photoguy

Can anyone help with a guess what this car is worth? I can look at blue book but I'd also be grateful to get members input. Putting it up for sale.

2001, Ultra Luxury Edition
Blue Onyx Pearl / Ivory / Bird’s Eye Maple Grey
Miles: 38,000
1 Owner, bought new
19" Lowenhart BR5 3-piece wheels

Click Here for Photos

Any comments really appreciated -
thanks,
pg

photoguy

I guess not a lot of pricing experts out there to respond . Wanted to let people how I derived an attractive price in case anyone else needs to do the same:

1) Get KBB price, use "private party", use "good" condition (think its very rare for any car to be free of every tiny defect)

2) Search e-bay motors sale history, not for sale prices. only history shows true market value.

3) Search AutoTrader for cars with same mileage and options. It's not history but I think AT is important because they have such a large database to compare against.

So anyway based on all that, a super clean 2001 Ultra Lux LS 430 should be $31950. (Like this one)

If you have your own formulas for pricing please share.

regards,
pg

Laclu007

I was using Black Book to try and determine a fair price to pay for cars. I was taking the average wholesale price, and the average retail price, and averaging that to get a price I wanted to pay at the best, and a starting price (up to avg. retail) at worst. This seemed to be a number that was too low for most vehicles and most dealers. Even the average Black Book retail price seemed to low.

I offered the retail Black Book on a mint 2001 LS 430 with the ultra luxury package and 49,000 miles. This car was in show-room condition, and had been babied it's whole life so far. The value according to BB was $23,650. No Way was the answer! This was a private deal. He was asking $30,500. The price we ended up at was $27,400. I don't think I overpaid for the car, but I don't think I "stole" it either.

Having said all that, I'm very happy with the LS.

I think the Black Book is used primarily by dealers when you want to trade in (low), and they use Gold Book or some other color (red, blue, etc.) for selling price.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

For 32K, I can get a 2004 LS.

SO I'd say... market value would be around $25K for that car, tops. However, its a very beautiful car.

lexusthai

Here's a benchmark.. an '02 LS430 with Nav and Mark Levinson, no UL... with 47800 miles... (one little dent, must carefully inspect to notice) gets $26,000 at one of those "sell-your-car-for-cash" places... last November. So Real-World trade-in value.. $26,000.. I went there and got the quote myself (two places).

KBB for this same car is around 30000-32000 (Good to Excellent PRIVATE PARTY VALUE).... It has a KBB trade-in value of 25800-27200... (G to E)

From this, I'd say KBB trade-in value is quite accurate... Pretty much the same as the real-world, as far as trade-in value goes . The same might be said about other estimates.

For Photoguy's car.. $26,160 is the trade-in value and the private party value is 31,155.... at KBB, today.

BTW, dark blue, ivory leather, bird's eye maple... wow.. beautiful combination...

photoguy

Thanks all for helpful feedback. Maybe the price should be lower, good thing is I'm not emotionally attached so I'll adjust to whatever the market says.

But GrandLS, man, I think you are little crazy . There is no way on earth you can get a 2004 LS for 32k - not unless something is undesireable about it like real high miles, no navigation, been in a wreck etc.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Actually... I used to think the same way... but thigns have changed... the LS460 is out... Now that I’m in the market for an LS/GS, I actually have been keeping up with things. I routinely check out car auctions... You might find a specific owner who is willing to pay more for the right car (yours is one of those cars someone would be willing to pay extra for, since its rare) But nowhere near $30K though. but you asked for market value

ASPLS430

iTrader: (1)

Hey be more than happy to sell you my 04 LS for 39k. Ive got 30k miles, navi, full WALD body kit, 20" Lexion wheels, Wald exhaust, Tein CS coilovers. Car is perfect, pearl on ivory, no accidents, nothing wrong with it, still under warranty till 08. ahaha...

My dealer friend jus picked up a 03 LS with like 55k miles for like 26k.

tomsls

I will gladly pay you $32k for your beautiful Pearl Car. Let's see some pics of all those extras. Lexus rocks

photoguy

After hearing the feedback and looking around I think I'm going to advertise it for $28,500.

Philsophy is to just be done with it by being the best deal out there (wife wants perfectly detailed car out of her garage space).

As far as I can see in on-line auctions, auto-trader, paper, etc, it seems to be an excellent deal for a low mileage loaded 430.

If I'm wrong no one will call so we'll see

I'll let you guys know what happens so you can get a better idea about your own 430's.

cheers