Getting a second car- 04 LS430
There's this gold 2004:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...delCode1=LS430
High mileage at 141k but it looks pretty clean from the pics.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...delCode1=LS430
High mileage at 141k but it looks pretty clean from the pics.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 55
From: CA
Find out more about the service history. Pull the details and/or ask to see the service records, especially for the timing belt. You have to see what else was done with the timing belt like the water pump and/or tensioner. Price is definately at the top end for the year and mileage but it could be worth it and/or they might come down a little on the price.
Looks like it's a sport suspension from the pics. You should confirm that as well.
Looks like it's a sport suspension from the pics. You should confirm that as well.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 55
From: CA
Yeah I think he did pay more for it but hopefully he'll be willing to negotiate. About month ago I had found a 20006 in Cypress with cashmere and it had 68k miles and priced in the high 13k and I was ready to buy it but it was gone by the time I got to the dealer haha. It was gone in like 3 days.
I totally agree with you. I might have to looks like in CA since I've seen some nice looking 2006's over there.
I totally agree with you. I might have to looks like in CA since I've seen some nice looking 2006's over there.
Good advice on checking. It would sell quickly in CA for that price and condition. After owning an 01 w/ stock suspension, It took a couple of months to get used to the sports suspension. More connected to the road but it's still a luxury ride. With the right tires, quiet on the freeways but less body roll on freeway ramps. LOL I really don't need another LS but one of my favorite colors and it's a Sport. My buddy wants to buy my 04 for 12 (CA pricing again). No, not another used car project....
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 55
From: CA
Yeah I like the Sport. Good choice if you want better handling and more road feedback. Not the right choice if you want the legendary ultra comfortable stock suspension. I texted. Seller is the 3rd owner. He says no shifting problems. The key to these cars is the service history. If it checked out (especially transmission history) I'd consider buying for 10. Remember it looks like a bargain for a CA buyer.
Yeah I like the Sport. Good choice if you want better handling and more road feedback. Not the right choice if you want the legendary ultra comfortable stock suspension. I texted. Seller is the 3rd owner. He says no shifting problems. The key to these cars is the service history. If it checked out (especially transmission history) I'd consider buying for 10. Remember it looks like a bargain for a CA buyer.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 55
From: CA
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 55
From: CA
$11.5 OBO means you can get it for at least $11k. If the water pump is leaking then it should have gone back to the dealer that did the work on the timing belt. It might just be that the new dealer saw previous signs of a leaking water pump but it's not actually leaking now. You might call the dealer that did the work on the water pump and timing belt, let them know you're thinking about buying the car and if they would fix it if it's truly leaking. If not then you need to consider the price of a water pump replacement.
Sounds like it needs new tires. They recommend 3 tires but personally I would do all 4 with an alignment just to be safe. Again a negotiating point because that will probably cost you between $800 - $1k and that's probably something you'll have to do fairly quick.
Sounds like the door lock actuators (motors) are on their way out. Not an uncommon thing and there are some DIY threads on here on how to replace just the motors for $10 each. It's not a super easy fix but if your mechanically inclined it can be done. I had to do both front doors on my Cypress Pearl when I bought it. However, for bargaining on the price of the car, check your local dealer to find out how much door lock replacement is. Lexus usually wants stupid money to do them, something like $800 a side. I had an indie quote me $325 a side to just replace the motors and not the whole actuator. An actuator part alone is in the $250 range. After having done the door locks myself I can say that I would prefer not to ever have to do them again unless I had to. You'll just have to decide if the Silver color is worth the effort over the Cypress Pearl. If you're on the fence between the cars you might use the Silver one as a bargaining chip for the Cypress one. Show them the post and let them know for $11k you can get one with the timing belt already done.
Just based on the service history I would say it seems as though the Cypress Pearl has been maintained a little better. There is a big gap after the 31k service on the Silver one but that doesn't mean it wasn't serviced from outside of a Lexus dealer.
??? how do these people live in AZ and not tint their windows? It's the same here in TX. It's mandatory IMO.
Sounds like it needs new tires. They recommend 3 tires but personally I would do all 4 with an alignment just to be safe. Again a negotiating point because that will probably cost you between $800 - $1k and that's probably something you'll have to do fairly quick.
Sounds like the door lock actuators (motors) are on their way out. Not an uncommon thing and there are some DIY threads on here on how to replace just the motors for $10 each. It's not a super easy fix but if your mechanically inclined it can be done. I had to do both front doors on my Cypress Pearl when I bought it. However, for bargaining on the price of the car, check your local dealer to find out how much door lock replacement is. Lexus usually wants stupid money to do them, something like $800 a side. I had an indie quote me $325 a side to just replace the motors and not the whole actuator. An actuator part alone is in the $250 range. After having done the door locks myself I can say that I would prefer not to ever have to do them again unless I had to. You'll just have to decide if the Silver color is worth the effort over the Cypress Pearl. If you're on the fence between the cars you might use the Silver one as a bargaining chip for the Cypress one. Show them the post and let them know for $11k you can get one with the timing belt already done.
Just based on the service history I would say it seems as though the Cypress Pearl has been maintained a little better. There is a big gap after the 31k service on the Silver one but that doesn't mean it wasn't serviced from outside of a Lexus dealer.
??? how do these people live in AZ and not tint their windows? It's the same here in TX. It's mandatory IMO.
I can't have a car without tint.
There's this low mileage 2002:
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/6185022664.html
Seems a little overpriced since KBB values it at around $6800.
What do you guys think? The 02 is not preferred mode year. I like the 04-06 HID projector headlights,
There's this low mileage 2002:
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/6185022664.html
Seems a little overpriced since KBB values it at around $6800.
What do you guys think? The 02 is not preferred mode year. I like the 04-06 HID projector headlights,
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 391
From: PA
One of my pet peeves is tinted windshields that are like 19% or something. I think they ought to be pulled over....
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 391
From: PA
I can't have a car without tint.
There's this low mileage 2002:
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/6185022664.html
Seems a little overpriced since KBB values it at around $6800.
What do you guys think?
There's this low mileage 2002:
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/6185022664.html
Seems a little overpriced since KBB values it at around $6800.
What do you guys think?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 55
From: CA
The laws out east are very odd...in some states it's almost not allowed, yet people do it anyway (lack of enforcement?)....yet, if from the factory, ok.....
One of my pet peeves is tinted windshields that are like 19% or something. I think they ought to be pulled over....
One of my pet peeves is tinted windshields that are like 19% or something. I think they ought to be pulled over....
There is this Cypress:
http://www.mortonmotor.com/inventory...itional-photos
Seems like a good price. 112k miles. But it has some damage to the right of front bumper and what looks like some black scuff marks on the rear passager door.
http://www.mortonmotor.com/inventory...itional-photos
Seems like a good price. 112k miles. But it has some damage to the right of front bumper and what looks like some black scuff marks on the rear passager door.
Last edited by LatinLS430; Jun 24, 2017 at 12:29 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 55
From: CA
There's is this Cypress:
http://www.mortonmotor.com/inventory...itional-photos
Seems like a good price. 112k miles. But it has some damage to the right of front bumper and what looks like some black scuff marks on the rear passager door.
http://www.mortonmotor.com/inventory...itional-photos
Seems like a good price. 112k miles. But it has some damage to the right of front bumper and what looks like some black scuff marks on the rear passager door.