I am the original owner of a 2001 LS430. It currently has approx 84K miles on it. Each year I expect to spend approx $1K on repairs for things that wear out. For example two years ago I had the timing belt and water pump replaced due to age. I didn't want to chance it breaking. I had to replace the radiator last year as the top tank had a hairline crack. This year I had to replace the brakes/rotors and the fan shroud as the plastic filler tank was leaking and it's built into the fan shroud. The head Tech at my local dealer said it will go 250K-300K miles easily. Every time I bring it into the dealer one of the Techs asks me to let them know if I want to sell it. I'm thinking of purchasing one of the backup cameras that is built into the license plate frame and displays on my smartphone, as I do wish I had that feature.

 

Good to hear how pretty confident people are about 250k+, it seemed effortless for my 1998 Nissan, and a 3rd gen LS is clearly built better...seems like the cooling system is vulnerable for some reason. I hope it's a DIY like many cars, so if the aftermarket fails, I guess just redo. Likely your car's repairs were not from mileage, but from time (going on 17 years)....

My cousin and his 2003 M5 is the same thing, people randomly walking up to him asking if he wants to sell it. Who would have thought a time would come when a stick in a sporty car is rare....(I still remember going to training from PA to MD, and seeing a 530i on the way home and thinking what a beautiful car circa 2000)

 

Going way back, we purchased a used '01 LS430 instead of a new '04 GS430 because of the size issues (GS felt cramped) and the smooth ride. Agree that a GS is a nice car but it is not an LS....

 

Yes, everyone at Lexus will be asking you if you want to sell because you are the original owner of a 2001 LS430!.... Just about the best cars Lexus ever produced and you are the original owner! I'm the third owner of my 2001 LS430 and have owned it for 8 years with currently 131,000 miles. I might be living with your reservoir crack for almost 8 years as the crack doesn't leak more than a few ounces each year. I won't give it up and I spend approximately $1500,+ yearly for up keep. Don't forget my car has miles and age but I'm sure everything you've repaired I've repaired. Be prepared to fix more as things break and as time goes on regardless of miles. I love this car and am not giving it up soon. Good luck.

 

Update:

I had the timing belt, water pump and related parts changed yesterday. The shop did a great job. I saw the parts as I asked them to save them. The timing belt was original (131k). It was in rough shape. Many cracks. I guess I was driving on borrowed time. I think the water pump had been starting to go as well. At higher speeds there was a bit of a whine that would come and go. The mechanic said I was lucky I changed it now.

The car was smooth before, but it is unbelievable quiet/smooth after the belt and water pump were replaced.

This was a one owner car. It went from one dealer to another through the wholesale auction and I bought it from a small dealer. The original owner certainly didn't scrimp on service. I looked up the Lexus Owners service history and there was all the other records included. They just never did the timing belt/water pump. I guess the price was just too high.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. I went with OE parts. The shop put a nice sticker under the hood near the air filter box for documentation. Many miles to log...

 

Here's a 2006 with 26k miles for $29,000.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=187018013

 

The dealer is out of his mind. $19,000 tops.

 

Wonder what the story is on this one? Original owner passes away, family member sells it to a Subaru dealer??? Can't believe the original owner would trade this one in for a Subaru but you never know.

Couldn't tell what brand of tire is on this thing. Looked up all of the available tires in 18" size at Tire Rack and nothing matches the ones on the car.

Yes the price is out of this world but then again most of you guys are always chiming in here telling prospective buyers to look for those low mileage, one owner garage queens. Well, here's one and the dealer was paying attention...

 

Still way, way, way overpriced. The one-owner 04 that I bought in May with only 20,600 was less than half that price at $13,900.

 

I emailed a couple questions about the white LS430 in Hickory, NC at the Subaru dealer and this is the response I got back:

Thank you for your interest in the 2006 Lexus LS430. This is a beautiful car and it has been garage kept. The car belongs to Mr. Jim Armstrong Jr. He will know all the details about the car. Please give him a call, 828-322-xxxx or his cell, 828-381-xxxx. We will work with out of state customers.

So looks like the original owner of the car also owns the Subaru dealership where it is being sold. At that price one has to think that he's just fishing to see if he can get any nibbles. As P.T. Barnum used to say...

 

LOL. I've found an 05 Base Sports (66). One owner, good maintenance. Looks good, drives well. Old tires need to be replaced (rock hard Super Sports). They'll take 13,000. It's a dealer so add another 1,400 in sales tax and 300 in dealer fees. Seems pricey. Probably cheaper to buy a good non Sports privately. Spend 1,000 (?) to convert using a shop and non OEM springs/struts/ rear sway bar. Base means I can upgrade stereo easily (good speakers, head unit w/ NAV).I'd appreciate feedback here.

 

Don't forget the Sport model featured upper control arms with firmer bushings. These are about $500 a pop from your favorite cheap Lexus parts place.

How many miles are on it? Color? Service history? 17 or 18s? Everything included... owners manual set, full tool kit, first aid kit, good spare, all keys? If it needs tires, that's $800 immediately to get a good set with a warranty from someplace like Discount Tire.
Answer those questions and I can give you a better pricing opinion and dealer strategy.

 

Thanks for info on upper control arms. Maybe the conversion is more complicated.

Has 66. Cypress Pearl. Service non dealer but excellent. 18's. Probably manual, tool kit, etc. No idea on spare. Probably all keys. DEF needs tires (old, harsh)

 

A one owner car with good service records that presents well commands a bit of a premium from those of us who really appreciate these cars. If it's a complete car with the things I described, then they are probably close on a reasonable price. If there is no history of the TB, I would use that in negotiating... Same for the tires.

Not in ideal color for some, but for a Sport model with the mileage and ownership... Hard to ignore.

For the Sport, the bushings on the control arms were firmer, the struts, springs, and sway bar were all different. Everything should be bolt up on a non Sport car... Some vendors on eBay are selling the used Sport control arms but they are usually from wrecked cars. I'm not sure if they would be worth it new, certainly not for the price. We don't have any aftermarket options for poly bushings either... But for our cars we shouldn't really expect too much.

I'd love to find some dealership literature about the Sport package... How they describe it, especially the struts and springs. I guess the Sport springs are a touch firmer but I doubt they lower the car...

 

Couple weeks ago, I bought a 04 white, one owner, sport, two smart keys, good tires with 120k miles for 9900 out the door at a dealer. few dings and scratches but everything works except for lights for couple buttons. Was hesitant at first because mileage was much higher than i initially wanted but it drives fantastic. considered couple others with 40-60k less mileage but big deciding factor was this already had timing belt and water pump done at 95k miles. I dont think i got a steal but seem fair enough.