I'm looking into buying a 2013 Lexus RX 350 F Sport from a dealer (CarShop) with 105,000 miles on it. CarShop claims to do a very thorough inspection of vehicles before they sell them, so it seems to be alright. I test drove it and put it through some stress tests and it all seemed to be okay. When I opened the hood, it seemed a little dirtier than I was expecting (see images below) Is this expected/usual, or does this look like trouble? For $20,000, I want to make sure I'm getting something that's going to last me the next 10 years. Is this even a good vehicle to be considering or should I consider something else? Any insight or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Update: Based on the CarFax, the vehicle lived most of its life in New Jersey, near the shore, thus the corrosion. I looked at the service history through the official Lexus Drivers website and the owner had it serviced regularly at the Lexus dealership, so I know it was well taken care of and parts were maintained and replaced as needed. Thanks for all the helpful answers! I decided to pull the trigger!
Now that I am older and hopefully wiser, I've discovered a few irrefutable truths;
1. Nobody looks good when they're eating.
2. If you want to see a tornado, hang around a trailer park.
3. The wind always blows on the side opposite of where you part your hair.
AND
4. Car dealers are the antithesis of truth.
I don't see any dirt. There is some surface corrosion indicative of a wet environment.
Price seems high to me.
Agreed, price seems high and that corrosion makes me wonder if it was flooded. I may just be paranoid.
I think it actually looks pretty good for an 8 year old car. Normal surface oxidation and stuff.
FWIW, it looks fine to me, considering it’s age.
Dirt will get in the engine bay, because of the front grill. I’ve never seen a car engine immaculate unless it was washed (which could be potentially damaging to actually wash it.)
I took a video and some photos of the bottom. Does it look like potential water damage, or just bad condition overall? (sorry for the herky-jerky movement, I was moving quickly I guess.
Video: https://youtu.be/gBWyImm_7RU
Photo:
it says video unavailable. Did you set it to public?
Photo looks fine but the strut looks old. May need replacement.
Sorry, just set the video to public. Looking at it again, some parts underneath seem fairly rusty. Is that normal corrosion for this old of a vehicle?
It looks fine to me.
Looking at the Carfax, it was from New Jersey, close to the coast, so I'm wondering if it would have more oxidation or might rust sooner because of the saltwater on roads and possibly salty air that it was exposed to for the past 8 years. Or am I just being too critical and this vehicle will probably be just fine?
I think that's exactly what caused the mild corrosion.
For the age, it looks great.
@mountainmanjoe Yeah that makes sense now, it got a taste of salt roads. My GX470 was born in new york but was only there for 2 years then went south. It did have some rust on the quick to rust areas, but frame is solid with minimal surface rust. Pictures look good, minimal surface rust.
Here's what rust looks like in the PNW after 8 years
Yeah, the Lexus I'm looking at definitely doesn't look that bad. I guess my main concern would be the corrosion in the engine. Does that pose a risk?
I can't see your engine. Just a plastic beauty cover.
But no, engines don't rust through. They are cast with very thick steel or aluminum and they weigh almost a ton. It would take hundreds of years for an engine to rust through. All I see in your photos is that the whole car has light surface corrosion in various places. Not even 1 millimetre thick. You really need to stop worrying about the rust. It's fine.
Look under the carpets and seats if you suspect flood damaged vehicle. If you have rusty seat mechanisms above the floor it could possibly indicate flood.
a slight over-reaction here?
or your first used car and you
just don't have enough experience?
it looks fine for a 9 year old car.
but it's good that you asked.
Price seems high, how did the engine and tranny sound?
Also do not trust the car dealer and the records, you need to have it looked over by your mechanic.
