choosing between ls430s.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: wi
choosing between ls430s.
Got 3 available here. One has 188k miles. A bit too high for me to be comfortable. The other two are both at 152 k miles. One has the navigation package and the other is the ultra luxury package.
Question is the ultra package a good or bad bet at that mileage. Is the air suspension due to fail soon? I've found the threads on replacing the suspension. If you had to pick what would you take?
Question is the ultra package a good or bad bet at that mileage. Is the air suspension due to fail soon? I've found the threads on replacing the suspension. If you had to pick what would you take?
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,810
Likes: 15
From: MI
Given your rustbelt location and the mileage you're looking at, pick a car with:
- Sunbelt ownership history (at that mileage, you're going to be replacing lots of corroded stuff underneath a rustbelt car). I made the mistake of buying an older LX that lived in the north and it had a laundry list of corroded stuff to replace.
- Avoid the UL package with the expensive-to-fix air suspension.
- Buy the LS with the least electronics to go wrong, the premium package w/o nav.
- As usual, look for a good service history and everything working to start with.
Good luck in your search.
- Sunbelt ownership history (at that mileage, you're going to be replacing lots of corroded stuff underneath a rustbelt car). I made the mistake of buying an older LX that lived in the north and it had a laundry list of corroded stuff to replace.
- Avoid the UL package with the expensive-to-fix air suspension.
- Buy the LS with the least electronics to go wrong, the premium package w/o nav.
- As usual, look for a good service history and everything working to start with.
Good luck in your search.
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 714
Likes: 6
From: md
Put the vin numbers in the lexus owners site and see what looks best for service history. With those miles I'd stay away from air suspension unless you want to convert over to standard coils or pay thousands for new oem air parts.
Check for exhaust leaks, rust etc etc. Verify timing belts and such have been changed.
Search the forum. These threads are everywhere and full of good info
Check for exhaust leaks, rust etc etc. Verify timing belts and such have been changed.
Search the forum. These threads are everywhere and full of good info
The air suspension is expensive to fix with new OEM parts. If the car is in great condition and you have the money to convert it to a normal suspension when needed it's about $350.00 more then a standard suspension. Coil springs and a few mounts. Shocks are about $400 for KYB's. By 130,000 shocks are pretty worn in any car I have ever owned. If you can use your weight to bounce the corner of the car up and down you need new shocks. Also, only non UL owners are always telling people to avoid them. 
Anyway, it needs to have a good suspension whatever you choose. Look for rust and and service history,. The more the merrier, usually. Timing belt / water pump and tune up? Have they been done. Also control arm work. These repairs are fairly costly over time.
Anyway, it needs to have a good suspension whatever you choose. Look for rust and and service history,. The more the merrier, usually. Timing belt / water pump and tune up? Have they been done. Also control arm work. These repairs are fairly costly over time.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; Apr 27, 2014 at 10:46 AM.
get the UL and convert the air suspension if broken. just cuz its a expensive fix doesnt mean there isnt cheaper alternatives (coilovers, shocks+springs combo) i would go the $750 for Megan EZ coilovers or $1000 for BC or Stance coilovers route.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 302
Likes: 17
From: CA
depends on the price, service history, and the "condition" esp. rust on the car. by those miles. LCA bushings and suspension work will most likely need to be done regardless of air or standard steel springs. i would note that the UL and CL versions have upgraded leather interior which should hold up a little better with age.
ensuring the TB/WP work was done at a decent mileage should indicate prior ownership and care for the car. transmission fluid service would be a good sign as well. have an independent mechanic specializing in toyota/lexus check it out.
ensuring the TB/WP work was done at a decent mileage should indicate prior ownership and care for the car. transmission fluid service would be a good sign as well. have an independent mechanic specializing in toyota/lexus check it out.
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Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 31
From: wi
I agree a sunbelt car is optimal and I got a Texas beauty last April from a small lot in Waupaca ML with Eurosport.
However I imagine with yur budget, What is it?, driving or flying to get a car will cost ya. There is an 01 in Hartland$ with 80k which looks very clean at 11,600 been on craigslist for a while and some of these are snowbirds where they are driven sparingly all winter if at all.
Think of it 80k in 13 years and many folks are scared of these expensive cars with a few years on them. Plus less sun damage. PM me if ya need me help.
However I imagine with yur budget, What is it?, driving or flying to get a car will cost ya. There is an 01 in Hartland$ with 80k which looks very clean at 11,600 been on craigslist for a while and some of these are snowbirds where they are driven sparingly all winter if at all.
Think of it 80k in 13 years and many folks are scared of these expensive cars with a few years on them. Plus less sun damage. PM me if ya need me help.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 64
From: Toronto, Canada
used LS430s are not that expensive to buy now, but are very expensive to service, so I would pay more for a low mileage, well taken car of car. I think in the long run this route would be less costly.
The exception would be if it has high miles and all service is completely up to date ( not a likely scenario ) or if you can get the car cheap enough and do the needed servicing yourself.
A high mileage LS that requires a lot of trips to a Lexus dealer for service would be a very expensive proposition. I'd rather buy a newer Camry than a high mileage LS
The exception would be if it has high miles and all service is completely up to date ( not a likely scenario ) or if you can get the car cheap enough and do the needed servicing yourself.
A high mileage LS that requires a lot of trips to a Lexus dealer for service would be a very expensive proposition. I'd rather buy a newer Camry than a high mileage LS
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 2
From: FLORIDA
http://www.harborcityautosales.com/n...x?ClearAll=1&~
This is where I bought mine. Went and looked at this one. Ready for 5 years
This is where I bought mine. Went and looked at this one. Ready for 5 years
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 354
Likes: 5
From: NV
I love my UL and all the goodies that come with the package...
The OEM air is great for now, and when it starts to die, I am sure I will convert to aftermarket air and still have all my goodies.
Chances are, a non UL with that many miles could use a suspension freshen up anyways...just not quite as necessary versus possible leaking airbags
The OEM air is great for now, and when it starts to die, I am sure I will convert to aftermarket air and still have all my goodies.
Chances are, a non UL with that many miles could use a suspension freshen up anyways...just not quite as necessary versus possible leaking airbags
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 85
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From: wi
The three cars at this particular location seem to be all suffering from at least 1 accident. Some have 2. So regardless of mileage, I think I am steering clear of this guy as all 3 were called 'clean'.