buying older cars

[jvcn]

I am impressed by the wealth of knowledge here and would appreciate some comments.

Am thinking of getting a well-used Lexus or Infiniti 4dr sedan. Perhaps something from 1995-1997 with 50-60k. How bad is it to look at those LS400s and Q45s with 90,000 or even 100,000 miles?

Can you experts give me tips on what to look out for?

Or other car suggestions?

Reliability, bang for the buck, and comfort are essential. (I am well over 6 feet tall, so no tiny BMW 3s or sports coupes allowed). It would be a daily driver and occasionally have to accomodate a family of 4, but would be driven no more than 6000-7000 miles per year.

Thx

[HRP]

Probably the best way to find out is to follow the advice of the old Packard ads: "Ask the man who owns one". Suggest you check out the Lexus owners discussion boards and ask this question there. Remember 90k can be highway miles which are easy on a car; or you can beat one to death with 90k of stop and go driving.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/

I've a 2002 LS430 I purchased new based on Lexus' reputation for reliability, comfort, and safety. I love the car! Also check out the reviews and boards on Edmunds.com Consumers report (which is a reasonable guide for the average person) rates older Lexus very well.

And a lot depends on how much repair and servicing you can do yourself.

[Lowejackson]

As long as the car has been looked after correctly most modern cars with 100,000 miles plus should be no problem. I would always recommend someone checking the car out before buying.

Look for the usual stuff, smoking exhaust, damaged suspension, worn trim etc. One of the things with this type of car is that they hide their age and mileage well. It is not that hard to 'turn back the miles' so check all the paperwork is correct. I would say a Lexus without a full service history is a high risk car.

[bretfraz]

First thing I'd do is look for a local specialist and have them do a pre purchase inspection. Either car would be a good choice but they need regular TLC so you want to steer clear of the abused ones.

I'm not too familiar with early LS400's but I know a little more about the Q45's. In Atlanta we have a superb indy specialist that only does Lexus and Infiniti, T3 Automotive. In talking to them I know they feel the LS is the more reliable of the two but the Q is more fun to own and drive. Neither is cheap to repair but the Lexus prolly has the edge here.

If you want more inside info on the Q45, check out www.nicoclub.com and read posts from "Q45tech" or find posts from "Q45man" at www.edmunds.com . This guy is Dennis Evans and he is the Uncontested Supreme Knower Of All Things Q45. Just search his posts and you'll get a graduate course in the 1st gen. Q45.

[SamIam]

I drove a ls 400 with 150K miles on it, and it was as good as new. Either car would do fine with those miles. You will probably have an expensive service between 70K and 90K, as you would need to do a timing belt change, etc.
In fact a week ago at Costco, a guy came up to me and commented on how good my car looked. I told him it had 97K miles on it and he told me he regularly buys LS 400s with 60 to 70 K miles on them and drives them to around 200K miles. He drives alot of miles and says its a great deal for him.

I have an Audi A8 with 97K miles and just dropped about 3g's on it getting the major 90K service work done, but now it drives like new.

I would not worry about either car. And the old style Q is alot more fun to drive.

Sam

[jvcn]

What are we talking about in terms of costs?

Are you saying about $2000 worth of repairs in the first two years? (Assuming an initial mileage of about 75,000 and in seemingly good condition). Or would it be more?

1-2 grand wouldn't faze me as there are a lot of deals under 10 grand for the older cars. It would bother me to spend 9 to 12 grand then have to drop another 3 or 4 immediately in repairs. And I'd hate to be in the shop everyday.

For all their bad rep, I've usually saved money by driving new or nearly new US cars and keeping them for a decade or more, without many problems. But now am thinking of maybe getting something plusher. (And worth detailing of course!)

[jvcn]

Also if any of you pros encounter a client eager to get rid of a peach of a car (preferable from Lexus, Infiniti or Acura) that is an oldie but goodie (low miles but old model) perhaps you could let me , us, Autopia know.

I was tempted by the Abay Merc. But friends with Mercs have been nickel and dimed to death by small problems that I am not willing to treat MB as anywhere near as reliable as the leading Japanese companies.

thx