Might be picking up a GX shortly

[JLee]

I found an 07 with the Sport package / KDSS. 103k miles. We settled on $18,400- looks to be in very good shape except for some worn leather on the left side of the driver's seat. Lexus has maintenance records through 77k / February 2013. I was shooting for 05+ (5sp auto vs 03, and extra power vs 04), but 07+ for nav refresh was icing on the cake. It's a little more than I wanted to spend, but since I was looking at 05's I figured I'd bite anyway.

I'm familiar with the driveshaft clunk, 63-68mph vibration, and potential air suspension issues; anything else I should look at that could kill the deal? Previous owner states t-belt and trans flush was done at 90k. It's a desert truck so I don't anticipate any rust, but it's not local so I won't be able to look at it in person before I show up with a check.

 

[GXO]

Nothing else as a deal breaker...honestly what you mentioned aren't really deal breakers either.

A leaking transfer case would be an item to watch out for.

DS clunk is tolerable and might be able to get warranty replacement (otherwise just wait till you feel like it)
Vibration has a TSB that has replacement front diff supports and dampeners you can install in less than an hour
Airbags are just a reason to do the coil swap

Maintenance done is the most important part, the rest is how much baselining you may have to do. Leaking/torn CV boots, worn or clicking CVs would mean front end work. Brakes, tires, etc are all negotiation points.

 

[JLee]

I am already getting it for less than what they owe, so I don't think I can negotiate it down too much more.

I had an 05 Tundra (same engine/trans) and it was entirely troublefree for the three years I owned it, so I anticipate similar luck with this one. Looks like aftermarket axles are only ~$50, so if the boots are bad I'll probably just replace both axles and consider rebooting the OE ones.

Haha, yeah a coil swap is definitely in the future. It looks like I could spend far too much on an Icon setup, so I'll have to look around and see if I want to go all-out at ~$5500, or compromise somewhere so I can actually afford it.