e-man

Hey guys. I've been debating whether or not to make this post (primarily because I'm pretty sure I know what you're all going to say), but here it goes anyway. And, by the way, for those of you out there (and there are basically 2 of you -- you know who you are) who already are intimately familiar with the deal, you need not reply.

As many of you may remember, I sold my 98 alpine silver/black GS400 in March of this year. It was missing a few factory options that I really wanted, and it was getting a little high in the miles and was going to start costing me money to maintain it. Normally, I would spend the maintenance money in a heartbeat because I loved the car, but inasmuch as it lacked some key items (namely, HIDs, Nakamichi and stock spoiler), I felt that I'd rather sell it and try to find exactly what I wanted.

So, here's what I found. It's a one-owner, 99 GS400, alpine silver/black, 65,000 miles, 17s, factory spoiler, Nakamichi, and HIDs. It has relatively new tires (7,000 miles), relatively new brakes (rear in November 2004 and front in September 2003), and has been fully maintained at Lexus (the service records show that maintenance was religiously done every 5,000 miles).

Here's what it needs: (1) it's 60k service (about $500); (2) the front and rear bumpers need to be refinished (about $300 at Carnica); (3) the hood has a few stone chips that could use touching up (maybe $100?); and (4) the wheels could use some work around the edges (around $250).

I'd tell you the price we agreed to, but I would first like to know what you think would be a fair price for the car. Bear in mind that I've been obsessing about this exact set up for basically the past year (while I still owned my 98), so price really isn't the main factor. I mean no disrespect to all of you millennium silver owners out there, but I am an alpine silver fanatic, so the car had to be a 98 or 99. It also had to have Nakamichi and HIDs, as well as 17s and a stock spoiler. Lastly, it had to be one owner (just my personal preference).

So, what would be a fair price for the car?

e-man

gs400998

Black Book retail price is $22,000 and trade-in price is $18,820 for a clean 99 GS400. Anything over retail price is unfair and any price near trade-in price is great

Lexy GS430

I for one agree with you on the options that you wanted, because that was exactly what i wanted when i was looking for a new GS Just remember to take your time, and get the best deal you can, after all it is used. Good luck man.

UDel

SInce the car you are looking at will need about $1150 worth of work and maintenance then you would take that off what you originally think it was worth. What is needed for 60K service and why did the owner wait 5K miles and not do it, that can be taken into consideration too. KBB is usaully pretty high for used car prices so I would go a little lower, nobody is really paying 22 for 99 GS400 with over 60K miles now. I would say 17 even since it is not in perfect condition and needs some work, 18.5 tops. Since a brand new model is out and the car is around 7 years old that is a fair price, you may even get a little lower depending where your buying from like on the east coast. Good Luck.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

if i post my opinion one more time on this, i will kill myself, haha

e-man

You're one of the two.

Thanks for all of the replies guys. I'm picking up the car on Friday. I'll let you know how it works out and will post pix when I get home.