Automotive Forums

Hi all,

I am new here and was wondering if the experts out there could give me some advice. I am about to purchase a 2nd hand 2002 Lexus IS300 from a private party, but I am not sure whether or not it is worth it. Here are the stats:

2002 Lexus IS300
80,300 miles
automatic w/ sport shift
black exterior
black interior
clean title (seller is original owner)
L-tuned bodykit
Tien suspension (car is lowered ever-so-slightly)

Sell is asking for $15K for the car. I have taken the car to a mechanic/body shop and everything looks fine...it looks like it has never been in an accident and the seller seems like a honest/decent guy. Is this a good deal?

The vin# is JTHBD192020057551.

I don't have carfax access and was wondering if somebody out there that has access would like to check it for me? I sincerely thank you all for any advice that you could give me.  

I don't have access to carfax either, so I can't help you there.  But using the usual online car-appraisals, that car should be worth about $14K WITHOUT any other options than the automatic.  Leather interior, limited slip diff, sunroof, etc can all increase the selling price.  If it's got a few extra options plus the modified body kit and suspension, I'd say it's a fair asking price.

But whether or not it's worth it is up to you.  Why are you attracted to the IS300?  I can think of a few reasons why an enthusiast would seek out such a car.  Firstly, it's got a proper straight 6 engine that sounds sweet, is smooth, torquey, and reasonably powerful.  Second, it's a proper rear-drive sports-sedan with an excellent chassis.  I'm not familiar with the Tien suspension modification, but if it stiffens up the roll-control, it'll make the car that much sharper-handling.  

If the IS300 is the car you want for the above reasons, then it's a fair price and a great car.  But $15K for a 5 year old car with 80K miles is a bit steep in the grand scheme of things, even though the Lexus is highly reliable.  If all you want is something a bit sporting with a bit of power, there are obviously other newer, less driven options out there.  Then again, if you want rear-drive and 6 cylinders, I can't think of anything cheaper and better than an IS, except maybe the larger Infinity G30.  But those are about the same price.