LS Members -

Looking to gain insight on current market value for my particular LS430.

Here are the details from memory:

• 2003 LS430 - Has lived in Florida since new (per Carfax and reporting dealership maintenance history)
• White
• Parchment (Tan) Interior
• Base Model
• 108,XXX Miles
  • Maintenance:
    • Approx. @ 105k - Oil Filter & Tire Rotation (DIY - Pennzoil Full Syn with Japan Made, OEM 90915-20004 Filter); and charcoal air cabin filter
    • Approx. @ 103k - Window Tint, 20% - Florida Legal Limit
    • Approx. @ 103k - Oil Filter (Purchasing Dealership - Lexus of Tampa Bay)
    • Approx. @ 103k - 2 Rear Struts replaced; Mirror Switch replaced (Purchasing Dealership - Lexus of Tampa Bay)
    • Approx. @ 90k - Timing Belt; Water Pump; Access. Belt; Valve Cover Gaskets replaced; Rear Diff Fluid; transmission fluid (D&F) completed (confirmed via dealership and Lexus Drivers website)
    • Approx. @ 75k - Michelin Primacy Tires installed and balanced (with receipt)
    • Additional maintenance records available via Lexus Drivers and is extensive - I will update once I re-visit the site to confirm
  • Interior:
    • Overall, great condition with the biggest flaw being the steering wheel has extensive cracking on the wood portion. Interesting observation is there are no other signs of being exposed to outdoor elements like sitting in a drive-way; it shows and looks like a garaged vehicle, other than the steering wheel. All buttons and controls function; smells new, which is one of the primary reasons I purchased
  • Exterior:
    • Appears to have been previously owned by a caring owner as there are minimal side blemishes; however, there are stress cracks on the front right passenger bumper; rear driver bumper, and driver side mirror. Front & Rear bumper are not noticeable until you inspect within 5 feet of the vehicle
  • Overall:
    • I purchased the vehicle back in Feb. '17 and thought it would be a good fit for my wife and two girls; I was mistaken. I searched for 6+ months to find this particular vehicle with base model features as I wanted to have LS reliability; ability to service transmission easily; and not worry about additional tech found on upper trim models

That's my cars brief history under my ownership and looking to gauge where I should start when putting it on the market. Any and all expertise, thoughts, and insight are greatly appreciated!

Looking forward!

 

The value will be dependent on your location. Having the timing belt done and the condition will be pluses.

My estimate: $8,000

 

I like where we're going with this! There used to be a strong cult following for these cars - which is why I purchased. It would appear after further reviewing other threads that those numbers are dwindling due to age of vehicles and possible potential cost to repair/replace aging components may outweigh the overall value of the vehicle in today's market.

Interesting stuff! Looks like I need to think a bit more about parting and think about keeping it as a reliable/dependable vehicle as a back-up.

 

in my market area $7,500 for a private party sale. why are you selling after only 7 months? how much did you pay 7 months ago?

 

Yes, why is the LS not a good fit? Just out of curiosity. Gas mileage? Style? RWD? Coolness factor too hight? :-)

 

Sure, I'll provide insight!

• Main Reason: rear seats not ideal for child seats
  • My one daughter is almost four and her forward facing car seat places her in a position where her feet are right at the back of the passenger/driver seat. Even though the car is coming up on 15 years of age, it pains me to hear her feet rub or kick along the back of the seat...maybe I'm a bit overly obsessed with maintaining the current condition
  • My youngest, is still in a rear facing and the way the seat is positioned the passenger or driver seat has to be moved forward due to the car seats fold-away handle and creates and uncomfortable driving or riding position for myself or my wife

In closing, the vehicle is fine for short trips, but for my family, it doesn't fit our lifestyle of today. Child seats (for good reason) are bulky and require a bit more space to accommodate in all directions due to the different dimensions of the seat based on age of the child and positioning/install recommendations.

Hope this helps!

 

Purchase price back in Feb. '17 was $8274.XX + Tax + Tag + Title + Dealer Fee = Approx. $9.5K

 

$8k will be likely a top end but with FL and TX taking a lot of flood damaged cars the market for a car like yours may command higher prices.

Sounds like a van or mid sized SUV is in your future..... RX350s are a good option if the car seats can fit they way you need them....

 

I'd say a van is the only vehicle that's going to meet your needs at the moment. I think the Avalon has more rear seat room than the Lexus but not sure it's enough for today's larger car seats. I don't believe the Lexus SUV options have more seat room than you already have... you just don't have to bend over as far.

Based on NADA it looks like around $7600 is the average trade in for those miles and what an individual seller might get. You got a great deal purchasing from the dealer as you did at that price though. Great job on that purchase. Good luck with the sale and let us know should you decide to part with it.

 

Honda Odyssey is made for what what you are looking for.

 

My guess would be ask $7700, take $7000 (or more if the buyer didn't want to haggle). Interesting with the car seats, doesn't seem to me that there are too many vehicles that excel with them short of minivans, to include full sized SUVs....I have one in the LS and my son being 3 always has to flip the vanity mirror down (yes he's pretty vain). I was thinking about putting LEDs in it, to reduce the energy draw....

 

Interesting. My thought would be that the LS 430 probably has more rear seat room than most vehicles. Feet being able to touch the seat in front of you will happen in most cars. Many times the seat won't fit at all. Do you have the front seats most of the way back?

It sounds like you are heading toward mini-van territory as others have mentioned. I would put up with a lot of feet on the seat before selling/trading low and buying high.

Do some test driving and bring both car seats with.

If you want real leg/car seat room, go with a newer Ford F-150 Crew Cab. Brother in law has a 15 aluminum. The rear leg room is almost too much. I am 6-2 and felt I could put my legs almost out straight. The way F-150s sell, clearly people are using them as trucks and family trucksters.

 

I concur with others in that the LS430 probably has more legroom than other cars. I have a 2 year old son who currently is in a rear facing seat behind me (driver) in my '03 LS430. My front leg room is more than comfortable enough. Of course, to each their own, I am 5' 8" so i'm in the lower average height range. The wife drives a Honda Odyssey because she 'needs' the space. It suits her fine, minus the zero cool factor. Although her 2011 model looks a lot better than the previous generation.
It sounds like you need to upgrade to a 'loser cruiser' or an SUV. Good luck!

 

Thank you to those who took time and provided thoughts, opinions, and your suggestions!

Think I'm going to hold-off on selling for now and start exploring other options...it's hard to sell such an overall great vehicle, especially after reading folks coming back to the LS430 platform after a hiatus.

Oh, and before I forget...the legroom is more than sufficient, it's the space between the back of the rear seat and front seats. For example in my wife's RX, leg room is less; however, her back rear seats recline, giving the space needed for our car seats between the two areas.

 

Probably a good choice for now. You've got a really clean/nice car. Those are hard to find. Enjoy it.. Keep us posted.
I was ready to fly down and take yours off your hands.