DallasLex

iTrader: (1)

Main reason is exclusivity! I don't know the exact ratio but you can imagine for every 100 GS300's in the U.S. only a few GS430's sold($52K price tag had somthing to do with it I'm sure).
In your case, I would have to take some risks and buy on the net and have them ship it to ya.
Good luck with your search.

davezaristo

and for some reason, GS430 doesn't really depreciate very much...i think not only it is more exclusive, but also is bulletproof reliablity compare to the older GS...i am thinking about selling my 01 soon and think that i shouldn't have a problem getting 17-18k for it with 77k on the odo..

4ntvings

iTrader: (6)

gunbelt, no problem, i could really understand your frustration and need to vent.

let me clarify. from your initial post there is a 430 listed for $22-24k and i would assume you're looking at dealers in the DC area. next, b00b00s559's post about an 04 430 for $35k; assuming his location being CA and so forth. my point is that so cal's listings/prices may often be higher than other locations in the country. so i dont think you really wanna come out here to buy a 430; chances are, it'd cost more.

Gunbelt

What is so interesting is that I began actually looking for '04 LS430's. Then I thought that maybe I could find better deals on the GS because it hasn't changed since '01, therefore I could get a better deal on an older one ('02, '03 ,etc). Wrong! You can find more '04 LS430 cheaper than the '04 GS430. I couldn't believe it. But back to my original point. Dealer markups are 10% (or $1800 whichever is higher) on cars. With the GS it is 40-50%. So if the prices are real, why are we consumers paying that heavy of a premium when the dealers are only giving us $16-18k for trades on the same vehicle (the price they are paying for at auction)? Its not adding up.

wowitztai

iTrader: (1)

i always wonder why but Lexus holds value alot!.

4ntvings

iTrader: (6)

there's prob some science on how the dealers value your trade in. more than likely, its prob close to what they'd expect to get at wholesale/auctions prices. then they add reconditioning, etc, so add another couple hundred to thousand + profit. but regarding the markup, a $6k+ is a bit much.

swollio

i just sold my 01 gs430 for only 12700...... no navi though, and has 110k w/ all maitenance records. the buyer got a hell of a deal. just look around, but not at stealership......

ARRUDASGS

i use to work at a dealership in new jersey we use galves not kelly or nada if you can get a galves book that will give you the price dealers will pay also if you go to a dealer ask them to see the tissue on the car and that will show you what the dealer paid for that car , they have to its the law. in nj anyway

Gunbelt

I planned on doing that, but when here in the DC area they price the car so high it makes me think they don't want to negotiate. I have a Galves account so I definitely have the numbers. Perhaps I just need to go and do it and see what they say.

Och

iTrader: (3)

2003 GS430 with 60K miles should be around 19-22K, depending on options. With 16K you can get a 2002 or 2001, with nearly 100K miles.

FIVEOHinNJ

Then I must've got a REALLY good deal because I paid 18K for mine with NAVI/ML, (blk/blk too) with 61K on the dash. (Plus it has some extra goodies too!)

AUGuy21

That original markup from the first post seems a little high. I got my '02 430 exactly a year ago in McLean, VA (near DC) from a small dealer with 41K miles for $25,000. I think you'll be looking at about the same price now for a 2003 GS430 in great shape w/ low mileage...

NAV

Given that 05 is the last model year, I wonder if there are many 05 GS430 around? With about the same mileages, options, etc... would the price for 05 be that much more than the 04, 03, 02...?

davezaristo

wow..the buyer stole it from you..

AUGuy21

Hey Dave, did you end up selling your GS that I was looking at last year for a price you wanted? If so, what you driving now?