The Quest for an LS430 UL
#1
Thread Starter
Regional Officer - NTL
iTrader: (1)
The Quest for an LS430 UL
The more time moves on, the more eager I am to join my LS430 bros on CL. I do lurk and learn from your threads daily.
My ideal:
Since then the LS430 ULs have been so-so and seemingly lower in frequency.
Most recent candidate:
My ideal:
- 2004+
- Black exterior
- Black interior
- Optimal condition as possible
- Lowest mileage possible
- Location outside of the snowbelt
- $25k or lower
Since then the LS430 ULs have been so-so and seemingly lower in frequency.
Most recent candidate:
- 2002
- Silver exterior
- Tan interior
- Excellent condition
- Approx. 10k miles per year
- Located outside of the snowbelt
- $19900
#2
Quest for maybe an 04
If $25,000 and under is your goal then there are a lot of cars out there in the 04-05 range. I have not driven an 01-03 but there are so many reviews (see one below) that advise the upgraded 04+ is the way to go. Ultimate package is the Ultra Luxury if you use the back seat much, ie friends, relatives, etc. However, UL's are sometimes scarce as hens teeth so the next best is Custom Luxury that includes the UL suede roof liner that is really rich and a bigger trunk. So my recomendation is an 04 or better UL or Custom Luxury. Automotive.com prices the resale value of the 2004 at $11,925 - $24,325. Good luck.
Here's what the Automotive.com review said:
The LexusLS 430 benefits from substantial engineering upgrades for 2004 that significantly improve what was already a superb luxury car. It's quicker and more sophisticated than last year's model.
Model year 2004 brings major changes to the LS 430: revised styling, suspension refinements, safety improvements, and mind-boggling technology. A new six-speed automatic replaces last year's five-speed for improved acceleration performance without sacrificing fuel economy. There are more airbags than ever before (eight) and a system that tightens the seat belts before a crash. There's a tire-pressure monitor, a backup camera, headlights that swivel for seeing around corners, and Dynamic Laser Cruise Control that maintains a set following distance to the car ahead. With Bluetooth and SmartAccess, you can unlock the doors, start the car, drive off, and make hands-free phone calls without even pulling your key or your cell phone out of your pocket or purse.
Here's what the Automotive.com review said:
The LexusLS 430 benefits from substantial engineering upgrades for 2004 that significantly improve what was already a superb luxury car. It's quicker and more sophisticated than last year's model.
Model year 2004 brings major changes to the LS 430: revised styling, suspension refinements, safety improvements, and mind-boggling technology. A new six-speed automatic replaces last year's five-speed for improved acceleration performance without sacrificing fuel economy. There are more airbags than ever before (eight) and a system that tightens the seat belts before a crash. There's a tire-pressure monitor, a backup camera, headlights that swivel for seeing around corners, and Dynamic Laser Cruise Control that maintains a set following distance to the car ahead. With Bluetooth and SmartAccess, you can unlock the doors, start the car, drive off, and make hands-free phone calls without even pulling your key or your cell phone out of your pocket or purse.
#4
Thread Starter
Regional Officer - NTL
iTrader: (1)
No I had not. I'm in Dallas, and used to check our Craigslist frequently.
After so few ULs were posted on there I began to use iseecars.com, and when I ran it this afternoon, it didn't pick that up. I shall check it out immediately! THANK YOU!
Edit:
I just looked. This is the exact same place where "the one that got away" was. Looks like I'm being given a 2nd chance. Going over there tomorrow early to look at it and likely pick it up. Thanks, BlackUltra!
Last edited by Slooooooow; 02-04-09 at 03:50 PM.
#5
You are very welcome. I guess that is what this Club is all about. Let us know what shape it is in because that appears to be a great price. Also, would take the VIN to a Lexus dealer and ask them to run it. Maybe find out a little more about it.
#6
Thread Starter
Regional Officer - NTL
iTrader: (1)
"Sold at auction in Texas. Listed as a fleet vehicle."
"CARFAX 1-Owner vehicle! 1-owner 2004 Lexus LS 430 vehicles are worth an average of $2,079 more to consumers because 1-owner vehicles tend to be consistently driven and maintained. Use this as a guide when comparing vehicles. Learn More"
No other issues were flagged on the rest of the report. This is STRANGELY exactly like the one I missed out on before. In fact I'm going to check the CarFax report on the prior one just to make sure...lol"CARFAX 1-Owner vehicle! 1-owner 2004 Lexus LS 430 vehicles are worth an average of $2,079 more to consumers because 1-owner vehicles tend to be consistently driven and maintained. Use this as a guide when comparing vehicles. Learn More"
It truly appears I'm getting a 2nd chance here...I wish it was Thursday morning right now.
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#8
Thread Starter
Regional Officer - NTL
iTrader: (1)
I did head over and check it out yesterday.
It's gorgeous and in great condition. Everything appears to work within normal limits.
During my lunch break I'll be taking it over to one of my favorite independent Lexus shops (the closest one to this dealer) for a pre-purchase inspection and if all goes well, I'll be rollin' with my LS430 bros this weekend.
It's gorgeous and in great condition. Everything appears to work within normal limits.
During my lunch break I'll be taking it over to one of my favorite independent Lexus shops (the closest one to this dealer) for a pre-purchase inspection and if all goes well, I'll be rollin' with my LS430 bros this weekend.
#11
Thread Starter
Regional Officer - NTL
iTrader: (1)
The good news:
If I could walk out the door at $22k even, that would help ease the pain. But this dealer seems certain that the LS430 market prices are going up, up, up beginning in the next two weeks , so there's just no haggle room as far as he's concerned, PLUS he wouldn't even believe the car was on AutoTrader for a cheaper price. As soon as I got back to my MacBook, I gmailed him the link.
Car good. Paint not-so-great. Price - meh. I may just keep shopping.
- The car appears to be structurally sound
- The car appears to be mechanically sound (with an expert once-over)
- A further inspection of the gadgets revealed they work (didn't get to try the radar cruise control though)
- Even thought I'm fond of the ride of my ES and SC - HOLY CRAP The ride of the LS430 is in a whole different league.
- On AutoTrader the car's listed for $22,950!
- Something happened on the front end of the car (rock chips according to the dealer), so the dealer had the hood and front fenders resprayed. Bondo was not applied to fill the chips. But in terms of a respray, it's better than average.
- Based on the above item, and the rash on the A-pillars and roof, I'd say the car had one of those "bad days" where it ended up behind something like a sand truck and got nicked up. But even my independent inspector said the overall paint condition is consistent with the age.
- My first words when I looked down upon the roof in the inspector's garage with good lighting were "HOLY S$%#!" You do NOT notice it when walking by the car, but if you stand up on the door sill and look down, it's unfortunate, but maybe not ridiculous for a 5 year old car?
- During the respray, the painter used tape instead of removing the parking sensors, and headlights. There is visible overspray on surrounding structures when you're looking for it. We even found some tape on one spot.
- The inspector said that, while the respray is better than average, the newly painted respray sections will not last as long or hold up as well as the factory painted sections.
- On the dealer's website the car's listed for $23,950, and that's the starting-point price he wants to work from (+TTL, etc.)
If I could walk out the door at $22k even, that would help ease the pain. But this dealer seems certain that the LS430 market prices are going up, up, up beginning in the next two weeks , so there's just no haggle room as far as he's concerned, PLUS he wouldn't even believe the car was on AutoTrader for a cheaper price. As soon as I got back to my MacBook, I gmailed him the link.
Car good. Paint not-so-great. Price - meh. I may just keep shopping.
#12
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
If I could walk out the door at $22k even, that would help ease the pain. But this dealer seems certain that the LS430 market prices are going up, up, up beginning in the next two weeks , so there's just no haggle room as far as he's concerned, PLUS he wouldn't even believe the car was on AutoTrader for a cheaper price. As soon as I got back to my MacBook, I gmailed him the link.
#14
Sloooow, slow down. There is NO NEED to rush on an LS deal right now. The market is just going down down down and I think your color combo is very common and very soon the 2006 off-lease will hit the market so hang on in there. Your baby is out there, not need to rush.