Need purchase advice
Drove to Seattle today from Vancouver BC to look at a Mint 2000 with 109k at Lexus of Bellevue that they were asking 17995 for. Apparently a dented and rusty rear hatch is mint in their eyes.

They went to 16000 with a full set of FSM's thrown in but I just can't handle rust. Some of the leather had been painted too.etc etc.
So I stopped at another dealer on the way home and it just so happened they JUST got a 99 in. I got to look at it before they got their detailers on it. Overall it was in really good to excellent condition for the age.
Interior was well looked after. The wood panelling had some wierd motteling going on which I've seen on a few now. Power antenae didn't work and the "D" indicator light was burnt out. BUT it was pretty clean
Exterior paint was awesome, NO rust anywhere, piece of trim was coming off on the DS window frame rail above the door and the headlights lens were pretty scratched and discolered but that's about it.
They are going to get the service records for me but I believe it was reg. serviced at the dealer that is selling it and it seemed to run great. Had a chek engine light which they are going to check out.
THE CATCH. It has 173k on the clock which is WAY more than I was looking for but it looks really well looked after. It's also a 99 and I kind of wanted a 00 (wife likes VSC) They hadn't come up with a number yet (they literally just got it) and are going to get back to me.
I'm looking for something I can keep and drive for a very long time to come. I'm wondering if I should hold out for lower miles or go for a well looked after hi miler. I suppose it depends a lot on what they are going to want but what do you think would be reasonable. How good is the 4.7?
I'm willing to pay up to $17500 for something in a 99 to 00. I'm starting to wonder if that is realistic for a excellent overall UZJ100 with 100k to 120k.
I apologize for the really long rant/post but any opinions would be welcome and much appreciated. Thanks in advance.