Is Buying A Used Lexus a (MASSIVE) Mistake?

Summary

The video discusses the reliability of Lexus vehicles and whether it's worth buying a used one. It highlights Lexus's reputation for quality and longevity, with models like the ES 350, RX350, and IS350 praised for their naturally aspirated V6 engines. However, it warns against certain models like the IS250 due to issues like carbon fouling. The video advises buying a used Lexus that's five to seven years old for the best value, considering depreciation and potential maintenance costs. It also touches on the importance of regular maintenance and the availability of Lexus service centers.

Takeaways

• 🚗 Lexus vehicles are known for their reliability, often lasting hundreds of thousands of miles with proper care.
• 🏆 Lexus and Toyota often top the charts in Consumer Reports for reliability.
• 🔍 When buying a used Lexus, consider models like the ES 350, RX, IS 350, GS350, and RC 350 for their reliability and naturally aspirated engines.
• 👎 Avoid certain models like the LS 460 and IS 250 due to costly drivetrains and engine issues.
• 💰 Used Lexus vehicles can be a good value, especially after five to six years when depreciation is significant.
• 📉 Wait for the right time in the depreciation curve to get the best deal on a used Lexus.
• 🛠 Maintenance on Lexus vehicles is generally straightforward and less costly due to their simple and durable construction.
• 🌐 Lexus has an extensive service network, making it easy to find repairs and parts worldwide.
• 🧐 Inspect for rust, especially on models like the GX and LX, and be wary of the 'sticky dash' issue common in 2004 to 2012 models.
• ⛔ Avoid models with the 2.5-liter 4GR-FSE engine due to carbon fouling and performance issues.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For those seeking reliability and long-term value over sporty performance, a used Lexus is a recommended choice.

Q & A

Why are Lexus vehicles considered reliable?

Lexus vehicles are known for their ultra-reliability, which is attributed to their quality construction, manufacturing, and strict quality control measures. They are designed to last for hundreds of thousands of miles with proper care.

What are the top two Lexus models recommended for their reliability?

The Lexus ES 350 and the Lexus RX model are highly recommended for their reliability. Both feature a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine known for its durability.

Why is the Lexus ES 350 a good choice for a used car buyer?

The Lexus ES 350 is a good choice because it is based on the Toyota Avalon, another top pick for reliability. It also features a 'bulletproof' naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, suggesting it will last a long time.

What is the significance of the naturally aspirated V6 engine in Lexus vehicles?

The naturally aspirated V6 engine is significant because it is simple, reliable, and requires less maintenance compared to turbocharged engines. It contributes to the vehicle's longevity and reliability.

Which Lexus model is not recommended for purchase due to known issues?

The Lexus IS 250 is not recommended due to various issues such as transmission problems and carbon fouling from its direct-injected engine, which can lead to performance degradation.

At what age do Lexus vehicles typically offer the best value in the used car market?

Lexus vehicles typically offer the best value in the used car market after they are five to six years old, as they tend to depreciate significantly by this time, offering a price around 40-50% of the original cost.

What is the 'sticky dash' or 'cracked dash' syndrome, and why is it a concern for used Lexus buyers?

The 'sticky dash' or 'cracked dash' syndrome refers to a problem where the dashboard of certain Lexus vehicles can become sticky or develop cracks. This can be expensive to repair, costing several thousand dollars, and is a concern for used Lexus buyers as it may indicate poor quality control in older models.

What are some common maintenance issues to check for when considering a used Lexus?

Common maintenance issues to check for include corrosion, especially on the underside and around the windows; the 'sticky dash' syndrome; water pump leaks; variable valve timing oil lines; and issues with the D4S direct injection system in certain models.

Why might someone choose a used Lexus over a new one?

A used Lexus might be chosen over a new one because the depreciation rate is high in the first few years, making older models more affordable. Additionally, Lexus vehicles are known for their reliability, so a well-maintained used Lexus can still offer many years of trouble-free driving.

What is the advice given for buying a used Lexus?

The advice for buying a used Lexus is to do thorough research, especially focusing on the vehicle's age, maintenance history, and potential problem areas specific to certain models and years. It's also recommended to avoid slightly used Lexus vehicles that may not offer significant savings over new ones.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Reliability of Used Lexus Vehicles

The paragraph discusses the reliability of Lexus vehicles, which are known for their durability and ability to run for hundreds of thousands of miles with proper care. It raises the question of whether it's worthwhile to buy a used Lexus, highlighting that Lexus and Toyota often top consumer reports for reliability. The narrator mentions their mechanic friend's opinion that all cars have potential problem areas, but Lexus stands out for its reliability. The paragraph then provides examples of Lexus models that are good choices for used car buyers, such as the Lexus ES 350, RX model, IS 350, GS350, RC 350, and RC 500, all of which are praised for their naturally aspirated V6 engines. It contrasts these reliable models with problematic ones like the LS 460 and the IS 250, which had issues such as transmission problems and carbon fouling from direct injection engines.

05:01

💰 Considerations for Buying a Used Lexus

This paragraph focuses on the financial aspect of purchasing a used Lexus. It mentions that while new Lexus vehicles are expensive, used ones with low mileage can also demand high prices, sometimes as much as new ones. The narrator advises that if someone is considering a used Lexus that is only a few years old with low mileage, it might be more cost-effective to buy new. However, for vehicles that are five to seven years old, the depreciation is more significant, and these could be good options for used car buyers. The paragraph also touches on the type of buyer who would value a Lexus: someone looking for reliability and quality over performance, as Lexus vehicles are not typically known for their sporty driving dynamics.

10:03

🔩 Maintenance and Durability of Lexus Vehicles

The third paragraph emphasizes the ease of maintenance and durability of Lexus vehicles. It points out that Lexus has an extensive service network, and many parts are shared with Toyota, making repairs and part replacement more accessible and affordable. The paragraph also notes that Lexus vehicles are generally simple and basic, which contributes to their reliability and lower maintenance costs. The narrator contrasts this with more complex European cars like BMW and Audi, which can be more expensive to service. Additionally, the paragraph discusses the quality of materials used in Lexus vehicles, highlighting their well-insulated and quiet interiors that provide a luxury driving experience.

15:03

⚠️ Potential Issues and Buying Advice for Used Lexus

The final paragraph provides advice on what to look for when considering a used Lexus. It warns about potential issues such as corrosion, particularly in older models like the GX and LX, and the 'sticky dash' problem that can be costly to repair. The narrator also advises checking for water pump issues and variable valve timing oil lines, which can be a weak point in some Lexus engines. The paragraph concludes with a recommendation to avoid the 2.5-liter 4GR-FSE engine due to its poor performance and carbon buildup issues. The advice is wrapped up with a reminder to do thorough research before buying a used Lexus, suggesting that with the right choices, a used Lexus can be a great investment.

Keywords

💡Lexus

Lexus is a luxury vehicle brand owned by Toyota. In the context of the video, Lexus is highlighted for its reliability and longevity, with the script mentioning that Lexus vehicles can last for hundreds of thousands of miles if properly maintained. The brand is also positioned as a top choice for consumers seeking dependable used cars.

💡Reliability

Reliability refers to the dependability and consistency of a product, in this case, vehicles, to perform well over time without frequent breakdowns. The video emphasizes Lexus's high reliability ratings, as noted in 'Consumers Reports', and positions it as a key reason to consider purchasing a used Lexus.

💡Used Cars

Used cars are vehicles that have been previously owned and sold. The video discusses the pros and cons of buying a used Lexus, suggesting that certain models are excellent choices due to their durability, while cautioning against others with known issues.

💡Depreciation

Depreciation in the context of cars refers to the loss in value over time. The script explains that after the initial few years of ownership, Lexus vehicles can be found at a significant discount, making them an attractive option in the used car market.

💡Naturally Aspirated

Naturally aspirated engines draw in air without the use of a turbocharger or supercharger. The video praises Lexus models with naturally aspirated V6 engines for their reliability, using the ES350 as an example.

💡Maintenance

Maintenance refers to the upkeep and servicing of vehicles to keep them in good working order. The video suggests that Lexus vehicles are simple and cost-effective to maintain, which is a significant advantage for used car buyers.

💡Corrosion

Corrosion is the gradual destruction of a material (often metal) by chemical reaction. The script advises viewers to check for signs of corrosion, especially in older models, as it can be a sign of poor condition and potential future issues.

💡Water Pump

A water pump is a crucial component in a car's cooling system. The video warns that a failing water pump can lead to serious engine damage due to overheating, making it a critical component to check in used Lexus vehicles.

💡Direct Injection

Direct injection is a fuel injection technology that delivers fuel directly into the engine's combustion chamber. The video discusses the potential issues with direct injection engines, particularly in the Lexus IS250, where carbon fouling can lead to performance problems.

💡Performance

Performance in automotive terms refers to how well a car accelerates, handles, and brakes. The video contrasts Lexus's focus on reliability and comfort with brands like BMW that prioritize performance, suggesting a trade-off between the two.

💡Luxury

Luxury in cars typically refers to high-end features, comfort, and a refined driving experience. The script positions Lexus as a luxury brand that offers a quiet, well-insulated ride and high-quality interior materials, even in used models.

Highlights

Lexus vehicles are known for their reliability and can run for hundreds of thousands of miles with proper care.

Consumer Reports ranks Toyota and Lexus as the most reliable vehicles.

Lexus takes pride in quality control to minimize reliability issues.

Mechanics often find that Toyota and Lexus are among the most reliable cars they service.

The Lexus ES 350 is recommended for its reliability and value for money.

The Lexus RX model is a stylish midsize SUV with a reliable naturally aspirated V6 engine.

The IS 350 is praised for its durability and shared engine with other reliable Lexus models.

Lexus vehicles from five to ten years old can offer significant depreciation and value.

Some Lexus models, like the LS 460, can be problematic and costly as they age.

The IS 250 has had issues with its direct-injected engine and is not recommended.

When buying a used Lexus, consider the model's age and mileage to avoid paying near new prices.

Lexus vehicles are built to last and are not typically the sportiest, focusing more on reliability than performance.

Lexus service centers are widespread, making维修和零件获取更加方便.

Lexus vehicles are generally simple and durable, which contributes to their reliability.

Modern Lexus interiors are of high quality, surpassing some competitors.

When buying a used Lexus, check for signs of rust and other potential issues.

The 'sticky dash' syndrome is a known problem in some Lexus models and can be costly to repair.

Lexus vehicles with the 2GR-FE engine are reliable, but check for potential issues with variable valve timing systems.

The D4-S system in some Lexus models can lead to carbon buildup and poor performance.

If considering a used Lexus, do thorough research to ensure you're getting a reliable model.

Transcripts

everyone knows Lexus vehicles are Ultra

reliable and they're good for running

three four five hundred thousand miles

if you take care of them but the real

question is if they're so reliable is it

worthwhile buying a used Lexus well it

may seem obvious but believe it or not

it's not that obvious there's many

reasons why you should buy a used one

and some reasons why you shouldn't

clearly if you've been following lately

you'll notice on Consumers Reports of

most reliable Vehicles Toyota and Lexus

are number one in two spots and on top

of that everyone knows that Lexus is the

big brother to Toyota and clearly they

take special pride in the quality

construction manufacturing and for

quality control so people don't have to

bring their cars back time and time and

time again for reliability issues you

know I have this great mechanic friend

of mine that works on everything from

Ferraris to Hondas to Toyotas to Fords

and he literally says that every car

will have its problem areas doesn't

matter what it is it's mechanical it

will fail the fact of the matter is

Toyota Lexus are in fact one of the most

reliable and before we touch on some of

those key failure areas to watch out for

in a used Lexus I I just want to give

you some examples of some of the good

vehicles primarily that you would

potentially look at five years of age

and some of those that you definitely

don't want to touch the first car that

you definitely want to consider buying

if you're worrying about reliability and

getting best bang for your buck is what

we're looking at here and we're talking

about an Lexus ES 350. yeah they all

have that great headlights and they all

have the big mouth grill and some people

love and some people don't love so much

but they do have some nice detail like

that and you're always going to find

nice wheels on most these Lexus Vehicles

you also have the LC 500 stall mirrors

sunroofs and a really really gorgeous

interior well equipped and this

beautiful little overhang with this lip

and some glorious looking rear tail

light assembly but the ES350 carries a

glorious naturally aspirated three and a

half liter V6 it's bulletproof this

vehicle is also based on Toyota Avalon

which is also one of the top picks for

reliability so you know reliability is

definitely going to be your top pop and

so if you're looking for something

that's used that isn't totally worn out

and then likely will last the test the

time go for something with the naturally

aspirated like this beautiful Toyota es

350. another one that's highly

recommended is this beautiful RX model

this is typically your midsize SUV in

the Lexus world as you can see it's very

stylish has all the great amenities

you've got these beautiful gunmetal gray

type Wheels those really Sleek

headlights and of course lots of great

detailing on the front of these vehicles

protective plastic works and this is the

f-sport and you also have some great

accents mirrors and even more glorious

looking 15th century type handles look

you can get roof racks and you also have

this beautiful overhang here wonderful

LED rear tail lights and again the RX350

has a great naturally aspirated V6 three

and a half liters bulletproof I would

suggest they'll stay with anything newer

than 2010 power steering leaks were a

problem and some of the infotainment

systems were a little bit glitchy in

some of these earlier models but overall

a very reliable vehicle with that same

engine you find in the ES350 another

Ultra reliable choice would be right

here the is 350 of many generations this

is the is-300 in the latest gen and as

well you can typically see that there's

some subtle differences so it's not just

about the engine and reliability if you

look at these two cars they're quite

similar on both fronts they both have

the big mouth grill they're great as

well as they both have these great

little details on the front the big

difference is here beautiful Wheels on

the is-350 right here versus a little

simpler wheel Arrangement on the is-300

now they're both F Sports as we can see

and you've both got the LC 500 style

mirrors tagging on there looks great

sunroofs on both vehicles absolutely but

more importantly they have some great

details on a lot of these is 350 models

you'll notice this one here has this

little lip on the wing right here where

this one has a lit Wing but it's a

little flatter more lower profile these

vehicles also have a much more detailed

rear tailpipe assembly right there as

you can see and over there it's a little

bit smaller and less pronounced so

they're a very very great vehicle but

the is-350 also shares that glorious

naturally aspirated three and a half

liter V6 engine tucked under that hood

and that's why these things are Ultra

reliable they're only slightly more

costly to maintain than the ES350 and

the RX however they're bulletproof but a

couple other bulletproof models are the

GS350 of course with that again you see

the theme naturally asparty three and a

half liter V6 we can also get the RC 350

and the RC 500 that V8 engine in the RC

500 is also bulletproof so definitely

some great Drive trains and some

vehicles that will definitely last well

beyond the 5 to 10 year range if you

take care of them but there

unfortunately are some real problematic

ones there's clearly some vehicles in

the Lexus world that really aren't all

that great and the main one for example

there's an LS 460 from back in the day

with a costly drivetrain that just gets

a little bit cost prohibitive with age

just because the added complexity and

then there's one key other one the

Glorious and total swing and a miss the

sad and pathetic is-250 like we're

looking at here this older generation

yeah they have great wheels and pretty

standard looking mirrors of course one

touch access and a sunroof to boot it

was this wonderful and glorious is-250

like we see right there that had all

kinds of other random issues that you

just didn't want any part of

transmission issues there were

electronic problems with the big one

being the carbon fouling from that

direct injected engine was just a

problem under power too it was one that

Lexus should have skipped so yes there's

another Factor you have to consider when

you're buying or considering buying a

used Lexus of course we know that brand

new Lexus vehicles are quite expensive

but unfortunately in the last couple

years what you're starting to find is

the good low mileage versions on the

used car market are clearly demanding as

much as they were new so in other words

if you bought a car that was a year old

maybe even two years old and only had

say twenty thousand or fifteen thousand

miles on it you could find yourself

actually paying as much as new or even

in some cases more than nuaf was a

sought after model if you're going to

buy a used Lexus don't buy a slightly

used Lexus you might as well step up to

the new version go into the showroom

sign on the dotted line and wait your

six or eight months to get your brand

new Lexus no point in just getting down

there inside adding away the deed and

paying top dollar for used vehicle and

that's what Lexus Vehicles do because

people know they can trust them and a

lot of those slightly used I would say

the first one two three years I would

say avoid altogether on the used car

market now where it does get interesting

is the conversation about five six seven

years of age and those are the Lexus

vehicles that you probably want to start

thinking about when you find the right

models that's where we start talking

about depreciation in the first three

years you're only going to lose about 20

percent on average of your typical SUVs

or a lot of the Lexus models

particularly with the better versions

and the v6s but it's not until warranty

is expired and you've hit that five to

six year mark that you're likely going

to be over that Tipping Point of 50 so

then you can likely get yourself a

vehicle for about 40 to 50 percent of

its original price if you just wait for

five or six years and you can get

yourself a real winner on the used car

market so it's all about depreciation

and when you buy into that market

defines when you should actually buy

that used Lexus I want to talk about the

kind of people you should even consider

buying use Lexus because remember

there's a couple of different trains of

thoughts there's the people that love

Lexus for what they deliver and there's

that people that actually don't for

example what does Lexus actually deliver

for the goods and what are the people

who value Lexus and Toyota products

actually value well I mean Lexus and

Toyota vehicles never are the sportiest

looking vehicles on the road they're

clearly not the most aggressive looking

Vehicles when you've got a vehicle like

this that looks a little bit egg-shaped

it clearly doesn't have a real

aggressive stance you have wheels that

are tucked in here clearly and you have

a really high profile here so in other

words the tires are going to be wallowy

it doesn't have the biggest brakes

either means that you're likely not

going to have a vehicle that breaks all

that hard it doesn't handle all that

well but what it does do well is deliver

hundreds of thousands of reliable miles

tucked under that Hood and the interior

provides some really nice to touch

quality features and elements great

leather well wearing parts and buttons

and things just never fail but if you're

the kind of buyer that values more

performance driving with the exception

of the LC 500 or the is-500 which are

borderline I mean they make great sounds

and they have decent power with 472

horsepower the fact of the matter

remains most luxury Vehicles by Lexus

just don't deliver performance driving

Dynamics like you would expect from a

vehicle like like this right here we

have a BMW and it's an M2 this is one of

their most hardcore versions ready for

the street as you can see you get lots

of carbon fiber on there you have quad

exhaust tips and a lot of people love

that look you have really flared fenders

and of course wheels that almost come to

match up with those fenders so it has a

really aggressive stance as you can see

it sits quite low and it's hunkered

right down in other words it's ready for

action you have other Aero bits like

this that keep it grounded at high

speeds sure you get some of the luxury

amenities this one doesn't even have a

sunroof though and beautiful LED lights

definitely Enthusiast based right there

most enthusiasts who love these BMWs

love them for a lot of these reasons the

big kidney grills the angel eyes as well

as just that aggressive stats and

spoiler these cars will handle like

they're on Rails they're blisteringly

quick and that's generally not the type

of vehicle that you're going to find in

a Lexus product but with that said when

you take on performance you usually give

it up somewhere else and a lot of these

BMWs end up developing coolant leaks and

oil leaks down the road you may have a

turbo failure or two and anytime you

have to do a servicing it's going to

cost you 300 400 versus maybe two-thirds

of that for a Lexus we also can't forget

the bigger tires and brakes are going to

cost you twice as much money so that's

the trade-off are you looking for lower

cost and maintenance and quality

materials are you looking for the

outright performance Dragon like you

find right here if you're looking for

that type of vehicle long lasting then

yes buy yourself a used Lexus so if

you're thinking about buying a used

Lexus vehicle then you have to think

about some of the pros and cons clearly

some of the pros right there what are we

looking up there Lexus pre-owned service

yeah in other words what we're talking

about here is the fact that Lexus

service centers are all over the place

you can find them doesn't matter almost

what city what state what country what

province Lexus does do a great job of

spreading out their service networks so

you have great access to repairs parts

servicing and all of that not to mention

that a lot of parts are shared from

these Lexus vehicles with Toyota

products maybe you're looking for spark

plug coils or brakes there are a lot of

parts that cross over and become

functional between the two different

brands so you can both save money as

well as potentially just find those

parts they're not a very difficult car

brand to actually find parts for that's

a huge Pro for sure another win with

buying a used Lexus IS most Lexus

vehicles are generally quite basic and

durable and a lot of their durability

just comes from the fact that they're

basic they're simple they're effective

and yeah while some of their later

models are getting into some turbo

charging a lot of their older School

Vehicles still come with naturally

aspirated engines under the hood as I

mentioned that three and a half liter V6

naturally aspirated some of their older

outgoing four-cylinder engines some of

the Toyota products being naturally

aspened are clearly bulletproof and very

reliable simply because they're a

simpler vehicle to maintain if it's

simple it usually means you're likely

more likely to do your maintenance on it

if a vehicle is overly complex it

usually translates to a lot of dollars

in the shop to pay for that 200 an hour

service rate for a lot of these

manufacturers for example BMW Audi you

can pay over 200 bucks just to have them

quickly take a look at your vehicle but

with a Lexus a lot of the vehicles are

very simple so there's just less labor

involved in making a repair doing a fix

and so because it's simpler you're more

likely to get ahead of the repairs as

opposed to being that young buyers who's

the third owner of that used BMW that's

going to start deferring on maintenance

because they can't afford some of the

complex repairs and then you run into a

real world of hurt Lexis owners

typically aren't that person that's

deferring a lot of their maintenance

they just send it in get it fixed

because it's not an overly complex

vehicle and it won't break your bank and

another Pro with buying a used Lexus is

the fact that they make their vehicles

out of well-constructed materials

they're well insulated you're very

isolated from the road noise they feel

truly like a luxury car when you're

driving them what you have is a

wonderful experience with a vehicle

that's well isolated and insulated from

the exterior noises yeah there was a

time when they were a lot more basic

when you look back at the old older

is-250 for example simple mirrors and

simple handles simple everything but

things are really stepping up into the

next century and now some of the

materials are out doing those from the

likes of BMW uneven Audi but you have

this wonderful piano gloss finishing all

over texturing and different detail that

makes the vehicle look much more

interesting than just all one painted

front nose it actually breaks it up and

looks very stylish you have some great

styling detail you get these beautiful

cupped Hood lines right there and look

at those gorgeous wheels that is

absolutely stunning and look even down

here the rocker panel is great you have

that nice little piano gloss block along

the bottom of course look at these LC

500 mirrors that is a piece of art I

mean look at that beautiful Chrome

detail there and it's going to wear well

for many many years a little rear

splitter that just looks wonderful the

interior is great too I would almost say

that modern day Lexus Interiors are much

better quality than even most BMWs so

some of the cons can be quite

significant with some of these Lexus

vehicles but there's some key things you

need to look at for example what we're

looking at here is a 2017 Lexus RX 350.

this is the sweet spot where you want to

start getting into these used Lexus

Vehicles as long as they meet all the

criteria and don't have some of these

critical errors or critical problems so

there's some areas that you really need

to focus on for example a lot of Lexus

Vehicles start to develop corrosion if

you look underneath the vehicle start

looking for rust look all the way under

the frame and the chassis

and then you could tell if there's any

big amount of rust forming and that'll

tell you that that's a vehicle you want

to stay away from but not just

underneath can you find chassis rust you

can also get rust potentially in these

areas flip up the hood look underneath

at the base there where the water runs

down the window and then it settles in

there and that can rust away so take a

look flip the hood up take a look in

that area and the top of the fender

liner here make sure you don't have any

corrosion there make sure there's no

corrosion anywhere along all of this lip

or across the top that could be an early

indication of issues you also want to

take a look at rust along these areas

here where they meet up this is plastic

but this could be metal here so I want

to make sure that in summer depending on

the generation that those seams and

those joints aren't the areas that

you're going to potentially collect a

lot of corrosion because of material and

dirt and debris from these crusty roads

that winds up settling in there and they

don't get cleaned out properly those are

areas for further rust assessment so

definitely if a vehicle's Rusty toss it

now the most likely vehicles to see that

big rust issue are the GX models as well

the LX models but only typically of the

older Generations these new vehicles are

much better treated and less likely to

see that issue when they become five

years of age another issue you can you

clearance mostly in the 2004 to 2012

model year Lexus vehicles are what's

right there you can see right here right

in there into the glass it's the sticky

Dash or cracked Dash syndromes and if a

vehicle has that you can expect to pay

two three thousand dollars U.S funds to

get that rectified maybe even more today

with the way consumers are getting

gouged we're all taking it up the shoot

just to get our modern day vehicle

service these days since this last

couple years but that's another key

issue that you definitely have to be

sensitive to another issue that afflicts

a lot of Lexus vehicles are the water

pump you may have coolant leaks it may

wind up in the via the engine if you're

talking about the V6 but more

importantly if you have a water pump

that's failing or leaking get it fixed

ASAP because with aluminum heads

aluminum engines they can melt down if

you overheat it and the engine's throw

away so definitely want to take care of

the water pump and check that out make

sure everything's running tickety-boo on

that another critical part is if you're

looking a lot of these vehicles with the

three and a half liter V6 which is the

2gr Fe great engines yes they're

relatively bulletproof but there's one

weakness yes they have the all-aluminum

engines yes the variable valve timing

yes they're Ultra durable however

variable valve timing you get those

pressure lines the oil lines if they

haven't been replaced that is a weakness

that's a point of contention they can

likely spook and puke a bunch of oil on

the ground if you lose your oil lines

you lose the valve control it could be

an ugly situation definitely make sure

that those lines have been upgraded if

you have one of those late model three

and a half liter V6 engines and another

point is one I already talked on it's

the D4 system the two and a half liter

4gr

FSE yeah that's that direct injected

engine that carbons up poor performer

just a spud and a dud of an engine so

clearly one that you want to avoid in

the Lexus IS250 and pretty much any

generational engine from that time frame

reality is a lot of vehicles run direct

injected engines now but the difference

is in modern day lexuses they've got

their act together and what they're

doing now is a combination of port and

direct injected the direct injection

gives them that performance and

efficiency they want the port portion

allows the spray of fuel to the backside

of the intake valve to ensure that those

valves are continually washed away and

you don't build up all that carbon you

don't lose performance and it's just a

better drive train altogether so should

you buy a used Lexus well if one of my

relatives were asking me a daughter or

kids an uncle an aunt asked me if they

should buy a used Lexus I would be

confident enough to say yes but here's a

few caveats many of these older lexuses

are like fine wine they just get better

with age so at the end of the day if you

want to buy used Lexus do a little

research and you should be good to go

and with all of that said right there

check it out you're gonna love one of my

most popular videos ever why are used

BMWs so cheap in case you're looking for

one check that out you're gonna love it

I hope to see each and every one of you

on the next one we'll see you real soon

bye-bye