2000 Ls400
02-07-05, 01:13 PM
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2000 Ls400
Hello all, I am coming over from the GS forum, I originally wanted a GS, but my wife would prefer the LS because of the ride. I have located a car and wanted to know your opinion on pricing, it's a 2000 LS400 with about 35k on it, silver and seems to be in excellent shape.
Also can you tell me more about the ride, maintenance cost and reliability of these cars. I have never owned a Lexus and need some newb information
Also can you tell me more about the ride, maintenance cost and reliability of these cars. I have never owned a Lexus and need some newb information
02-07-05, 07:42 PM
#2
Lead Lap
That certainly is low mileage for a 2000. I bought my 2000 LS in 2003 just after it came off a 3 yr/36K mile lease. The original list price started at a little over $54K in 2000. Mine had an original list price just under $62K and I paid a bit under $31K to an independent local dealer who bought it at the auction. Here is a "buying guide" from another forum: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...howtopic=11775
This is a really big subject. Regarding the 2000 model year, there is about a $10,000 spread in the original retail prices between a basically equiped model and the most expensive model with Nav, air suspension and everything else. And there were also three Platinum series variations (SE, SF, SG) at widely differing prices and a few additional extras - search for "Platinum" on this forum and you will find information. A summary of variations and packages is at: http://www.lexus.com/cpo/model_detail/ls/400/2000.html
Some people will tell you to avoid cars with air suspension since earlier ones were troublesome and expensive to repair. By 2000, reliability had increased and I would be very happy to find a 2000 with air suspension. Updates for the hard drive Nav system are no longer being produced but don't let a car with Nav scare you away.
Lexus cars basically are much nicer Toyotas and come with the same incredible reliability. They aren't bullet proof but many can attest that they are far more reliable than expensive European cars. I've owned an LS since shortly after they were introduced in 1989 and I certainly don't miss my previous less comfortable Mercedes sedans with their poor reliability and higher maintenance costs.
We liked the 90 LS we had for nearly 14 years but I have to say we like the 2000 LS far more. The two cars are exactly the same length but the 2000 seems to have substantially more interior room - especially rear leg room - and is much more comfortable. The HID lights are great and dual climate control very efficient. The seat heaters are quick to heat up in cold weather but not all 2000's have them. I drove my first LS to 183K miles before selling it to a friend who loves it and plan to drive the 2000 LS to a similar mileage.
One of the few things I think the 2000 LS should have had was steering wheel audio system controls - lots of fairly inexpensive cars had these by the 2000 model year. And rear seat heaters would have been nice - they were standard on the 98-00 LS400 in other markets.
If the 2000 LS you are looking at is in truly excellent condition, it is quite a find.
This is a really big subject. Regarding the 2000 model year, there is about a $10,000 spread in the original retail prices between a basically equiped model and the most expensive model with Nav, air suspension and everything else. And there were also three Platinum series variations (SE, SF, SG) at widely differing prices and a few additional extras - search for "Platinum" on this forum and you will find information. A summary of variations and packages is at: http://www.lexus.com/cpo/model_detail/ls/400/2000.html
Some people will tell you to avoid cars with air suspension since earlier ones were troublesome and expensive to repair. By 2000, reliability had increased and I would be very happy to find a 2000 with air suspension. Updates for the hard drive Nav system are no longer being produced but don't let a car with Nav scare you away.
Lexus cars basically are much nicer Toyotas and come with the same incredible reliability. They aren't bullet proof but many can attest that they are far more reliable than expensive European cars. I've owned an LS since shortly after they were introduced in 1989 and I certainly don't miss my previous less comfortable Mercedes sedans with their poor reliability and higher maintenance costs.
We liked the 90 LS we had for nearly 14 years but I have to say we like the 2000 LS far more. The two cars are exactly the same length but the 2000 seems to have substantially more interior room - especially rear leg room - and is much more comfortable. The HID lights are great and dual climate control very efficient. The seat heaters are quick to heat up in cold weather but not all 2000's have them. I drove my first LS to 183K miles before selling it to a friend who loves it and plan to drive the 2000 LS to a similar mileage.
One of the few things I think the 2000 LS should have had was steering wheel audio system controls - lots of fairly inexpensive cars had these by the 2000 model year. And rear seat heaters would have been nice - they were standard on the 98-00 LS400 in other markets.
If the 2000 LS you are looking at is in truly excellent condition, it is quite a find.
02-09-05, 04:11 PM
#4
Lead Lap
Are you buying from a Lexus dealer and, if so, are you getting a CPO warranty? (This is the last year that a 2000 LS can be certified.) Is the service all up-to-date? Is the car a basic model or what options and packages does it have? Is the car really in excellent condition - free of interior and exterior blemishes? Does anything need to be fixed and, if so, is the dealer going to do the repairs as part of the deal? Does it come with all the keys (replacements cost $hundreds), the tools, the first aid kit, CD changer cartridge, owners/maintenance manuals, floor mats?
I think all the 2000 LS400's I have seen have come with at least the premium package but I have also seen several in the south and far west without heated seats - nice to have if you live where it gets cold.
At this date, 35,000 miles is unusually low for a 2000, regardless of how the car is equipped.
I think all the 2000 LS400's I have seen have come with at least the premium package but I have also seen several in the south and far west without heated seats - nice to have if you live where it gets cold.
At this date, 35,000 miles is unusually low for a 2000, regardless of how the car is equipped.
02-09-05, 08:07 PM
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Are you buying from a Lexus dealer and, if so, are you getting a CPO warranty? Not from a Lexus dealer
Is the service all up-to-date? last service was for tires and oil change, 30k service not done yet
Is the car a basic model or what options and packages does it have? I think it has premium and maybe nak
Is the car really in excellent condition - free of interior and exterior blemishes? based on pictures yes, but I will see when I go and look at the car (car is out of state)
Does anything need to be fixed and, if so, is the dealer going to do the repairs as part of the deal? Nothing needs to be fixed, but I am thinking of getting a ppi
Does it come with all the keys (replacements cost $hundreds), the tools, the first aid kit, CD changer cartridge, owners/maintenance manuals, floor mats? I will definitely find out
Is the service all up-to-date? last service was for tires and oil change, 30k service not done yet
Is the car a basic model or what options and packages does it have? I think it has premium and maybe nak
Is the car really in excellent condition - free of interior and exterior blemishes? based on pictures yes, but I will see when I go and look at the car (car is out of state)
Does anything need to be fixed and, if so, is the dealer going to do the repairs as part of the deal? Nothing needs to be fixed, but I am thinking of getting a ppi
Does it come with all the keys (replacements cost $hundreds), the tools, the first aid kit, CD changer cartridge, owners/maintenance manuals, floor mats? I will definitely find out
02-09-05, 08:08 PM
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Are you buying from a Lexus dealer and, if so, are you getting a CPO warranty? Not from a Lexus dealer
Is the service all up-to-date? last service was for tires and oil change, 30k service not done yet
Is the car a basic model or what options and packages does it have? I think it has premium and maybe nak
Is the car really in excellent condition - free of interior and exterior blemishes? based on pictures yes, but I will see when I go and look at the car (car is out of state)
Does anything need to be fixed and, if so, is the dealer going to do the repairs as part of the deal? Nothing needs to be fixed, but I am thinking of getting a ppi
Does it come with all the keys (replacements cost $hundreds), the tools, the first aid kit, CD changer cartridge, owners/maintenance manuals, floor mats? I will definitely find out
Is the service all up-to-date? last service was for tires and oil change, 30k service not done yet
Is the car a basic model or what options and packages does it have? I think it has premium and maybe nak
Is the car really in excellent condition - free of interior and exterior blemishes? based on pictures yes, but I will see when I go and look at the car (car is out of state)
Does anything need to be fixed and, if so, is the dealer going to do the repairs as part of the deal? Nothing needs to be fixed, but I am thinking of getting a ppi
Does it come with all the keys (replacements cost $hundreds), the tools, the first aid kit, CD changer cartridge, owners/maintenance manuals, floor mats? I will definitely find out
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02-10-05, 09:56 AM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by agc
I have been negotiating with the dealer for a few days and have agreed to abou$25k, is this a good deal
it IS a good deal, but pay a little bit more for a 2001 LS430
02-11-05, 08:33 AM
#10
Lead Lap
Originally Posted by DXC
it IS a good deal, but pay a little bit more for a 2001 LS430
According to Kelly Blue book current common price differences between a 2000 LS400 and a 2001 LS430 (both with about 35,000 miles and in excellent condition) range from $12,030 to $12,685. When I looked at both 2000 LS400's and 2001 LS430's in 2003, the least price difference I found between similar mileage/equipped LS400's and LS430's was $9,000.
At a local Lexus dealer, my wife and I drove both a 2000 LS400 and a 2001 LS430 back to back - We spent about 1/2 hour in each and pushed both pretty hard on a variety of roads. Both were in great condition, similarly well equipped and about 36,000 miles on the ODO. (Interestingly the two cars were manufactured only about two months apart.) After doing this, we decided to keep the $9,000 in the bank and bought a 2000 LS400. To me the biggest difference in the two cars was that the extra two inches of knee room in the back seat of the LS430 cost about $4,500 per inch!
Maybe if we had spent more time in a 2001 LS430, we would have decided differently.
02-11-05, 10:02 AM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by Kansas
DXC, what is your idea of a "little bit more"?
According to Kelly Blue book current common price differences between a 2000 LS400 and a 2001 LS430 (both with about 35,000 miles and in excellent condition) range from $12,030 to $12,685. When I looked at both 2000 LS400's and 2001 LS430's in 2003, the least price difference I found between similar mileage/equipped LS400's and LS430's was $9,000.
At a local Lexus dealer, my wife and I drove both a 2000 LS400 and a 2001 LS430 back to back - We spent about 1/2 hour in each and pushed both pretty hard on a variety of roads. Both were in great condition, similarly well equipped and about 36,000 miles on the ODO. (Interestingly the two cars were manufactured only about two months apart.) After doing this, we decided to keep the $9,000 in the bank and bought a 2000 LS400. To me the biggest difference in the two cars was that the extra two inches of knee room in the back seat of the LS430 cost about $4,500 per inch!
Maybe if we had spent more time in a 2001 LS430, we would have decided differently.
According to Kelly Blue book current common price differences between a 2000 LS400 and a 2001 LS430 (both with about 35,000 miles and in excellent condition) range from $12,030 to $12,685. When I looked at both 2000 LS400's and 2001 LS430's in 2003, the least price difference I found between similar mileage/equipped LS400's and LS430's was $9,000.
At a local Lexus dealer, my wife and I drove both a 2000 LS400 and a 2001 LS430 back to back - We spent about 1/2 hour in each and pushed both pretty hard on a variety of roads. Both were in great condition, similarly well equipped and about 36,000 miles on the ODO. (Interestingly the two cars were manufactured only about two months apart.) After doing this, we decided to keep the $9,000 in the bank and bought a 2000 LS400. To me the biggest difference in the two cars was that the extra two inches of knee room in the back seat of the LS430 cost about $4,500 per inch!
Maybe if we had spent more time in a 2001 LS430, we would have decided differently.
1 inch = $4500, your analysis is correct per math.2000 LS is a great car
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