Good evening Club Lexus members! I am in need of some advice... I have a 2004 ls430 with 181,000 problem-free miles. I purchased it in 2008 when it had 55,000 miles. I have one year left on my loan but I am seriously contemplating trading it in for a 2010 ls460L with 16,000 miles and black on black. It has the air suspension and rear sunshades but no Mark Levinson. Should I trade it in for the 460 or keep the 430?

 

Well, from a purely financial standpoint, you are best off keeping the 430.

 

I can't imagine that a 181k mile car is worth much on trade in. Is the reason you want to go this route because they'll roll your negative equity into the new car? If not, I'd sell the 430 separately and get the 460L if you want it..

 

The ML system is a must for the car if you ask me. though i wish i had an air suspension version

 

I think you should keep the 430 because I doubt the trade in will give you any love can you afford both or do you just want to get rid of the 430 mainly to get into a 460????

 

Finish paying off the 430 and keep it for another couple of years. You'll enjoy the no payments on the car, and since the car is solid there shouldn't be any major repair bills. The 430 is a very reliable car, probably more so than the 460. After a couple of years of no payment, you'll have extra money to purchase the 460 or the next gen LS.

 

I say you push the purchase one more year for good reasons:
1) your 430 is performing well currently
2) you pay off your loan
3)the new LS will be announced which should save you few thousands in purchasing an LS460
4)you may find better alternatives

So I guess it would be wiser if you waited.

And don't even think about buying an LS460 without Mark Levinson.

 

Thanks for the advice. This particular dealership was going to pay of my existing loan on the 430. That is why it was so tempting to trade it in. Is it possible for Lexus to make a 2010 460L AWD with air suspension and rear window sunshades equipped without Mark Levinson? Is the sound difference that much?

 

On the other Lexus cars not having the ML systems is not that big of a deal IMO. However, the LS ML system is amazing and the best stock system I have heard. I personally wouldn't buy one without it.

 

Keep the 430, Pay it off and enjoy a few years of no payments and there is no such thing that a dealer will payoff your loan! it just gets added to the new loan someway,somehow and they play number games unless you sell it out right to them and then make a deal on the 460.

 

, keep the 430 and save money for the 460L. BTW, do you really need a 2010? A 2007 is cheaper if you are willing to search for the right one.

 

Keep what you have and add a new 460 to the Lexus family and make sure you get the ML. Do it right and do it all at once.