texan_176

iTrader: (5)

http://www.audicentralhouston.com/us...4af44a83a0.htm

It is a UL; they list it as base because they do not know what they have got.

I got my 05 base about 2 months ago and have liked it so much I am considering replacing another car I have but another 430 but I figure I can try UL at this price because when the suspension breaks I will just dispose of the car and not get into the headache of major repairs and throwing more money at an old car. I LOVE the black wood and that it is a dealer maintained 1 owner car. I wish they had kept the red needles and the cool blue color for the ODO in the cluster for the 04-06. The front seats look shot with cracked leather that is probably dried out and anything but supple. In the first photo the nose of the car is slightly pointing up so perhaps the rear suspension is already somewhat collapsed or in the process of a total collapse. If so, I would run away from this one and would hesitate at even $4K to buy it.

80% chance I will not go for this so maybe someone in SE Texas can have at it. There was a blue on tan UL very similar to this one in my area that was priced at $6500 and sat on the lot for over 5 months. It seems to be a buyer's market these days.

Yohimbo

Other than the potential suspension issues, this doesn't look bad. With the mileage, I'd want to know whether the TB/WP has been done. If not, I'd use that to knock down the price a bit. Also would want to know whether everything functions. Most folks will look at the 100k mileage and run away from such an older model, but this car probably has a lot of good service left.

Brandicus

iTrader: (6)

The nose is pointing up because the sensor is alittle wonky and putting the car in "HIGH" up front, needs some adjustment (easy DIY). My 03 UL has been that way for about 50k miles now. Doesnt appear to be an indicator of looming reliability issues, just looks a bit strange.

The trim is called birdseye maple I think, it doesnt come off as black in person but kind of a weird gray.

BradTank

I don't think the price is a smoking deal or anything, a 2001 LS going for $8,000 is pretty typical now. I actually see many go for $6,000 range in my area.

The UL models don't really go for a premium in the used market even though they have some nice extras. If anything, a lot of people go out of their way to avoid them because they don't want to drop $4-$5k on a new air suspension. There's also issues with some of the UL models with the side windows fogging up (some have a dual pane glass) and the "door closer" solenoids that sometimes fail.

DavidinCT

Saw this one figured I would add to this thread.... Would you pay $4000 for this one ? It does look like a UL model.

http://www.carfax.com/vehicles/JTHBN...430--waterbury

4 owners, No history after 65K, and it looks like a beater.... Looks like a front bumper needs to be replaced and painted and one of the tail lights need to be replaced (just a soft look over the pictures). Not sure I would touch this one myself...

I was soft looking for a car (not going to happen right now but, why not ?) and ran into this....

Still a LS430 UL with 126K for 4K ? Seems like a deal for me, as long as it runs good.

tradosauru

It looks pretty rough to me in the pictures. I never had good luck with independent car lots. I usually use them as a teaching lesson for my kids as they get to driving age.

yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

You have the 05 already. i understand that this one is a UL but its not that much better. I say stick with your current 05 and replace your other car with something different.

yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

i'd take a base 04 over the UL 01-03 any day.

BradTank

+1000

I do think 01-03 models offer the best bang for the buck if you're looking for an inexpensive ride, but I wouldn't drop on 04-06 model to go for an 01-03 UL, I actually think it's a step backwards in certain areas and more service headaches.