I've been looking around this forum for about a month. My wife and I recently bought a 2008 Acura TSX and love the car. We are now expecting and would like something bigger and also lower our payments as well with the child and the economic situation.

A couple of questions:
1) Do you think it's a good idea?
2) I saw a 2003 LS430 w/Ultra Luxury, about 90K, asking $19K, what do you think is reasonable? 1-owner
3) Should I consider a LS400? Maybe say a 1999.

I'm looking for something with size, reliability, and a nice highway cruiser. I have a Suburban (work vehicle) that we use around town. The LS would be used when we got visit our parents, in-laws etc (300 miles round trip-highway miles)
I've got great credit, getting the TSX probably wasn't the best idea. I also want something that is quiet on the highway.

Everything I've read says how reliable and great these cars are. How about the Ultra/Luxury air suspension, anything to worry about?

 

By the way, we've had the TSX since Oct. of 2007, so it's about a year old. I wanted to clarify that. It's in great shape as I always keep my cars cleaned and maint. up to date.

 

Get LS430, LS400 is nice but it's night and day different between the 2.
LS is known to be the most reliable, so just make sure the car you buying is clean and free of accident, and also well taken care of, it will give you years of nice experience.
IMO LS430 is the best used car to get now.


BTW, the price on the 03 UL is pretty good, just try to offer 17-18K and steal it.

 

i wouldnt pay more than 16 for that 03... mileage is a little high

 

It looks in excellent condition. It is white with the light interior and the greyish color wood trim. It looks really sharp.

By the way, it's for sale at a Mercedes dealership and is a Texas car.

I talked to the guy yesterday on the phone, I don't think they'll give me much for my trade in. We'll see, I'll keep you posted.

 

Unless you are in financial meltdown, my advice is to stick with the TSX, pay it off and keep it at least several years after it is paid off.

If you are in financial difficulty, trading your TSX on an 03 LS430 Ultra or even an older 99 LS400 is an even worse idea. One trip to the repair shop with an out-of-warranty Lexus LS can easily destroy any savings you might think you have gotten by switching from the TSX. I've put over 250K miles on Lexus LS cars since 1990 and over 300K miles on Mercedes cars between 1969 and 1990 -- I know what I am talking about.

Don't focus on monthly cash flow unless you absolutely have to. Instead focus on total cost of car ownership. "Churning" cars has been documented to be the #1 most common costly mistake people make - check out the book "The Millionaire Next Door" from your local library. "Taking a bath" financially in trading in a nearly new car is about as bad as it gets. If you are coming up short each month, cut other things -- cable TV, cell phones, eating out, etc.

The TSX is an amazingly space efficient vehicle -- my 2000 LS400 has only about 1.3 cu. ft. more trunk space than your TSX and not that much more interior space.

Plus the TSX gets substantially better fuel economy and is a whole lot of fun to drive. I'm actually a bit jealous -- an LS could never be called fun to drive.

PM me if you want me to explain further. I'm fortunate to have a C.P.A. wife of 32 years who makes me save and pay cash for cars and keep cars well past their depreciable lives.

 

if u really want to make a difference, sell you TSX privately and get a 2000 or 2001 camry or highlander or avalon. As long as the car runs good and has 100 air bags to protect your family, that is all you'll need. No need to show it off at the restaurant valet. Married with kids, it will make no difference whether u pull up with a ls430 or a 2000 camry.

however, will really make a difference in your wallet.

going from 08 TSX to 01 LS430 isn't gonna make a big dent. by the time you pay taxes on the LS430 and take a hit on the TSX, your no better off financially then u were before.

cheers,

MikeMareen sensibility

 

Its an Ultra, you have to give it a little more credit than that......

 

yup i agree too keep the tsx.

 

I don't see the LS430 as a must have vehicle... it's more a "dirty indulgence" vehicle. Only because of the recent drop in pricing for the LS430 did we even buy our '04 LS with CL trim. With the drop of a CL with less than 40K for less than $30K, it makes it comparable in price, but much better in features and performance than a brand new Accord or Camry.

Your case, because you have a new TSX already, it's not worth it at this point to take the big depreciation hit on the TSX and to buy the LS. If you did not have the TSX and question was TSX or LS, I would say LS for sure. The LS is far superior to the TSX, even when comparing used LS to new TSX.

I've had the chance to have a TSX for a total of about two weeks and in that time, it was a surprisingly boring car for being so small and having 200 hp. I expected better handling, better response, and better mpg, but it just did not meet any of those expectations. The response lag was terrible.

The LS is by no means a "sporty" car, but it can easily beat the TSX.

 

Great advice from this person. You just got the 2008 TSX(great car by the way) and to trade or sell it will lose you money. A newborn is going to be fine in the TSX, dont worry about buying a used LS for now. Keep the TSX for at least 4 years or 5 and use it for what its good for,reliability fuel economy etc. If anything besides the Lexus/Toyota brand, the Acura/Honda brands are the same as far as good buys!

Be patient and wise and remember that service and normal wear and tear is costly on LS's and other high end cars despite being used. Just paid for suspension parts and installation at Lexus and its costly so don't just think car insurance and price to buy LS' factor in service and up keep as well. If you decide to get the LS anyway it's not such a bad thing, just do what you feel you and your wife 100% should do!

 

For what it's worth, I just traded my 04 TL and I do not regret it. I don't have any children however the room I now have in my 05 LS is much more than that of the TL. I guess the only down fall in your situation in the fact your TSX is so new, if you will not take a great loss on it I would deffinatly go for the LS. I assure you will get all you're looking for out of the LS and as for the maintenance, I got an extended service plan (bumper to bumper) for $1,400 more that takes me 5 years from the day I baught the care or 100,000 miles. I have an o5 LS (LX) with 36k and I baught it for 31k. There are reasonable/steals available on used LS'. Do your research and hopefully you can find a steal as I did. I wish you and your wife well with the addition to the family!!! You're welcome to IM me if you have any other questions.