Hey guys I was wondering what your thoughts are on a silver 04 with 106k miles for $15,5. Its sitting at a carmax lot it was just transferred to my local lot for me to check out... I looked at it it is a nice clean car but I'm torn between buying it or finally viping my 92 ls then a few month later looking for another 430 to buy for a daily. I have no idea what to do!? Also this will be my first real car "financing" purchase the thought of a payment kinda scares me! Help...

 

The price is right on if the car is in great condition. Take the vin number and enter it into the Lexus Drivers website. Make sure to delete the car out of your profile if you do not purchase the car as it will remain "registered" to you and prevent others from registering it in their name. Service history and how well the car was maintained can represent as much as a $6,000 difference in price. Timing belt / water pump is the big one on these cars. Every 90K they are due.

Another member gave me this info. Make sure this was completed. If you can't find it via Lexus Drivers then stop by your local Lexus dealer with the VIN and ask nicely if they can help you. You will be surprised how helpful people are when you are nice and appreciative.

1. Campaign 04V317000: 2004 LS430s manufactured before Jan 15, 2004
This was a safety recall and the dealer would replace the transmission.
An internal part could break rendering the parking lock system inoperative.

2. TSIB TC006-04: All 2004 LS430s and 2005 LS430s up to S/N 005700
This TSIB had the dealer replace the ECM (PCM) to enhance low speed shifting
An "Authorized Modification Label" should be on the far left side as you look at it (the passenger side) under the hood if the mod was done.

https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home

 

Loans are a fact of life, you will build a positive credit score.

 

Thank you very helpful information. It will for sure help with my decision

 

You don't say what options are on it so can't give you the real values... generally I never want to pay more than clean trade in value for a car and most times pay less. Very difficult to do through a dealer...especially car max. Average retail price on that car with 106k is almost $18k...and the miles are low... so interesting to see that car max has it posted for clean trade in value... see here.:
http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2004/...D-LS430/Values
Around $13K would be a steal... around $15K is a decent price.
If you're going to make payments... make sure it's everything you want and won't have any disappointments. Nothing worse than making large monthly payments on something you don' really like or want...
Good luck...