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Here in Florida is the haven for so many LS430's. However, whenever I see any year LS430 the condition leaves much to be desired. . Most are beat up badly with cracked steering wheels, scuffed bumper covers and faded headlamps. Occasionally, I'll see a gem with a senior citizen driving the car (most likely the original owner). Agreed, the nicest cars are quite scarce and will eventually be almost non existent.
Anything a few hundred dollars would take care of quickly - hardly trashed.
Generally speaking buying from an established new car dealer is a safer bet. Most won't resell a "bad car" they will quickly wholesale it off. For sure not a 100%
rule, but IMHO it is a good sign. I look at private party sales first, new car dealers next, used car lots come in last.
These are complex cars, a couple hundred spent at the Lexus dealer for a pre purchase inspection is a good thing. I did get a tiny bit of pushback on the sales rep bringing mine over to Lexus. I just elaborated the above about being a complex car and he was happy to do so.
Generally speaking buying from an established new car dealer is a safer bet. Most won't resell a "bad car" they will quickly wholesale it off. For sure not a 100%
rule, but IMHO it is a good sign. I look at private party sales first, new car dealers next, used car lots come in last.
These are complex cars, a couple hundred spent at the Lexus dealer for a pre purchase inspection is a good thing. I did get a tiny bit of pushback on the sales rep bringing mine over to Lexus. I just elaborated the above about being a complex car and he was happy to do so.
One I'd add in there, decent-sized service centers that are busy that also have a few used cars for sale. People won't take their cars to a place known for selling ripoffs, and they might be more likely to get cars as trade-ins that they maintained. Still take it to your own mechanic, of course, before buying.
The only sort I steer absolutely clear of is used car dealers that are just a small lot that buys cars at auction and goes for the cash and carry hustle. That's a great way to get a flood car or other hidden disaster in waiting. I had to laugh at a local one that was promoting an ES that was "one owner, clean carfax trade-in", yet in one of their photos, you could clearly see the auto auction house tag in the back window, grease pen lot number on another window, and the fact that it was in a huge facility with other cars lined up.
And no, big new car dealers are not always safe, either. They often have a used car division and they do get cars at auction, and can try to pull a fast one. Even a big Toyota dealership had an Eastern European fast talker (reminded me of scam tourist goods sellers in Rome!) who tried to unload a truck with a bad steering rack on me, then pretended to be surprised by what I could clearly see underneath. (Didn't buy it.)
Last edited by Wintercat; Dec 26, 2018 at 10:27 PM.
Just because it's a franchised dealer doesn't mean they keep the "cream of the crop" and discard the rest - that's an old misconception.
They encounter all sorts of buyers and they need the inventory to match that variety of buyers. They buy auction cars ALL-THE-TIME to churn the inventory.
Here's the line from best to worst IMO: verified private party (records, etc), Lexus dealer, other franchised dealer, upscale pre-owned lot, mid-range pre-owned lot, buy-here-pay-here, verified eBay, Craigslist.
One I'd add in there, decent-sized service centers that are busy that also have a few used cars for sale. People won't take their cars to a place known for selling ripoffs, and they might be more likely to get cars as trade-ins that they maintained. Still take it to your own mechanic, of course, before buying.
The only sort I steer absolutely clear of is used car dealers that are just a small lot that buys cars at auction and goes for the cash and carry hustle. That's a great way to get a flood car or other hidden disaster in waiting. I had to laugh at a local one that was promoting an ES that was "one owner, clean carfax trade-in", yet in one of their photos, you could clearly see the auto auction house tag in the back window, grease pen lot number on another window, and the fact that it was in a huge facility with other cars lined up.
And no, big new car dealers are not always safe, either. They often have a used car division and they do get cars at auction, and can try to pull a fast one. Even a big Toyota dealership had an Eastern European fast talker (reminded me of scam tourist goods sellers in Rome!) who tried to unload a truck with a bad steering rack on me, then pretended to be surprised by what I could clearly see underneath. (Didn't buy it.)
I have to disagree, you can find hidden jems among those small car auction lots. My car was located 35 minutes outside of Kansas City, MO. 2005 UL that was an immaculate one owner car, sold by the local Mercedes dealership at auction after they took it on trade-in. 53,000 original miles garage kept, and driven an average of 4300 miles per year. The dealer only had the car fax showing one oil change at 49k. Lexus history showed dealer service every 6 months, with complete dealer detailing.
Purchased from only the pictures, I flew from Houston to KC and drove it home the next day. Do your homework, but don’t rule out the small car lot dealers.
Speaking of homework, here's a handy tip if you are looking for a well optioned LS430. Dealers other than Lexus don't really know the options as an earlier poster noted. Here's the tip, and it was courtesy of this forum.
Look for the headlight washer doors in the front bumper. It can be maddening reading the text on many of the ads. Those little doors in the top of the bumper in front of the headlights are indicative of a well optioned LS. That was my experience.
I see a pretty nice deal on a 2006 in Illinois right now. Here's the link: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=223563284It's being advertised as a Modern Luxury, and is a 3-owner with no accidents on the Carfax. Somewhat incomplete Lexus service records from the 3rd owner, but the car itself does appear to be in great shape. Being sold by a reputable looking Cadillac dealer. Might make someone a pretty nice car! I'm not in the market myself or I'd be considering this one...
Surprised the Hoovie's Garage guy out of Kansas didn't buy it, that's in his radius. But then, his show is all about the older luxury and performance cars he buys and the problems they have, so a totally non-broken Lexus doesn't make for hilarity. So far he's done BMWs that empty his wallet, S-class that does likewise, a Rolls Phantom, and now a $6500 2013 Equus that's probably going to have the blowby and oil consumption issue.
"It just works" doesn't make for good videos.
Like you, I don't think that adds up to views on YouTube imho, which is the name of the game. Lately I'm annoyed with the click bait that they put on the intro slide such as, "Cheap Lamborghini!" lol
Let's be honest about ourselves--how many here have 2-5 Lexus, or simply 1 LS430 that they purchased used, and then other interesting vehicles? imho many of us have a LS430 because it's 100% (ok 90%+) reliable, and it's a flagship which made it interesting to us. The general population would rather a) get 10 mpg more b) get a 3 y.o. Camry with 35k miles (they cost the same in 10/16) and 1k left on the warranty. A coworker did just that.
A lot of folks here can DIY major stuff. I always think to myself that if they took their skills and applied them to German cars, they would be amazed, because OE German parts are often less than Toyota OE due to supply, and then, by DIY, the delta really gets impressive on v. indies or dealership.
I'm just a shade tree and I fixed the ABS/DSC which is $4,200 at the dealership, for < $500, and I had to buy tools and software. Guys who were setup already did it for $249. If it had broken under warranty, I would have never been forced to learn the hard way (using YouTube hahahahahaha).
Moral of my story is I don't think there is missing a LS430. Either a decent one is available at a decent price, or one can get something else...
Speaking of homework, here's a handy tip if you are looking for a well optioned LS430. Dealers other than Lexus don't really know the options as an earlier poster noted. Here's the tip, and it was courtesy of this forum.
Look for the headlight washer doors in the front bumper. It can be maddening reading the text on many of the ads. Those little doors in the top of the bumper in front of the headlights are indicative of a well optioned LS. That was my experience.
I think this is true on all cars. How often is the word "base," used to describe a used vehicle, when the vehicle is actually an upper model? Not just LS430's, all cars. Dunno why but I am certain there's an ulterior motive, it's the car business...
headlight washers mean look at interior pics to make sure no shock buttons to me. Whether that's a bad rap or not, I don't want the air suspension at all on a used vehicle, unless it's a mid-late 2000's MB, but then it's not air, it's CHF11S
I'm hoping I have no regrets with regard to the air suspension. The Svc. history shows 3 of the 4 corners replaced in the past.
I figure the worst case is taking it out and doing aftermarket. No codes and no issues on inspection, all working great according to Lexus.
I'm very much a wrench and a technician professionally when I am not doing sales. I really dig working on complex products. Been doing so pretty much my entire life, and retirement is not too far off for me. I bought my first new Toyota in 1975, a Celica GT. Wish I still had it. It's been all Toyota at my place for a long time. My wife insists that we sell the 2010 Prius since the LS will arrive soon, I wanna keep it. I'll never sell my 03 4runner, it's the most capable and powerful off road vehicle I've ever owned. I'll take pics of the LS when it arrives and post it up.
And oh to maybe answer your question on where "base" comes from in so many ads? I think it's the way the VIN data comes up and it does not get edited out for the ad. A car is often "base" first in the description, then the various option packages are added.
My wife insists that we sell the 2010 Prius since the LS will arrive soon, I wanna keep it.
I would keep it. It's always good to have a fuel-sipping car in case of shortages after a natural disaster or a crisis that drives prices up over $5 a gallon. The 430 is a great car, but it guzzles 93 octane, and gets much better mileage on the highway than in city driving. The Prius is still ideal for stop and go traffic.
I keep an Accord for the same reason, it's reliable and gets about 32mpg on regular.
I would keep it. It's always good to have a fuel-sipping car in case of shortages after a natural disaster or a crisis that drives prices up over $5 a gallon. The 430 is a great car, but it guzzles 93 octane, and gets much better mileage on the highway than in city driving. The Prius is still ideal for stop and go traffic.
I keep an Accord for the same reason, it's reliable and gets about 32mpg on regular.
My sentiments exactly. The Prius is the right tool for the job of running around town. My Prius is the fancy one with DRCC and the rest of the toys, plus with the miles on it I really can't sell it for what it is worth. I'd just as soon keep it. I have yet to list it for sale.
The Prius made it a necessity that the car have DRCC, it's the one feature I will not do without.
The other side of that coin is, happy wife, happy life. Guess I'll have to make it her idea to keep it.
Good for you! I looked hard at it when Rick posted it and almost pulled the trigger. I thought it was super clean and sharp. Early maint history was available....but I couldn't verify timing belt, water pump, brakes, tire depth left, last battery change, shocks/struts last change and 2 keys.......all questions I wanted answered prior to my purchase. Congrats ....it is a super sharp LS! Please post up some pics and let us know your thoughts on your new ride!!
I hope they get my car on the truck tomorrow, the holidays really slowed things down. Since Techstream is available to us mere mortals is it not just a matter of buying a used smart key off Ebay and programming it? I think that is all we have to do.
I ordered my Techstream cable, but am pretty certain both my smart keys are in the car. Not the end of the world if I only have one, I'll get another and program it. Dealer Photo
