Hello,

I am buying a Lexus LS 400 97 and wanna know if $7999. is a fair price.. it has 157K miles on it.. and is there anything l should know about these cars..are the good cars.. any input would help., the car link is below .Thanks.

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?rdpage=thumb&car_id=235604108&dealer_id=1361182&car_year=1997&model=LS400&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1996&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=75&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=LEXUS&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=94565&advanced=y&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=10000&cardist=60

You are buying the Lexus for around Wholesale Blue Book which is $7500 and Retail is $11,600 and this is with no add ons for accessories. Its not a bad deal even with the milage as long as it is a ''nice'' car. Take it to a mechanic make sure it checks out OK. But those are very nice cars that can go a lot farther than 150,000

l bought a 7 year old Lexus 10 years ago (and still drive it) with 44,000 miles on it (currently 173,000 miles). l have put a lot of money into repairs. Alternator - $400+. Power steering pump - $400+. Power steering & rack & pinion - $1,100. A/C - $2,000. Security system malfunction (driver is door would not open) - $800.00. My overdrive light is flashing now which means a transmission problem. I've never had a problem with the engine. Lexus is r great cars, but when they start needing repairs - it will be expensive.

All l can say is that they are one of the best cars built. Motors are said to be bullet proof. l drive a 92 ls400 with 198000 miles. Minimal problems.

The previous poster wrote.

'' l bought a 7 year old Lexus 10 years ago (and still drive it) with 44,000 miles on it (currently 173,000 miles). l have put a lot of money into repairs. Alternator - $400+. Power steering pump - $400+. Power steering & rack & pinion - $1,100. A/C - $2,000. Security system malfunction (driver is door would not open) - $800.00. My overdrive light is flashing now which means a transmission problem. I've never had a problem with the engine. Lexus is r great cars, but when they start needing repairs - it will be expensive. ''

Is that a sign of a great car after all those repairs? l never had a car that l had to fix all that, either on such a short time frame & that mileage.

They r very reliable, & the price seems more than fair. They will go 300k miles with proper care. l personally would want a 1999+ as it got more power & a 5sp auto, but it will be a lot more $$. Some trouble areas & maintenance areas do exist, & they r not inexpensive:

starter
alternator
power steering pump/hose
90k timing belt replacement
power steering rack
various motor gaskets probably leaking
brakes - rotors/pads

If it has been Lexus serviced, all repairs r tracked & for a modest fee u can get a print out. Expect a few things to need to be replaced, it is a 10+ yr old car. l would not break the bank to get this car. l have a 95 & love it & have had no problems l would not attribute to wear & tear & normal maintenance issues. Just make sure u have a little money set aside.
Overall, they r probably the highest quality cars on the road, but any 10+ yr old car will have a few issues. Another good thing is that it will not depreciate all that much, even a few years from now. And a lot of miles will not scare off most potential buyers.