For $1300 I would absolutely go with the ML 430 with 25,000 less miles provided service and accident history are what they should be.

 

At the differences here, I would decide upon the colors and overall condition. The price difference isn't substantial so I would more than likely pick the one that is in better overall condition. Also, the black one has the sport suspension where as the silver doesn't. As long as you're happy with you're choice.

 

After reading the listings, I would definitely go for the black one provided it is as described. Easy enough to go to Lexus's website and run the VIN. Pretty huge score for the timing belt/water pump to have been completed only 5000 miles prior to sale.

 

The $1,300 difference comes down to overall exterior & interior condition, your color preference, tires / brakes condition, and any information that you can glean from the Lexus dealer maintenance history > which you should get before deciding which to buy.

 

Records are great for both, The black Lexus owner mailed me a PDF of them a few nights ago and I also checked on Lexus's site (what a great feature btw).

I am not familiar with the sport suspension and will have to read up on that. But I think I'm going to get this inspected, and then go from there. He's answered all my questions very well and seems like he wants to be as thorough as possible.

 

Nice cars. I would but the black just because the black is sexy!

 

X2. Go with the Black one..

 

Had it inspected at the local Lexus Dealer: Needs rear tires and an alignment, but other than that everything else checks out..

Hopefully I can pick this up by the end of the month!

 

Just closed the deal yesterday!

I got the black 2004 Modern Luxury with 86k miles. Final purchase price of $10,500. Which I thought was very fair to both parties.

Everything works perfect on this car, but the tires suck and it needs an alignment. I'm up in Reno for one more day and don't have time to address either issue, so I'll have to drive it back to Vegas carefully tomorrow morning. I did take it down to Carson City and back (to take the prior owner home) and it was fine though.

Was reading about tires here last night until my eyes were blurry, haha. Information overload.

When I get home I'll get the tires, alignment, tint the windows and fix up the curbed wheels. Then I need to fix the scratches around the Navigation, get it detailed and she's as good as new.

Very excited. What a car!

Thanks for all the feedback prior to this purchase, much appreciation.

 

Congrats!! I'm glad you found the one you wanted. I just got mine a few weeks ago and (other than an amplifier issue) I've been extremely happy with my car.

I hope mine lives up to the legend. I used to own a 1984 Mercedes 300D turbodiesel, (which is about the only car from the early '80s you regularly see on the road anymore). It was built at the height of Mercedes' quality and the term "over-engineered" is often used to describe the car. It has probably the most durable engine ever put in a passenger car. It was the king of its era. After doing a lot of reading on the 3rd Gen LS430's and now owning one, I see this generation Lexus as taking the same spot that Mercedes once held in terms of building a model run that far-exceeded everything else on the market. Compared to the same era Mercedes, BMW, Cadillac, Audi, Acura, Infinity - the LS430 stands out remarkably in terms of reliability and owner satisfaction. Now that you can get one in pristine condition with around 100K miles from an elderly owner for about $10,000, that much the better!