something to look at while searching for any used lexus is if you create an account on the Lexus Owners website it will allow you to put in any vin and will show you all of the dealership service history. Low mileage doesnt matter if it hasnt been cared for properly

 

A 200,000mi car with an immaculate and detailed service history can easily be better than a 100,000mi car with minimal service history. If the 200k car has proof of regular maintenance covering all of the known LS430 defects, a 100k car with minimal proof of maintenance should not be considered. In other words, YMMV (your mileage may vary) - you can't generalize these cars by mileage.

You need to know what commonly goes wrong with these cars after 15-18 years (easily found by reading these forums), and then you need to see a detailed service history that addresses these points. Not everyone gets their work done at Lexus/Toyota, and work beyond 10 years doesn't show in their national databases, so don't rely on the Lexus/Toyota service history. Work done at independent shops or performed by owner won't show up in any VIN check, Carfax or Carproof, but if there is a credible record, it can be just as good if not better than an official Lexus/Toyota record.

Suggest you bring a friend or trusted mechanic who knows the LS430 inside-out to a pre-purchase inspection.

 

It all depends on how long you want to keep the car. If it will be a 10-20 year ownership then it is worth paying the premium to get super low miles so you are in charge of the car for 70%+ of its life. As well made as these cars are stuff like someone sitting in the drivers seat for 200K miles compared to 50K miles matters. The foam will be compressed, the leather more worn, everything they touched will have wear, etc. The wear and tear parts of the car (struts, ball joints, radiator, etc...) will all need to be serviced sooner in your time of ownership. The heat cycles will have degraded the plastic and rubber parts under the hood.

If you plan to be in the car only 2-4 years grab a high mile car that has been looked after and you might get by without needing an involved repair like suspension work.

If this will be your baby $12-18K will buy something that is very close to new and almost flawless with ultra low miles (under 35K)..

Whatever you decide it is less headaches and more time enjoying the car than buying a junker for $2-3K and "fixing it up" to buy a really good to excellent one to begin with.

 

I agree with jharris400
My pet peev....
Everytime a garage touches your car they look for what is going to need done next time......sometimes they help it along....just saying.
These cars can still feel like new with 300k miles on them,
I am still restoring a 95k miles car that has full Lexus service history!
Let me be charitable and say I think it was serviced by apprentices....

 

My experience is on even a well maintained LS at 200 k miles you will start spending money. It a heavy car