milosbee

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and ready to pull the trigger on a 1999 LS400 in Imperial Jade Mica with 80k miles. I'm hoping someone can let me know what a fair price would be. It's currently listed for $6,500 but there are a few issues with the vehicle. Let me know what you think, thanks!

Cons:
-Navigation is not functional (needs to be updated I assume)
-Headlight Leveling Warning Light on Dash (Lights do not move upon starting vehicle)
-Quarter sized rust spot on roof (likely from rock chip)

Interior is a 7.5/10 and exterior is maybe a 7/10 if I'm being honest.

YODAONE

Dear "Honest";

This is NOT a $6,500 vehicle.

$3,500.tops if owner can produce receipt water pump.and timing belt/pulleys serviced with OEM components in last 3 years.

Sin1UZFE

Sexy color but 6500 with issues stated nah, 2500


Don't know what you mean about nav not working but if the trunk unit is toast you can fin those for $40 to 60 on eBay.

Headlight issue prolly will need both headlight assemblies which are 200 to 300 each

Rust on roof, another car I have had the sunroof rusted so I sealed it with black paint. Maybe redo the whole roof with black paint?

That's assuming everything else was done recently.

But 6500 nah

peterls

Totally in agreement with other two posters. That car ain't worth half of that price. Just think of the rust spot: you'd have to repaint at least entire roof, maybe more. You can NEVER get the same quality paint job as the factory one. My car is 30 years old, and paint looks like new (well, it would if I had the time to polish it, but no rust, nothing to be repainted). Try to paint something that will last 30 years in California sun...
And then, there are other quirks. That "minor" problem with navigation is a major issue. I personally would not even consider a 2nd gen with a nav unit because it is next to impossible to change it and put in a modern navigation. My '90 has a new nav unit, but that '99 cannot have it. You'd first have to buy a regular A/C controls, then get rid of navigation, and finally find a way to connect your new stereo/nav unit to those wires. Good luck with that. Someone tried and gave up and finally took it to a specialist who charged him $500. So, add $500 on top of the price + new nav unit (arouind $250-$500) + a/c controls, and then you will still have a little ugly gap between the trim at the top.
I'd say - pass or get it for $2000 provided it has been maintained well. You will notice that 2nd genLS with nav does not sell. I see them on Craigslist all the time - they stay there forever.

Sin1UZFE

Got a replacement unit (not the head unit with the screen but the one that is in the trunk) for $40! Plug n play.

peterls

And the screen will magically become high-res, bluetooth 4.0 or 5.0 ready, and have up-to-date google maps on it as well as play media files?

Sin1UZFE

I guess you don't know what REPLACEMENT means.

spuds

Yup,2000 dollar car.

Fit1too

It all depends on what you’re willing to pay. Prices and opinions vary wildly. Is it at a dealership or being sold by an individual? For $6500 there should be NO issues, and have a perfect, verifiable, service history. The tires should be newer and less than 2-3 years old—same goes for the timing belt. There should be no maintenance requirements i.e. brakes, spark plugs, suspension, electronics, etc. Nothing should be required of you. It should start, run, and drive perfectly. It should be spit shined and polished. The interior should smell like leather—not fast food. It would never have been smoked in—for that price it should never have been cussed in. I notice you are in Ohio, which is a rust belt state. There should be ZERO rust—you do not want a rusty car. It’s not the 80K miles showing on the odometer that determines the value of a 20-year-old-car—it’s the whole package i.e. seller, condition, history, etc. Many sellers think low mileage is a selling point, but for the buyer this only holds true on newer vehicles and/or classics.

Also, you can visit NADA.com, KBB.com, and/or Edmunds.com/appraisal/ to find professional pricing; which varies wildly too.

peterls

Let's say I don't. If you are not changing the screen, which is what your post says, but only the unit in the trunk, then, how does the resolution of the display change? Explain please.

milosbee

Thanks for the input everyone! I thought it was overpriced as well! Not having working navigation isn’t an issue for me as I use my phone. The headlight warning and surface rust spot are my biggest concerns. I’m going to continue looking for a UCF20

Sin1UZFE

You do however but now we are getting into the realm of trolling. This isn't Facebook please don't try to turn it into a mess. We are here to help not troll. The way I see it and I seemed to have been correct is the display is merely a monitor and all the bits are in the trunk unit. Don't get what you are trying to get out of the resolution question given all op said was his nav didn't work.

Sin1UZFE

When you say nav you literally mean the nav function? Or entire usage of the screen? Funny thing is my car would say check hdd when tapping on nav. But when I replaced the trunk unit nav function worked. Albiet with really old maps.

400fanboy

$6500 is a 9\10 car with no major issues and timing belt\starter motor replaced somewhat recently. Both of those are ~$1000 jobs at a shop (less if you're in a low cost of labor area, more in a metro city). Plus many cars need to have their front strut bars replaced so that's another $500ish depending if you go OEM or aftermarket.

If this car doesn't have those done that's $4500. Overall 7/10 condition is another -$1000. Broken parts is $500 minimum.

Has it had a transmission\differential\brake fluid flush in the last 5 years? That's another couple hundred.

I'd say $2500-3000 tops.The color is nice and the miles are low, but without more info can't properly price it.

Stereorob

way too much. the rust spot would have me really bugged out because they rust where you cant see first so if its all the way to where you can see it, the car probably has some serious cancer issues. that alone would be a no-go for me. my 95 is rusty and its a nightmare to work on because of it.