Hello, I am picking up a LS430 90K (2004) something miles for 18K

Black on black.. Modern Luxury/Sport

I have a few questions:

The only thing wrong with the car is the steering wheel microscope doesn't work and it doesn't tilt so it's stuck in a position, but I test drove it and it's stuck at a decent position where i wouldn't need to change it anyway but if I would want to fix it how much would this cost?

Another thing is, the maintenance light was on and the person said that it was due to oil change? He says that after you oil change you have to have the thing reset so it goes away? Is that true?

Last thing but not least, he said the car didn't have air suspensions, i thought all ls 430's cae with it?

Thanks!

 

I found out the air suspension thing, I guess only UL has it..

Can anyone answer the other two questions for me? Thanks..

 

Congrats on your find. I don't know about the maintaince light but the sport model doesn't have air , its has a firmer ride then the ul and standard. The guy should atleast change the oil and reset before you buy it.

 

Thank you! I've been anticipating an LS430 for a while now, after the test drive I can't wait to pick it up tomorrow.

Yeah he said he changed the oil but didn't reset it yet..

So it is true then? The light could just be on because it needs to be reset?

 

You can take it to a dealer and have them reset it for you. Shouldn't cost a thing it only takes a couple seconds to reset. Congrats on your find though. You'll love it. I just picked up a 04 UL last weekend.

 

Cool, I was just worried about picking up the car and that not being the problem and there's actually a maintain problem I have to take care of lol.

Am I getting a good deal for a 95K 2004 Modern/Sport? w/ Navi?

Also, do you think I'll regret getting modern/sport instead of UL?

 

You can google how to reset the light. It is very simple. The steering wheel telescope might be a simple fix like a fuse. I would get it diagnosed.

 

One more question actually..

So I noticed some minor scratches in the interior, other than that it was FLAWLESS.

This is going to be tricky to explain or point out but here goes nothing:



Okay so you see where the navy is? the surface right under it.. it's kind of scratched and you can see white. Do you know if it's possible to restore that?

 

Actually here's a better example.. you see how under the navy there looks to be some damage? The car i'm picking up is no where near that but just as an example is it possible to restore something of that nature? How much would it cost if so?

 

There is supposedly touch up paint for the navi surround color. The dealer might have it.

Price of 18k for your car is fair if the condition is good and only issues are as you said.

Maintenance light is easy reset by you, just seach on forum but it involves some button.pushing that's all.

Telescoping, if its not fuse, it's a big fix and in the hundreds. If the position is okay, then leave it.

 

I just got a 04 a few weeks ago myself - great car!

You should also ask if the timing belt has been replaced. It is normally done around 90K and can be pretty expensive ($1000+) to replace so if he's done it great, if not it may be a good negotiating point for you.

Good luck and let us know if you get it.

Z

 

Check with the Lexus used car lot sales manager - ask who they use for interior touch up - if they don;t have an answer ask at a local Toyota used car lot. Most of these places use a mobile touch up guy that shows up once a week and does interior reconditioning and repairs - these guys can work wonders with seats and interior plastic using airbrush and assorted leather and plastic repair compounds. They work cheap - usually $50-100 per repair. Then bring your car in when the guy shows up or get his number and take the car to where he is working - they usually work out of their truck and cover several dealers per week.

 

Oh and as far as price - I got my '04 CL with 78K miles for $20.5K and they had just done the brakes and timing belt so your price sounds reasonable.

Z

 

Timing belt parts and labor at a Lexus dealer with coolant change should not run over $600.

 

At 90k most of us changed timingbelt and waterpump together.