How much should a decent used LS 430 cost?
04-02-15, 07:50 AM
#31
14k max. Its a soft market for these cars now.
wouldn't worry much about the bumper or the dings...kind of comes with the territory of an older used car.
strong maintenance, which this one appears to have, big plus...
if it were me...i'd start at 12k and work up
wouldn't worry much about the bumper or the dings...kind of comes with the territory of an older used car.
strong maintenance, which this one appears to have, big plus...
if it were me...i'd start at 12k and work up
04-02-15, 07:53 AM
#32
that is a very pretty car, I really like the gold and the chrome wheels. I would buy it. try to get it for a little less, but I would buy it. was it made in 2004 or late 2003? the early 2004's had the transmissions replaced but after that they are outstanding cars.
04-02-15, 09:35 AM
#33
The guy trying to sell it really should have spent a few hundred bucks and gotten the bumpers resprayed and some new floor mats. At least have tried to put some touch up paint on it.
It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, but it's definitely a bit on the higher side considering the cosmetic condition. Those problems though are pretty easily solved. If it were my car, I would probably budget to have the bumpers resprayed and use that as a negotiation point.
If you like the color combination, gold badges, and chrome wheels (to each their own), $14k is not a bad deal and there's just not a lot of low mileage LS models floating around anymore. I don't see you getting another LS in that year with those miles for much less than that, and most of the really nice, low mileage ones tend to be at Lexus dealerships where they are closer to $20k. These cars are starting to average 2-3 owners and 120k+ plus miles. They are also getting rattier and rattier.
I do think though you should be prepared for this car not being worth much in a few years.
It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, but it's definitely a bit on the higher side considering the cosmetic condition. Those problems though are pretty easily solved. If it were my car, I would probably budget to have the bumpers resprayed and use that as a negotiation point.
If you like the color combination, gold badges, and chrome wheels (to each their own), $14k is not a bad deal and there's just not a lot of low mileage LS models floating around anymore. I don't see you getting another LS in that year with those miles for much less than that, and most of the really nice, low mileage ones tend to be at Lexus dealerships where they are closer to $20k. These cars are starting to average 2-3 owners and 120k+ plus miles. They are also getting rattier and rattier.
I do think though you should be prepared for this car not being worth much in a few years.
Last edited by BradTank; 04-02-15 at 09:41 AM.
04-02-15, 09:48 AM
#34
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Kelley Blue Book vs. Edmunds
I have always understood that Kelley Blue Book pricing is based on dealer sales/asking prices and that Edmunds uses actual sales data from dealer and private party sales. I did a little research and found this on carsdirect.com:
Edmunds Used Car Price Guide vs. Kelley Blue Book
February 28, 2013
Most people who have either purchased or sold a used car are familiar with the Edmunds used car price guide, the Kelley Blue Book and other used car price guide books as well. These documents present current information about average prices for used vehicles on the market. They can be extremely helpful to both sellers and buyers when attempting to figure out what a fair deal for a used vehicle is. However, they can also be very misleading, and it is important that you know the differences between these two information sources and how to best use the data that they provide. Failure to do so may result in you charging or paying more than you should for a used vehicle, which can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
See how much your car is worth >>
Edmunds Used Car Price Guide
The Edmunds used car price guide generates car values from a wide variety of sources, including dealership transactions, depreciation costs for unique vehicles and private seller information. The guide splits car condition up into 5 different categories which you can use to help judge the price of your vehicle through comparison. Naturally, a salvage level car will sell for only a fraction of the cost of a like-new model of the same vehicle. Generally speaking, most buyers and sellers agree that Edmunds has a more comprehensive listing of car conditions than Kelley Blue Book does.
The Edmunds guide attempts to provide you with an overall average price for cars of a particular make, model, year and condition. This average is inclusive of both private sellers and dealers. Generally, private sellers will sell vehicles for significantly less than dealers, so the Edmunds guide price for a used vehicle may be somewhere in between and, consequently, a bit higher than you may wish to offer a vehicle if you plan to sell it privately.
Start your search for a used car >>
Kelley Blue Book Price Guide
The Kelley Blue Book also gathers its data from a number of different sources. Unlike Edmunds, however, Kelley values generally cater more toward the dealer. Many dealers utilize the Kelley Blue Book guide prices for used vehicles, and dealers and customers negotiate the actual price of a vehicle downward from that level. For this reason, the Kelley value tends to be higher than the Edmunds value and also quite a bit higher than what a private seller would charge for a car. Likewise, you should not expect to pay the full Kelley Blue Book value for a car in most cases.
Ultimately, neither the Edmunds nor the Kelley value of a vehicle is entirely accurate for any particular car. The quality of the car and the various depreciation costs play a much greater role in the overall price than either of these two values do. However, the Edmunds value generally provides a more accurate price for the customer than the Kelley value does. Consult a specialist for more assistance.
Related Questions and Answers
Do Dealerships go by the KBB Trade in Value for Trading in a Car?
Dealerships seldom go by the KBB trade in value (Kelley Blue Book) for cars when you bring your car in to sell or trade it in for another vehicle. Instead, they go by two other values. The Wholesale Blue Book Value and the Manheim Market Report. The Manheim Market Report is a report from the average of cars sold at auctions based on the sales of thousands of cars and trucks all over the U.S. The Wholesale Blue Book value is the most money that a car dealer will pay for a car after they determine how much they will have to spend on it to fix it up so i can be resold.
What is the Blue Book Value of My Car?
Many people want an answer to the question of 'what is the blue book value of my car?'. If you need the answer to this question, you can find it by going to the Kelley Blue Book website or other websites such as edmunds.com, that help consumers figure out the potential value of their car or truck. Most car dealerships would also have a copy of the Kelley Blue Book publication, but it is probably a good idea to check it out yourself so you aren't pressured into selling your car to them, or trading your car in for a new one. Another source may be a website for the manufacturer of your brand of vehicle.
Is Black Book Car Pricing Generally Higher or Lower than Blue Book Values?
When it comes to selling your car, you want the best price you can get, and studies have shown that black book car pricing, on average, are lower than the trade-in amounts shown in either the Kelley Blue Book or in the NADA and edmunds listings. Black Book gets its prices for used cars based on the weekly amounts that cars sell for at wholesale auctions. Black Book gets these auction price lists from about 50 auctions a week and then averages the prices together to get the price they list for the used vehicles in their weekly publication. They also bounce these auction prices off what the local dealers are charging for cars.
Edmunds Used Car Price Guide vs. Kelley Blue Book
February 28, 2013
Most people who have either purchased or sold a used car are familiar with the Edmunds used car price guide, the Kelley Blue Book and other used car price guide books as well. These documents present current information about average prices for used vehicles on the market. They can be extremely helpful to both sellers and buyers when attempting to figure out what a fair deal for a used vehicle is. However, they can also be very misleading, and it is important that you know the differences between these two information sources and how to best use the data that they provide. Failure to do so may result in you charging or paying more than you should for a used vehicle, which can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
See how much your car is worth >>
Edmunds Used Car Price Guide
The Edmunds used car price guide generates car values from a wide variety of sources, including dealership transactions, depreciation costs for unique vehicles and private seller information. The guide splits car condition up into 5 different categories which you can use to help judge the price of your vehicle through comparison. Naturally, a salvage level car will sell for only a fraction of the cost of a like-new model of the same vehicle. Generally speaking, most buyers and sellers agree that Edmunds has a more comprehensive listing of car conditions than Kelley Blue Book does.
The Edmunds guide attempts to provide you with an overall average price for cars of a particular make, model, year and condition. This average is inclusive of both private sellers and dealers. Generally, private sellers will sell vehicles for significantly less than dealers, so the Edmunds guide price for a used vehicle may be somewhere in between and, consequently, a bit higher than you may wish to offer a vehicle if you plan to sell it privately.
Start your search for a used car >>
Kelley Blue Book Price Guide
The Kelley Blue Book also gathers its data from a number of different sources. Unlike Edmunds, however, Kelley values generally cater more toward the dealer. Many dealers utilize the Kelley Blue Book guide prices for used vehicles, and dealers and customers negotiate the actual price of a vehicle downward from that level. For this reason, the Kelley value tends to be higher than the Edmunds value and also quite a bit higher than what a private seller would charge for a car. Likewise, you should not expect to pay the full Kelley Blue Book value for a car in most cases.
Ultimately, neither the Edmunds nor the Kelley value of a vehicle is entirely accurate for any particular car. The quality of the car and the various depreciation costs play a much greater role in the overall price than either of these two values do. However, the Edmunds value generally provides a more accurate price for the customer than the Kelley value does. Consult a specialist for more assistance.
Related Questions and Answers
Do Dealerships go by the KBB Trade in Value for Trading in a Car?
Dealerships seldom go by the KBB trade in value (Kelley Blue Book) for cars when you bring your car in to sell or trade it in for another vehicle. Instead, they go by two other values. The Wholesale Blue Book Value and the Manheim Market Report. The Manheim Market Report is a report from the average of cars sold at auctions based on the sales of thousands of cars and trucks all over the U.S. The Wholesale Blue Book value is the most money that a car dealer will pay for a car after they determine how much they will have to spend on it to fix it up so i can be resold.
What is the Blue Book Value of My Car?
Many people want an answer to the question of 'what is the blue book value of my car?'. If you need the answer to this question, you can find it by going to the Kelley Blue Book website or other websites such as edmunds.com, that help consumers figure out the potential value of their car or truck. Most car dealerships would also have a copy of the Kelley Blue Book publication, but it is probably a good idea to check it out yourself so you aren't pressured into selling your car to them, or trading your car in for a new one. Another source may be a website for the manufacturer of your brand of vehicle.
Is Black Book Car Pricing Generally Higher or Lower than Blue Book Values?
When it comes to selling your car, you want the best price you can get, and studies have shown that black book car pricing, on average, are lower than the trade-in amounts shown in either the Kelley Blue Book or in the NADA and edmunds listings. Black Book gets its prices for used cars based on the weekly amounts that cars sell for at wholesale auctions. Black Book gets these auction price lists from about 50 auctions a week and then averages the prices together to get the price they list for the used vehicles in their weekly publication. They also bounce these auction prices off what the local dealers are charging for cars.
04-02-15, 10:16 AM
#35
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What I paid...2 weeks ago
I purchased a 2001 LS 430 with 129K miles a couple weeks ago for $8400.
Edmunds put it at $7,076 (Outstanding) and KBB $8,120 (Excellent).
It does not have ML audio, Navigation, cooled seats, or parking sensors. It appears to be a BASE model except for the 16" chrome wheels, 6 disc changer and heated front/rear seats.
Considerations I took into this car. It was obviously garaged, and very well take car of. I printed off 6 pages of records from www.lexus.com.
The chrome wheels look like they were just put on at the factory. The previous 2nd owner was VERY VERY meticulous about maintenance from Lexus only and Lexus only parts. In the past year it had new tires and shocks put on.
Since it is Sacramento car it has no rust and the engine compartment is spotless.
There are a couple small dings in the front of the car from rock chips, and a couple scrapes on the corners, but only what I would expect from a 14 year old car with that many miles.
Other than telescoping wheel not working, squeaking drivers door, and dirty floor mats that is all I could find wrong. I already put new ecru floor mats on ($85 on eBay) from Bell Lexus in Scottsdale and just got in the Honda Shin-Etsu grease to fix door squeak. Based on the maintenance records I am hoping/expecting to get at least 2-3 years and 20K to 30K more miles on without having to do much work on it other than change the oil.
Good luck in your search!
Edmunds put it at $7,076 (Outstanding) and KBB $8,120 (Excellent).
It does not have ML audio, Navigation, cooled seats, or parking sensors. It appears to be a BASE model except for the 16" chrome wheels, 6 disc changer and heated front/rear seats.
Considerations I took into this car. It was obviously garaged, and very well take car of. I printed off 6 pages of records from www.lexus.com.
The chrome wheels look like they were just put on at the factory. The previous 2nd owner was VERY VERY meticulous about maintenance from Lexus only and Lexus only parts. In the past year it had new tires and shocks put on.
Since it is Sacramento car it has no rust and the engine compartment is spotless.
There are a couple small dings in the front of the car from rock chips, and a couple scrapes on the corners, but only what I would expect from a 14 year old car with that many miles.
Other than telescoping wheel not working, squeaking drivers door, and dirty floor mats that is all I could find wrong. I already put new ecru floor mats on ($85 on eBay) from Bell Lexus in Scottsdale and just got in the Honda Shin-Etsu grease to fix door squeak. Based on the maintenance records I am hoping/expecting to get at least 2-3 years and 20K to 30K more miles on without having to do much work on it other than change the oil.
Good luck in your search!
04-02-15, 10:31 AM
#36
I own a 2004 and like a few of the cosmetic differences, but your dollar really goes a lot further on the previous models and my opinion is it is 95% the same car. It's staggering though the price difference in the used car market between 2001-2003 vs 2004-2006. Sometimes double the price.
04-02-15, 11:30 AM
#37
that '01 for $8400 was a awesome deal. really nice greenish color. this deal is not that good, but I would still go for the low milage white one. best custom I saw near Oregon was in Washington and $17,000 and way more miles. it was silver I think
04-02-15, 11:33 AM
#38
the market for cars is always what you can get somebody to pay for it. if gas stays cheap for an extended period then having one of these will be a pleasure. good luck.
04-24-15, 01:10 PM
#39
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Just gotta research. After months of looking and not jumping the gun I finally found a 2006 ls430 however wasn't the interior color I wanted but the Grey wasn't a deal breaker. A Lil bit over 88k miles. Ride is so smooth
04-24-15, 02:19 PM
#40
Pole Position
Curious as whether the OP bought the car or not. I thought it was a nice car and is worth whatever the buyer pays. Finding a perfect car is no easy task. Finding a car with minimal wear and comes with close to the way you want is worth a few more bucks. Absolutely hope you took it to Lexus for a full inspection and visited Lexus Drivers, popped in the VIn and got as much info as possible.
Let us know!
Let us know!
04-24-15, 04:57 PM
#41
Picked up my '06 with 115k on it for $10,700, base with nav. Needed a timing belt/water pump since it had never been done, $850 at a local shop. Feel like I got a really great deal but I still check listing since then, and even the '04-06's tend to sit on lots for a long time.
05-02-15, 01:00 AM
#44
Picked up my '06 with 115k on it for $10,700, base with nav. Needed a timing belt/water pump since it had never been done, $850 at a local shop. Feel like I got a really great deal but I still check listing since then, and even the '04-06's tend to sit on lots for a long time.
05-02-15, 06:50 PM
#45
Driver School Candidate
