TLguy

Hi folks. My brother is looking at purchasing this LS. What you guys think about the price. It's currently listed at $17,300. What would you offer considering it has had the timing belt and 4 new tires. Thanks for the input!

http://www.handsomemotors.com/2345_V...S-430-for-sale

Johnhav430

imho price is way too high, again, my logic is that say this car drives 200k easily, and 300k, very good chance. Are the low miles a benefit, and should you pay for them? I say no, and no.

It's this idea of paying for something you will never be able to use. If you were to buy a car with 60-80k, odds are you will never drive it until the wheels fall off. And age is also a detriment, not just mileage. I would recommend buying a newer car, like an 06, with higher mileage, and a lower price....maybe for $12k. I think '04 needs a tranny flash, am I right? Good luck...

bloomwcjkl

It looks nice. Great color combination. Last fall I bought a one owner 04 Flint Mica/Black Modern Luxury with 64k miles for $12k. The couple started at $15.5k and I watched the price drop over several months. This was a private party sale. When it got to $12.5k I offered $12,000 and they accepted. I am going to do the timing belt this summer. The owner insisted to me that the Lexus shop said he didn't have to do it yet. It wasn't worth going back and forth over the 9/90 guideline. For the condition, I was willing to pay $12k. I haven't fixed or changed anything since purchasing.

The price is probably a bit high, but it will likely sell for close to that. With the timing belt done, that is a little perk. Maybe $15.5k or $16k? No way to know what someone will pay or what they will take until it sells.

TLguy

Those were my thoughts too. I just bought an '05 with 99k and I can't see myself getting to 300k in the next 15 years. Thanks for the insight.

JJLS430

Wow...so that's what my car looked like when new (well, with the exception of the wheels). It might not fit the price vs. life left equation for most people, but nostalgia plays a part as these low mileage examples get more and more scarce. Just take a look at the Bring A Trailer auction site to see some of the transaction prices of cars that in some way strike an emotional chord with people.

TLguy

[QUOTE=bloomwcjkl;10177431
The price is probably a bit high, but it will likely sell for close to that. With the timing belt done, that is a little perk. Maybe $15.5k or $16k? No way to know what someone will pay or what they will take until it sells.[/QUOTE]

Guy told my brother, someone was in the process of buying....I'm guessing somewhere in the 16-17k range... Worth it for some folks I guess.

tallcaguy

Price is too high. The 04 transmission issues have probably been resolved but wouldn't hurt to check. Lexus replaced the transmissions in early 04's (production date 7/29/03 - 1/1/4/04). There were also sometimes problems w/ hard 2 >1 downshifts at slow speed. There's a Lexus TSB (software reflash) that solves that. The 04 is the first year of the redesign. If you're looking for a perfect, high price, low mileage car, suggest buying an 05-06.

Jabberwock

Value of a low mile LS or SC somewhat depends on the goal of the buyer. Low miles are also generally an indicator of very low wear and tear on the interior as well as on the paint and rubber especially if it has been garaged and if it was a Southern or Western states car (non rust belt).

If you are looking for an exceptional low wear and tear LS to keep and drive for many years, I personally would definitely pay a premium for a mint low mile example like this one - they are increasingly hard to find. But if you are just looking for a reliable, luxury daily/driver commuter car, buy a new model year but higher miles LS, ignore some typical wear and tear, and likely pay a much lower cost.

Last year I bought a 2004 SC430 with 27k miles in pristine condition. Besides the super low miles the interior looked like no one had ever sat in it before. That is why I paid a significant premium (likely $3-4k over market) and was very happy to do so. And got there to close the deal (literally with 4 hours of it being posted/advertised) barely ahead of several other buyers that were hunting the same kind of SC430.


I bet that white LS isn't for sale for very long.

Bob04

Age isn't as big a factor with these cars as you might think. My 22k mile car drives like the brand new one I drove in 2004. Noticeable difference between it and my 140k mile car. The 430 ages well, but some of these low mileage, well maintained cars can give you an experience almost identical to when it was new. Mine even still smells new.

Johnhav430

Low miles are interesting...don't ask but I was browsing used Ferraris. I think to myself, how can a car only have 2 or 3k when it is 5+ years old? And a beautiful 2010 Calif. was $108k? I'm not saying I can afford one, but if I "had to have" one, I didn't even know it was remotely possible...

My point is if a Ferrari breaks down with only 3k miles, that would be sad!!

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Too much but it looks good. I would not pay that much though.

Bocatrip

LS430Lexus

That's what I did. In my recent search, I spoke to the seller. He seemed to be an honest guy and deserves to make an honest buck. The car was at $18,900 when I spoke to him in the beginning of March. It is a 2 owner car that he purchased from a dealer in Miami. As a dealer in high end used cars, he has the relationships to make it as close to new as possible. It appears that he did. Also, he claims the car was built after the transmission design modification. I believe him and it can be easily verified.

In the end, I passed and purchased an '06 with the same color and options from a Tuscon Lexus dealer with 42k. The condition is comparable and my timing belt service, fluids, tires, and other maintenance items were done at the dealer. It was early in my search and I wanted an '05 or '06. In my experience, it is worth paying for lower mileage. I was pleasantly surprised by the difference in feel and handling of the car when I went from my '02 UL with 165k to my '03 ML with 84k to my new to me '06 ML with 42k.

That said, the car is worth it to the right buyer. Everything is done and it is great shape. You are paying a premium but it is worth it. You will have peace of mind and save in maintenance, repair and cleaning costs. In the end, you will be farther ahead and will be enjoying a beautiful LS430 for many years.

charleston

Bocatrip

Are you the seller? If so...and car is as pristine as represented... hold on to the price. If it is a true exceptional LS430 it's going to sell fairly quickly with some flexibility on price for tweaking on the final agreement.