lexixel

Hi,

I've been wanting to get a used SC430 since the beginning of the year. I've pulled off the purchase till now.

I live in France. There're some local offers, but the price is considerably higher than it is in Italy. For example, I've found an 02 with 130k km for 14k euros in France but in Italy an 03 with 150k km sells for 9k euros. There's also one 06 with 110k km for 12k euros in Italy.

I'm not keen on importing from Italy, because they've made some new bureaucratic laws that make the entire process frustrating.

There's one 08 GS460 with 100k km reasonably close to where I live. The seller now asks 14.5 k euros.

The GS is more expensive to register but maybe a little less expensive to insure.

What would you recommend in this situation?

Btw, I think Italy is so cheap because the road tax is literally higher than in Switzerland. The GS would carry an annual tax of 860 while the SC 680 euros. Insurance is also very high (thanks to their high rate of road accidents, perhaps).

Bgw70

Putting price and operational cost aside, do you want a convertible touring sports car or a four door family car?

Bgw70

Either way, I would recommend the SC430, after the initial difficulties, you would be more happy if that is what you want.

mandyfig

The SC430 will liven up your life. Put the top down!

lexixel

Thanks for the comments.

I don't need a family car and 99.9% of the time it's just me so the SC is the perfect fit. It's also easier to park, I guess (spaces are so small in France, some places have 4.5m x 1.8m lots).

If it weren't for the offers from Italy I would've bought one in France. Guess I'll make some more calls after NYE.

Poqman

If you select the SC, then I would go with the '06 model since it had electronic and transmission upgrades over the '02 or '03.

OBP

What is a GS460 ? We only know of GS350s here in the US and GS300s and GS430s before that. Was not aware that the GS came with the 4.6 liter V8 from the LS460.

Bgw70

Google is your friend...
For sale
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-Lexus-GS-460-d1514


Wiki...the 460 is a third generation which replaced the 430.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_GS

OBP

Wow - stand corrected - thanks BGW - guess I never paid attention to the two model years 2008-2010 for the GS460

Jeffers

Maybe a little to high in price, (possible negotiation room as it's in the UK), but this car appears to be available in England, but is LHD, which would suit your needs. See link below:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-SC43...MAAOSwMmBV6d77

lexixel

Hi, so I found two cars that are interesting:

1. 03, 155 000 km, 9000 eur

2. 06, 115 000 km, 12000 eur

The 03 is supposedly a one-owner car.

Is the 06 a much better option? Both sellers are in Italy. The 03's seller knows English better; it's also closer to France. The downside is that 03 is more expensive to insure, while the 06 is more expensive to register.

Coleroad

Only you can truly answer that question. I would get a sheet of paper. I would make four columns. Two for the 03 and two for the 06. One column pros the other cons. Then you can see all aspects side by side. This would make it easier for me to make the right decision. Only you know what things are the most important to you. Whichever you decide I wish you great enjoyment out of it.

lexixel

Just a question about the facelift:

Any difference beyond the gearbox, the nav, the tail lights, and the instrument panel illumination? Is the 5 speed more durable?

Personally I prefer the 06, mostly because of the price, but that seller is less enthusiastic about the complex procedures involved in exporting. The 03 also has a good price in my opinion (a 01 with the same miles is listed for 14000 just outside Paris, so I'd think this car could save me about 4500 considering it's two years newer while deducting the flights + hotel + bureaucracy ~ 1000 eur).

Harold57

The choice of transmission is a personal choice for the most part. You'll find folks in both camps. Both are reliable.

lexixel

The guy selling the 06 has raised the price to 20k - not an approach I'd commend.

I'll visit the 03 early next week. Hopefully, there's no surprise there. The guy sounds reasonable on the phone.