Highway33

I am taking an 05 LS 430 out for a test drive Monday. 99,650 miles. Great car fax and good main records from what I can see. $20,500. Dealer put new brakes (F&R), New Dunlop tires, Oil changed and alignment. Has Modern Lux Package. Everything looks good except rear deck sun screen only goes up partially, and without screen. Dealer said they can fix if I pay their cost ($?). Really nice looking car with Moonlight Pearl color and cashmere int. I have been looking for a few weeks and am fairly confident ths is the one. I test drove a 03 and loved it, so I'm thinking this test drive will go well. Does this sound like a decent deal? Are there any other questions I should be asking, or any other items I should pay particular attention to? Thanks for all your advise.

warminwisc

What about t belt pump etc.

Highway33

It has not been done, however I have somene that will do this for $3-400.

MikeFoxx

iTrader: (8)

Here is a cheaper one with less miles plus all maint is done including what isnt done in the one ur looking at. Might even have a working rear shade ^_^


https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lex...005-ls430.html

jstrummer

That seems really low. Is that for only the belt?

warminwisc

Kelly, Edmunds, NAda are between all over the place.
Does anyone think a dealer will give folks more than 15k for either of these vehicles in real money not trade in smokescreen pricing?
At 20 g's you are starting to get into the pricing of some nice new or almost new warranteed cars albeit not an LS, you start to loose buyers. JMO I would be at 17-18ish tops for either of these cars.

warminwisc

If new brakes means turned rotors it is really not much of an extra either.

Jabberwock

100k miles is a lot of miles - wholesale on that car with those miles is probably $16-17k max. I would not pay more than $18.5k and then only if the TB and WP work was done first.

hardimen

i think that price is too high. i bought an 05 ls modern luxury with 77k miles for $20,400 here in california a couple of months ago. i would look for a better price.

BradTank

I also think it's on the high side, especially considering it needs a few items addressed.
For the repairs/maintenance needed, I wouldn't pay a penny over $17k for it, and that's still being pretty generous.

In general, I'd recommend not buying used cars at a dealership, you're going to overpay by about 20%, plus there's the issue in many states of having to pay an additional sales tax. Private party is the way to go, and usually these cars are pretty well maintained by the dealership regardless.

warminwisc

I think when you are buying older high mileage cars like this the dealership is can be a good idea to check out though and discount off their radiculous pricing or move on. The following for these cars is not overwhelming and the auction is the next turn for the dealer so they will cut em loose and take 1500 bucks. But who knows I do not rade my cars in bbuut the offers I get make me laugh.

warminwisc

Remember the dealer has to fix any defects to put it on the lot, then pay to get it to the auction and then pay the auction to sell it. I think the cost to run it thru the auction is like 425 bucks. Then bring it back if it does not sell. You can see why the offers for cars can be so low.

sajack

There is also considerable overhead for many dealers, unless they are just selling a few cars under a shade tree.
I'm not standing up for the dealer, but how would you like to have $1,000,000 or so tied up in a bunch of used cars that might take months to sell, or might not sell at all?
Shop around.
Unless I have known the previous owner personally, I would prefer to shop lower mileage cars.

Highway33

Yes. Just the belt.

sajack

Labor at my Lexus dealer for timing belt and coolant change= $340. It's only about a 21/2 hour job.