JamesHuang

iTrader: (1)

Is $16K about right to pay for a 2004 with ML and a little under 120K?. It's a private party with great service records including the timing belt service at the Lexus dealer. Overall the car is about a 9/10 with some work I'll have to get done to remove some rock chips and curb rash on the wheels. The seller's asking price was $18,500 a few weeks back.

Or should I hold off for a better deal and keep enjoying my 2001

Cheers,
James

veeman5

We purchased our 2001 430 (nav & ml audio) with 75,500 miles for $11,500 from a private party. The car has all maintenance records available via MyLexus (100% dealer maintained and only 1 owner). I know this doesn't answer your question directly - however, is the upgrade to a 2004 really worth it if you already have an 01?

veeman5

BTW, I used a combination of Consumer Reports and Edmunds TMV to justify my offer to the seller - that seemed to be a good basis upon which to negotiate.

warminwisc

I wonder how much action the guy has had at that price being FSBO. To me 14,500 is tops. Kelly is 12,750 trade in, he will save sales tax by trading it in on another vehicle at a dealer so he makes a guick G by selling to you.

JamesHuang

iTrader: (1)

Thank you so much for your input as well as others.

I would feel more comfortable with the $14,500 you suggested even though the service records are spotless.

Perhaps if I had not been enjoying the Lexus experience on my '01 the past 5 years then I would move on this '04.

Cheers,
James

2004TOYO

Yeah I would say about $14k, but your best bet is to look @ Edmunds/KKB to get a starting price then go from there with your offer

Bocatrip

14K is an excellent price for an all original car with service records. If a dealer got a hold of this car, you would be paying alot more. Make sure it does not have any transmission issues as the early 2004s had some. Good luck.

JamesHuang

iTrader: (1)

On the service history below is this what you are referring to?
09/30/2004 1262 0248583 LS430 TRANSMISSION

Anything else a red flag below? Once again thank you for the input.


01/27/2011 120550 0433256 MISC
01/27/2011 120550 0433256 OTHERS
01/27/2011 120550 0433256 ACCESSORY
01/27/2011 120550 0433256 FRONT/REAR BODY
01/27/2011 120550 0433256 ENGINE OIL
01/27/2011 120550 0433256 WHEELS AND TIRES
10/14/2010 106982 0423720 ENGINE OIL
10/14/2010 106982 0423720 FRONT/REAR BODY
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 90,000 MILE SERVICE & INSPECTION *PALTINUM PLAN* FOR LS MODELS
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 REPLACE ENGINE OIL, OIL FILTER, DRAIN PLUG GASKET & RESET MAINTENANCE REMINDER L
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 ROTATE TIRES ( ALL MODELS EXCEPT IS300 SPORT CROSS / IS250 RWD & IS350 MODELS.
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 INSPECT DRIVE SHAFT BOOTS & RETORQUE DRIVE SHAFT FLANGE BOLT
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 BALL JOINTS & DUST COVER ISPECT.
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 INSPECT STEERING LINKAGE
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 INSPECT BRAKE LINES,PIPES, & HOSES
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 REPLACE AC HEPPA FILTER ASSEMBLY
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 MEASURE THICKNESS OF FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 REPLACE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 INSPECT ENGINE COOLANT ( 05 AND LATER ), REPLACE ENGINE COOLANT 04 & EARLIER.
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 INSPECT FUEL LINES & CONNECTIONS
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 INSPECT GAS CAP GASKET
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 INSPECT STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY.
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 INSPECT TRANSMISSION FOR SIGNS OF LEAKAGE ( 04 & ).
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 INSPECT BODY ( VISUALLY CHECK COMPONENTS FOR DAMAGE).
06/04/2010 101144 0216310 INSPECT EXHAUST PIPES AND
06/29/2009 74053 0081871 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT
06/29/2009 74053 0081871 NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE
06/29/2009 74053 0081871 6 CYL AIR FILTER
06/29/2009 74053 0081871 AC CABIN FILTER
01/30/2009 63205 0151688 SFI.MFI
07/26/2007 14155 0053263 MISC
07/26/2007 14155 0053263 REPLACE AIR FILTER
07/26/2007 14155 0053263 LOF V-8
07/26/2007 14155 0053263 ROYAL DETAIL
07/26/2007 14155 0053263 TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT
05/07/2007 7501 0087097 AC DUST FILTER
05/07/2007 7501 0087097 SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN
05/07/2007 7501 0087097 FRONT/REAR BODY
05/07/2007 7501 0087097 OTHERS
09/30/2004 1262 0248583 LS430 FUEL PUMP
09/30/2004 1262 0248583 LS430 TRANSMISSION
09/30/2004 1262 0248583 1,000 MILE SERVICE
02/20/2004 15 0139371 THE BATTERY IS TESTING CHARGE AND RETEST. RECHARGE BATTERY
02/11/2004 14 0138911 PRE-DELIVERY SERVICE FOR USA ALL ALTITUDES
02/11/2004 14 0138911 FILL FUEL TANK

Cheers,
James

CarGuy89

Other than transmission issues, the 04 also had a fuel filler issue where the car would click full before the tank was actually full. I have a late 04 and experienced none of these issues (the fuel thing clicked prematurely once, but squeezing the gas pump gently resolved it). My advice is find a late 04 or an 05 so that these issues will more likely be resolved.

JamesHuang

iTrader: (1)

Sound advice. Thank you.

Is there a link a thread(s) you found most useful in terms of these 2004 issues?

Just curious more than anything but made a note of your comments:

1. 2004 - Transmission issues on earlier ones.

2. 2004 - Fuel filler issues on earlier ones.
- Where the car would click full before the tank was actually full.
- On a later 2004 production date, the fuel thing clicked prematurely once, but squeezing the gas pump gently resolved it.

jayclapp

I think the early 2004 transmission concerns is somewhat overblown. It is my understanding that all those transmissions were recalled and replaced. I bought a 2004, the transmission had been replaced, and I couldn't be happier.

Think of it as a reduced-mileage part on your car!

JamesHuang

iTrader: (1)

Just got off the phone with the seller earlier and he said $15,500 is the absolute lowest he'll take on his 2004 LS430 ML with 120,000 miles.

I think based on the input I've received from CL that a better price would be $14,000 or so will pass on that one and continue enjoying my faithful 2001 LS430 ML.

FYI...checked with Lexus Corporate and both the recalls were done back in 2004,
Recall# 4LC - LS430 FUEL PUMP
Recall# 4LB - LS430 TRANSMISSION

Cheers,
James

2004TOYO

He'll probably call you back in a couple of weeks if he doesnt get any real offers, especially with the gas prices on the rise & since your're not pressed its his loss.

Bocatrip

Good point about gas prices possibly affecting V8 sales. Of course many owners of our cars couldn't care less about gas mileage.

warminwisc

I myself do not think their is huge market for expensive luxury cars over 100 k pushing 8 years old. Interesting a couple years ago,Oct, I got my 04 LS premium with 55 k on it for 17K.