Love the car, but I am not DIY and prices on some age-related items are adding up. Trying to do a sanity check on keeping it and what to repair.

2005 Ultra Luxury, 165k miles. I've owned it 16 years, since 35k miles.

Already has:
Alternator replaced 2-3 years ago.
New starter 2.5 years ago
Timing belt due by age in 2 years (last done in 2018, long story).
Newer tires (2.5 years)
Newer brakes
fresh brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid replaced 3 years ago just to do it.
1 newer cat, y pipe, o2 sensor, maf sensor


I may need:

New radiator (overflow tank always empty for at least 7years, loses it aftr a week), mechanic showed me a fresh wet area down low dripping onto some flat metal rail, clearly fresh radiator fluid dripping /seeping rom somewhere (bottom of radiator probably). May not be new issue, or severe, but it is a 20 year old radiator, I think it should not be ignored).: $800 installed?

A/C is not engaging, may need a new compressor. 1-2k installed?

Spark plugs last done 10 years ago at 90k miles (too early the first time, not sure why I did it then rather than 120k). Safe to leave these until I've put another 120k on the car, even if not done at the 12 year interval in manual? Probably $500

Trans fluid full exchange last done at 90k/10 years ago. Not cheap I bet today with WS fluid. Not just a drain and fill. $400?

Diff fluid last done 50k/9 years ago. $200

Passenger car seat ripped, Interior could use work, I figure at least $500. It really needs some interior cosmetic work, but the seat rip is pretty bad and a minimum, short of throwing a seat cover on it. An interior specialist repaired very nicely about 5 years ago. It needs a different seat repaired now.

I could use new trunk struts and hood struts.

I could use new HID bulbs and high beams, they would probably be brighter at this point.

I have had at least 13k in repairs and maint since 2008. This includes at least 7k in actual repairs: 1 cat, maf, y pipe, o2 sensor, starter, alternator, hood latch cable, seat belt mechanism, etc. Plus fluids, brakes, tires 2x.

Somehow I keep spending $2k/year on average, and the new repairs above could easily exceed 4k if I fix the A/C.

The alternative as this is a 3rd car that is used for local driving is to do nothing: live without the A/C, the radiator has been like this for years, etc.

The minimal is: get a new radiator just to be safe and of course replace the timing belt in 2 years. Nothing else is essential. The A/C mostly matters 2-3 months of the year, and I would need to drive in extreme hear very rarely if ever.

I also have the Ultra, so: all original air struts, no door locks ever fixed yet, the A/C line to the back of the car is original. All possible expenses even if I convert to coilovers (shudder).

I personally could see doing everything listed above. But is it overkill on a 3rd car that drives 5-6k miles/year? I could see it being $4-5k right now, not counting the timing belt, new tires in 3-4 years, etc. At some point I have to imagine the air struts will go out finally.
Just doing the A/C for comfort and the radiator for safety could be $2500-$3k?

I know even used cars cost a lot today, but just wondering given the car is 20 years old how to find the balance. A 4 year old used car is not likely to need $2k / year anytime soon, and even factoring in depreciation, you are getting a much newer car... And my LS430 needs more cosmetic work. I have maintained the mechanicals well, but wear and tear is unavoidable on 20 year old car. But it drives wonderfully, smooth as ever.

Writing this out, I am thinking: radiator only for now. I can always fix the A/C in the future. Nothing else is pressing, and it buys me time. Nothing else REALLY needed until the timing belt, so I could reevaluate then depending on how I am using the car in 2 years. We needed/finally got an SUV for college hauling, so this is a 3rd car now. But it is still my preferred daily driver. There is such a spectrum of choices here, and I don't want to just throw money out of nostalgia. I could spend serious on this car vs a newer one.

 

Yes, prioritize replacing the radiator. As preventive maintenance based on mileage, I would also replace the radiator cap, hoses and thermostat. The radiator aftermarket is very competitive resulting in good quality units. I have installed TYC and CST units that have outlasted the OEM radiators.

Next the diff oil, then a drain/refill on the transmission fluid. I would even replace the ATF filter.

Consider passing the car down to a family member, or selling it, then get a newer used car for yourself.

 

Take a look at the overflow reservoir before springing for a new radiator.
If the overflow reservoir is always empty, the issue is either the reservoir itself or possibly one of the hoses (blue arrow) are cracked and leaking.
If you've been quoted $800 for a new radiator, find a new mechanic. They are very easy to replace on a 430.

 

It sounds odd to me especially since you have owned the car since it has 35k miles for 15+ years.
Are all the work done at Lexus with Lexus/Toyota parts? Just curious.
$2K/yr doesn't make sense (to me) for a ca that only for 5-6K miles/yr. Sell it and get another one if you really like the 430.

 

Old post, but I just saw it. Got car at 35k miles. Now around 170k. Includes: Timing Belt an extra time 4 years after the last one when water pump died (long story), 2 sets of tires, coolant change, 2 or 3 batteries, brake fluid flush every 3/4 years, power steering flush once, y-pipe, o2 sensor, maf sensor, alternator, starter, now a new a/c compressor, new brake pads and rotors rear then front, roughly 2x/year oil change (but cheap conventional until recently). hood cable replaced at dealer, new hood struts. Various other things (transmission ground strap, etc.) All since 2018 at around 120k, so last 50k miles.

Of these, starter, sensors, cat, hood cable all at dealer. Most fluids at dealer. alternator, some brakes, a/c at independent. The big actual repairs were: cat/o2/y-pipemaf in 2019 in all added up to over 3k, alternator 2023 600, starter 2024 over 1k, hood cable and seat belt (mechanism didn't retract right, UL with PCS costs more), a/c compressor/condenser most recently

I got 3 instances over 3 months of check engine light in 2019. This is a lot, but except for the alternator, car never left me stranded. Dealer prices WERE more reasonable, but their hourly rates shot up 50% so I go there less unless I find specific service reasonable. I will still however use them for trans service. So this car has not been cheap. My other recent post showed open items to deal with. My parents'2010 ES350 has been fewer items. Cars cost money, and at 150k+ miles or 15+ years, things can go. I would not keep it if I felt at high risk of the car dying on me. But things add up, and this car ocer the yearss has more frequent issues thn others. Even under CPO warranty: left mirror, speakers, etc. The flip side is essentially 0 depreciation and a car that still has a great, smooth powertrain at age 20, lower insurance, etc. But it is not the low cost example!

I will add that not plunking down 25k-35k for some newer car (I am unlikely to buy new anymore) would not only have depreciation, but would make me earn less interest in the bank today now that they pay above 1% again... time value of money (or worse, finance the newer car). So 2k/year is not exorbitant for a reliable car, all in, vs 25k depreciating and that 25k no longer in bank earning interest.

 

Where do you live in NY? I lived in NYC and could not DIY then for obvious reasons; I took my car all the way out to a shop in Queends; they are legit and honest.

OTOH, you can turn a wrench yourself or pay someone $250/hour to do it for you; same as cutting grass. Up to you what you want to pay. You can always trade it in and for $65,000 extra have someone else take care of these issues for you. Choices.

 

Suffolk County, Long Island. I'd go to Queens for a great mechanic, please post or message!
I do in fact mow my own lawn as of 3 years ago! It is good exercise too. Wife got tired of her plants being blown away and mowed down by the pros, and it is good exercise. But DIY car repair beyond air filters and such is not something for now based on my current mechanic experience. Maybe in retirement I'll try more. And the bumper thing is parts too and prep/painting, etc. I save money on car my way: buying used under warranty or CPO and keeping them a LONG time. Plymouth acclaim (bought new) from 1990-2019. My 2005 LS430 UL from 2009-now and seriously thinking of spending the money to keep it nice for years, as Bradland did. I just don't want to do it blindly. Need to be sure it is not so rusting out that it is throwing away cash, etc. Also, a collision could turn that to wasted money. I had never had one until that sad wild Turkey event.

The good news is I have zero rush. The car rides great, and at the moment I just turned off the parking sensors. If/when I get all the cosmetics done, I'll post pictures of my baby someday.