zippinbye

As we moved into a GX, I sold our 2002 LS430 Ultra 5.5 years ago for $11,500. It had around 125,000 miles and met all the KBB criteria for "good" condition. If I recall private party value was around 12K+, and I started out at $12,500 with zero bites. A few calls drifted in when I dropped to $11,900, mostly from California (I'm in Vegas). Done questions but no lookers. I was getting pretty disheartened until two locals checked it out in the same week. One was a total *hole who wanted me to fund his potential future maintenance issues, while the other was a gentleman who wanted a safe car for his daughter and himself, having just lost his wife in a fatal collision. He drove it away for the aforementioned price.

So now I'm keeping my open for another LS 430. Much to my amazement, asking prices are pretty close to what they were when I sold. For instance, a similar sounding 03 Ultra with 126k miles for $12,000, private party. On the crazy end, another PP at $19,500 for an 02 with a mere 45,000 miles.

So now to my point: what's up with these values? I have never seen a Toy/Lex vehicle plateau in pricing like these seem to be doing. Non-collector production cars aren't supposed to do that! I've noticed in the same time span that early LS 460 prices have fallen out of the stratosphere. That's got me thinking, perhaps there's a better "value" in the newer generation. Am I missing something?

tradosauru

Suprisingly, I found the better deals to be at the Lexus dealers for a 2006 or older model LS 430. The few that I looked at independent car lots were pretty rough and were obviously from car auctions.
I do know that the good ones go fast.

Bocatrip

I purchased my 2001 LS430 Base model with Nav and ML (Silver and Grey interior) 5 years ago with 98,000 miles for $11,700. My car was and is in original unmolested condition with no paintwork and super clean in and out. My car now has 122,000 miles. A local lexus dealer gave me a trade in Value of $7200 a few months ago which I thought was pretty good. I know they will be asking either $9950 or probably $10,900. The first series LS430s from 01-03 are still bringing very strong money. 04-06 models have come down significantly to the low to upper teens. Of course the crazies are still out there with low mileage cars asking in the 20s for the right person. Yes the LS460s have made a major nose dive but are not the cars the LS430 have proven to be. The very early LS460s have had some issues so you need to do your research. The LS430 still seems to be the best value for what it is. Good luck.

JffGRY706

gas goes down price for cars like this go up

Bocatrip

The reason the good ones go fast is that if these cars are traded in to Lexus, they never get to the used car lot as the sales/repair staff have a list of those looking for the desireable clean cars. These cars have an unbelieveable reputation that the knowledgeable people all know about by now...The ones on the lots are either rags or have super low miles and are priced to the stratosphere!

Bocatrip

The LS430 is popular regardless of gas prices. Considering how the depreciation for the 1st series LS430s has bottomed out, gas prices no longer matter for a good example of this super reliable car.

BradTank

I think you're just seeing some unrealistic sellers.

In my area, 01-03 LS430s average around $7k-$8k in asking price. Some are even below $5k now.

04-06 average around $11k-$12k in asking price. A really nice 04-06 Ls430 with under 100k miles will probably sell for around $14k.

I think the really high dollar, low mile ones are a waste of money as the value will fall off a cliff once you put some miles on them.

Look at LS400 values now and that's what will become of LS430s in a few more years. Most will be in that $4k-$6k range.

NickTee

Back in August I saw a 2005 fully loaded UL with every option for $10,500 with 100,000 miles. Anything over that is overpriced in my eyes. I'm sure that people would want more when selling it, but buyers are different.

gotgte

I just recently bought my 2003 UL for 7500, it has 129k miles, and I'm the third owner, the second owner only had it for a few months, and he put BC coilovers on merely 200 miles before I bought the car. The car has super super clean interior, and the paint has some light scratches I can easily buff out. When I got the car there were some very minor things I needed to fix, like the center console screws were loose, small stuff like that, but overall I think I got a really good deal because KBB for good to excellent condition cars from a private seller is still around 11k-12k

Bocatrip

There is a significant difference in values on this thread. Bottom line is this.. If our LS430 has significant miles on it as well as many owners and possibly modifications as well... the value will or should be quite low. However, LS430s today that are well maintained with reasonable miles for the year will still bring very strong money. Yes there are always deals out there... but as our cars change hands, each owner brings the value down further. maintenance records, history, condition determines value..Let this post help those who are looking to purchase an LS430.

toddmorr

anybody can list their car for unrealistically high price, and many fools do, based on what KBB says. Keep in mind KBB is only accurate to +/- 20%. Just call the owner and ask how long they've had their car at that price and that will tell you volumes about what the real market price is.

any car, even an LS, with more than 100k miles is going to be tough to sell. 01-03 with 100k+ are less than 9k even in really good shape.

i'm looking at an '00 LS400 with minor exterior scratches, 98k, excellent mechanicals, black, asking 6500 and it has sat for 1 month plus. Dealers are offering 3k for it, which means it probably has a true sell price of maybe 5k.

tradosauru

The first Lexus I looked at was a 1998 LS 430 with 78,000 miles on it. It looked very very clean. The guy was asking $7800 and I was the first guy to look at it. He wasn't going to budge on the price yet but it sold within a few days.

There is a gentleman in the Lexus classified section selling a 2004 Lexus LS430 Sports Edition with 130,000 miles for $30,000. It has quite a few modifications but I don't see much value in modifications.

NickTee

First, where is there a 1998 LS430?
Nothing like people selling cars for three times their value.

BMW7_LS430

I disagree on values. They have dropped normally.

2002 Lexus LS430 **CLEAN** warranty - $5700 with 87K miles

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5332668626.html

Jabberwock

The LS430s with low prices are usually trashed, have previous accident(s), or have been poorly maintained/ neglected cars regardless of mileage. Usually when a savvy buyer takes a good look at one of these supposed bargains a careful inspection will reveal why it is priced where it is. There are tons of LS430s on used car lots listed as super clean - and they are usually greasy dogs that have come in through the auctions.