sakoa

Keep it. For exactly the same reason given by BradTank. You're going to have to sell any car for dirt cheap once it has over 200k miles. You're better off keeping it as an extra car and driving it until it into the ground instead of replacing it with something else that may potentially give you more problems.

empringham

as other members are saying id say keep it as well. but pretend you need to make that $150/month payment and save it incase the LS breaks down. But fix that gasket. These cars are bulletproof, its better to keep one you know then buying the exact same car again.

IMO anyways.

Wandl

While perusing around, I came across a 03 LS430 UL here in Texas for sale for a tempting price. It does have 187k on it though...wanted to get your thoughts on it and I'll try to check it out in person next week...

PROS
1 owner for all it's life, before a dealer picked it up at an auction
Physically in good condition, no rust, dents or dings that seem obvious
UL LS430 for under $9k!
Lexus dealer did brakes front and rear, installed new navi unit, caster brackets/lower control arms done in past 30k miles

Cons (at least what I have found)
While it shows clean car fax, has been in body shop twice suggesting at least one prior accident (via lexus service history)
TB done at 113k, and now at 180k I would likely have to spend another $1k-$1.5k to do another 90,000 mile service I assume
This sold at auction in June 2014 so it has "sat" unsold (potentially in a few dealer lots) for 8 months...assuming the high miles scaring prospective buyers away
Air suspension with a 180k mile car? Hehe I shudder...wouldn't it have failed by now?

What do you think?

LSGarry

I think you prolly need to do a bit more research on this car. The body shop thing is potentially a problem depending on what was done of course. Price seems ok but you may be able to negotiate a better price knowing the TB etc needs to be done. The suspension thing is potentially pretty costly too unless you switch to stock. I'd take it to a trusted mechanic and have him look it over. It would be worth the investment
As has been said a zillion times on this forum, these cars will run forever with proper maintenance so if you like the color and can get a better price then why not?

Vols4life

I agree with Gary, the mileage really isn't the issue if it's been properly maintained. I would have get the suspension checked out before you purchase. But when you think about it, getting that much car for that little money even if you have to put $1500-2000 into it you will been able to enjoy without major issues for another 100k at least.

shepherd

I'm picking up an LS from Cali this weekend. Check the L.A. Craigslist section because there are about 5 other ones that are in great shape at a great price. Texas has (almost) 4 seasons and though they don't salt the roads, the Texas cars I've owned have all had their rubber parts in pretty rough shape. L.A. weather only fluctuates 30 or 40 degrees and therefore their cars should be in better shape and, as I already mentioned, they're at a better price. I remember when Texas was the place to go to buy used cars but southern California has clearly taken that spot away.

BCrews

With the UL there's more to go wrong...mind you, I love mine, but factoring in what you'd spend to get it up to condition (11-12k) you could find one with less miles for that price range rather easily. Depends on features you must have too- but I would definitely consider an 04- while a UL under $14k may be hard to find (but not unheard of) You can get upgraded features like a backup camera and 6speed transmission which I feel a few years from now really add to the eventual resale value as well as your own enjoyment of the car.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

9k for that many miles isn't really that good of a deal.... in fact id say its way overpriced.

Your much better off looking for a low mileage one for a few K more.

toddmorr

think that price is high unless you can get clarity on the body work, and whether/when the shocks have been done. Unless you're really smitten with the UL, look for other trim levels. I am seeing lots of really clean 01 to 03 guys for well under $10k in excellent shape, no excuses.

I happen to be looking for an 04 to 06 UL and what I'm seeing is that these shocks fail around the 50 to 60k mark, OR they seem to go well beyond 100k without issue. But quite a few of ULs I've seen have at had at least one shock go around that 50k mark. As for 180k.....I don't have data, but if I were looking at cars with those kind of miles I would factor in as a certainty the expense of replacing shocks in short order.

98SNAKETR

In the market for either a clean LS400 or an LS430 for a daily driver.

I'm leaning towards the 430 because clean 400's are getting harder to find and I've found several 430's within my price range, but they're up there in miles (150k-180k), so I'm curious as to how many here are actually using theirs as a DD with over 200k

Rexor20

Not personally but a good friend of mine drove an LS400 with just over 200k as a daily. He then scraped his fender and traded it in for one with 240k. I don't think he daily's it anymore but he still does have it and it works just fine.

iToaster

236k here and no problems to speak of. Keep up with maintenance and they'll go forever.

RamAirRckt

I have a 98 GS400 with 240k miles (identical engine/trans/differential as LS400). Being the LS's are made better, I couldn't think of a better car to go high miles with....

My next car will probably be a LS430....

zapola6

Bought my 2001 Base 2 1/2 years ago with 123K now has 204K, did the 2nd timing belt at 190K, not a single problem other than rust on the doors around the trim as others have talked about...

Tom57

260K+ miles on my '01 - it's a DD. Regular maintenance.