Hello to everyone on this wonderful forum!

My 02 Maxima was recently totaled so there began my search for a new vehicle. Upon searching, I landed on a nice 2006 G35x AT. I went to the dealership (reputable Lexus dealership) and after some chatting inside the office, the salesman came down to a amount of $15,000 out the door. The car has 47,000 miles with a clean Carfax.

So I proceeded to check out the car. Upon inspection, I saw that one of the previous owners (3 total) had done some modding of their own. AEM CAI, Flowmaster muffler, HID headlights were the three mods that were immediately visible. Turned on the car and let it warm up while I checked the exterior. When I went inside the car and checked the dash, there was a SEL light on. So I got the salesman and told him that I wanted this checked before we can proceed. I called him back and he mentioned that the shop is saying that the SEL is a result of the CAI.

When I came onto the forums here, I briefly checked the "Check Your Oil" thread. This was my immediate worry as to why the pricing might be too good to be true. Hopefully that isn't the case but I'm worried that the oil consumption probably can't be applicable until the car is driven few thousand miles. However, the dealer is only offering 60 days/2K warranty.

I'm going to go back to the Dealership tomorrow and test drive it to a Autozone to check out the SEL code. I will also check the dipstick to see if I can see anything pertaining to the oil consumption. Is there anything else I need to pay attention to?

Thanks for all of your help guys!

 

Is this a pre owned certified car? If not that is a red flag for me. I would defiantly ask them if you could take it to your own mechanic to check it out but Im not sure if they will let you. Be cautious because unless without them offering or giving an extended warranty I would honestly walk away and be patient

 

Get the engine code...could be something harmless, don't let that scare you away from the car. When i got my sedan it had an engine code and since having it taken care of its been rock solid and i'm over the 100k miles barrier


and oil consumption was an issue with the MT vehicles...not something you have to worry about with an AT

 

I will get the code from Autozone tomorrow and research it on the spot. Hopefully it is the CAI and nothing else.

 

Ok, so I finally test drove the car to a Advance Auto. The car felt fine for a 46k mile car. The engine code that came up was P0128 for a Thermostat Malfunction and nothing for the CAI. I let the salesman know (who by the way just gave me the keys and told me to come back whenever I wanted ). After some squandering, he got his manager to knock down the price another $200 to $14,800 in order to compensate for a new thermostat.

Is this a huge red flag? I was thinking of telling him that my final price is $14,500.

As for other options, I have a 2005 TSX with only 15k miles and fully loaded with Navigation, etc. What do you pros recommend?

 

Well the tsx would obviously be a better option for every single reason such as lower millage, lower insurance, way better MPG EXCEPT one. Its a nice car but its boring as hell to drive with the 4 banger. You get tired of it really quick but if you dont mind the v4 defiantly go for the tsx. Its just weird how a 05 tsx only has 15k millage which is a red flag for me. And no a new thermostat isnt a red flag very minor

 

Thanks josh!

That's the reason why I don't want a TSX. It's only 4 cyl. and not fun to drive.

As for the g35x, is that code related more towards a thermostat or the coolant temp. sensor? I've searched and it seems it could be either. I pushed the car to 5-6K rpm on our hottest day yet (105 F) and the car seemed to stay cool (8:30 oclock position on the gauge).

Another thing I noted was when I went over bumps or ditches, the car felt like it was slightly fish tailing in the rear. What could this be related to?

I'm thinking that for a deal for $14,500 would not be bad at all considering it only has 47K miles. It's just these two small things which is keeping me from purchasing the car.

 

Yea the code P0128 could be for many different reasons but when the termostat was fixed or replaced, did the light go off? If the dealership did it make sure you confirm it with a mechanic and same with the fish tailing. But it can be due to alignment problem, suspension, brushing worn out, or even your tire pressure. But take it to check your tire pressure first because if it is that would save you money instead of assuming its something bigger. If your tire pressure is fine defiantly take it to a mechanic and check it out because yes it will cost you some money but it will save you much more from buying a wrong used car

 

Thermostat code shouldn't be anything major at all...i have a racing thermostat so i throw that same code on cold days. For me its due to the coolant temp being lower than normal (engine running too cool believe it or not lol) completely harmless. Good deal for the miles i'd buy it

 

I did not check the tire pressure but I will tomorrow. My only issue is I need to make a decision by tomorrow and this car is the only option still left. Everything else I had looked at is sold.

Ya I checked the oil to make sure no gaskets were burned and leaking the coolant into the oil (milky oil test). The temp was being displayed fine and it was the hottest day ever so if any overheating was to take place it would've been yesterday. The price is tempting but if this is nothing major then it might be a possibility.

 

I am not sure if I'd consider 14.5k on an '06 sedan a steal to begin with. 47k is low and attractive but knowing that our engines can last close to 200k miles with proper maintenance, it doesn't do much for me.

Why not looking for a slightly higher mileage but and '07 with the updated model? Why spend $15k on a car that looks pretty much like an '03 with a few interior perks.

 

...

 

why wouldnt they just fix the issue? id tell them you will take it for that 14.8 if they fix the issue..if they wont id move on

 

red flags all over for me on this one

 

Aw crap. Now I'm all confused.