Good luck.

If you are talking about a white LS400 at Superior Lexus North, I signed paperwork on it Saturday. Small world. They are going to do the 90k maintenance for me this week (I made them include that as part of the deal). Like you, I was really in the market for 98-2000, but this one seemed like it was in such good condition that I decided to jump on it. If you check AutoTrader, there is a 2000 LS400 in the Liberty, MO area. I didn't get a chance to look at it, but its low mileage and for sale by owner. Good luck hunting.