Tallahasse

So, my 07 Jetta (worst car I've owned) **** the bed pretty badly. I'm a young professional in real estate and wanted a car that's luxury but not too flashy for someone my age. I've been in a couple 430's recently and I have to say Wow!

I never knew an '04 car would have Nav with a back-up camera. Ac seats, bluetooth, back seats recline, such a premium look & feel. I could go on...

When I saw you can get one with ~100k miles for ~10k I really got attached. I'm a little worried about buying a car with that kind of mileage but these things seem to go from 100,000 to 200,000 miles with regularity (like any car should these days).

I'm pretty set on getting one with the ultra package. Should I look to buy one closer to 05 or 06 where all the kinks have been worked out or does that not matter with these things?

I guess I look for one with good tires and that has had the timing belt done. Once the timing belt has been replaced these things should be good to go to 200,000 miles correct?

Is there anything I should specifically check for? The one I was in the cruise control didn't work and one side-view would just kind of move around.

biacs

Should I look to buy one closer to 05 or 06 where all the kinks have been worked out or does that not matter with these things? Sure a newer car is possibly better, but lots of us have an 04- no worries.

The ultra's are pretty cool, but they also have more systems that can 'act up'. In particular the air suspension needs to be addressed somehow.

Tires- you can take the chance to get some nice tires, pay up but then you have 60k -80k worth of good tires.

I bought an 04 Base edition, added a Pioneer head unit (bluetooth, NAV etc) and the car is good to go! Needs nothing but day-to-day upkeep.

Enjoy!

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

04-06 rocks

Tallahasse

So the Adaptive Variable Air Suspension is a bad thing?

biacs

It's a costly thing and usually has to be addressed or swapped out for a standard suspension. Search around for air suspension stuff. Also cruise the sticky threads.

yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

04-06. These cars will run forever if properly maintained. The LS with 200k will probably run better than your Jetta with 50k

LuxuryGS3

iTrader: (12)

Honestly, i'd stay away from the UL packages. The air suspension is costly and they go out around 100-110k, so if you buy one in that mileage you're gonna be coughing up money really quick to take care of that.

PolishDude

I picked up a UL because honestly at this point they arent that much more expensive than non ULs and I have heard that suspensions can be expensive if they go out but was planning on going with coils anyhow so at least for now I get to enjoy the factory air, once that craps out, I will sell the Data Controller and get coils. I think driving around clients in the back of a UL would be pretty cool, I know my friends love it.

MikeFoxx

iTrader: (8)

You certainly picked the right car to drive your clients around in. I'm with Daniel on staying clear on UL models in general but in your case it may be that extra touch that leaves something different with your clients. As mentioned they aren't much more. Aside from the timing belt/water pump you will strike gold if you find a UL that has had its air suspension corrected already. You will have a few items more to worry about but if you can stomach the cost to correct the air suspension when it's done then everything else will just feel like a little bee sting.

UL or not the 04-06 is perfect for those in sales end even more so commission sales. It just has an established element to it. I had my Regional Vice President of Sales check out my car the day I got it. He drives a 2013 LS and when he sat in my 06 he said "this just feels better". Obviously his has better bells and whistles but his words were "It's just timeless and all class". ... then again he is also a salesman at heart so he could have been pumping it lol. You will be glad you bought this car no doubt.

If service records are available and in line with what the seller is saying then don't let a lil mileage scare you. That applies for just about every Lexus model. I bought a 98 GS300 with 135k, 92 SC400 with 220k, 07 IS350 with 130k, and the 06 LS430 with 106k. None of them have ever failed me and I drive 80 miles a day 5 days a week minimum.

lextout

get a custom luxury, some have it without air ride, these were optioned to order.

Tallahasse

Definitely going with the custom luxury! Thanks guys.

bmore430

I was in the same boat as you trying to decide between all the packages.

In the end I decided to search out a Premium Package because I throught the NAV looked dated and have been known to fail. The premium is also the easiest/looks the best to upgrade to aftermarket set-up for stereo as well.

Custom Luxury would be hard to pass up if you find one. The upgraded leather/headliner are very cool.

Tallahasse

I've been looking on craiglist and carguru. Any other places I should be searching?

bmore430

Autotrader

cars.com

ebay

Most dealers will have thier inventory updated on these sites daily/weekly