Currently in the market for a GS430, and found a beautiful black cherry pearl on with 97K miles on it. He is asking 13,300 for it and it is fully loaded and completely stock except for 18" wheels, But he has maintained it well, oil changes, trans fluid changes, plugs and few other basics, but he has not done the recommended 90k which would be the Timing belt and water pump, how much would all that cost to get replaced and how much room is there to talk him down. He is pretty firm with that price but meeting him in person on fri to test drive and work my negotiating skills. The price seems kinda high, but being the fact that the color is very rare and the car looks amazing, how much room do yall think I have to work with and the importance of timing belt and WP
Thanks

 

I would have the owner adjust the price a little since your the one that has to do the 90k service.. Its a important maintenance item that should be done around that time for piece of mind and safety..

 

^ I agree.

Seeing as you didn't give us the year the car was made, it can't be more than 9 years old considering it is a 430. The price is somewhat high and since it has to get some maintenance done, kindly ask the owner to let it go for a $12,200. Start asking a lower price though, say $11,700 and gradually start adjusting until he is happy with the offer.

 

You reminded me of when I bought my car for some reason . I had offered him a price which I thought was low, and he immediately said "ok fine". Sometimes I wonder if I could have got away with a lower price Also its important to stick to your guns, and just walk away with your offer, if declined, and leave your contact info if the seller is interested in the future. Do not just adjust the price until the seller is happy. Remember, it is a buyers market. You as the buyer have the upper hand.

 

Sorry ya it is a 2002, and what do you think the price of timing belt and wp would cost so I will know how much room I might have, dont want to offer too low but want to get the best I can.

 

The stealership i think is between 1100-1400 from lexus but a local shop should be less. Finding parts yourself might save a few bucks as well.. We all know the markup of parts... GL

 

I'm in the same boat with my '02 GS430 w/85K miles. Before plopping down the big $ at the stealership, I've checked out two local independent garages that "specialize" in Lexus / Toyota. The first looks totally dodgy and I won't be going there! The second is clean, owner sounded knowledgeable and actually had some Lexus being worked on while I was there.

The owner of the second shop told me to pass on the belt and pump unless the pump was leaking (in hindsight, this might be the classic bait and switch pricing scheme to get my business!). He said that I wouldn't need the belt done until 110-120K miles because the 90K replacement is overkill, but would do whatever I decided. I'm dubious.

In comparing a Lexus dealer and a local independent garage, would the liability protection from an improper service be the same? In other words, would the Lexus dealer be any more likely to offer the buyer protection from a job gone bad?

Even after reading lots of searched threads, I'm still second guessing my path forward. I plan on keeping my car for another 1-3 years, so I'm inclined to protect my investment, but get that distinct feeling that it's not necessary because we're not seeing / hearing of broken timing belts. $1-1.5K for that good feeling - even with a free loaner?! [I think I need to get that $150 off coupon from the dealer!]

 

Ya that was another importent question that I had because I hardly ever hear a timing belt break on someone with a lexus, well never owned one but sure as hell about too. You have to replace the timing belt on Audis because they WILL break on you and leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere, like me, mine broke in small town in NC and I had to rent a Uhaul truck with trailer to get it home 10 hours away, $4000 later, Audis are pieces of ****, but enough of that just want to know if it is common for them to fail at all like they will on Audis, still plan on getting it done whenI get mine regardless but ya

 

Sounds like 11.5-12k car to me before the belt repair.

 

I have the exact same car. 2002 Black cherry pearl. all options-Nav,ML,wood, 17' chromes 93K, excellent shape and pricing it out on Edmunds it came out at a clean rating between $12,138 for trade in, $13,799 private party and $15,668 dealer price. At an outstanding rating would be $13,073 wholesale,$14,812 private and $16,826 dealer.
I'm also in the same boat with the timing belt. A local Toyota dealer quoted $1,100.
I'm thinking of waiting till 100K.

 

How you like your black cherry 430, im meeting the guy on fri, to drive it and hopfully talk him down what did you pay for yours, this one has 97k other than that exact same cars, but he started asking 14,500 and said if I was serious he could go to 13,300, but just talked to him through emails just trying to see what price I should start out with seeing the timing belt needs done, thinkin of maybe saying 11.5 but dont want to low ball him.

 

Aww man. You never mentioned the $14,500. Now with that said, you're going to have to adjust your offer a little bit and in this case anything in the $11K is low-balling. Offer him $12,400 now, see what he says and raise the price accordingly. Don't forget to mention the maintenance you're going to have to perform.

 

Thanks evryone for the advice let yall know how it turns out

 

I love the car. The color is what first attracted me to it. I purchased around 2 1/2 years ago for $19,500 from the first owner who kept it dealer maintained. It's my garage queen as it doesn't go out in the rain if I can help it.

 

I cant wait to own mine meeting the guy tomorrow to test drive and talk prices, Im so excited thanks for the update, and it is exactly what ive been waiting for.