What would you offer for a 2004 LS430 with 120k miles?
03-24-11, 10:41 AM
#16
My nephew in Ohio just bought a 2004 LS430 ML with 115K miles for $16,000 earlier this month. Definitely not a smoking deal that you're looking for but then again everyone's financial situation is different. I'm sure my nephew will move to a new LS600 in a couple of years once his ortho practice kicks into full gear. But the LS430 is definitely no slouch.
03-24-11, 10:45 AM
#17
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They seem to be more on the North East.
03-24-11, 10:46 AM
#18
03-24-11, 11:26 AM
#19
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I got my 430 '03 96k miles with nav - $15.8k + tax = $17.1k all in. Paint and trim in near perfect condition, no past crashes or resprays (confirmed by paint thickness testing and carfax history).
It hadn't had a timing belt/water pump service yet. But I got that taken care of with OEM parts and a local mechanic. $280 labor + parts I supplied. Also did both front wheel bearings as one was noisy. $119 labor on each bearing + parts.
Still in the process of changing the ATF and rear diff oil. Then it should be set for another 100k miles and very little depreciation. Hard to think of a better car at this price point and shallow depreciation level that compares.
It hadn't had a timing belt/water pump service yet. But I got that taken care of with OEM parts and a local mechanic. $280 labor + parts I supplied. Also did both front wheel bearings as one was noisy. $119 labor on each bearing + parts.
Still in the process of changing the ATF and rear diff oil. Then it should be set for another 100k miles and very little depreciation. Hard to think of a better car at this price point and shallow depreciation level that compares.
Last edited by alex870; 03-24-11 at 11:50 AM.
03-24-11, 11:42 AM
#20
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I saw one in NJ for that price but the car was shady and I wanted black. The air suspension was shot.. Actually it was a 04 not 05
03-24-11, 11:50 AM
#21
Guy also ran an import/export car business to Lebanon.
03-24-11, 11:52 AM
#22
I got my 01 LS430 Silver/Grey with Nav/ML, 17" rims, and 98,000 miles for $11,800 last May. The timing belt had been done. I thought I paid all the money at the time but now see that prices for clean LS430s remain very strong. My intention was to buy a early LS430 so that most of the depreciation had taken place. I found that trying to find a clean, Lexus Serviced car with the color combo and Nav I wanted a very hard task.
Last edited by Bocatrip; 03-24-11 at 12:44 PM.
03-24-11, 12:00 PM
#23
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Probably good you skipped It I had a bad feeling about the car. The under panel was zip tied on and the front fendor liner were missing screws. There was also some over spray on the weather stripping.
I didnt like the dealer he told me to not press all the buttons "Trust me" they work lol.
03-24-11, 12:51 PM
#24
Yeah same one. The car gave me motion sickness when I drove it so I think the suspension was gone or going.
Probably good you skipped It I had a bad feeling about the car. The under panel was zip tied on and the front fendor liner were missing screws. There was also some over spray on the weather stripping.
I didnt like the dealer he told me to not press all the buttons "Trust me" they work lol.
Probably good you skipped It I had a bad feeling about the car. The under panel was zip tied on and the front fendor liner were missing screws. There was also some over spray on the weather stripping.
I didnt like the dealer he told me to not press all the buttons "Trust me" they work lol.
He just handed me the keys though and let me take it out myself, so trust me, I tried all of the buttons, lol. I feel better about mine now, so thanks 
03-28-11, 01:15 PM
#25
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Run the Lexus service history with the VIN on the owners section of lexus.com. The transmission service should show up and you should look for regular dealer service for the history of the car. If there are big holes in the Lexus dealer service and you don't know from the current owner that the car was serviced regularly at a good independent shop, walk away.
As for price, I'd start with checking kbb.com. Take what folks here say for prices with a grain of salt. We all got smoking hot deals on our cars that we want to brag about. (just kidding)
As for price, I'd start with checking kbb.com. Take what folks here say for prices with a grain of salt. We all got smoking hot deals on our cars that we want to brag about. (just kidding)
Unless the car was overheated or ran without oil, the engines on these cars don't die. 120k on the original trans fluid if that's the case I don't think is a big deal. Because of this, I don't place a loght of weight on whether a lexus was pampered by the dealer when buying a used car. Far more important to me are questions like: was the car garaged? what sort of roads was it driven on (pot holes, highway driven)? what's the condition of the interior, paint, and suspension? None of these issues can really by addressed by dealer maintenece and are major factors in the overall life span and the enjoyment obtained from the car.
03-28-11, 01:43 PM
#27
I got my 01 LS430 Silver/Grey with Nav/ML, 17" rims, and 98,000 miles for $11,800 last May. The timing belt had been done. I thought I paid all the money at the time but now see that prices for clean LS430s remain very strong. My intention was to buy a early LS430 so that most of the depreciation had taken place. I found that trying to find a clean, Lexus Serviced car with the color combo and Nav I wanted a very hard task.
03-28-11, 05:57 PM
#28
03-28-11, 06:23 PM
#29
The used value is a true indicator of how good a car is as it age, companies can set the MSRP as anything they want, it would sell just by the brand name. But used item only worth as much as it is good for.
That's why used AMGs that had a MSRP that is twice as much as a LS430 worth less now a days, you get what you pay for.
03-28-11, 09:09 PM
#30
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Well, Im in CT, and you can't find an 04-06 for under $20k. Maybe with a bunch of miles, but nothing with around 90-100k in great shape. 01-03 you can find, but for some reason those new headlights are in high demand. Btw, I recently bought a first gen 430 and it's the best car ever. Good luck