Looking to buy a Lexus L/Certified 2019 GX 460 with V8, 4WD, 6 speed automatic trans, with 50,738 miles from a Lexus dealer. This would be our 5th certified Lexus and we have had no issues ever in the past with them.
VIN JTJBM7FX3K5217104
Current listed price is $36,500 and I can probably get them down to $34K driveout. Autotrader says the current 36,500 list price is over 1000 below KBB fair value range.
I'm currently entertaining taking a test drive; I haven't physically seen the vehicle yet, so unsure of the condition under the vehicle in terms of rust, etc...
The carfax report shows the following:
- 4 prior owners
- Repaired, moderate damage on drivers side parking lot accident; all reported
- Vehicle always owned in Texas so likely little to no rust issues
- Oil changes, etc... appear to be inline with expectations (every 5K oil change, etc...)
- Been for sale since March 23, 2024
I expect with the accident damage, a lot of folks won't want the vehicle unless they certified it, so I think this is a rather good deal since they are taking all the mechanical risk for at least 2 years (no mileage limit on L/certified vehicles) and I always purchase an additional 2 years of Lexus warranty when I buy a L/certified vehicle so I'm covered for at least 4 years after driving it away.
I'd be happy to pay to have my own inspector from Lemon Squad come inspect it just in case there is anything funny going on, but I doubt it as tedious as the Lexus certification qualification process is.
Links to car and carfax:
L/Certified 2019 Lexus GX 460 460 Premium Sport Utility in Houston #K5217104 | Sterling McCall Lexus
CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2019 LEXUS GX 460: JTJBM7FX3K5217104
Any thoughts are appreciated.
4 different owners and 50k miles. That's an average of 12.5k miles per owner. With even a price like that, I would pass on this car and look for something else.
Thanks kesterpaul62. I'm wondering if it has been sold certified before and has some systemic problem. It was manufactured in Japan, is certified and they are happy to have me have my own inspection done on it. Seems they are taking all the risk. L/certified vehicles are covered for just about everything but maintenance items. Not sure I'm really taking a major risk if I: 1) test drive it and it drives well; 2) have my own inspector check it and it comes out clean.
They provided the order of what was needed to get it certified and they replaced all 4 wheel's brakes, rebalanced all tires, replaced the battery and did a few other cosmetic things.
- Repaired, moderate damage on drivers side parking lot accident; all reported
Pass. Unless it was literally a fender-bender with no damage to the body, most modern cars are unibodies, not body-on-frame vehicles. If crumple zones were triggered, it stiffened the steel when they stretched it back out, which is the opposite if what you want it to do.
I expect with the accident damage, a lot of folks won't want the vehicle unless they certified it, so I think this is a rather good deal since they are taking all the mechanical risk for at least 2 years (no mileage limit on L/certified vehicles) and I always purchase an additional 2 years of Lexus warranty when I buy a L/certified vehicle so I'm covered for at least 4 years after driving it away.
"Dealer Certification" means nothing. My step dad bought an Escape 8 years ago, "dealer certified" that it wasn't in an accident or flooded out. Long story short, it was a rental agency's former car and they had their own insurance. They didn't report it, and the car was flooded out. Around month after he bought it, my mom was driving and it flashed "trans program". My mom got whiplash from it. They tried to put a new transmission in, my step dad wouldn't let them, he wanted another Escape that wasn't flooded instead of that one. Then, the finance company got wind that it was a flooded car and they took their money back.
Get anything "promised" in writing. Don't fall for some salesman's gimmick trying to sell cars.
I agree with @kesterpaul62 and @justin-shepherd on this one, too many owners, and damage is very concerning.
I have a GX470, and when I was first reading it, I thought sure go for it.
That many owners in such a low amount of miles would scare me off without reading anything else. That vehicle should be a very comfortable, reliable ride that holds it's value, and it's owners should want to keep it, at least for a while.
My suggestion would be to walk away.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I initial concerns are proving out that this many owners and the accident are warning signs. I'm 99% sure I'll walk.