Thoughts on this LS430? Good price? I am loving the color combo, low miles, and that it is only 1.5 hours away from me.

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invento...286_isFeatured

 

Low mileage, 2 owner vehicle. Looks clean.

According to the Lexus drivers website all service was performed at Northtown Lexus.

Running a VIN check (I still have about a week left on my subscription) there are no accidents and Autocheck gives it a 87 score out of a 100.

If you could get them down to $15,000 and they also changing timing belt I would go for it.

 

So even though it is far away from 90k miles, the timing belt should be changed at its age?

Thanks so much for the Autocheck!

 

That car, relative to what I see here on the West Coast, is WAY overpriced. Not saying it's a bad car just that it would never ever bring in that price here.

 

90,000 miles or I believe 9 years which ever comes first for the timing belt.

 

What is a more reasonable price based on what you have seen?

 

I bought my CPO '01 430 from that dealer in 2003. Car was represented as "no accidents" with 19K miles (no accidents shown on CarFax). I negotiated the price and flew there from Detroit. Upon examination, there were tar stains behind front wheel fenders. Negotiated price down further. After owning the car awhile, discovered that it had body/paint work done on driver's side quarter panel. Took my complaint to Lexus regional for partial refund. Buyer Beware with Northtown.

 

The asking price is on the high side but considering the really low miles and it's being sold at a Lexus dealership, that's to be expected. It's not outrageous, they'll probably get close to that. Just not a lot of them out there with that low of mileage.

If you want one with the twice the mileage from a private party, it will be probably in that $10k-12k range.

Some people are willing to pay the premium for an extra nice one from a Lexus dealer. I don't really buy into that, but I guess if it keeps you from buying a brand new LS instead, it starts to look really cheap.

 

agree, way overpriced, unless you really really have to have that color combo and ultra low miles. I know of a 59k mile car, 04, sat for months at 15500, clean car too.

am guessing this one will only move if they go well below 15k, for sure it aint moving at 16k+...take your time. That dealer is pricing it at a premium, hoping to snag the must have buyer....totally logical but i think its a losing bet.

 

If I go in there and offer $14k I will get laughed out of the dealer? Honestly I would only consider it below $15k. I do love the color, but not enough to over pay. It is still a 12 year old car.

 

if he laughs, he's bluffing you and trying to intimidate, because he knows full well he's still making money at 14k. I'd make sure he knows you're a very serious buyer and ready to buy right now. Have two numbers fixed in your brain: what you would consider a really good deal, and secondly, what you will not exceed no matter what. Start at the really good deal number and make him argue for every $100 above that, up to your max. He points out the strong points of the car, you point out the deficiencies...like you just did "its still a 12 year old car." totally valid point and he knows it.
don't be afraid to walk out, just make sure he has your contact details..

 

I paid $13,500 for my 2005 LS430 Premium with 107,000 miles on it. Believe me after looking hard for a month it will be extremely difficult to find a very clean 2004 car with about 100,000 miles for under $12,000. For one with 50,000 miles and very clean $15,000 isn't bad at all.
Heck I mentioned before a fellow was selling his 1998 LS400 clean with 72,000 for $7,900 and sold it within a few days.

 

A cream puff ML with less then 50k miles. It's not a bad deal at all. Lexus dealers only hold onto the nicest ones. Should be able to pick it up for 15 or so. Double check the woofer and door speakers are good. Also confirm about 2004 transmission recall and tsb firmware update.

As far as the timing belt goes, great if they will do it or it has been done. Mileage is more important than age when it comes to this belt. They also very seldom break. And of course rust.

 

If the car is truly super clean with records, it will sell for close to the price.....give or take a few dollars. Again, it must be an original non painted car that has been serviced.. Yes as Lavrishevo says, check the rear subwoofer as well as everything electronic in the car. Timing belt can wait as the OEM belt is quite robust. Good luck, but don't drag your feet. Nice cars do sell fast.....if this is a nice car.

 

WIth regard to the timing belt, I just replaced mine at 45,000 miles and 16 years old. It definitely needed to be changed. So even though you could probably go a couple years I would try and get that thrown in. If they do I wouldn't hesitate to buy that car as long as the paintwork checked out.