Help - Buying; 28 options around me.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 279
From: Ohio
As others have indicated, Jaimer, patience is the key to finding a good one. Searching under the gun can lead to an ill-advised purchase. When buying a used car, I always purchase from a well-heeled private owner as doing so offers several advantages, a lower price usually being one.
With rare exception, for $5000 you're going to get a 2003 or older with higher mileage. $10,000 should buy an '05 or '06 with around 100,000 miles. Exceptional LS 430s, regardless of mileage, sell fast. Others, not so much.
With rare exception, for $5000 you're going to get a 2003 or older with higher mileage. $10,000 should buy an '05 or '06 with around 100,000 miles. Exceptional LS 430s, regardless of mileage, sell fast. Others, not so much.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 965
Likes: 299
From: WA
Bradlland says "look at as many as you can in person. It's amazing how quick desirability can change when you see a car with your own eyes." That is so true!
Before I bought my '05 I looked at and drove a very low mile '01 and when I saw in person I was immediately hit with the impression that the car seem very dated/old styling. The ugly blue color it was did not help at all. When I saw my white '05 I immediately had a completely different impression - more up to date, not dated, very luxurious. I bought mine from a well-heeled private owner too and that would also be my suggestion like TriC says above. My only complaint styling wise is the cashmere/beige interior, I could have held out for different color leather interior and kept looking.
Before I bought my '05 I looked at and drove a very low mile '01 and when I saw in person I was immediately hit with the impression that the car seem very dated/old styling. The ugly blue color it was did not help at all. When I saw my white '05 I immediately had a completely different impression - more up to date, not dated, very luxurious. I bought mine from a well-heeled private owner too and that would also be my suggestion like TriC says above. My only complaint styling wise is the cashmere/beige interior, I could have held out for different color leather interior and kept looking.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: NC
I didn't look at all of them as several can be rejected due to being over-priced given the mileage. At least 3 merit additional inquiry (and prices are too high on all):
- Silver '03 at a Ford store for $7290 - it's a 1 owner, a big plus;
- White '04 (given as an '06 on your list) for $8995 - it's a rare Custom Luxury; and
- White '06 at a Mercedes dealer for $9500 - look at Lexus service history to see if TB done, it otherwise has a good history.
- Silver '03 at a Ford store for $7290 - it's a 1 owner, a big plus;
- White '04 (given as an '06 on your list) for $8995 - it's a rare Custom Luxury; and
- White '06 at a Mercedes dealer for $9500 - look at Lexus service history to see if TB done, it otherwise has a good history.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 210
From: Florida
Only one LS430 showed as "just listed" on Craiglist in the area....
https://greenville.craigslist.org/se...&nearbyArea=14
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: NC
Sorry for the misunderstanding. Was not a recommendation. Was an example of fresh LS430s for sale listings occurring daily. (3 out of the 29 listings shown as being listed yesterday with over 70 total listings showing. Used NC as location as you have "NC" in your profile.)
Only one LS430 showed as "just listed" on Craiglist in the area....
https://greenville.craigslist.org/se...&nearbyArea=14
Only one LS430 showed as "just listed" on Craiglist in the area....
https://greenville.craigslist.org/se...&nearbyArea=14
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 210
From: Florida
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Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,085
Likes: 401
From: Nor CA
Late 2018 went looking for an ‘05 or ‘06 to replace my ‘01 with over 228k miles. After searching for over 6 months and looking at 10-12 candidates I decided to stay with the car I knew for the past 14+ years (we acquired in ‘04). Invested in the suspension and wheels/tires and happy with the decision.
I suggest you find the best shape you can find of an ‘01 to ‘03 MY and apply your remaining budget to any maintenance items you need or upgrades you desire. Also, start now on finding a reliable, referenced independent Lexus mechanic to inspect your candidates (if feasible) and perform work you cannot do on your own. Do NOT take your car to the Lexus dealership no matter how good you may think they might be; you will be taken.
Good luck with your search.
I suggest you find the best shape you can find of an ‘01 to ‘03 MY and apply your remaining budget to any maintenance items you need or upgrades you desire. Also, start now on finding a reliable, referenced independent Lexus mechanic to inspect your candidates (if feasible) and perform work you cannot do on your own. Do NOT take your car to the Lexus dealership no matter how good you may think they might be; you will be taken.
Good luck with your search.
Last edited by Duck05; Jul 30, 2020 at 08:39 PM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 826
From: 565 St Peter NOLA
Sorry for the misunderstanding. Was not a recommendation. Was an example of fresh LS430s for sale listings occurring daily. (3 out of the 29 listings shown as being listed yesterday with over 70 total listings showing. Used NC as location as you have "NC" in your profile.)
Only one LS430 showed as "just listed" on Craiglist in the area....
https://greenville.craigslist.org/se...&nearbyArea=14
Only one LS430 showed as "just listed" on Craiglist in the area....
https://greenville.craigslist.org/se...&nearbyArea=14
Please do your homework and respect other members time.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: NC
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 210
From: Florida
You may also wish to check https://www.clublexus.com/forums/market/ for listings.... (An enthusiast with an 06 for sale in NC https://www.clublexus.com/forums/mar...5/ls-model-s28 will consider an offer....)
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,085
Likes: 401
From: Nor CA
I am in Northern California and have only 2 Lexus dealerships in reasonable proximity. When my son had the SC he used the dealership in the South Bay Area once. We have 3 Lexus vehicles and have had good customer service but extremely high quotes for routine or repair services.
So, using Yelp and references I used some local shops with mixed results. One was extremely high quotes (albeit a bit lower than the dealer) and the other had reasonable quotes but the services were sub par.
Then turned to the local Nor Cal Club Lexus thread, a sponsor along with CL members positive references found a very reputable and fair priced shop (but 65 miles away). Located a second, reliable shop close to my workplace (5 miles) and now use both shops depending on the service required. If you have no local NC thread to turn to for recommendations, members have posted threads asking information on shops.
Hope that may help.
So, using Yelp and references I used some local shops with mixed results. One was extremely high quotes (albeit a bit lower than the dealer) and the other had reasonable quotes but the services were sub par.
Then turned to the local Nor Cal Club Lexus thread, a sponsor along with CL members positive references found a very reputable and fair priced shop (but 65 miles away). Located a second, reliable shop close to my workplace (5 miles) and now use both shops depending on the service required. If you have no local NC thread to turn to for recommendations, members have posted threads asking information on shops.
Hope that may help.