What kind of cars are you buying to be so concerned by "value, chroma, and hue"? Rare Bugatti's or Aston Martins? We are talking about common Lexus cars, cars that are only going to depreciate deeply and are very common sites on the road. Modern spray, paint, clear techniques can match paint pretty much perfectly if not perfectly. Fender benders/taps are very common with car ownership, it does not bother me buying a used car that was in a fender bender and properly repaired, I wouldn't lower my asking price if selling just because it has been in a fender bender and properly repaired, neither does blue book.

I find it a little odd that some buyers and more recently some dealers because of Carfax over the past 10 or 15 years need to see this perfect "no accidents" when it pops on the screen and that is the choice between buying it or not buying it or they want a ton of money taken off it no matter what the type, circumstances or repair like it really makes that much difference. Fender benders and taps 90% of the time are repaired to the point that you can't even tell it was in a accident and will never present any problems over time. I would rather buy and would not turn down a car that has been in a minor fender bender but taken great care of, mechanically very sound, not driven in hail/harsh conditions then one that has a perfect "no accidents" record on Carfax but was not very well taken care of, driven in harsh conditions, has mechanical issues, etc. You may be missing a lot of great cars by refusing to buy one that has been in a minor accident and possibly getting a lemon just looking for one with that "no accident" carfax.

What would you do if you later found out after buying the car was in a accident but it was never reported, that is actually pretty common?

 

Now you can get $2,300 of free upgrades on the 7 series! Like my wife says, "free money"..! And I'll give you $25k for your car instead of the $23k you were quoted, so there's another $2k in free money!

 

Haha, it would pay for my clearbra and then some!

 

The car make or model doesn't matter...I'm a perfectionist when it comes to my vehicles' appearance and maintenance. Value, chroma and hue are simply technical terms for analyzing color. A discerning eye for color is a blessing and a curse when coupled with perfectionism!

As I wrote, "judgements about the importance of re-paint work is personal." I don't expect others would, or should, be as concerned with it as I, but some people are, and thus the "diminished value" payout.

If I bought a car and later found out it was in an accident, that's on me. Buyer beware, if you care!

 

Wow. I didn’t know you could get diminished value claim on a leased car.

a win indeed.

 

Lets put it this way, if you didnt know that my LS460 had been repaired, you would never know. I am also extremely particular about those things.

 

Since I can't see it with my own eyes, I'll take your word for it. Just don't try to sell it to me!

 

Seriously, if you were looking to buy an LS460, you would be crazy not to buy mine, replaced trunk lid or not. Over-maintained with every record, full clear bra, washed twice a week...

 

Yeah for real, your car based on what I can tell about you is one of the few I would buy remotely since I know it will look excellent and the engine was "over" maintained

 

This thread has been a learning experience for me. I never thought you could get diminished value on a lease. Guess I left a lot of money on the table when our 13 RX and later our 16 Highlander were both hit. Oh well.

 

Yeah, I didn't think so either. I just looked it up and found this:

If your lease was over and you purchased the car from the Leasing Company then, only damage occurred after the purchase of the leased vehicle would give you the rights to Diminished Value.

The key is all damaged that happened AFTER you purchased the vehicle is eligible for a diminished value.
https://blog.wreckcheck.com/index.ph...nished%20value.

It seems the OP fits into this category:

Insurance companies will tell you that you are not eligible for DV on a leased vehicle because you don’t own the vehicle. The owner/lessor is technically entitled to the claim because they are the registered owner of the vehicle; however different lessors handle diminished value differently. I have witnessed lessors occasionally allow the claim proceeds go to the lessee.
https://www.diminishedvaluemethod.co...eased-vehicle/

 

I tried to get the wife interested in a used LS460 vs a new ES as this would be my preference for her. But, you know women...they want what they want, and we aren't going to change them! If anything, my wife would prefer a smaller sedan, rather than a larger one (compared to our 2011 ES). We'll probably test drive a loaded Camry when we start actively looking. I'd love to get her impression of the new Venza, but like your wife, she doesn't want an "SUV," or even a crossover. She has a hard time dealing with change in general. Based on past car shopping experiences, she won't like anything at first, then once she has it for a while, won't want to part with it. I'm pushing for something new as the new safety tech is invaluable for us seniors. Too, with the ES hitting 10-years-old, things are bound to start failing.

 

I think the answer based on my research is, you're really not supposed to, but they seem to be giving it to me anyways lol

Oh I know! Remember I wound up with another Pacifica!

 

I finally found that you value the car at $43k. I got about $5300 in a DV claim on an IS worth about that much but I had to go to court (they settled before trial).But on a lease, take what you can get, I didn't think you could or would get DV on a lease.

 

There was a severe inventory shortage in August, car dealers were desperate for inventory and used car values were increasing at the time. That is no longer the case.