Hi everyone.

I am considering a CPO LS 430. The ones I am looking at are usually 2004-5 models with about 40k miles on average.

I had several questions which I was hoping people could share some insight on...

1. Pricing: I am in So Cal, looking at models with navigation/ Mark Levinson, and they go anywhere from $ 30-35k. These prices all seem kind of high? On used cars, how much do dealers expect you to haggle? Could I get a vehicle like this for say $25k? Would that be reasonable for a CPO?

2. Navigation: My navigation on my cell phone is actually very reliable, so I don't really need the navi. But I do like the backup camera. However, is the backup camera necessary when you have parking sensors on the car anyways? Don't LS430s without the backup camera still come with parking sensors?

3. Comparing to RX330: I am also looking at 2005 RX 330s, which seem like will cost a bit less for models with less mileage. I am very big on dependability more than anything, and want the model that will be more reliable. Will the LS430 be appreciably more reliable than the RX 330?

how about maintenance costs in general, does maintenance/ operating costs on a LS430 go much higher than a RX330?

Any other advice/ insights on purchasing a CPO LS430 would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

for 20,900............39k and in PERFECT condition. The CPO is nothing more than a warranty you pay for.........so your paying two crazy premiums.........first the Lexus dealer will charge you about 5-7k more just for the car (someone's gotta pay for the marble- just not me!!!) -- then another 3k or so for the CPO warranty.
These cars are -- in my opinion -- the best cars ever made -- there is absolutely no need for an expensive warranty on one of tese w/40k and in superb condition -- mine literally looks like it just fell out of the factory. My LS 400 that I just traded never gave me any headaches.

Second -- the RX is a nice little car -- but that comparison is like comparing apples to oranges -- the LS430 is the finest automobile in the world -- the RX is an very nice Toyota Highlander. Drive them both and you'll know what I mean. By the way -- I didn't want the Nav or the camera -- mine does have the sensors however.

Last thing -- the market on these cars has nosedived because of the v8 -- this is not 1 year ago or even 6 months ago -- you should be able to get an 04 w/40k for around 21-23 if you play it smart.

Good Luck

 

word up! paying extra for warranty with a ls430 is for suckers!

a benz is a different story

 

Hlippy-

Thanks for the response. So without backup camera, do you still find the vehicle pretty easy to manuveur/ park? (I live in the Bay Area and frequent San Francisco, where parking can be very tight/ difficult)

Is that $21-23k figure that I could get through private party or through the dealer?

Thanks!

 

i think LS430 w/o Navi doesn't look right... i recommend you get the Modern Luxury package. Even if you dont need navigation in the car, the Navigation System in the LS does so much more than just navigate, it's a on-board computer.

 

thechoson-

This is my first post here... I bought a 2005 LS430 from Stevens Creek Lexus last month, about forty-five miles south of where you are. They were very professional and I think I got a fairly good deal on the car. I wanted the least amount of "toys" on the car so they found a car without nav, but with parking sensors for me. It had 46k miles on it and I paid $26k for it. It was a CPO car so has the warranty out to 100k miles.
This is my first Lexus and I don't think I would go back to Mercedes. All of our recent Mercedes have had parking sensors and I wouldn't buy a large car without them. I drive in San Francisco about twice per week and they are great to have on the car.

If you are interested let me know and I can recommend a sales man there that I have known for 15 years.

 

although both are to assist in parking, the sensors are more for parallel parking to tell you how close you're coming to an object (front or back bumper), while the camera shows you what is behind you (perhaps a child, or bicycle). The two compliment each other, so they work best together. You can have the intuitive parking (sensor) without the camera yes.

As for pricing, here in NJ, CPO for modern luxury 2005, with 35K on it, is $30K and right off the bat the dealer was giving me $31.5K out the door, so I'm sure he could go down to $30 or 31K OTD.

 

Hello the chosen:

I live in Ohio so the tight parking issue is not important to me -- but my opinion is that we have somehow managed to park without a camera for 100 or so years -- it's easy to think we need something -- but in reality the back up camera is not important -- the sensors -- which i have never had before -- are more than enough -- there are 4 in front and 4 in back -- as you get closer to an object it starts chiming faster and faster -- to tell you the truth I just turned mine off as I would rarely need them.

the 21 to 23k -- I purchased mine from a small dealer -- it doesn't matter where you get it generally -- take it to the Lexus dealer after you decide and make any deal contingent on the inspection -- it costs about $100.00 or so. Also -- you can call the Lexus dealer and give them a VIN -- they look at the national database and can give you the complete history on the car for anything services at Lexus -- and since it is probably still under warranty everything should have been done at the dealership.

lastly -- always get a Carfax -- but don't rely on it -- many cars from Florida Louisiana and Texas get through without reporting serious incidents. For me -- stay away from cars from the south -- where they came from and what happened to them is often a mystery -- for some reason there are tons of the cars in Texas -- always makes me wonder.

Good Luck

 

I bought my CPO 05 LS430 Modern Lux with ~40K miles for $30.8K out-the-door in late August.

When I was searching, I found 05's from non-Lexus dealer going for between 21K~26K. CPOs were going for +$29K.

I chose CPO because Lexus advertises that cars must pass their rigorous inspection. However, I'm having minor issue with my CPO. Dealer is difficult to deal with and doesn't want to deal with me anymore, but Lexus Headquarter is doing all it can to resolve the issue.

My advice:
Buy a LS430 with nav + back-up camera. (Back up with confidence.)

Don't assume Lexus CPO means quality. It just means you have warranty. Check and recheck, test drive, and treat Lex dealers as you would any other used car dealers.

You should be able to haggle and get better deal with current economic trend.

Good luck.

 

I want to agree with the point that Lexus CPO is just another used car dealership warranty and should be treated as such. I was actually pretty surprised at some of the the cars I saw at the dealerships. Scratched paint, marked-up upholstery, chipped windshields etc. In other words, the same issues you'd see at any other used dealership.

If you are lucky enough to have a good dealer, CPO could be a really good deal, should you have problems. The ability to have your car repaired without any haggling with a third party insurance is very attractive. I know some people here have strong opinions about warranties on these cars. As I've said before, chances are pretty good the extra money spent on CPO or a third-party warranty will never be realized. However, this is the nature of all insurance, which is what a warranty is.

Steve