I'm closer now to trading in my GS on the new LS460. My 2006 GS430 has 20K miles and is fully loaded and is in perfect shape. What do you guys think I should get for my trade from the the dealer on a LS460? Thanks for the help!

 

Look up the Kelley Blue book trade in value and hope for the best !

 

Be careful! Two business associates bought new LS460s and they both had (different) electrical issues with their cars. Friend #1 had his car at the dealer for a couple days before they determined the wire harness was bad. Friend #2 had her car in the dealership for a week before they determined three electrical sensors (two working with ABS and one sensor with the ignition system) needed replacement (with friend #2, the computer gave the wrong code to the problem which is why it took a couple days extra to solve the problem).

All in all, these are four different electrical problems between two cars. I'd hold off a few more months (assuming Lexus gets these glitches resolved) before pulling the trigger.

 

I haven't had any problems with mine. And most of the LS460 members on the LS forum have only had problems with wind noise; nothing electrical.

The LS is definately better quality than the GS, as well as more electronically complex. Such issues can be addressed with a savvy Lexus tech.

As far as the GS's resale value, you definately have to rely on KBB. No one will be willing to pay for more, even if the car is in perfect condition. People don't pay extra for mods either...

 

I have an LS 460 and don't have any electrical problems. I do have the wind noise. The dealer said they will have a fix for the wind noise in the next 2-4 weeks. I've had mine since last Novemer and it's a great car. The Mark Levinson system is awesome. Much better than my old LS 430.

Craig

 

You should check edmunds to find out what your car is worth. It's much better than KBB... Most of the dealers use Edmunds...

http://www.edmunds.com/used/index.html

Regards,

Craig

 

I don't know how many dealers use edmunds.com, but Edmunds is not really any better than KBB. The KBB "good" condition very closely approximates what a dealer will give you for a trade. In fact, when I sought to trade in my prior car, both Carmax and another dealer offered me only $100 less than the KBB "good" trade-in value for my vehicle without any negotiation on my part. While you can't negotiate with Carmax, you can negotiate with most other dealers and use the KBB "good" condition value as a base for negotiation.

 

It's logical to conclude that many of the electrical components (sensors, harnesses, connectors, electronics) used on the LS are also used on the GS, IS, ES, etc.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy an LS.

 

Well, my dealer offered me 6500.00 less on my trade in offer than what I sold the car for. I sold it myself out of the paper and used Edmunds for the value. My dealer used Edmunds, but didn't offer me a fair price. I sold my LS 430 to the first person who came to look at it. It was in perfect shape and not a mark on the car... They offered less than trade in value...

Craig

 

...but...now you get to pay sales tax on the entire purchase price of your new car. Subtract that from your outright sales price and see if you came out ahead. Just a thought...

 

In Missouri, we get full credit for the sale price of our sold vehicle. It doesn't matter if it's a private sale or trade in. I only had to pay the difference, not the entire price of my new car... You can also apply for a refund up to 180 days after you purchase your next vehicle if you don't sell your car right away.

Craig