Can somebody please give me an idea on what price I should put on my vehicle before I post it on the classified page. I don't want to be unrealistic either way...low or high.
The car is a 2002 LS430 UL with 105,500. Silver with black and rosewood. All maintenance done by either dealer or Lexus master service tech. 90k service has been done with belt, water pump, etc. I have every record including tire rotations. I also have a log book of all fuel on the car - date, mileage, trip meter, and gallons put in. Tires are relatively new (Michelin). I did convert the suspension to coil spring when I had air strut problems, and I prefer the ride. It is smooth but firmer and handles better. Everything works on the car...soft close doors, mirrors, back seat controls, etc. I have a spread sheet on the maintenance items. The car is maintained with Zymol wax, and is waxed often, lives inside and until we moved offices two years ago, we had covered parking.

Interior is incredibly clean. The passenger and rear sets look like nobody has ever sat on them. I have always kept all window shades up. I have treated the seats with a BMW leather product that doesn't leave any shine behind. Driver seat has a little bit of shine, but no cracks or discoloration. I have rubber mats on top to save the OEM mats from wear.
I don't want to ask too much nor too little. Any ideas or guidance please?

 

I do have satellite radio. The controller in at top of windshield and also has a remote controller if preferred. I also added a Vaistech iPod adapter with steering controls.
The rear bumper has been repainted, and somebody backed up and scraped it again. If I was keeping the car, I would have it repainted, and if I bought the car, I would do the same. Bumper repaints are cheap.

Again, ideas of pricing are welcomed. I want to post a price that will maximize my price, but maximize the chances of selling the car.

 

It sounds like a sweet ride with low miles and an excellent maintenance history. Price-wise, you're pretty much capped due to newer model selling figures. If you really want to sell it, asking in the range of $8000 to $8500 should result in a sale at $7500 or better. If you want to fish a bit, you could start a grand higher and come down if there's no quick bite(s).

 

As an example... there's a very similar 2001 model for sale here in DFW (McKinney) with 125k miles or so and he's asking $5900. Here's the link:
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/d/2001-lexus-ls430-ultra-luxury/6509782895.html

This appears to be from a dealer as best I can tell. Have not called him.

 

I would say $9,000-$9,500 based on all the information you provided.

Sounds like you have really cared for it. Can I ask why you are selling?

 

To be honest, because eI'm being stupid. I have loved this car, and kind of still do. I've been driving it for over eleven years, and I have the itch for something different. My wife is concerned that after I trade...even if I love the new car, I will have sellers remorse, because I have had that with every motorcycle I have sold. My business partner (who ran three Honda plants and the first manager of the BMW plant in SC) always says my car looks brand new. It does. The bumper needs to be reshot. I am conflicted.

 

I do the same thing, but I (try) to limit myself to doing it with bikes. A much lower price point. I buy a bike update it, ride it for 1 year and then want a different one. I sometimes come out OK and other times give the new owner a good deal. In the end, it is more of a hobby.

You most likely got your money's worth out of your LS 430. Someone might pay a bit of premium because of your care and record keeping. The UL is a nice added benefit and you've done the tough conversions and upgrades.

If it doesn't sell for what you want, then you have your answer I guess.

 

That is the right way to do it, and I wish I had your discipline. I have found a Cayenne Diesel that is a really good deal, clean car, well maintained, one owner and no damage. I have this fear that if it gets away, I will have to spend way more to get another one where the resale even if $3,000 higher will cost me 3 to 4 thousand.

 

Just because a car has recipts of work done to it does not magically increase its value kbb, and nada have set values for cars such as good and excellent which these types of car would fall under category wise, due to there almost new condition physically and mechanically.

 

In addition to that, a wholesaler told me that my car is nicer than most four year old cars he looks at.

 

There is no doubt your car is in better shape/condition that most used cars that age and even newer. It's all about finding someone who values the vehicle and it's condition as much as you do and is willing to pay a premium for it. They're out there, just might take a while to find them.
"Interior is incredibly clean. The passenger and rear sets look like nobody has ever sat on them." This is common on most of the Lexus (LS) vehicles I've looked at. Older/business people with back seats that have never been touched. My mom's 2001 could be described similarly. Based on my experience I would expect that type of condition.
Good luck on whatever route your choose.

 

i understand the feeling, you got the itch for something different.
Relative to the price question, there is just a big marketplace resistance to anything over 100k miles. In the case of the LS, unjustifiably so. Which means you need to get the car in front of people that understand a well maintained LS with miles is not a big deal.

 

A guy in town who owns a high end pre-owned place, who normally doesn't buy something close to this old, has offered me 7,000. There is no reason to try and sell it with this offer. He says he knows the people to call, and he can make some money doing it. Even offered to buy the car I want, and treat mine as a trade, but selling dealer refused...because if they sell it to him, sales manager gets no credit for the sale (corporate dealership won't count a "wholesale" sale). Pity, because it would reduce the taxes I would pay.

 

Unfortunately, the marketplace doesn't really reward people who take exceptional care of their vehicles. Sure there are always exceptions, but for the most part you are not going to get a premium for all of the extra effort you have put forth. As others have mentioned, you may stumble across someone who recognizes what you have to offer and is willing to pay extra for it but it might take quite awhile for that to happen.

Some other broader marketplace changes are happening that is going to drive the price of our cars down besides that fact that they are getting older and are accumulating more mileage: the popularity of the CUV/SUV, the glut of cars coming off of lease and I think that gas is going to start increasing again to the point where having a V8 powered car is going to be undesirable by many.

I can understand wanting to move on at this point. You have enjoyed the vehicle for this long and its only natural to want to try something else...