Moogy

Hey everyone, I'm in the market for a 2004-2005 LS430. I'm very familiar withe car, have driven a number of them, and am now just trying to find out what the "going price" for a private sale is.

I'm in the Phoenix, AZ area, and I'm currently looking at cars in states around me.

I want the modern luxury package (1 step below ultra luxury). What's a good mileage/cost car in a 04-05 model with this package?

My research has shown the median price of "mid luxury" LS430's to be:

Year Avg. Miles Avg. Price
2006 9,376 $55,500
2005 25,120 $44,934
2004 39,128 $43,170

Does this seem pretty accurate? Low? High? I extrapolated this information from Autotrader and Craigslist ads.

Is $45K for a 2004 with 23000 miles, Modern Lux and Sports (18" euro) in excellent condition good, or a little too much?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Moogy

Ugh just noticed I said "going buying price" in the subject line. Edit won't let me fix. Sorry about that. Should read "Good Buying Price" heh

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Fixed...

I would say those might be a little high.

DrummerK

Just bought a pristine-condition 2004 LS 430 (ModLux + Sports Suspension Package) with 43,700 miles for $43K + TTL, as CPO from Lexus of Austin dealership. Includes 3-yr/100K mi. CPO Warranty. Free car washes for life. It was definitely the right price and worth it for me. "Your mileage may vary!"

Moogy

Here in AZ we pay no tax on private party purchases

Did you get a "hell of a deal" with that car, or do you think you could have gotten a better deal?

DrummerK

Stay with me here, good buddy.... My purchase was not "private party," but rather from the local dealership CPO department, hence the TTL. I'm very glad that I went with the dealer instead of pp, primarily because of their unprecedented before-during-and-after-sale service, and because I trust the CPO process (i.e., I personally wouldn't want to buy such an expensive car from a private party I didn't know from Adam). I would say that I got a "heck of a deal," and I'll say it again, it was the right price (and at the right time -- end-of-December-2006) for me. Whether I "could have gotten a better deal" is therefore irrelevant now; I could have waited another week, another month, another year, waiting for that "better deal," and in the meantime, not enjoy the Lexus experience as I am doing so now.

If you are serious about buying, and you have a few choices, and you know the car like you say you do, then just go with the one you are happy with. As they say, JUST DO IT!

Oh, and in case I forgot to say it before, "Your mileage may vary!"

buggs384

i just purchased an 04 with 17k on the clock, modern lux package, blk on blk, sport suspension,smart acess, chrome 18's,(non cpo), for 40,000. Now it was like pulliing teeth t get the deal but it was "the december to remember".
I felt this was a pretty good deal. the was offered at like 44.

Aristanet

I wanted to sell my 2005 with 20k miles for $49k and had a hard time. Best offer i got was $44k. Decided to keep it until next year.

Moogy

Yah I'm running into many stubborn owners who won't budge on the price, even with it being a little high. My experience has been that the cars sell for a bit more here on the west coast (Southwest) than they do midwest/east coast. So buggs - that was a GREAT deal you got - no question - I'd expect to pay $41-$42K here for such a vehicle (that's in excellent condition).

Anyone here on the west coast get great deals on a pre-owned 04-06 LS430?

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Methodical

iTrader: (-1)

Wow!!! It seems to me that you guys paid a LOT for your LS's. I just picked up a 2004 blk. on blk. LS430 with nav,lev,rear shade and cooled seats for $33,000.00 at the Manheim auto auction. It was a lease return through Lexus financial and included all service records. Pristine condition with 28,000 miles and remainder of warranty which I just extended to 100k miles for only $1,250.00 through Lexus.

Here's what the used car market guide aka "Black Book" is calling them for:
2005 LS430
Extra Clean:$44,600
Clean:$43,600
Average:$40,000
Rough:$35,400
Add $800 for navigation. Add $2,000 for Ultra package

2004 LS430
Extra Clean:$38,300
Clean:$37,300
Average:$33,700
Rough:$29,100
Add $600 for Navigation. Add$1,500 for Ultra

85% of all dealers give average money for trades. I know, I used to work for Palm Beach Lexus. Hope this helps.

Moogy, $45k for an 04' LS430 w/ 23k miles is WAY too much. I paid $12k less for my 04'. Do your homework before you make a move. Believe me, Lexus dealers are paying a LOT less for their trades than what you think.
Take care, Mike

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Well, at the auction, cars arent how you potray them. Most of them have been wrecked badly. Most of the 02-04 LS430's are in worse shape then my 98 when i sold it a few months ago. You also have to go hunting for months to find the right car, in good shape, and even then, you might be in for a suprise.

alredxiii

iTrader: (13)

I think methodical and frand ls4 are at opposite sides of the spectrum.You can get a decent cond car at auction and pay less but you are taking chances.Heck dealers always buy at auctions.When you buy from a lexus dealer and certifies the veh you are purchasing peace of mind.

Methodical

iTrader: (-1)

No suprises here. You have to know what to look for and how to purchase a vehicle. I actually know the previous owner of the vehicle. Cars that have been in serious accidents do NOT make it to the "Highline" sale. I was in the car sales business for 13 years and would not even consider buying a vehicle with an accident history. So, most of the highline cars at Manheim have NOT been in serious accidents. Manheim will not allow it. They're the largest auction dealers in the US and they didn't get there by selling vehicles with serious accident histories.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

He made some great points, but I just wanted to show the other side as well. I regularly buy at Manheim auctions, and wanted to point out that auctions dont always have the best cars for the least money. Sometimes you are forced to find a private owner to make a purchase with peace of mind (I wouldnt even consider the dealer, not the local one at least.)

Moogy

Yah I figured that. $33K for a loaded LS430 with those miles with a clean title? That's just INSANE! How come others didn't bid it up? I've never gone to an auction so...

Here in AZ we don't pay sales tax on private party sales either. If I were to purchase a car at auction I'd have to pay sales tax.