Sadly in December my wife's 03 Ls430 was totaled by a drunk driver while it was parked in front of a friends house. It was a very sad day, her name was Jolene. Unfortunately he had no insurance and we only had liability. So it hasn't been officially totaled by an insurance company. But given the amount of damage and the buckles in the roof its not really something that should be repaired. I have since got my wife a new car (08 rx350). But now I'm trying to figure out what to do with poor wounded Jolene. I have the tools, ability and know how to part her out but I dont have a great pulse on the market for her parts so I dont know if it would be worth my time and effort. I work at a body shop so I have connections with wrecking yards that in normal time would probably buy her from me. But given the state of the industry they arent really buying cars.


I am new to this forum and apologize if this is the wrong section for this post.

Any advice helps, thanks in advance!

 

Probably the best thing to do is post those photos on Craigslist seeking offers to sell all or parts. Take any bites that you can get.

 

imho it's a gold mine to a Toyota recycler. If you don't have the time and space, maybe it's just best to part with it for what they would give. How could you part it out yourself, maybe eBay? But it could take forever.

Maybe an in-between solution is to sell what you can here via a classified, then get rid of it by selling to a Toyota recycler.

I know the feeling, back in 1990 I wrecked a perfectly good top of the line Volvo, I think it was 9 years old. Sold it to a Volvo recycler for around $500. Painful. But guess what? I bought the same car for $2,000, and got ripped off by a middle aged man (had blown head gaskets and a failing tranny oooops well that's what it's called). that same recycler put in a used motor/tranny for $900, and I drove the car from 1990-1998. Who knows, maybe it was the original from my wrecked car. so maybe Jolene will see some good karma and you can make the best out of a bad situation. good luck

 

Really sad to see a good car have this happen by an irresponsible person inflicting such damage. Someitmes moving on is the easier route even though piecing it out may bring some $.

 

If it was just sheet metal/ body damage that would be one thing, but there is likely to be axle/suspension damage as well, and in my opinion its just not worth fixing. Maybe find another LS with a blown engine and swap your motor in.

 

I think axle/suspension damage is given - look at the rear wheel having been pushed forwards.

 

That's some serious damage, probably screwed up suspension arm mounting points too. Let us know if you are going to part it out since I'm sure people would like some parts

 

There are a large number of automobile recyclers in Rancho Cordova CA off Sunrise Boulevard that may pay $$ for that car as is for the parts.

 

Yah, I spoke to a Toyota Salvage yard here in San Diego today. He offered me 300 -400. Which hurts because that what he will sell 1 door for. =\

 

Yeah, they are very expensive cars even for parts. I sold one that blew up its engine for $1500 to a guy with two of them, that's before I had mine and wish I kept it for spares

 

Yup it has heavy damage to the left rear suspension including the crossmember I was considering fixing it at work until i saw the buckles in the roof that cracked the paint.

 

Yah its looking like I will probably part it out once I'm off probation and am able to post in the classifieds section. Unless there is a way around that probation

 

What was your mileage and interior type?

 

There isn't a way 'around'... you don't get access to start sales threads until after 30 posts and after 30 days membership.

Want to make sure as you consider your options, that even after that period you still won't be able to part it out here on Club Lexus for quite some time due to many past issues with new members and part outs. Please read our classified rules sticky on part outs, you can PM me with any questions.

 

It's the "Ivory" interior i believe. Approx 200K Mileage. I'll post a few more pics when I get home.