https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...933_isFeatured

I have a 2001 with 300000 miles that is cosmetically rough, but mechanically sound. I am looking at this 2004 to add to our stable. I live in the Birmingham area and there are not that many offerings. I went and test drove this,car. It is as cosmetically flawless as a 16 year old car can be, especially Moonlight Pearl. I did feel a little vibration in the steering wheel, and the car had a bit of a hot smell to it when we got back from the drive. No leaks around or under where the car had been parked though. I did brake hard and accelerate hard several times throughout the drive. It was only a 7 mile trip though. They want 8300 out the door, which is a couple hundred more than what NADA and KBB price it in my area. If I had it inspected at the local Lexus dealer, and it had a clean bill of health, does this seem like a fair price? Car has 172,000 on it, but only 10 service records on car fax, and none at a Lexus Dealer. Please advise if you think this is a reasonable deal.
Thanks,
David

 

Check service history on My Lexus website.
Check everything yourself before you spend money on Lexus inspection. Notable folding mirrors, mirror adjustments, all door locking/unlocking, Lower Control Arm bushings, All Mark Levinson speakers/Subwoofer, Battery Health, Any current/pending codes, hood and trunk struts.
Make sure transmission shifts fine. There are no known problems but at this mileage better to be more vigilant.
If everything checks out, price is not bad but get the best possible price. It is fair price. Target at least $7500 OTD. I think it will work.
Good Luck!

Edit: After having a second look, it is not a Custom Luxury.

 

would not discount your nose; recommend considering just walking away (anyway, around $6000 is tops https://www.edmunds.com/tmv.html, +tax/tag, if no issue, but you felt and smelled issues, which should require deduction in price ... the pretty ones sometimes fool us into overlooking serious flaws) ... perhaps enjoy your 2001's mechanical soundness until you find one with no issues; more will be coming available ... they always do.... [recommend considering using Edmunds for pricing when buying (look how it arrives at price on its web pages). NADA and KBB are fine when selling, as its pricing algorithm includes advertised asking prices (see google) to arrive at pricing levels while Edmunds uses actual transaction prices in its algorithm to arrive at pricing levels.]

 

BMW7
$7500 isMy OTD price I’m at too. They are at 8300. The salesman said he would call me before they sent it to wholesale. So I’ll just wait and see. All features of the car are in proper working order. Transmission shifts smoothly, all electronics work, mirrors function flawlessly. Windows, locks, tilt and telescoping wheel are silky. The front left parking sensor would sporadically come on when we would slow or stop, then stopped after a bit. All sensors worked properly when walk around was done with car in gear. The back up camera is great, and the soft touch trunk button is a little gummy, but works just fine. This is secondary, but the car still has original spare, first aid kit, reflectors, and tool kit. This car has been taken care of, and the Mark Levinson is eargasmic!
430SL
There are several cars in the area that I am watching. I appreciate the tip on Edmunds, I will check it out. Similar cars in GA, closer to the prices you r quoting, but I’m not sure how out of state tax works. Found a Flint Mica on Black 2004 about 2 hours from home. Why do many people consider that to be “the” color combo? If they want to sell it bad enough then they will work with me. It’s just a game of wait and see. My LX is Slate Blue Metallic, but I always wanted one in Starfire Pearl?, so I’m letting an almost perfect Moonlight Pearl paint job affect me waiting on a deal😉

 

Flint Mica is just a nice subdued classy color. Not white, but not heat absorbent like black either. The black interior gives it a very luxurious vibe, imo.

I was looking for such a combo. Ended up with a black on black, which was my second choice.

 

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=263076579

Flint Mica
GA Car

 

You are getting close to a 200,000 mile car. Personally, with those miles, unless purchased at a comfortable number, I'd look for lower miles. Yes, these are reliable, but any of our cars with higher miles will need the more expensive repairs inevitably. $7500 for 172,000 miles? You still have registration fees as well as repairs that you are not aware of yet. Sounds a little high, but it's your call. Good luck.

 

+1. Be sure the TB/WP was changed. One of the deciding factors in purchasing our SC430 with about 100k was the TB/WP change at 80k. You should see a sticker in the engine bay area of the last change. If not, it's going to be an extra cost to have it done.

 

Thank you for the responses. They dropped the price of the car to 7000, so I could probably get it for 7600 otd today. I think I will call the sales manager tomorrow and ask him to call me with his bottom number before they send it to wholesale. He offered to do that when I looked at it. I doubt they have more than 5000 in it. One good thing about this dealership is that it has limited space for their inventory, and I don’t think they can afford for cars to just hang around. I think I would be comfortable at 6500. That would leave a lot of room for repairs if needed. I do love the color and the clean interior on this car. There are other good cars out there, just not within 100 miles that I’m aware of. Also, this car has a nearly new set of Michelin Defenders, whereas some of the other cars around have no name tires. So that’s about another $500 in extra value there. I plan on only 10000 miles or less a year.

My LX is Slate Blue Metallic, and I looked off and on for three years before I found it.
i am willing to take a chance on engine repairs, to get a near perfect paint job and interior. I can do basic repairs myself, and I have a BMW ASE Master Mechanic that works on my vehicles from his private shop. So the bigger repairs/service can be done correctly, at a reasonable cost. I appreciate everyone’s input.
David

 

Make sure you check out the transmission thoroughly. Early 2004s had transmission issues where a number of them were replaced. Also you should be imminently be considering another timing belt/water pump change which is costly. The fact that none of the services were done at a certified Lexus dealer shows that the previous owner was also cutting corners.....and who knows what else. There are plenty of lower mileage LS430s out there if you are patient, regardless of your location. You might have to travel somewhat. Good luck and if you go forward get a good deal! Please check back with us..

 

If it's the color combination you want, go for it. I think you'll be happy long term even though you may have a few early repairs especially if the interior has held up well. As mentioned the TB/WP should be put at the top of the list.

In your previous post you mentioned a hot smell, and I remember right around 180k for my GS400 the valve cover gaskets needed replacing. Not a big deal you can still drive the car but you may noticed a 'hot' or 'burning' smell. IIRC they were $800 at the dealer, less if you can find an independent shop (or DIY). Again, it's something that will need replacing sooner rather than later. Just just know it's a common issue on high mileage cars.

These cars are rock solid and after I replaced the valve cover gaskets, motor and transmission mounts and ball joints (all known issues that will come up at some point) she drove like a new car.

 

Thank you all.
>100000 mile LS430 are 8500-11000 between Birmingham and Atlanta. The ones that are a little cheaper are not what I want, or have had some serious malfunction when I look them up on the Lexus.com Service Tracker. Yes, this car is an unknown, but I am leaning toward the idea that most people who take this good a care of the rest of the car would not neglect the Powertrain.
So, the dealership is offering 7800 out the door, and I can bring it home overnight and have my mechanic inspect it.
Or would it be better to take it to LeXus of Birmingham and pay for an inspection?
if it all checks out, I will buy the car. I may be overpaying, but i would rather pay a little more for a car I like, as long as it only needs expected service items.
I appreciate the advice! Will keep you guys posted!

 

An independent shop is a better bet that knows where to look.
Be prepared to spend a few thou after purchase to sort everything out. The unknowns add up quickly. Good luck.

 

Boca,
I get the feeling that you feel I should hold out. Right now I’m not in a place to travel out of state to see vehicles with our current family situation. My mechanic is a BMW Master Mechanic, and worked for the auto group where the car was originally sold. He knows luxury cars, even if not a Lexus expert. He said he could do the TB/WP service for about 800, is that a fair price? There is a well regarded Lexus/Toyota shop in Birmingham that I could try to schedule with. Would that be better? It has always been a local car, as is my LX and 01 LS, so no rust issues. Tag and registration in my County will only be about $100-125, maybe less. I appreciate your thoughts on these points.
Thanks,
David

 

David, My biggest concern is the mileage and you are not buying this car for next to nothing. At 172,000 miles, things can get pricey to repair. If you are still going forward.....The most important consideration in choosing the shop for the inspection is Trust. That's a hard thing to find these days, especially with repair shops. If you feel comfortable with the shop, that's who you should use. A Lexus dealership will find everything under the sun to repair with inflated prices, while some items do not need any repairs. $800 is certainly fair to replace the timing belt and water pump. Our cars are not that complicated or sophisticated for an independent shop. If this is helpful, this is what I did when I purchased my car 10 years ago. Before I even saw the car, I made a list of everything on the car I was going to check for proper operation (example: power windows, locks, radio, speakers, navigation, instruments,trunk release, etc) I checked everything off after and made a notation if repairs were necessary. I then (previously arranged) took my car to the nearest car repair shop ( by recommendation) and had them put it up on a lift. I did not have the luxury of having my own independent mechanic look at it because it was not a local car. I had a general idea before I negotiated a price what the car needed...of course it ended up needing more. You should by now after owning an LS430, have an idea of the weak areas to look for. The biggest concern should be that the transmission is working properly. As mentioned earlier, early 2004s did have transmission issues. Some were replaced by Lexus. Check the engine for oil leaks which can get pricey to repair. Good luck and check back with the forum with any other questions or concerns. As you know the members here are quite helpful.