robertrios

iTrader: (11)

Hi guys, my wife and I are trading in the RX300 (we own that and a IS250) around 4pm today. The SC we are looking for is Blue with Tan interior and has aftermaket chrome 18" wheels. It is a 2004 and has only 8600 miles on it. Its currently at a Volvo dealership.

The dealer says that that car was maintained at the Lexus dealership, they have the car fax, and is in showroom condition.

How much should I pay for this car? Yes it has 8600 miles but its a 2004...when did they change the lights/add a back up camera? I was thinking 2006. Is that correct? I know the lights can be swapped out but what about te nav unit in order to obtain the back up camera in order to avoid needing the NAV tool?

Should I buy any extended warranty on this? When do these cars begin with issues...im sure because of the age its manufact. warranty has expired.

How much are you guys paying for oil changes at Lexus dealerships? Ive always had prepaid maint so I have no clue how much that is...maybe ill just have it serviced at the local toyota dealership.

Anyhow any opinions/help would be awesome.

Thanks guys!

mandyfig

Go to Edmunds.com and see what the retail-trade in-wholesale price for your car.

A low mileage older vehicle, is hard to price.

Is it a 1 owner car? If you can find out where it was serviced (Lexus dealer) you can call them up and ask for history. Plus Carfax and Autofax will help.

Service, the local Toyota will be fine.

Good luck and post pics.

Freds430

Here is Kelly Blue Book's value for a private party sale for a 04 with 9,000 miles.

http://www.kbb.com/used-cars/lexus/s...e&mileage=9000

So it looks like they are $5,000 over this price. I am sure they are negotiable but.

I have a 2002 silver with the same color interior. I take my car to a locally owned Toyota/Lexus shop. Oil changes are about $60 but this is with Mobil 1.

I would not worry about the extended warrenty. You own two other Lexus's so are aware of their reliabilty. For this year, Consumer Reports rates this car as the most reliable.

The car has no backup camera but is so low that I do not think one is needed.

In Florida, you will have fun in this car for lot's of months. We have 5 inches of snow here in Cary, NC this morning but calling for 62 on Saturday. If so the top will be down on the first day of the year!!!

mandyfig

Is this the actual car he was buying? How were you able to track it? What was the asking price?

mandyfig

Atlanta has a white Xmas as well. Not since 1863! Good that we did not have frozen roads.

MDames2

iTrader: (1)

when did they change the lights/add a back up camera?

The tail lights were changed on the 2006. No SC430, in any year, has a back up camera. Those are only aftermarket. For peace of mind, I would get an extended warranty. Even with low miles, the car is still 7 + years old. Just my opinion.

scdroptop

iTrader: (1)

Here are some opinions and answers from someone who has owned to super low mileage SC430's:

1) Ultra low mileage on these cars is fairly common, but ridiculously low mileage is very tough to put a price tag on. At some point, you reach a law of diminishing returns on the value. Would you pay less if the car had double the miles at 8k? Or triple at 12k? Probably not. Remember that. Although KBB, Edmunds can put a number to it, only the market value really can tell you what the true value is. The price range nationally for a 2004 SC is $18k to $39k depending on mileage, condition, etc. LOL-big range! IMO you should not pay more than $28k for this car regardless of mileage because I do believe that there is a cap. For that price, you can go up to a 2006 and get the new transmission, nav w/bt, updated front and rear lights (LED rear) and wheels, color availabilities (new camel interior option is nice!) and more.

2) Backup camera was not available till 2010 model-sorry! 2005 started bluetooth and newer navigation system. 2002-2004's are virtually identical.

3) You should go to www.lexus.com/owners and check the VIN for service history. If it has indeed been maintained at Lexus dealer then all the service should show up. If the initial in-service date was 2004 or older, then you are at 72 months which means going by TIME not MILEAGE this vehicle should have had the 36 month and 72 month services done (also known as 30k/60k) which are expensive and highly recommended-this includes all fluids, filters, brake checks and other critical maint. items. To me, a car that has NOT had these services done, regardless of mileage is a lesser value car than one that has had this done. Why? Wear and tear, sitting, etc. Fluids can get sludgy, less potent, etc when not regularly ran. Rubber (gaskets and hoses) can rot and become less effective when a car sits this long. Assuming this car has sat a lot (based on the super low mileage) I would be concerned with these fluids/filters not being changed. No service done=less $$$$. Some other items to look for: Battery, brakes, tires. You've got $2k easily in maint costs if they have never been done-good negotiation material!

4) I would absolutely buy an extended warranty on the car. It's insurance! Depending on the Dealership and what other franchises they own (perhaps they own a Lexus dealer too???) they can get a Lexus ESP (Extended Service Plan) for a 3 year/100k term for around $1800-$2k at the time of sale. You will have a hard time getting a Lexus/Toy ESP on your own since the car is way out of warranty terms. Third party is the one you'll have to get. It's remotely possible because of the low mileage you MIGHT be able to sweet talk the local lexus dealer that you have a relationship with on your other Lexus vehicles to sell you a warranty, but I seriously doubt it.

5) I pay $55 for oil changes at Sewell Lexus and I love it. Loaner car, top notch service, checking the car properly with all the expertise and knowledge of my car, Toy/Lexus OEM parts, etc etc. You can possibly save $5-$10 by going to a Toyota dealer and use coupons possibly, but for me it's well worth it and as little as I drive my car (less than 1k per year) two oil changes a year is all I need just to change the fluids out and check everything.

Give us more information...link to the car for sale, maint history or VIN and we can help. I would triple check for paint work. There could be another story on this car-it sat so long because it was wrecked and was repaired??? Check for tape marks, overspray, etc. Ask the dealer to bring out their paint meter and measure the hood, roof and all body panels for consistent paint measurements. If you see a 6 somewhere and a 9 or 10 somewhere else-it's been painted!!!

VVTiBob

Grab the VIN...go to drivers.lexus.com and check the maintenance history yourself, it's online. Check the maintenance history against TIME, not miles.

the 04 won't have the latest technologies and yes, you're right those major changes occurred in the 2006 model year.

Closely inspect the inside edges of the tires. Due to wheel geometry, camber, our tire wear out quickly.
What about run flats? Is there a spare in the trunk? If not, then the car has run flats and has a rough ride unlike any other lexus.
Speakers blown? Door speakers (woofers) are notoriously bad. In fact for a car as expensive as it was originally the speakers are poor quality and difficult to find alternative.

There is a whole list of issue to have inspected that has been posted...use the search function and you'll find them.

talison24

$31.9 i googled fl volvo sc430 to find it.

8,600 miles vs. about 35,000 means very little to me. I'd say $25. If it was the perfect color combo and perfect wheels for me as well as close to home I might go $26.5 at most. Their price is in the area of a good mileage 2006.

mandyfig

Got it, seems overpriced. I agree 26K or 27K at the most.

scdroptop

iTrader: (1)

I don't get it...

How do we have one CL member who just by the few subtle hints located in NC track the EXACT car very quickly (volvo dealer, Florida, blue, 8k miles) then someone else responds from OH below that they found it?

I'm confused! It's like you all are having mental telepathy!

Is Talison24 the same CL member as Freds430? Wow! I'm impressed!!!

Ok, now I've found on Autotrader the link to the car in question:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

This car is big time overpriced. I wouldn't even pay that for a CPO 2004 at a Lexus Dealer.

IMO the wheels are ugly.

IMO the pinstripes are ugly.

The price is hyper inflated due to the low mileage. I get that.

***Service history posted below. I have a few comments...the Good: 30k service done recently 11/2010. Battery done. Lots and lots of tire issues with this car. Was it neglected and sat for years? I think so. HUGE gap between 2004-2007. Not even an oil change. ***Even though the car did not need it mileage-wise, it needed an oil change and fluid check. This concerns me. See below.

Could use a carpet steam clean and leather reconditioning-looks dirty. Look at photo # 15, that depicts the drivers seat leather soiled.

Non-OEM black floor mats? For a 8k car, $31k price, I'd EXPECT a brand new set of OEM Ecru floor mats, all four keys, books, FREE CarFax and maint history. Why should you hunt/peck for this information on your own or with your fellow CL members? For this price, they should be BEGGING you to buy the car!!!

Finally, I would offer them $25k for the car. Settle for no more than $26.5k

Service History for VIN: JTHFN48Y140060077

Click a header to sort your service history.
Service Type Service Date Service Provider Mileage Repair Order # Service Description
Dealer Reported 11/29/2010 Germain Lexus of Naples 8625 0350659 TEST BATTERY AND REPLACE AS NEEDED $59.95
Dealer Reported 11/29/2010 Germain Lexus of Naples 8625 0350659 30,000 MILE DEALER RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVAL - SEE MENU
Dealer Reported 11/29/2010 Germain Lexus of Naples 8625 0350659 TREAD DEPTH LF___RF___LR___RR___ / BRAKE MEASUREMENTS LF___RF___LR___RR___
Dealer Reported 03/13/2010 Germain Lexus of Naples 8175 0332864 SCAN ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH TECHNICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM/CHECK FOR UP
Dealer Reported 03/13/2010 Germain Lexus of Naples 8175 0332864 CAM SENSOR CODE CLEARED CODE DID NOT RETURN CLIENT TO MONITOR AND RETURN IF LIGH
Dealer Reported 03/18/2008 Germain Lexus of Naples 500 0586788 LARRY ALLEN PIN 893888
Dealer Reported 08/15/2007 Scanlon Lexus of Ft Myers 6093 0054181 R&R RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND ROTATED IT TO THE REAR AS PER CUSTOMER REQUEST MH361533
Dealer Reported 01/02/2007 Scanlon Lexus of Ft Myers 4740 0039744 PERFORMED 5K SERVICE
Dealer Reported 11/03/2005 Scanlon Lexus of Ft Myers 2827 0016104 REINITIALIZED TIRE PSI SENSORS.
Dealer Reported 08/15/2005 Scanlon Lexus of Ft Myers 2475 0012357 DEFLAG .2
Dealer Reported 07/29/2005 Scanlon Lexus of Ft Myers 2474 0011579 COMB: EACH ADDITIONAL WHEEL - R&R TECH NOTES ATTACHED
Dealer Reported 07/27/2005 Scanlon Lexus of Ft Myers 2462 0011555 REPL OIL/FILTER,ROTATE TIRES,TOP OFF ALL FLUIDS,CHECK AIR PRESSURE
Dealer Reported 09/13/2004 Scanlon Lexus of Ft Myers 303 0026719 PERFORMED 30 DAY / 1000 MILE SERVICE
Dealer Reported 08/09/2004 Scanlon Lexus of Ft Myers 8 0025477 DETATA
Dealer Reported 07/23/2004 Scanlon Lexus of Ft Myers 8 0024881 PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION COMPLETED
Dealer Reported 07/23/2004 Scanlon Lexus of Ft Myers 8 0024881 TAG // KEY FOBS // CBEST


As always, I'll give you three cars to counter with. IMO these three cars are better choices for you...I'll rank them 1-3 for you:

1) 2002 Indigo Ink on Ecru SC430 ULTRA low 45k miles $21,881 at Lexus of Naples. Extensive service records, very low mileage and $10k cheaper than the 2004 which is exactly the same car!!! Looks as clean if not cleaner than the 2004 we found. Spare kit in the trunk!!! Plus, perhaps you may be able to buy an extended warranty on this car from dealer? Plus, you get free car washes and loaner cars from them!

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

2) 2002 Indigo on Ecru, ONLY 35k miles (wow!!) at wholesaler, no car fax info or maint info, but assuming these are good, this is a better buy than yours merely on price! Chrome OEM wheels, not as clean as the one above or your 2004, but pretty clean. $21,900

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

3) 2006 Blue on Ecru 27k miles WOW $28k--gives you new nav system, new tail lights, new front lights, new illuminated guage cluster and best of all new six speed manumatic transmission!!! Very nice! I'd like to see some pics, but a much better value for you considering you are getting the last update on the SC they made with ultra low miles for even $3k less than the 2004 you are looking at!

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false


If you need some others, here are two other good choices:

2002 45k miles $19k!!!

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...&standard=true

cyberlexus

iTrader: (2)

I would go with the 2006 Blue on Ecru 27k miles WOW $28k

scdroptop

iTrader: (1)

+1 My vote too. I should re-do my list, but I went by price mainly in my comparison because I don't know about his trade (RX). They could be over-inflating the SC price to compensate for a poor trade amount.

Look at the maint history on the 2007! Lots of service. Much better service history than that 2004. Still some wiggle room on this too...I'd shoot for $26.5k for an offer.

Service History for VIN: JTHFN48Y769003123

Click a header to sort your service history.
Service Type Service Date Service Provider Mileage Repair Order # Service Description
Dealer Reported 07/12/2010 Lexus of West Kendall 25253 0404276 NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE
Dealer Reported 01/29/2010 Lexus of West Kendall 22204 0334023 OTHERS
Dealer Reported 01/29/2010 Lexus of West Kendall 22204 0334023 LUGGAGE COMP DR WEATHERSTRIP
Dealer Reported 10/07/2009 Lexus of West Kendall 20196 0285571 NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE
Dealer Reported 02/10/2009 Lexus of West Kendall 15127 0194154 10000 MILE SERVICE NON WARRANTY-NON OEM
Dealer Reported 12/20/2008 Lexus of West Kendall 13248 0175111 INSPECT BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL INSPECT BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL
Dealer Reported 06/19/2008 Lexus of West Kendall 10084 0102850 TIRE-WHEEL
Dealer Reported 06/19/2008 Lexus of West Kendall 10084 0102850 NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE
Dealer Reported 04/08/2008 Lexus of West Kendall 9100 0070953 FRONT/REAR BODY
Dealer Reported 04/08/2008 Lexus of West Kendall 9100 0070953 NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE
Dealer Reported 11/21/2007 Lexus of West Kendall 7019 0007997 TIRE-WHEEL
Dealer Reported 11/21/2007 Lexus of West Kendall 7019 0007997 FRONT/REAR BODY
Dealer Reported 09/12/2007 Lexus of West Kendall 5898 0976422 FRONT/REAR BODY
Dealer Reported 08/07/2007 Lexus of West Kendall 5074 0960310 5,000 MILE SERVICE
Dealer Reported 08/07/2007 Lexus of West Kendall 5074 0960310 WHEEL/TIRE CONCERN
Dealer Reported 03/13/2007 Lexus of West Kendall 2539 0897047 NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE
Dealer Reported 02/28/2007 Lexus of West Kendall 2128 0892222 NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE
Dealer Reported 01/15/2007 Lexus of West Kendall 1942 0869632 NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE
Dealer Reported 11/28/2006 Lexus of West Kendall 1173 0857436 FRONT/REAR BODY
Dealer Reported 11/17/2006 Lexus of West Kendall 814 0851308 NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE
Dealer Reported 10/27/2006 Lexus of West Kendall 95 0845436 NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE
Dealer Reported 10/27/2006 Lexus of West Kendall 390 0845926 NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE
Dealer Reported 10/27/2006 Lexus of West Kendall 390 0845926 NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE NON WARRANTABLE OPERATION CODE
Dealer Reported 10/27/2006 Lexus of West Kendall 390 0845926 WINDSHIELD WASHER JAR
Dealer Reported 10/27/2006 Lexus of West Kendall 390 0845926 FRONT/REAR BODY FRONT/REAR BODY
Dealer Reported 10/27/2006 Lexus of West Kendall 390 0845926 FRONT/REAR BODY
Dealer Reported 10/21/2006 Lexus of West Kendall 95 0842499 FRONT/REAR BODY
Dealer Reported 10/21/2006 Lexus of West Kendall 95 0842499 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Dealer Reported 12/06/2005 Lexus of West Kendall 4 0733274 PRE-DELIVERY SERVICE FOR USA ALL ALTITUDES

Brickell Honda-is that close to you, Robert? Here is their info:
http://www.brickellhonda.com/used-in...&SBprice=clear

scdroptop

iTrader: (1)

************gorgeous!!!!!!!!!************

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/ctd/2130139112.html

27k miles $28k asking price...

2006 Lexus SC 430 Convertible SC 430 - $28881 (Miami)

Brickell: (888)457-9205

huy33

Look what you guys/gals did... you got Derek going all crazy on his SC430 searching.

FYI: those pinstripes do look ugly but then again I have black ones on my silver SC.