When is it time to sell my car?
04-01-14, 05:58 AM
#31
It's either swap out the air suspension for steel springs/coilovers and keep it or sell it. I have an 01 UL and did the swap to steel springs a couple of years ago. It cost about $1600 for all four, but I don't have to worry about it anymore or the need to switch out coilovers when they go bad.
I currently have 188K miles and have had a few issues, ie. leaky valve cover seal, rotors, rear differential leak, etc. By saving a monthly car payment, those occasional repairs become affordable.
I went through the same thought process as you. Do I sell my car when it has low enough miles to be worth a decent amount of money or drive it into the ground? I keep coming back to the fact that not many cars will have the same quality of the 430.
I currently have 188K miles and have had a few issues, ie. leaky valve cover seal, rotors, rear differential leak, etc. By saving a monthly car payment, those occasional repairs become affordable.
I went through the same thought process as you. Do I sell my car when it has low enough miles to be worth a decent amount of money or drive it into the ground? I keep coming back to the fact that not many cars will have the same quality of the 430.
04-04-14, 07:22 PM
#32
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Rational
It's either swap out the air suspension for steel springs/coilovers and keep it or sell it. I have an 01 UL and did the swap to steel springs a couple of years ago. It cost about $1600 for all four, but I don't have to worry about it anymore or the need to switch out coilovers when they go bad.
I currently have 188K miles and have had a few issues, ie. leaky valve cover seal, rotors, rear differential leak, etc. By saving a monthly car payment, those occasional repairs become affordable.
I went through the same thought process as you. Do I sell my car when it has low enough miles to be worth a decent amount of money or drive it into the ground? I keep coming back to the fact that not many cars will have the same quality of the 430.
I currently have 188K miles and have had a few issues, ie. leaky valve cover seal, rotors, rear differential leak, etc. By saving a monthly car payment, those occasional repairs become affordable.
I went through the same thought process as you. Do I sell my car when it has low enough miles to be worth a decent amount of money or drive it into the ground? I keep coming back to the fact that not many cars will have the same quality of the 430.
04-04-14, 07:44 PM
#33
I always get a chuckle out of this sort of thread. My Miata, at 38k miles, is the first car I've bought in the last 35 years that DIDN'T have over 100k on it. And even counting a couple of MB's that gave major trouble, I've never invested anything close to what the payment on a new car would be.
The depreciation hit you would take just driving off the lot in a new LS460 would be more than the value of your current car plus repairs. That's a big price to pay for the "peace of mind" a warranty may give you.
With that in mind, I don't see the issue with putting a little money in your current Lexus. I'm betting that over the next 100k, it won't need more than two or three new car payments worth of repair.
But if it's just time for a new car, I can totally sympathize with that, too!
The depreciation hit you would take just driving off the lot in a new LS460 would be more than the value of your current car plus repairs. That's a big price to pay for the "peace of mind" a warranty may give you.
With that in mind, I don't see the issue with putting a little money in your current Lexus. I'm betting that over the next 100k, it won't need more than two or three new car payments worth of repair.
But if it's just time for a new car, I can totally sympathize with that, too!
04-05-14, 08:50 AM
#34
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Using The Rational in an Irrational Decision
I always get a chuckle out of this sort of thread. My Miata, at 38k miles, is the first car I've bought in the last 35 years that DIDN'T have over 100k on it. And even counting a couple of MB's that gave major trouble, I've never invested anything close to what the payment on a new car would be.
The depreciation hit you would take just driving off the lot in a new LS460 would be more than the value of your current car plus repairs. That's a big price to pay for the "peace of mind" a warranty may give you.
With that in mind, I don't see the issue with putting a little money in your current Lexus. I'm betting that over the next 100k, it won't need more than two or three new car payments worth of repair.
But if it's just time for a new car, I can totally sympathize with that, too!
The depreciation hit you would take just driving off the lot in a new LS460 would be more than the value of your current car plus repairs. That's a big price to pay for the "peace of mind" a warranty may give you.
With that in mind, I don't see the issue with putting a little money in your current Lexus. I'm betting that over the next 100k, it won't need more than two or three new car payments worth of repair.
But if it's just time for a new car, I can totally sympathize with that, too!
04-05-14, 02:56 PM
#35
I'm in the same dilemma...2004 LS Premium, 25000 mi, purchased new, car is absolutely perfect...BUT, with a new Lexus hybrid as a stablemate for everyday use, it's getting less and less use....can I justify the small annual upkeep expense? Timing belt/water pump done at 9 years, by the book...Underhood is so clean I could heat my dinner on the engine and have no qualms about it. I'm 77, and don't need money from the sale...just keep it???
04-05-14, 04:34 PM
#36
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I'm in the same dilemma...2004 LS Premium, 25000 mi, purchased new, car is absolutely perfect...BUT, with a new Lexus hybrid as a stablemate for everyday use, it's getting less and less use....can I justify the small annual upkeep expense? Timing belt/water pump done at 9 years, by the book...Underhood is so clean I could heat my dinner on the engine and have no qualms about it. I'm 77, and don't need money from the sale...just keep it???
04-05-14, 05:58 PM
#37
Pole Position
I'm in the same dilemma...2004 LS Premium, 25000 mi, purchased new, car is absolutely perfect...BUT, with a new Lexus hybrid as a stablemate for everyday use, it's getting less and less use....can I justify the small annual upkeep expense? Timing belt/water pump done at 9 years, by the book...Underhood is so clean I could heat my dinner on the engine and have no qualms about it. I'm 77, and don't need money from the sale...just keep it???
04-05-14, 06:08 PM
#38
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Bob....I may want to buy it...you're killing my deal
Bob, regardless, if you don't use something, it is just waste. It may fit my need. I have sold one motorcycle, because I got to the point where I rarely rode it. Fellow Ducati enthusiasts thought I was crazy to sell it..."it's a collector's item....most beautiful bike they ever built....." I soul searched, put it off, turned down a deal, lost a deal over being indecisive, and finally sold it. Do I miss seeing it in my garage? Sure. Do I miss having to ride it enough to keep it in good operating condition? Nope. I hope the buyer is enjoying it.
04-05-14, 06:18 PM
#39
these threads are pointless to me, and I never really understood them. Nobody can answer this question but you. There are so many reasons on why or why not to sell any car regardless of the age, mileage, etc., they can all be debated for days. There are also so many reasons why people try to rationalize keeping or selling a car, which can also be debated for days. We all know these cars are reliable and can post up high mileage on a regular basis, no real debate there.
In the end, you are the only one that can answer the question.......thus the pointlessness to the thread. And I say this with all due respect, not trying to be an A hole.
In the end, you are the only one that can answer the question.......thus the pointlessness to the thread. And I say this with all due respect, not trying to be an A hole.
04-05-14, 07:03 PM
#40
Intermediate
Thread Starter
these threads are pointless to me, and I never really understood them. Nobody can answer this question but you. There are so many reasons on why or why not to sell any car regardless of the age, mileage, etc., they can all be debated for days. There are also so many reasons why people try to rationalize keeping or selling a car, which can also be debated for days. We all know these cars are reliable and can post up high mileage on a regular basis, no real debate there.
In the end, you are the only one that can answer the question.......thus the pointlessness to the thread. And I say this with all due respect, not trying to be an A hole.
In the end, you are the only one that can answer the question.......thus the pointlessness to the thread. And I say this with all due respect, not trying to be an A hole.
My car is twelve years old with 82,000 miles. Is it still reliable both in the sense of confidence to drive it on long road trips, and is it about to start costing a lot of money to maintain. I assume that there are many members of this forum who have mechanical expertise, or experience in this area to provide answers.
You make a good point, the subjective subject line was phrased incorrectly. I don't think you are being an A hole.
04-06-14, 06:21 PM
#41
Intermediate
Thread Starter
So, I test drove an A6 for two days. I like my 2002 LS430 better, and so does my wife. We did like the new A8, but I am not going to spend that kind of money on a car. Aw an RS7. I like it, but I would like that as a second car.
The LS430 is a nicer car than the A6...even the Premium version.
The LS430 is a nicer car than the A6...even the Premium version.
04-06-14, 07:03 PM
#42
82k miles is nothing to these cars.......if its purely a reliability question, you have no worries there. Without going back and reading the whole thread, if you have done the timing belt and water pump you are good to go for some time. You may start to get little things going wrong, but nothing that will break the bank. I had to replace things like door actuators, ML speakers and subwoofer, but nothing serious on my 01.
It has 125k on it and I would driver it anywhere with no worries.
It has 125k on it and I would driver it anywhere with no worries.
04-07-14, 06:02 AM
#43
Two questions you ask... reliable and expensive to maintain...
My dad drives a 93 model... would not hesitate to take on long trips and does... and I help him with the little maintenance it needs to keep the costs down.
I"d say, yes they are reliable and yes you will spend money on maintenance as you would on any car. Keep it and drive happy.
My dad drives a 93 model... would not hesitate to take on long trips and does... and I help him with the little maintenance it needs to keep the costs down.
I"d say, yes they are reliable and yes you will spend money on maintenance as you would on any car. Keep it and drive happy.
04-07-14, 06:35 AM
#44
Pole Position
apart from the warranty most cars( including newer Lexus have issues) - i had the whole nav screen failure in ISF it has 700 mile on it, ac issue in LX570..my grandma had problems with hybrid motor seyup in her brand new rx450h.
So yea it can happen..what i have seen alot of people do including myself is just getting a new car just for the sake for it/ or having a nice car with alot of miles then i regret few months later
So yea it can happen..what i have seen alot of people do including myself is just getting a new car just for the sake for it/ or having a nice car with alot of miles then i regret few months later
Kinda thinking the same way. The wife's LS is 9yo with 90k miles. Well maintained, excellent condition and just completed the 90k service. Plus, there's no car note. However, I'm always worried about all the expensive options on the car and "what if". Also, the "old" technology (audio, GPS, etc.). It is, more or less, a garage queen and is driven very little since my wife drives my Camry to work (I'm retired)
I love the car;but for the above reasons/thinking, if we could afford a later model ES, we'd go for it.
I love the car;but for the above reasons/thinking, if we could afford a later model ES, we'd go for it.
04-07-14, 04:38 PM
#45
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I would have seller's regret if I got rid of my LS UL...I do wish it had a regular suspension system. I could do without air suspension. Air suspension is a good "idea," but that's where it should end.