Needs ~2k worth of work - tilt motor on steering wheel not working ($500), some paintwork and rear bumper, tail light ($1500) replacing. Car is mint mechanically - new pump, steering rack, new front suspension, rotors, calipers, brake pads. Air suspension will eventually need to be converted to coilovers - when mechanic couldn't tell me.

Worth keeping or getting an 2005-2006?

 

Are these dealer prices? Why are you getting rear work? Accident? I would say the $2k depends on how much she's been dependable. For me, I'd be 50/50 about fixing or updating to 05. Gut feeling, upgrade for the 6 speed and camera.

 

seems like you've lived with these issues for a while now... is it really worth it to get them fixed? Seems like you've already put a lot of maintenance into it...what's causing you to stop and question it now?
And of course, you're next timing belt replacement is due soon also if you've not already done that.
$3k or so into this one...or $15k into the next one... that will still need dollars to get the maintenance up to date....

 

I agree with legender. If you can get your trustworthy 01 up to par, it might be a better choice than having to reach into your pockets for a newer version of the same car which most likely is going to require additional money to bring it up to the minute. At least you know what you have now. Good luck.

 

I don't understand the tail light bumper issue issue.

If everything else is mint there is no way I would get rid of the car. Cars you own are almsot always less expensive than cars you buy.

 

There are plenty of cars for sale that have had a lot of recent service performed . Find one with documentation to prove what's been done and go for it. I'm already ready to get rid of my 124k mile '01 and get a 70k mile 05 or 06.

 

I'd probably keep it just because you'll get so little when you sell it. My guess is in the present shape with 200k miles it's probably worth $6k -$7k? You've already taken about all the depreciation that can happen. Might as well drive it into the ground.

I'd also get some other quotes on the work. You could get a rear tailights and possibly a bumper from a salvage yard/Ebay and it shouldn't be too much to swap them out, but I don't know if there's an accident and it needs additional body work.

Most of the money lost in car ownership is a result of depreciation, not actual repairs. Unless you buy new with a warranty, you're going to have repair costs no matter what vehicle you own. If you've got a car that's mint and like it, I'd roll the dice and keep what you have.

 

Although our cars are extremely trustworthy and reliable, they are all not created equal. I drove numerous LS430s before deciding on mine 4 years ago. Many of them were 04 and 05s. I was surprised that not 2 of them drove the same. Although lower mileage is desirable service records and condition will always be the dertermining factor for purchase. I too looked around with in the last year at different cars and found even some of the very low mileage cars here in Florida were abused and not taken care of properly. Again, you know what you have with your car before spending an additional $8,000+ for the upgrade and then the additional money to get it the way you want. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

well they are very minor issues, but at 200 000 miles looks like its done its job and maybe time to move on , its really your call

 

Repaint your bumper $200-$250

Replace tail light http://www.ebay.com/itm/01-02-03-04-LEXUS-LS430-R-TAIL-LIGHT-LID-MTD-9326-/281343601476?_trksid=p2054897.l4275
When you air strut goes out, install a used replacement. I purchased 4 for $700 +/-

Possible fix for tilt wheel: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...t-wheel-stuck/

 

a quality bumper repaint is minimum $500 , around here it's between 600-700

 

No way I'd spend big bucks on a soon to be 14 yo car. I'd find someone who can spray/touch up the bumpers and paint for $75-100 bucks. Ask around and check dealer used car lots for who they use as their used car detail guy - these guys work mobile out of a van or truck and use an air paint gun and touch up used cars all the time and work super cheap. Good quality touch up work will look absolutely fine for 2-3 years minimum. No need for a high quality high $ paint and bumper re-paint on a 14 year old car. Get a tail light from a junk yard if possible and install yourself or just pay labor after shopping around for a low bid. I'd keep it minimally repaired and drive it another few years or until something breaks that cost as much as the value of car. Then it is time to call it quits. In the meantime pretend that you did buy a low mile 06 and put the "payments" in the bank. Then when the 01 does seriously die one day in the future you will have nice little nest egg to easily pay cash for its replacement.