Value of keeping LS430
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 107
Likes: 13
From: CA
The thought of selling our 06 LS pops into my head from time to time. I bought it with 54K miles and it currently sits at 245K. It has been an extremely reliable, comfortable and safe car. My wife drives it daily and never once has complained about it. Until she gets tired of it I think I will keep it. Before the LS she had a 2001 RX300 that gave us 460K of life. Handed it down to my son and he flipped it…..I really wanted to see it get to 500K.
I am surprised to hear of some owners reported gas mileage. She resets the mileage computer on each fill up and manually checks it about every 4 tanks. It is always between 21.5 to 23.9. When we take a road trip it easily gets 26 to 28. I own an auto repair shop in Atlanta that specializes in Toyota and Lexus. It is beyond tip top shape mechanically and close to pristine in condition. The only thing is the headlamp covers. I’m tired of polishing them up to get the haze out but they are so damn expensive to replace and are not available aftermarket.
I am surprised to hear of some owners reported gas mileage. She resets the mileage computer on each fill up and manually checks it about every 4 tanks. It is always between 21.5 to 23.9. When we take a road trip it easily gets 26 to 28. I own an auto repair shop in Atlanta that specializes in Toyota and Lexus. It is beyond tip top shape mechanically and close to pristine in condition. The only thing is the headlamp covers. I’m tired of polishing them up to get the haze out but they are so damn expensive to replace and are not available aftermarket.
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 107
Likes: 13
From: CA
The thought of selling our 06 LS pops into my head from time to time. I bought it with 54K miles and it currently sits at 245K. It has been an extremely reliable, comfortable and safe car. My wife drives it daily and never once has complained about it. Until she gets tired of it I think I will keep it. Before the LS she had a 2001 RX300 that gave us 460K of life. Handed it down to my son and he flipped it…..I really wanted to see it get to 500K.
I am surprised to hear of some owners reported gas mileage. She resets the mileage computer on each fill up and manually checks it about every 4 tanks. It is always between 21.5 to 23.9. When we take a road trip it easily gets 26 to 28. I own an auto repair shop in Atlanta that specializes in Toyota and Lexus. It is beyond tip top shape mechanically and close to pristine in condition. The only thing is the headlamp covers. I’m tired of polishing them up to get the haze out but they are so damn expensive to replace and are not available aftermarket.
I am surprised to hear of some owners reported gas mileage. She resets the mileage computer on each fill up and manually checks it about every 4 tanks. It is always between 21.5 to 23.9. When we take a road trip it easily gets 26 to 28. I own an auto repair shop in Atlanta that specializes in Toyota and Lexus. It is beyond tip top shape mechanically and close to pristine in condition. The only thing is the headlamp covers. I’m tired of polishing them up to get the haze out but they are so damn expensive to replace and are not available aftermarket.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 715
Likes: 240
From: UT
Thanks for all the comments. I think the LS430 is quite stylish. I do like the 460 as well (interior on the pre-2013 LS460s may be my absolute favorite, the 2011 Sport Package with Black/Saddle leather combo and special wood trim is simply gorgeous ). I thing I read somewhere was that the LS400 was designed to optimal proportions, so to keep those and make LS430 larger, it was made taller. I love the interior height in the LS430 and that I do not bump my head getting in. My Buick Lesabre was similar and spacious but not the same of course. Large modern sedans not so good. I bought a used Cadillac XTS because the Buick Lacrosse felt so low. The XTS is nice car but not in the same league smoothness-wise. I m not as big a fan of the 2013+ LS460 or the LS500.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 715
Likes: 240
From: UT
What I struggle with now is the compulsion to keep buying these. Ultimately they are going to be phased out of the market in parts and whatnot, but these cream puffs keep showing up and it is KILLIING me!!!
@Kira X , thanks for your comments here!
@biosurfer1 , any words here from a former dealer perspective?
@Kira X , thanks for your comments here!
@biosurfer1 , any words here from a former dealer perspective?
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 715
Likes: 240
From: UT
Depreciation kills any value gained from purchase of a newer vehicle. I went from a 2016 ram 1500 w/ 45k miles trouble free except warranty replacement of Transmission. When the prices started going up on used cars, I sold my truck to the dealer and net a 1k loss per year of ownership. I paid 6k for my LS with about 2k in maintenance and upgrades. I'm itching to get another car e38 740i for 5k. My logic is I'd rather have 2 sub 10k cars than buy a newer one which costs 20k. Both cant be broken down at once right? lol I"m never gonna sell my LS no matter what.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 304
I can't emphasize enough how the ownership of my trusty LS430 has been saving me over the years.....especially these days with rising prices on everything and stupid high prices on newer cars. My main concern is trying to avoid any mishaps of anyone driving into my car!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 215
From: Ontario, Canada
The value of keeping an LS430 is equal to how much YOU value it, not how much anyone else values it. Something is only worth what its purchaser will pay for it.
My 2002 LS430 is 19 years in-service now, and still looks, drives, and feels like a $100K car, and I only paid a small fraction of the original CAD$100K price. The electrical and mechanical reliability, ease of maintenance, annual costs of maintenance/insurance/ownership, and total cost of maintenance/insurance/ownership are all what I would consider to be inexpensive.
The open market will likely not pay what I would want to be compensated for giving up this car, so I never plan on selling. It's more valuable to me if I keep it, than to sell it at even the price I paid for it in 2009. Of course, if anyone wants to make me an offer I can't refuse, feel free to PM. I'll probably use the money to buy an ultra low mileage 2006 UL.
I may even buy a second LS430 if I can find a low-mileage, well-maintained one at the right price, like my current one was, or if my current one experiences a catastrophic failure requiring total replacement.
My 2002 LS430 is 19 years in-service now, and still looks, drives, and feels like a $100K car, and I only paid a small fraction of the original CAD$100K price. The electrical and mechanical reliability, ease of maintenance, annual costs of maintenance/insurance/ownership, and total cost of maintenance/insurance/ownership are all what I would consider to be inexpensive.
The open market will likely not pay what I would want to be compensated for giving up this car, so I never plan on selling. It's more valuable to me if I keep it, than to sell it at even the price I paid for it in 2009. Of course, if anyone wants to make me an offer I can't refuse, feel free to PM. I'll probably use the money to buy an ultra low mileage 2006 UL.
I may even buy a second LS430 if I can find a low-mileage, well-maintained one at the right price, like my current one was, or if my current one experiences a catastrophic failure requiring total replacement.
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 157
Likes: 64
From: NY
The thought of selling our 06 LS pops into my head from time to time. I bought it with 54K miles and it currently sits at 245K. It has been an extremely reliable, comfortable and safe car. My wife drives it daily and never once has complained about it. Until she gets tired of it I think I will keep it. Before the LS she had a 2001 RX300 that gave us 460K of life. Handed it down to my son and he flipped it…..I really wanted to see it get to 500K.
I am surprised to hear of some owners reported gas mileage. She resets the mileage computer on each fill up and manually checks it about every 4 tanks. It is always between 21.5 to 23.9. When we take a road trip it easily gets 26 to 28. I own an auto repair shop in Atlanta that specializes in Toyota and Lexus. It is beyond tip top shape mechanically and close to pristine in condition. The only thing is the headlamp covers. I’m tired of polishing them up to get the haze out but they are so damn expensive to replace and are not available aftermarket.
I am surprised to hear of some owners reported gas mileage. She resets the mileage computer on each fill up and manually checks it about every 4 tanks. It is always between 21.5 to 23.9. When we take a road trip it easily gets 26 to 28. I own an auto repair shop in Atlanta that specializes in Toyota and Lexus. It is beyond tip top shape mechanically and close to pristine in condition. The only thing is the headlamp covers. I’m tired of polishing them up to get the haze out but they are so damn expensive to replace and are not available aftermarket.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...8c884d43560faa
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 196
From: Texas
I plan on keeping my 2004 LS 430 till I die so I ordered a pair of these lenses to put on the shelf. So far I dont need them but when I do I want them to be available.
But I believe so much in the 430 platform that I am in the process of buying a 2006 SC 430. So I can at least scavenge from one for the other if all else fails.
But I believe so much in the 430 platform that I am in the process of buying a 2006 SC 430. So I can at least scavenge from one for the other if all else fails.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 199
Likes: 39
From: FL
I couldn't agree more. My wife has a 2001 LS 430 with about 130,000 and it looks fantastic. Some of the weather seals around the doors are cracking -- I checked on having them replaced -- much too expensive to justify.
Like you -- this car will out live us. I offered to buy her a new one -- she wasn't interested -- she loves the comfort of her 2001.
Like you -- this car will out live us. I offered to buy her a new one -- she wasn't interested -- she loves the comfort of her 2001.
CL Community Team
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
The value of keeping an LS430 is equal to how much YOU value it, not how much anyone else values it. Something is only worth what its purchaser will pay for it.
My 2002 LS430 is 19 years in-service now, and still looks, drives, and feels like a $100K car, and I only paid a small fraction of the original CAD$100K price. The electrical and mechanical reliability, ease of maintenance, annual costs of maintenance/insurance/ownership, and total cost of maintenance/insurance/ownership are all what I would consider to be inexpensive.
The open market will likely not pay what I would want to be compensated for giving up this car, so I never plan on selling. It's more valuable to me if I keep it, than to sell it at even the price I paid for it in 2009. Of course, if anyone wants to make me an offer I can't refuse, feel free to PM. I'll probably use the money to buy an ultra low mileage 2006 UL.
I may even buy a second LS430 if I can find a low-mileage, well-maintained one at the right price, like my current one was, or if my current one experiences a catastrophic failure requiring total replacement.
My 2002 LS430 is 19 years in-service now, and still looks, drives, and feels like a $100K car, and I only paid a small fraction of the original CAD$100K price. The electrical and mechanical reliability, ease of maintenance, annual costs of maintenance/insurance/ownership, and total cost of maintenance/insurance/ownership are all what I would consider to be inexpensive.
The open market will likely not pay what I would want to be compensated for giving up this car, so I never plan on selling. It's more valuable to me if I keep it, than to sell it at even the price I paid for it in 2009. Of course, if anyone wants to make me an offer I can't refuse, feel free to PM. I'll probably use the money to buy an ultra low mileage 2006 UL.
I may even buy a second LS430 if I can find a low-mileage, well-maintained one at the right price, like my current one was, or if my current one experiences a catastrophic failure requiring total replacement.
Bonus is that my car insurance on it is relatively inexpensive $520 per year including collision, and yearly tag fee is down to about $35. Impossible to beat. I drive it carefully because if it got totaled, I'd literally be crying.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: CA
You sound like me ... I have the 2001 (with Ultra Luxury pkg), mine with 111,000 miles and have had it since 2011. Love it, great smooth and quiet ride and few repairs. I get 18 MPG and only drive local roads. New was $72K so it must be worth way more than Blue Book says, even without the used car shortage!
Question is, how are other owner's leather seats holding up? Mine look "good", but would like less cracks and the matching leather can't be found. Any suggestions out there?
Thanks!
Question is, how are other owner's leather seats holding up? Mine look "good", but would like less cracks and the matching leather can't be found. Any suggestions out there?
Thanks!
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 304
Agree - I plan on keeping mine for a lot longer. I have maintained over the years by the book, always garaged, so it runs perfectly, every switch and option operates as new, and it still looks great.
Bonus is that my car insurance on it is relatively inexpensive $520 per year including collision, and yearly tag fee is down to about $35. Impossible to beat. I drive it carefully because if it got totaled, I'd literally be crying.
Bonus is that my car insurance on it is relatively inexpensive $520 per year including collision, and yearly tag fee is down to about $35. Impossible to beat. I drive it carefully because if it got totaled, I'd literally be crying.