Well test drove my first ls430 today. Its was pretty nice and smooth big and comfy seemed to have descent pickup pretty much what i was expecting. ITs a 01 UL black on black with 99k.
THey are asking 13.8 he said they had a little room to move but not whole lot but prob typical car dealer jargin. Overall real nice condition did have a few dents on the roof and trunk but i would think the could be taken out.

Here are the problems i found:hood struts shot, brake pedal feels soft might need new brakes, steering wheel didnt move in out only up/down, needs alignment, back window shade wont go up, unsure if it had 90k nor records at lexus and lastly unsure if seat heat/cooler work couldnt really tell if it was doing anything.
The Ul package is pretty darn cool the massaging reclining back seat totally sweet but its not something i really need just cool.

So what do ya'll think whats a good price? Worth getting checked out look for a little newer model? The air suspension seemed to work fine i set it to high then normal and it dropped no problem all other major stuff seemed to worked and it was nice overall.

 

If that was only your first test drive, go find and drive some other cars. If you looked up the Lexus service history and didn't find anything (like the 90K service) just walk away. From what you list as wrong, after a short test drive, and the 90K service, you're probably talking about $3K at the Lexus dealer plus the cost of fixing the dents. Probably not such a good deal. Keep looking and driving.

 

Was this LS at a Lexus dealer?

 

no it was a local small dealership

 

Hey slvrboolet, run don't walk away from this deal. For that price to many things you have to repair. I have a non-UL LS430. The features I have are Mark Levinson/Navigation package. Its a 2001 with 105,550 miles buddy. The struts for my trunk are weak, but, not the hood. The steering wheel not automatically working is a costly fix,back window shade,brakes and alignment also to costly. Just think of what your unaware of.

Heck by the time you fix the dents and other issues and discover unseen or undetected issues it could cost you as much as over $16,000 for the car. This doesnt include tags/taxes/title!! The LS 430 even if a base model is a expensive car to own and the issues the car already has spell trouble UNLESS your the type of buyer who doesnt mind fixing up a ride.

I feel if your patient you'll find a deal as good with LESS issues. I have one issue and thats the trunk struts went out. All other mechanics and electronics work. Most LS' are reliable but, when I see one like your looking at it smells like neglect. And a neglected car of any make from Honda to Ford to Benz to Audi will have issues long term.

Be safe on this deal and ask more questions if you decide to buy anyway. For the issues the car has the price should be in my opinion no more than $12,000! If the 90,000 mile service wasnt done it cost me over $1,000 to do it. Call your local dealer to ask what they charge for the 90,000 mile service. Some places are far cheaper than what I paid and non-lexus dealers charge as Ive heard as less as $600! All the best and be patient buddy. L.G.N.M

 

Ya i was thinking around 12 myself but from the sound of things i didnt think they would drop that much but havent asked either. THe svc stuff not that big a deal imo a buddy of mine can work on it still cost money just not as much.
Local lexus dealer has a o2 similair milage for $17.8 thats hwy when i saw this i thought it was kinna cheap. BUt it has weird history basically it wasnt driven a whole lot till 08 or 09 and in a 4month perios it accumilated 12k miles!! then another 8k within another 7 months. SO i'l prolly be passing on it i cant use the reat seats anyway when i'm driving lol.

I found a 03 with navi and great svc history but it has 113k and they want 14.5 which i think is too much imo. It did have the 90k svc done at lexus along with other svc like ball joints etc.

 

Run away from this wreck! How well do you think it was maintained if that many obvious things are wrong with it? Just imagine the mechanical problems. Its also 9 year old 100k water borne black super butter soft chipped and scratched paint.

 

haha ya i'm not gonna make any offers on it. The paint was actually really nice on it if it had good svc history it would have been an awesome car.

 

On a car with that many miles if the tires have any uneven wear it might be just alignment, but it could also be a lot more serious and expensive fix like front , rear (or both) suspension parts that are worn out. Somebody got rid of it for a reason, sometimes its because an older car needs way too many expensive repairs. Yep the seller may have detailed it and buffed the paint so it really shines - its called polishing a turd. Run.

 

I recently got a pristine condition 2001 UL with rear Bordeux interior with 59K miles for 14K. No flaws, car in perfect. I had deal like your that I was considering and he had accepted an offer of $9K , however I did not bite.....you should not pay more than 9-11K max for this car....