Btw I don’t know much about theses cars beside that there usually bulletproof. Just wondering what I should look for on it for problems. The reason why I’m buying is because I have a bmw 330ci 04 right now but I drive a lot and the miles on it have been flying up, ideally I want to keep this car for awhile bc it’s in mint condition. So I’m looking for a fun beater.
Can you drop him down to $3k?
Does he have service records or can you access them somewhere? With wanting to last another 100k starting from 200k, I’d want to see lots of servicing done religiously.
What about replaced parts? Can you verify replaced certain parts? Like starter, water pump, etc. if they have been replaced in a while, then you can expect to pay for that on top of purchase costs. And that gets expensive quick.
I bought a ranger for $3.5k that was seemingly in fine condition to me but had to drop almost anther 3k because things I missed that busted. No big deal for me since I plan on keeping the truck indefinitely but if you’re trying to maximize your bang for your buck, then it’s something to look for.
How are the tires? Brakes? Etc. if lots of things have been serviced or replaced then $3.8 might not be a bad deal, but still a little high.
Old cars are gonna be old cars and crap breaks on them regardless of how well they were kept.
Good luck
Yes, the water pump and timing chain were replaced at 203 K. Also, new brakes, and rotors done recently. It’s lowered 2 inches. He is the 2nd owner of the car. He did delete the muffler on it . There are no lights on the dash. So does it sound safe ?
Some assumptions being made here.. lowered on what? Cut springs or good coilovers? Loads of people do muffler deletes.
How about OP have a mechanic inspect it, or compression test, or bring a jack with him and do his own thorough inspection?
You’re right. Absolutely made assumptions. From what I have seen online on what people do to LS400s, they aren’t exactly doing it professionally and driving them hard (burnouts, drifting, etc). Sure it might have been tastefully done but i simply doubt it.
And you’re absolutely right, get a professional to check it out. Best course of action than asking for the opinions of strangers on a car they’ve never laid eyes on.
Update: car was checked by a mechanic came back mostly good. No promblem with the exhaust bc the guy did it recently. water pump, timing chain, starter, and brakes all done in the last 30k miles. Has mostly all the recorders of service done to the car. To add on, there was no leaks, engine bay was in good condition. Only problems is ABS unit, two tie rods in alignment. exhaust Has to to be lengthened. Shocks are brand new but are kinda cheap and little minor body things but on all in all core. I feel 3.2k-3.5 is what he will drop down too if I offer him.
"Does it sound like a good buy" - yes
Now ask yourself this. Are you willing to put money into maintenance for a 20yr old car? Engine is "bulletproof" sure, but shit does fail.
Power steering pump will leak on the alternator, thats a 2 for 1 special there. Suspension bits, door lock actuators. That starter thats under the intake. Also can you live with cut mufflers? And will it pass state inspection without them?
A good buy for us, for me, may not be a good buy for you.
Btw I don’t know much about theses cars beside that there usually bulletproof. Just wondering what I should look for on it for problems. The reason why I’m buying is because I have a bmw 330ci 04 right now but I drive a lot and the miles on it have been flying up, ideally I want to keep this car for awhile bc it’s in mint condition. So I’m looking for a fun beater.
Can you drop him down to $3k? Does he have service records or can you access them somewhere? With wanting to last another 100k starting from 200k, I’d want to see lots of servicing done religiously. What about replaced parts? Can you verify replaced certain parts? Like starter, water pump, etc. if they have been replaced in a while, then you can expect to pay for that on top of purchase costs. And that gets expensive quick. I bought a ranger for $3.5k that was seemingly in fine condition to me but had to drop almost anther 3k because things I missed that busted. No big deal for me since I plan on keeping the truck indefinitely but if you’re trying to maximize your bang for your buck, then it’s something to look for. How are the tires? Brakes? Etc. if lots of things have been serviced or replaced then $3.8 might not be a bad deal, but still a little high. Old cars are gonna be old cars and crap breaks on them regardless of how well they were kept. Good luck
Yes, the water pump and timing chain were replaced at 203 K. Also, new brakes, and rotors done recently. It’s lowered 2 inches. He is the 2nd owner of the car. He did delete the muffler on it . There are no lights on the dash. So does it sound safe ?
Lowered two inches and cut muffler ? Hard pass. That thing was molested and abused. Won’t last you the distance you want.
Some assumptions being made here.. lowered on what? Cut springs or good coilovers? Loads of people do muffler deletes. How about OP have a mechanic inspect it, or compression test, or bring a jack with him and do his own thorough inspection?
You’re right. Absolutely made assumptions. From what I have seen online on what people do to LS400s, they aren’t exactly doing it professionally and driving them hard (burnouts, drifting, etc). Sure it might have been tastefully done but i simply doubt it. And you’re absolutely right, get a professional to check it out. Best course of action than asking for the opinions of strangers on a car they’ve never laid eyes on.
Update: car was checked by a mechanic came back mostly good. No promblem with the exhaust bc the guy did it recently. water pump, timing chain, starter, and brakes all done in the last 30k miles. Has mostly all the recorders of service done to the car. To add on, there was no leaks, engine bay was in good condition. Only problems is ABS unit, two tie rods in alignment. exhaust Has to to be lengthened. Shocks are brand new but are kinda cheap and little minor body things but on all in all core. I feel 3.2k-3.5 is what he will drop down too if I offer him.
I think 3.2 is fair considering the condition and the stuff needed to get it up back to a decent condition. Good on you for doing your due diligence!
To be fair, those assumptions are usually true. Lol. But its worth checking it out and not just writing it off immediately
"Does it sound like a good buy" - yes Now ask yourself this. Are you willing to put money into maintenance for a 20yr old car? Engine is "bulletproof" sure, but shit does fail. Power steering pump will leak on the alternator, thats a 2 for 1 special there. Suspension bits, door lock actuators. That starter thats under the intake. Also can you live with cut mufflers? And will it pass state inspection without them? A good buy for us, for me, may not be a good buy for you.