sh0rtie10

Hey Everyone, I am new to the forum, and have been following this forum for quite some time. With that being said, you all have convinced me to go out and buy a used 3rd Generation Lexus. I have been reading this forum and looking for one for about a year, and finally found one I was really ready to buy, but figured at this point I would run it by the experts.

Car is a 2003 with 74k miles, 2nd owner, always serviced at Lexus. Has the navigation, air cooled seats, and does not have the Air Shocks. All servicing has been done up to 70k miles, and the car was mint both inside and out. If I purchase it by your advice, I am going to have the lexus dealership check the car out, just to ensure all is good underneath. I have no doubts with the car itself, but at the dealership they did not want to negotiate very much. The price I walked away from was 12,900 out the door. Just wanted your guys opinions on the price.

Any advice on price would be great, Thanks in advance-

Chris

sh0rtie10

I only have a few days to make the decision, as I am going to be away with military for a few weeks, and don't want it to be gone when I get back- Any advice?

JffGRY706

price seems high to me. lots to like about 2003's. long term quality index has '03 more reliable than "04 or "05. love that dipstick on the transmission too.

sh0rtie10

Thanks for the feedback, Yea I walked away for same reason, I felt it was too high, but this forum has me excited about this car, so I wanted to check myself by asking around. The car was immaculate but the Timing wasn't done yet, so I know that will be an upcoming cost. Thanks again, I am going to hold out on them.

sh0rtie10

It did have the Navigation, air cooled seats, chrome rims and ML sound system,

AandSC

If I were looking for a lower mileage car, that was mint, and had all of the options I wanted, I would jump on this. If you can do the timing belt yourself you are only looking at a few hundred dollars. I wouldn't lose the car I wanted over a few hundred dollars.

Coulter

It's overpriced, but low mileage examples are getting scarce and usually dealerships have most of them which brings an additional premium into the picture.

low mileage + dealership premium + taxes/misc fees = overpriced by about 50% vs private party

2001-2003 LS430s are usually in the $6k-$8k range now, but they won't have that low of miles.

But it's all a matter of perspective, you can also look at it that you're getting a like new luxury car for pennies on the dollar.

The only problem is, that premium gets wiped out when it comes time for you to sell.

Duck05

The price is a supply and demand equation. Finding a low mileage vehicle is a plus but the other factors on these cars (color, condition, options, etc) are more important.

If you think you can find an '03 with the color and options you want for a much lower price than let this one go. If they are rare in your search area than that comes into play.....

Let us know what your decide....

Duck05

You really sound like you want this car and holding out may not be advisable given the demands for these cars. The posts you have made sound "past tense" like this car is gone and you lost it. That would be a shame...

BradTank

Considering the timing belt job needed to be done as well, the car was really over priced, so no great loss. The value would also drop like a rock as soon as you took it over 100k miles.

Most all of the LS430's are going to be in that $6k range in a few years (and about half are already there) so I would buy one with that in mind.

Check out the current price of LS400s, that's what our's will be worth soon. Most 99-00 LS400's go for under $4,000.

sh0rtie10

Thank you guys all for your advice, I have no doubt this forum alone has pretty much made the decision to buy the LS430. That being said, I am definitely taking all your inputs into my consideration. I am trying not to make any emotional decisions, but man when I drove that car, I was blown away by how amazing the car was built, and how it drove 13 years later, I am leaving in two days to go overseas, so I am going to wait the week I'm gone and if its still there I will see what happens when I get back. They can't finance it at all, so its going to be a cash deal, so I feel like I will have leverage, since there aren't a ton of people that will risk buying a 03' for 13k in cash. (unless they read these forums lol) Again thank you guys for the advice, I will post update when I reengage, Either way I will be an owner of one of these hopefully very soon!

lextout

2005 and below ls430's should be worth no more then 10k, 01-03 can be bought for under 7k now a days.

sh0rtie10

So I went back today, And tried to get the deal done. Turns out the dealership honestly just overpaid for the car, which I found really hard to believe, but convinced them to show me the paperwork from the trade-in. I walked out with the final price at 11k +tax/tags. I am hoping the manager will call me tomorrow with $10,500 and I will buy it, I haven't seen any in my area that are even close to it. Appreciate all the advice and your guys time- Ill update if it goes through when he calls me tomorrow

charleston

Hold strong, you will get it!

MikeFoxx

iTrader: (8)

Show up at opening time with a large coffee and an open schedule ^_^

Hope you get it goooooood luck!