GS300.ru

Hello,
It was a long time since my last post. The modding time is mostly dedicated to kids nowdays. I'm in the process of purchasing my wife's 04 RX 330 off the lease, which should free up even more money for my purchase (My 98 GS300 was paid off for a while now). My car is over 10 years old now and is kicking well (155000) but the idea of possibly non functioning airbags start getting on my mind more and more.

I decided to start looking for 06 CPO GS430 but my friend (current owner of the blue 2006 GS 430 40.000mi for $38k, auctioned from Texas) told me that I should hold off for the Aug-Nov period of the lease returns. The car I'm looking for is fully loaded Blue\Gray interior? 06 GS430, I have abandoned the idea of 07 GS 350 due to several reasons. I want V8 with all the handling "safety software", bigger front brakes and the option of switching sport suspension on and off. I have almost lost all my teeth while riding on SF roads (mostly puddles) on L-tuned suspension with 17 inch Work Euro line wheels (LOL).

I live in SF Bay area region and the pricing of the cars is one of the highest. The BBK or Edmunds say that I should expect to pay about $42k for fully loaded 06 CPO with about 40k miles on it. Five of the nearby L-dealerships are advertising about 20 cars on the internet at the moment; all are in the range of $37-38. None of them are blue but I could live with some of them. The light green GS 430 is even advertised for 35k.

In your opinion:
1. Should I start working on one of the currently available cars to push it down to $35k? Possible? Most of the offered cars are metallic or black, none are blue.
2. Wait for Aug-Nov and get my blue dream car. What sort of the prices should I expect in 3-5 month for a 3 year old car?
3. Wait till Christmas and find a steal?

I would like to get a new car ASAP but not desperate to get it now as I’m still enjoy riding my 98 and can wait. For the first time in my life I don't have to mess with trade in rip off option and I was mod bug free for almost three years now (not counting the roof spoiler a year ago and new Brembo rotors).

I also have a question for 06 GS 430 owners. Are the headlights turning with you wheels part of some kind of package or an optional item? I would definitely like to get those as well.

I will be glad to hear all your opinions. Any strategy for lowering the price, as they always mention the BBK and compare the price to 3xx model?

mikedozz

I would keep looking until you find the color that you want. Its easy to just pick one for the sake of getting a newer car, but u then have to keep that car for a while, which you probably will because you kept your current one for 10 years. I would check autotrader and even if you have to drive or fly 500 hundred miles, i would get the right one for you. I would expect to pay around 33-36 for an 06 with 40 plus thousand miles on it. Are you going to trade in your 98 or just keep it?

The G Man

I would never rush if I were to pay $40,000 for a used car. Thats a lot of money so I would make sure the car is problem free and the right color. I am not going to talk you out of buy a 430, seems like that will be a waste of time since u have your mind made up. The adpative headlights are standard, but they are pretty useless in my opinion.

Nashbar50

Gray interior is going to be hard to find, most of the blue onyx come with the wheat interior. If you can live with the wheat, you may want to fly down to Beverly Hills and pick this one up and drive it back!!

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=&cardist=1379

xxlbeerZ

I'm trying to find a used GS as well, why does everyone seem to like the tan color interiors? I sure don't. Seems like it would be a hassle.

Gray/black with the reddish wood looks best IMO.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Black leather works for me also.Looks great too.
With the light gray and beige leather before,I no longer sit on a towel.
Black leather on my last 3 Lexus vehicles and future Lexus or other company vehicles.

The G Man

Gray is very hard to keep clean.

Nashbar50

I wouldn't say I like the tan color, but finding an Onyx Blue Lexus 06GS430 with Black/Gray interior is close to impossible. You are going to have to make some sacrifices when searching for a car that is 3 yrs old and not many to choose from.

I just checked auto trader and there was a total of 15 blue 06GS430 and all had the tan interior.

TheRaj

Anyone else notice that car has the wrong shift ****....

drpepper

Hadn't noticed, but it may not mean much. My experience around here was that the Lexus dealers don't keep the shift ***** in the used cars. I asked about it and was told that they tend to disappear and wind up on ebay.

The dealerships end up taking pictures sometimes with no **** and sometimes with a **** they walk around with and put in different cars.

I don't really understand who it is that's stealing all these shift ***** from dealerships, but that was what I was told. I suppose that might be the case elsewhere as well.

...Is that a shift **** in your pocket or was the test drive that good?

NavyDoc333

I would seriously think about an 07 350. I have an 06 300 and the only lament I have is the upgraded NAV/Bluetooth (better voice commands)..on the 06 you can't just say, "Dial # xxx-xxxx"... and MUCH better screen resolution. Plus the 350 and 430 have similar HP, but with the 350 you'll get direct injection and better milage!

GS300.ru

Thanks for all the responses. Looks like I need to wait a little to see more cars after August lease returns. I was originally considering 07 GS 350 but my friend convinced me that after the test drive his 430 feels so much superior to 350 (softer ride, silent powerful v8 plus more features). Please let me know if you have had experiences with both cars, as I still might consider 350. On the other note, it does not look like there is a fully loaded 350 for 35k yet. I’m also no stranger to the harsh ride as that is what I have on my current 17 inch setup.

LexFather

I believe white/tan is the most popular selling color for any Lexus vehicle. Most dealers keep tons of those in stock.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

I believe that's true at least for the GS..
I wanted a white/black and it took a few days for my dealer to get one.
Doing a search,I found white/ivory models were plentiful at dealers,including mine..

The G Man

GS300.ru, your friend owns a GS430, so his opinion is bias. Drive both and decide for yourself. Power wise, they are both the same but the 350 is more fuel efficient. The GS430's engine is old tecnology and the GS350 is the latest. I would rather have a car that is one year newer than a few more options.