camry200k

Hello,
Here in SC and looking at a 05 ls430 being sold by a dealer who normally sells like mobility vehicles and products (wheechair vans and so on). This dealer is a good 2 hr drive so I have not seen it yet.

05 LS 430 with ~97000 k miles. It has factory NAV but is the CL or ML (NOT UL). 3 previous owners in Texas and Florida last. Was then sold in an auction to this dealer.
Carfax attached. There are service records at Lexus and till ~55k miles . Nothing significant has been changed per those records.

Timing belt job not done yet. This dealer is asking $17500 + fee/tax/title (which come to ~1000). So, $18500 OTD. I figured this was too high.

Questions:
1. Whats a fair asking price? Per car fax it appears it was sold in auction in summer of 23 and the dealership owner has been using it since then.

2. What kind of routing maintenance should I expect if I buy this? I am guessing timing belt job, all fluids, brakes perhaps tires. All that so at least 2 to 3k low end.

3. What "good" options exist to change the factory head uinit/nav? I heard the GROM something option but I doubt the factory screen would be any good.


Any other thoughts appreciated.

thanks!

demark1

That just seems too high. I have a 2005 UL with 160k and I while I would consider another LS430 if mine got totaled, or for my son, I would not pay that unless the was somehow uniquely in great shape.

All fluids includes differential, trans, PS, coolant, brake fluid,,,

Do all speakers work (including subwoofer)? tilt motor, telescoping wheel motor, all mirrors adjust and fold? All locks work? trunk button inside and out? Windows and locks and trunk opener and hood struts? AFS headlights? no codes? Get a full inspection and check everything switch-wise I do not claim to know the market, but MLs were going for 5-10k some time ago with 130-ish k miles. Yes, I've seen a low-mileage UL here asking 30k+ a while back here but not for me. Are hoses good? Suspension good? I bet spark plugs were never done. Tires not over 5 years old and on their last legs? on cars.com just now I see a 2003 with 135k miles asking 7500 with 1 minor accident on carfax. ML with decent interior. Yes, it is pre-facelift but for over $10000 cheaper, it is far more reasonable. Save the money for maint and repairs. You will over time have them on either car.

Eventually you may need alternator, starter, etc. (Actually, in the carfax I see the alternator was replaced in 2016 at 50k... surprised. Not OEM, probably)... My hood cable just rusted, $500 at dealer. That's age, not miles. Are you DIY? Every year there is something, and it ages (the 35k mileage difference is minimal), but I am not paying lots more for repairs or maintenance than 6 years ago, when I had a $3000 bill for 1 cat, y-pipe, MAF, o2 sensor etc. to get rid of a check engine light. For a car that old to cost that much when I just saw an alternative checking for 5 mins on cars.com, I think it is too high. BTW, I bought my last 2 car used and shipped from Chicago (McGrath Lexus back in 2009) and Ohio (2017) to NY. Both had a warranty, which in the case of my UL paid off: brake booster (actuator?) had a click at 35k miles, mirror died at 50k, radar cruise went (not issue on the ML). 1 strut, etc. My 4 year old, CPO ls430 (in 2009) had the CPO warranty more than pay off, on a 4-9 year old car! Shipping is viable, is the point, just really get a good inspection.

I have had lots of little repairs over the years, first covered by my 6 year extended CPO warranty. The car is great but I probably had more items go bad earlier than recently. Probably any car you get will have some issues over time. I get that these cars are great if in great shape, but 17500 is just too high, unless it is an incredible, incredible gem. I'd buyt a car with 150k that had great service records and already had a new alternator, or starter, or wheel bearing, etc. replaced, and plugs done at 120k, or whatever. Pre-improved! and not 18k. Just my opinion.

camry200k

Thanks,

Yes I noticed the alternator changed at 50k at non dealer! That's crazy. My Camry at 190k has original alternator, I simply replaced brushes.

Typically though, what would an LS430 need by the time it's 100k miles? Timing belt, all fluids, brakes and tires aside.

demark1

I think you covered it. Plus repairs as needed, and perhaps shocks/struts, and spark plugs in not done in last 10 years. and air filter/cabin filter. I am on original hoses. Anyway, to me the issue is the price on that one.

TominPT

I think that price is way out of line considering all the deferred maintenance (which is always a bad sign). As far as other repairs it might need at 100K miles, only an inspection will say for sure. Some cars might need a lot, others none at all. It all depends on the particular car. My '05 at 143K miles needs nothing and is on the original door lock actuators, suspension, starter, alternator, wheel bearings, etc and in fact has very few things ever go wrong with it since 2005. but that is probably unusual in 2024. I did have to refurbish the remote mirror control switch but I did that myself and it cost me nothing at all.

The timing belt job quote is too high. I had a Toyota dealer do the job recently on an LS400 for $ 1,100.

AVSRacing

I just sold my 02 UL with timing belt done with 107k miles for $7600. So that's very steep

JaySco

Sounds similar to my car, 05 ML that had 117k when I got it a couple years ago. I paid $11k and even at that it probably wasn’t a bargain. Also I’ve been told to stay away from any car coming out of FL.

jimisbell

Why no FL. is there a reason or just prejudice?

JaySco

For clarity, this was years ago after a wave of storms and was probably a warning against flood damaged cars. I guess it just kind of stuck with me. I’ve also heard Jersey is the easiest to wash titles in.

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

In my opinion that is way to much in the height of the car inflation I bought a 72,000 mile 2 owner no accidents had window sticker all factory pamphlets, brochures etc no rust for $15,200 out the door. I would pass on it and try to find something more reasonably priced something with 30,000-50,000 miles would be in the upper $18k-$20k just for reference.

weldthedif

if it's in Charleston, and you need me to take a look - let me know

slightreturn

Sounds like a little much. Sure, post-facelift LS430s with <100k miles in attractive color combos aren't exactly common. If it's a CL that's one thing ... you get really nice leather, double glass, and a few other goodies. If it's just an ML though, no way. An ML differs from a Premium only as far as the navigation system and the ML stereo. You don't want the nav box, as it's hopelessly outdated and looks ridiculous, and you don't want the ML stereo because the Pioneer in the base/premium model is 95% as good and 1000% more reliable.

I would offer them $15k out the door and just forget about it if that doesn't suit 'em.

jimisbell

That timing belt is WAY past its time!!!! It was due 12 years ago. The spec is 90K OR 7 years. Its way past its lifespan

TominPT

It's 9 years, not 7, on the '05 timing belt per my '05 owners manual maintenance book, which I just looked at. 90K miles is correct. I agree with Jim, no matter how you slice it the belt is long overdue.