Hello all:

I live in the Indianapolis area and have been in the market for a 2004-06 LS430 for about a year. Here is one (please see below) that I've been looking at, but it's been on the market for several months... what gives? I really love the color combination (it's my ideal, in fact) but I can't help but wonder why nobody has snapped this one up yet? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

http://www.evanstoyota.com/used-cars...640162159.aspx

 

Small issues I noticed:

- 2 front parking sensors and 1 rear parking sensor are unpainted
- scratches on rear bumper from loading luggage, etc.
- EVANS sticker on rear bumper... what is it hiding
- center cap on front driver's side wheel missing
- plenty of rock chips on front, but normal for this mileage without clear bra
- antenna for satellite radio or something of that nature on trunklid
- panel inside trunk misaligned, could be an easy fix though
- wear on driver's seat appears minimal for mileage, other seats should clean up well with some cleaner/conditioner
- possible discoloration on pass. front carpet, could be due to lighting but I doubt it?
- pinstripe is not helping resale, but can be easily removed

Usually if I see this many issues in pics, I find many more when I inspect the car in person, so I would go look it over very carefully before you get serious. Still, from what I can see from here it looks like a pretty sweet UL at a good price, just needs a little TLC and it could turn out amazing.

 

Its an 8 year old, two owner, rust belt car. That's not ideal by any means could have significant under body rust issues developing. 72k miles on a 2004 is pretty low mileage so that's good. Its a great looking car - excellent color combination.
Outside looks pretty good from pictures but they can be deceiving, inside it looks worn and dirty. It may be a smoker car but no way to tell unless you go sit in it.

Bottom line - there is usually a very good reason that cars sit unsold on a dealer lot. Usually the dealers will send cars to the auction after they have sat on the lot for 90 days. btw - wholesale on this car is likely to be 16-17k max.

Its a UL - so if you are looking for the full boat LS it may be a good choice if and only if - 1. everything works, 2. good well documented service history, 3. if the worn and dirty insides can be detailed back to life 4. it was garaged and washed weekly so there are no rust issues, 5. it passes a detailed mechanical inspection 6. can get it for about $500-800 over wholesale.

 

If this is your "ideal" car the question you should be asking yourself is, why haven't you snapped this one up yet.

 

Looks good to me...just make sure there isnt rust or anything weird going on and looks solid

 

If that were a sunbelt car and everything checked out okay, I would offer them $17k tops.

 

I made the expensive mistake of buying an 01 LX that lived its life in the rust belt. Too many items underneath that needed replacing after a bunch of salty winters. Suggest you go for a sunbelt car.

 

i really like the color combination as well actually. but i feel it is alittle over priced. i wouldent pay that for it, and the little things the member right below your first post pointed out would make me feel much better about not paying that asking price.but its nice man. plus its a UL, so that clearly helps.

 

Thats an excellent price for a UL with 72k miles. I dont think you can beat that anywhere. Offer 18k and see what happens.

 

I'd offer $18k too, I bought mine for about $19,500 with 7XXXX miles on it a year and a half ago. The detailing abilities of Evans Toyota are substandard at best. It needs to be cleaned up, especially the seats, they look like they're very dirty and blackish residued. Check the car out, take it to a Lexus dealer/repair facility for a check and make your decision from there. It is a nice color combo too.

 

It surely aint no creampuff. BUT, it could be a diamond in the rough. See, you can tell how well a car was taken care of by the looks of the interior. if the interior is perfect, you can be pretty sure that the original owner(s) followed suit with everything else.(and vice versa) It kinda goes hand in hand. And yes, you can tell a car that was trashed and cleaned up, versus a car that was always well kept form the start and kept continuously clean. JMHO. Good luck

 

I would skip it; the pinstrip is out of date. Check out www.cargurus.com type in your location and see what is out there. Once you have selected the car it will also tell you how long the car has been on the market.

 

You can call the delaers on crfax and see if they missed listing some service history. My car was from Mich but guy drove every winter to Palm Springs. Some chips on hood from driving the long gravel road to his estate but with silver it did no show. I think with all the alloy components rust and such is less an issue except the rims get pounded. Why are the back seats so dirty

 

Time out! What the heck is in the P/S reservoir? It's not supposed to be green in there. Honey bown if factory fill, or red for dexron.. Green? Did they put anti freeze in there? Yikes. I'd be concerned.