I have a 2010 LS460L in smoky granite mica - I just came up on 3 years of ownership and have 105K miles. The thought keeps lurking in my head to make a transition to a 2013+ LS model or a Tesla. Knowing myself, I will put this decision off for another 6-18 months. My kids have done a fantastic job of scratching the paint on my car as they ride and maneuver their bikes out of our garage (their brake handle is the culprit). I have pretty deep and noticeable scratches of various lengths that can't be buffed out (I've asked multiple people) from the gas tank to the driver side door. Knowing that I'd most likely trade the car in whenever I make a transition to something newer, I don't think I'll get any portion of the money back on getting it professionally painted. I have a $1k deductible and haven't taken it anywhere to get an estimate on not going through insurance yet, but I have to imagine it'll be more than $1k to touch up an area of this size.

So - curious what most folks here would do. Paint it or leave it?

 

Speaking for myself - it would drive me nuts to see such a beautiful car with all those scratches. Only you can decide whether you want to have it fixed or not. If the scratches are deep enough that they have gone through the base coat then those panels will start to rust creating even more damage. Given that the car is a 2010 model and sedans aren't very popular nowadays you will probably get $10K - $14K on a trade if the car is in good shape mechanically and cosmetically. The dealer will subtract whatever they will need to spend to recondition the car for resale.

 

Yeah it drives me pretty crazy to see it as well - I just don't know for sure that I'm not throwing money away by getting it fixed. I also don't know for sure that after I get it fixed my kids won't put a fresh scratch on it again...

 

If you would keep the car another 5+ years, then paying a grand or so may make sense. Or if you want to try it yourself, check this out.

 

Def not keeping it 5 years. Likely wouldn't keep it 2 years as I'll be itching for something newer/different. Interesting vid, thank you for sharing. I unfortunately have a couple of scratches that are probably 6-8 inches long so not sure how that would look. I may swing it by a shop for an estimate this week just so I know what I'm dealing with.

 

I'd have to have it fixed, unless I was going to trade the car in like pretty soon,.

 

This is a tough issue where the repair costs vary widely depending on how it is approached. Suggest trying to touch up the scratches first as the cost is minimal. If that fails to satisfy, then you're looking at painting the entire side(s) and hoping there is a good match with the rest of the car or painting the whole car.

Longer term - buy the kids a shed for their bikes!

 

I had stone chips on the front of the car driving me crazy, It’s a 2007 LS460 With 86,000, took it to a few paint shops for quotes, $ 4600.00 !! Was the most reasonable of the lot. I have come to love my stone chips and chalk them up as history of a great time with my car..

 

Cosmetic decisions are the difficult. I have some chips on the hood as well as some scratches on the side and rear bumper area, but they aren’t $4600 noticeable. A dent, however, would drive me nuts.

I have two drip rails that are peeling around the trunk area. I’d like to get them replaced, but the $1400 price from the dealer to replace them gives me pause. I will get a second quote from my independent.

 

I would,and did just leave it.
I dented my own passenger side door,and also had a 1000 deductible. Well, I couldn't come up with a grand at the time,and live in Fremont California where theres PLENTY of bapped,sick rides.
I have a dent I was able to pull myself, but Fremont being Fremont,some idiot pushed it back in at one of these darn war zone parking lots.
If i didnt dent my door and pull it,idiot probably would have dented it that day anyway.
And I'd have to cough up another grand.
Now i have a 0 deductible, and should have did that from the start instead of low monthly payments. 100 more a month is a ton easier to muster than a grand at the drop of a dime,for me at least.
By about next year,after a few years,my zero deductible premium,will BE about what my 1000$ premiums WERE. Imagine dat.
Insurance will pimp me for that 1000dollars one way or another. I just pay up front,cuz getting caught butt nekkid needing a grand wasnt coo.

 

I would call my Lexus dealer and talk to your salesman, or the used car manager. They should have the name of the vendor that touches up the used cars that come in on trade or that are bought at the local auction! Get the vendors name and number, call him directly, find out what day he shows up to the dealer, meet him there and get a price from him! You might want to get a couple different quotes from 2-3 different vendors that service high end dealers!

 

I would get it fixed and then start parking the Dear Wife's car on that side of the garage and just maybe beat the kid (just kidding).

Dennis