Bradwillia

I have recently sold my 2002 GS430 to Carmax and bought a VW Phaeton. After having it for sale for 1 1/2 years and getting dicked around to the point of no return I just gave up and sold it to them. Refer to thread below for pics of car. It is still mechanically perfect and needs nothing. And a word to the lowballers, the cost of the car is still going to be about the same price! Just glad that is isn't my problem anymore. It was a great fun car to drive. However it never filled the void of the LS400 that I had before it so I just wasn't into it anymore.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lex...ck-9500-a.html

It is at the Carmax in Tinley Park Illinois although im sure it will be sold at auction to a local dealer. Hope it goes to a good responsible owner

Vin JT8BL69S020009256

perry05g35

iTrader: (4)

Well congrats on your sale & purchase of the Phaeton, totally forgot about those cars how does it compare to the LS400 you use to own?

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

Good luck with the Phaeton. There's a reason why you rarely see them.

Bradwillia

You don't see many around because they didn't bring very many to the US. Under 2,000 the first year, and less and less the next two years. An incredibly well made car. It is the LS400 of modern times. A game changing car. It's the first large luxury saloon to impress me since the first gen LS. The ride and quietness are similar to the LS. The attention to detail is a tad better, back seat is gigantic. Sound system is Dynaudio and is better than Nakamichi. Although I still love and miss that system! I was never impressed with the Levinson. Basically when you hop in the Phaeton, you get that special feeling of overengineering, much like the LS. However, the new LS pales in comparison to this thing.

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

Oh ok I see.

Did you get the V8 or W12?

gs4bkny

Not for nothing. I have an 04 ls430 and i love my lexus. but i do like the phaeton a lot. I just don't like the overall exterior look of the car......i think lexus has that beat but in the performance and technology side of the phaeton, it was miles ahead of the ls430. The other problem with that car is the re-sale value of that car is horrible. your talking about a $100k plus car that you can now get for $20k where as a s600 or 760 will retain a much higher resale value......all things to consider....but overall still a sick vehicle!

ALeX300

iTrader: (3)

gotta disagree on resale value compared to s600/760 - they are within a few thousands in price(quick cars.com search for 05 s600/760li/phaeton/a8L).
Reliability is another topic though

Bradwillia

I agree that the Lexus looks a bit better. The phaeton design is a bit on the bland side, however it isn't bad looking. It is very unique looking though and I think it will age very well. The main point of the thread was to steer someone to a good 430 LOL. I posted the VIN on it so that should help locate it wherever it is. It's a mechanically top notch car, I just hate to see some jerk-off buy it and not take care of it if you know what I mean. And it if it goes to a buy here pay here lot that will be a likely story.

ALeX300

iTrader: (3)

Hey, whatever phaeton lacks in exterior style it makes up in interior comfort and that Dyn sounds phenomenal. I've yet to test Audi a8 B&O system but i'll admit that Dyn in a phaeton beats ML in my ls460. Heck even a Dyn system in buddy's vw CC smacked my old GSs ML.

Speaking of CarMax - i got my LS from them in march. iirc i dealt with Ernie - cool guy, no BS. And i know what you meant about trying selling a car privately - my 3rd attempt with my GS and it was the worst yet. Next time i'll just trade in to save my time and headaches.

repugnante

I really thought the Phaeton was impressive when it first hit the US market, and still do. But I kept asking myself, "80 grand for a V-Dub??"

L3XOTIC

Excuse me buddy.

Buy/Here pay here LOT's, wouldnt even sell a Lexus/mercedes/bmw if they were smart. I own a car lot, i do buy here/pay heres, but not on luxury vehicles. Your are correct, buy here/payhere clients are definitley jerkoffs that need some babysitting and help.

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

So....V8 or W12?

Bradwillia

Got the V8. The 12s are pretty hard to come by and I have driven both. The gas mileage is about the same due to the w12 being the lightest in the world, but the v8 actually sounds better, almost everyone who owns them agrees. As for the 75k price tag on the Phaeton, if you ever drive one, you will know that it is worth EVERY penny! Unless that is, if you want to buy the EXACT same car which would be the flying spur/continental without the 100 patents that the phaeton has for $200k. I could care less about what badge is on it